Arthur O'Leary (composer) facts for kids

Arthur O'Leary (born March 15, 1834 – died March 11, 1919) was a talented Irish musician. He was a well-known composer, a skilled pianist, and a respected teacher.

About Arthur O'Leary

Arthur O'Leary was born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. Music was in his family. His father, also named Arthur, and his uncle Daniel were both gifted musicians.

When Arthur was just ten years old, his musical talent was discovered. A lawyer named Wyndham Goold became his supporter, also known as a patron. In May 1844, Mr. Goold sent Arthur to school in Dublin. He also made sure Arthur received private piano lessons.

Other people helped Arthur financially, including John Stanford. John was the father of another famous composer, Charles Villiers Stanford. With help from these supporters, Arthur was able to study music in Germany. He went to the conservatory in Leipzig in 1847. There, he studied piano with Ignaz Moscheles, organ, violin, and harmony.

During his time in Leipzig, Arthur met many important musicians. These included Moscheles, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, and Joseph Joachim. He even attended Mendelssohn's funeral in 1847.

Teaching Career

From 1852 to 1854, Arthur O'Leary continued his piano studies. He learned from Cipriani Potter and William Sterndale Bennett. This was at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London.

In 1856, he became an assistant professor at the RAM. By 1864, he was a full fellow, teaching piano and composition. Many of his students became famous musicians themselves. Some notable pupils were Alicia Adelaide Needham, Charles Villiers Stanford, and Arthur Sullivan.

Arthur O'Leary also taught at other schools in London. These included the National Training School for Music and the Guildhall School. He taught at the Crystal Palace School of Science and Art and the Beckenham School of Music. He stopped teaching at the RAM and other places in 1903. In 1875, he became a member of the Philharmonic Society.

Family Life

Arthur O'Leary married Rosetta Vinning on November 5, 1860. They had two daughters, Catherine Wyndham and Annette Elizabeth. Rosetta passed away in 1909. Arthur died in London in 1919. They are both buried in Aghadoe cemetery near Killarney, Ireland.

Annette, their daughter, married Harry Pye in 1897. Harry was the son of Kellow Pye. Annette and Harry had one son, Edmund Arthur Pye, born in 1902. Edmund later became known as Peter Pye, a famous yachtsman and writer. His son, Patrick Pye, became an artist in Dublin.

Arthur O'Leary's Music

Arthur O'Leary wrote many different kinds of music. His biggest work was a symphony. A symphony is a long piece of music for an orchestra. It was performed in London in 1853 and again in 1864.

While he wrote other orchestral pieces, most of his music was for the piano and songs. One expert, Raymond Deane, said that O'Leary was a very good composer of "drawing-room" music. This means his music was often played in people's homes. He also said that O'Leary's music sometimes had deeper feelings.

Here is a list of some of his compositions:

Recordings

You can listen to some of Arthur O'Leary's piano music on these recordings:

• Arthur O'Leary: Piano Music from the Victorian Age, played by Anthony Byrne (piano), GDD 001 (CD, 2002). This CD includes: Scène rustique, Twilight Shadows (Nocturne), Waving Ferns op. 23/1, Barcarolle, Fleurs et pleurs op. 9, Pastorale op. 13, Minuet in B flat op. 11, Fête rustique op. 8, Les Pèlerins op. 23/5, Zwei Clavierstücke op. 2, Rondo grazioso op. 1, Valse heureuse.
• Fallen Leaves from an Irish Album, played by Una Hunt (piano), RTÉ Lyric fm CD 109 (CD, 2006). This CD features: Valse heureuse.