The Composer Amy Beach

Phenomenally gifted as a child, she soon acquired a reputation as a piano virtuoso, but this was later superseded by a recognition of her accomplishments as a composer. She was the first composer in America to write a symphony of importance.

Percy A. Scholes, The Oxford Companion to Music

I

Amy, we must put a stop to this.

What is it Calvin tells us? Take from a child

That thing he loves most.

Since you could toddle you’ve played

Every song we’ve sung you.

II

We do this for your own dear sake.

We could never make out how Mrs Cheney

Could be that cruel. But, in any case,

There was no stopping the child.

Without her piano she took to playing

The stairs – knelt on the bottom one,

Played her tunes on the next.

Stood her music on the one above.

She was always to be found there; always.

One day a visitor called and had words

With Mrs Cheney. We didn't hear

What was said, but from that day on

Amy played piano all the time.

III

I have been the most fortunate of women,

With loving parents, my fine husband, my music.

They said that when I was small I mastered Chopin

Even though my hands were the hands of an infant.

But somehow, according to Mother, I knew

Which of the notes it was best to leave unplayed.

My concerts made Boston the focus of the world.

I adored making music; I was adored.

In the contract I signed on my marriage to Doctor Beach

Was a clause that said I would cease to play in public.

Young women ask me how did that feel?

I don't remember. They find it hard to believe.

But I thank God daily for it now;

For guiding me down this road.

FRANCES NAGLE