Beach, Romance

This week we feature a short character piece by the American pianist and composer Amy Beach (1867-1944). But unlike other women composers before her, notably Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn, Beach established her reputation as a composer with large-scale works: primarily her Mass in E-Flat (1892) and Gaelic Symphony (1896).

We tend to view the musical careers of Clara and Fanny in the context of their more famous male counterparts, even though Clara’s fame preceded that of her husband. But Beach grew up without that kind of musical pedigree. Born in Henniker, New Hampshire, she was something of a prodigy. She received formal training when the family moved to the Boston area in 1875 and, although it was recommended that she enroll in a European conservatory, she chose to study in Boston.

She made a very successful concert debut in 1883 performing the Moscheles Piano Concerto No. 3. The following year she was featured soloist with the Boston Symphony. In 1885, however, she married a physician, Aubrey Beach, and her musical activities were severely limited, much as Clara Schumann’s career was sublimated to that of her husband.

Although she agreed to limit her concert appearances to two per year, Beach had significant success as a composer. Her Mass was performed by the Handel and Haydn Society in 1892 to rave reviews. The Gaelic Symphony was premiered a few years later by the Boston Symphony. The Romance featured here was composed in 1893 during her rise to prominence.

After her husband’s death in 1910, Beach resumed her concert career, performing in major European venues. Her Gaelic Symphony also received numerous performances in Europe.

Today she is considered the first American woman symphonist. She published some 300 works in many genres during her lifetime. Many art songs are among her most popular.