Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (Mrs. H.H.A. Beach)

Born September 5, 1867 in Henniker, New Hampshire

Died December 27, 1944

Nationality: American

Period/Style: Romantic

About the composer:

Amy Beach was a very talented woman who began singing and playing the piano when she was just a little girl. She took piano lessons from her mother, and later from other teachers. In 1885 she made her piano debut with the Boston Symphony, one of the finest orchestras in the United States and the world. She played many concerts in Germany and all over the United States. In Amy Beach’s day, it was unusual for a woman to be recognized for writing and performing music. She is one of the first American women to be successful in a music career.

About the music:

Amy Beach writes in a style that is unique and very colorful.  Many of her piano pieces have titles that paint pictures in the listener’s mind.  Listen to the titles of the music you’re about to hear, and see what pictures come to mind as you listen.

Suggested activities:

Find out what “debut’ means.

Find out why Amy Beach is known by two different names.

Discover what her symphony is called, and why it was given that name.