Amy Beach (1867-1944)

Donald Macleod explores how Amy Beach railed against the sexism of her time to journey from a child piano prodigy to a respected composer.

Young Birches
Valse – Caprice, op.4
3 Songs, Op 2 no 3 - Empress of Night
Eilende Wolken, segler der Lufte, Op. 18
Violin Sonata, Op.34 - I. Allegro Moderato
Quartet for Strings in One Movement
The Lark Quartet
Romance for violin and piano, op.23
Ecstasy, Op.19 no 2
Symphony in E Flat, Op.32 'Gaelic'
Peace I leave with you
Dreaming (4 Sketches, Op.15)
Piano Quintet in F sharp minor, Op.67
Deus Misereatur, Op.78 no 2
Jephthah’s Daughter, Op.53
A Hermit Thrush At Morn, Op.92, no.2
Piano Concerto, Op. 45
From Grandmother’s Garden - V. Honeysuckle
By the still waters, Op.114 (arr. Lewin for 2 guitars)
Hermit Thrush At Eve, Op.92, no.1 (1922)
3 Piano pieces, Op. 128 (I. Scherzino)
Ses Yeux, Op. 66
Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 150
Cabildo, Op. 149 “Ah, love is a jasmine vine”
Canticle of the Sun
Scottish Legend, Op. 54, No 1

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Amy Beach (1867-1944): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002rf45

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

Producer: Steven Rajam / Sam Phillips