Amy Beach, a mostly forgotten composer, is just a footnote in most music history textbooks. Why? This week was her birthday, and I’ve been listening to her symphonic music, and loving it. Her compositions are brilliant, challenging, and deserve their place in American history.

Also on today’s show: Nina Simone, Missy Mazzoli, and Mary Jane Leach. In this episode of American Highways, pianist Guy Livingston brings us four great American women composers.

AMERICAN HIGHWAYS #94 Happy Birthday, Amy Beach

Jan Jeroen (J.J.) Spijkervet & Immersive Sound

“American Highways” Jingle

Sounds About Right

composed for Concertzender

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

Singing Joyfully

Susanne Mentzer and Sunny Joy Langton

Koch 37360-2

Mary Jane Leach

Ariadne’s Lament (1993)

The New York Treble Singers

New World Records NWR80525-2

Nina Simone

See Line Woman (1954)

Nina Simone and friends

Metro CD010

Mizzy Mazzoli

Orrizonte

Lisa Moore

Cantaloupe Music 21115

Amy Beach

Symphony in E Minor, Op. 32, Gaelic

V. Allegro con fuoco

VI. Alla Siciliana; Allegro vivace

VII. Lento con molto espressione

VIII. Allegro di molto

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra cond by Karl Krueger

Bridge Records (4) ‎– BRIDGE 9086

David King

Super America

The Bad Plus

E1 Records: EOM-CD-2112

 

Links

New York Times playlist of adventurous women in rock and indie music

Mince Pies and Minor Chords, the life and music of Amy Beach, a radio feature produced by Claire Cunningham for RTE lyric fm radio in Ireland. Listen to this great show!