History of English Women Composers
Successful Female Composers of the 19th Century from England
A brief overview of English women in composition, including a list of their works and biographical details. Arabella Goddard, Ethel Leginska, Florence May, and more.
The following English women composers of the 19th century had their works recognized by way of performance or publication. Some names may be familiar to the reader of today.
Arabella Goddard
While better known for her piano artistry and her 'glamour girl' persona, Arabella Goddard (born 1836; died 1922), was a composer from the age of eight. A student of piano in Paris with Kalkbrenner at the age of six, her first composition was a group of Six Waltzes for piano (1844). Other works include selections for piano and a Ballade for piano (1853). She was at one time considered England's foremost pianist, according to "Women of Notes: 1,000 Women Composers Born Before 1900."
Ethel Leginska
Ethel Leginska (Liggins), was born in Hull in 1886 and died in 1970. She was a pianist, teacher and composer who studied at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfort, Germany, and with Leschetizky in Vienna. She gave a successful recital in New York City in January of 1913.
Leginska organized the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, a group of 100 musicians, and the Women's Symphony of Boston. She also appeared as guest conductor with several European and American symphony orchestras. She settled in Los Angeles, California, as a piano teacher in 1939.
Among her many compositions might be cited an opera, Gale, which was performed by the Chicago Civic Opera in 1935, with the composer at the podium; From a Life, (New York City, 1922); Beyond the Fields We Know (a symphonic poem performed in New York City in 1922); Two Short Pieces for Orchestra (Boston, 1924, with Pierre Monteux conducting); Fantasy, for piano and orchestra (New York City ,1926); Six Nursery Rhymes for soprano and chamber orchestra and Three Victorian Portraits for piano, 1959.
Florence May
Florence May was born in London, England, in 1845 and died in London in 1923. She was the daughter of Edward Collett May, an English singing teacher. She was a pupil of Bargiel, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, whose music she was instrumental in introducing to English audiences.
Her compositions include Benedictus and Hosanna,performed at Berlin in 1878,songs, choruses and three piano pieces. May was the author of "The Life of Johannes Brahms" (2 volumes., 1905).
Charlotte Sainton-Dolby
Charlotte Helen Sainton-Dolby was born in London, England, in 1821 and died there in 1885. She was a contralto and made her debut as soloist at a London Philharmonic concert in 1842. Felix Mendelssohn wrote the contralto part in Elijah for her, and he also dedicated his Six Songs, Op.57, to her.
She married the violinist Prosper Sainton in 1869 and three years later founded a vocal school in London. She was the composer of three cantatas: The Legend of St .Dorothea, The Story of the Faithful Soul and Florimel , for female voice. The author of Tutor for English Singers, she also composed many songs.
Maude White
Maude Valerie White was born in 1855 and died in London, England, in 1937. She won the Mendelssohn Prize while a student of G.A.MacFarren and Rockstro at the Royal Academy. She went on to study in Vienna, and while still a student she composed a Mass and violin and cello works.
Among her works is an album of piano pieces, "Pictures From Abroad," and "Naissance dAmour," for cello and piano. She was the first woman to be named Mendelssohn Scholar (1879). She wrote her memoirs, "Friends and Memories" in London in 1914 and followed this by a sequel, "My Indian Summer," (London, 1932).
These women were celebrated in their time, and perhaps deserve to be rediscovered.
Source: Women of Notes: 1,000 Women Composers Born Before 1900, Richards Rosen Press, Inc., NYC 1978
For more information about women in music see:
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