Amy Beach Papers

Collection

Identifier: WCMss-354

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Amy Beach Papers houses material related to the composer Amy Beach. This collection, which dates from 1976 to 1981, consists of copies of several piano pieces by composer Amy Beach. These copies include: "Children's Carnival: A Suite of Six short Piano Pieces for Young Players,” “From Six to Twelve: A Suite for Piano,” "Children's Album No. 1 for the Pianoforte," "Summer Dreams," "Eskimos: 4 Characteristic Pieces for the Pianoforte,” “Morning Glories,” "Four Sketches,” "Bal Masque," “Two Compositions," "Cadenza to the first movement of the Third Concerto for the Pianoforte [C minor op. 37] by Ludwig van Beethoven,” “Valse-Caprice,” “Ballad in D-Flat,” and "Variations on Balkan Themes for Piano.” There are two copies of Marcelle Verzanna's article, "Amy Beach and Her Music for Children.” There are other pamphlets and entries on Amy Beach, including, "Where Was Amy Beach All These Years?" and correspondences between Marcelle Verzanna and various librarians and musicologists, inquiring into copies of Amy Beach's music.

Dates

Creation: 1976-1981

Creator

Vernazza, Marcelle (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Amy Marcy Cheney Beach was born on September 5, 1867 in Henniker, New Hampshire, and became the first successful American female composer of large-scale art music. She performed acclaimed concerts featuring her own music in the United States and Germany and was one of the first American composers to succeed without European training. The Boston Symphony Orchestra premiered her “Gaelic Symphony” in 1896. It was the first symphony composed and published by an American woman. She died on December 27, 1944 in New York City.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Amy Beach Papers contain material related to the American composer, Amy Beach. The collection, which dates from 1976 to 1981, houses copies of the sheet music for Beach’s compositions and several articles written about her by Marcelle Wynn Vernazza.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by Marcelle Wynn Vernazza in 2002. The accession number associated with this donation is retro-0792.