Alto Records returns a groundbreaking release – Virginia Eskin’s acclaimed recording of piano works by American composer Amy Beach – to international availability. The recording featured two-piano works with pianist Kathleen Supové at the beginning of her career as a cutting-edge champion of new music and underperformed rarities.
Amy (Mrs. H.H.A.) Beach found music a driving force in her life. She composed expressively at age five. Following acclaim as piano-soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at age 18, she went to Dr. H.H.A. Beach for treatment of a hand injury and married him the same year. During the 25 years of their marriage, 1885-1910, she composed most of her major works. At the time of her marriage, Amy Beach was widely recognized as an extraordinarily gifted pianist. However, apart from benefit performances, her husband discouraged her public career, and so she turned her full attention to composing. She turned out a remarkable quantity and variety of music. She was the first American woman to compose a symphony and the first woman composer whose works were performed by major orchestras in the U.S., including the Boston Symphony and orchestras in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Buffalo, Kansas City and many other cities.
“Virginia Eskin perfectly understands the mixture of drama, nature worship and contemplative qualities that characterize these pieces. Kathleen Supové ably assists her in the Suite. The disc can serve as an introduction to Beach’s piano works and as a sample of the playing of a ground-breaking pianist fortunately still with us.”
-William Kreindler, MusicWeb International
