„And when I had that one little whiff of success that I‘ve had in my life, with the viola Sonata, the rumour went around, I hear, that I hadn‘t written the stuff myself…“
Rebecca Clarke (1886 – 1979) was born in England a child of a Bavarian mother and an American father. She studied violin from an early age, and later switched to the viola to „be in the middle of the sound“ of the orchestra.
In 1907 she was the first female composition student with Sir Stanford (other students of his were Holst and Vaughn Williams) at the Royal College of Music in London.
Her father was violent and used to regularly beat the children with a steel slapper. Later, in an argument, Rebecca built a house of cards using the letters of his mistresses. He then threw her out of the house refusing to pay another penny for her.
So instead of finishing her studies, she began working as a viola player.
Rebecca Clarke was one of the first female members of a professional ensemble (Queen‘s Hall Orchestra). She toured the world as a virtuoso, playing solo and in different ensembles, her own works often appearing under a male pseudonym on the programmes.
At the outbreak of world war II she moved to the US, living with her brothers. In 1942 she started working as a nanny and more or less stopped writing music.
She married in 1944, and although her husband encouraged her to write more, she didn‘t much.
Most of her works are still unpublished.
Comments
For the most accurate, up-to-date information on Clarke’s life, career, and works, please see her official website, http://www.rebeccaclarkecomposer.com, where you will find a complete list of her compositions, with links to published editions. Musicology has done a very poor job of portraying Clarke’s character and accomplishments — for a concise, corrective, see the “Life,” “FAQ,” and “Gallery” pages on the website. I am a great-nephew of Clarke’s and the owner of her rights. If you have any questions, I can be reached through the website’s “Contact” page.
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Great, Thomas! The songs I found at the australian library were by Florence Alyward, I see that’s not so clear if you read it fast… Songs by Rebecca are easier to find, but thanks anyway for the tip.
There are several new publications of her songs:
Song Album
Voicing/Format Medium High
Composer Clarke, Rebecca
Publisher Boosey & Hawkes Inc
Catalog# M060097898
Songs With Piano
Voicing/Format Medium High
Composer Clarke, Rebecca
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Catalog# 0193864207
Three Old English Songs (Voice/Vn)
Voicing/Format Voice With Instrument
Composer Clarke, Rebecca
Publisher Boosey & Hawkes Inc
Catalog# 48011616
Thomas Gregg
Boston, Mass., USA
Hi Marion,
I did a search and found two of her songs in the national library of Australia (!).
It’s very beautiful salon-music and we will put them on our recording-list.
Thank you so much for the tip!
What a fascinating story. Rebecca was one hell of a plucky woman!
Regarding female composers of the late 19th century/early 20th…
The music in my family comes directly from the Alyward family and a Florence Alyward (1862-1950) was a female composer either at the RCM – where I studied! – or the RAM. She was noted for her ballads.
The entire family was very musical – organists/music teachers/ players – and one ended up in the US as Director of Cincinnati Opera.
I gather that most of Florence’s manuscripts are held in the library at the RAM but have never had chance to view them.
Have you come across any of her work? I would be thrilled to hear/read any examples.