Cecile Louise Stephanie Chaminade was born, Aug 8, 1857, in Paris, France. Was a French composer and pianist, who was primarily known for piano music, which she preformed on numerous concert tours, especially in England and the US. She was so popular that a group of national music clubs were named after her, in the US and her prelude for organ was played at Queen Victoria's funeral in 1901.
Cecile's mother was a singer and pianist and can probably be credited for instilling her daughter with a love of music. Her father refused to let her attend a music school, so instead she was privately tutored by Benjamin Godard and a number of others. She performed in her first public recital at age 18 and made her London debut in 1892. In 1913, she was the first female composer to be granted admission to the Order of the Legion of Honor.
Although Cecile's piano music and songs for parlors, were widely popular, her more serious works including an opera, ballet and orchestral suites were less well received, especially by critics. Yet most of her compositions were published during her lifetime and sold relatively well. It's pretty obvious that evaluations of her music were based more on gender stereotypes, rather than the quality of work. If she focused on lighter music such as smaller piano pieces, her work would be considered trivial and if she tried to do work on a larger scale than she was criticized for her "lack of femininity". Cecile's music is remembered as dignified, symphonic & diverting, despite being virtually forgotten after WW1.
Cecile Chaminade died in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on April 18, 1944.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cecile-Chaminade
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Women in Literature and Music
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