Jane Mary Guest facts for kids

Jane Mary Guest, also known as Jenny Guest and later as Jane Mary Miles, was a talented English composer and pianist. She was born around 1762 and lived until March 20, 1846. Jane was a student of the famous composer Johann Christian Bach. She wrote many pieces for keyboard instruments, like the piano, and also songs with piano music. She even taught piano to important members of the royal family, including Princess Amelia and Princess Charlotte of Wales.

Biography of Jane Mary Guest

Jane Mary Guest was likely born in Bath, Somerset, around 1762. Her father, Thomas Guest, worked as a tailor. In Bath, she learned music from teachers like Thomas Orpin and Thomas Linley. She was so good that she started performing concerts when she was only six years old!

From 1776, Jane studied with J. C. Bach in London. She also learned from Antonio Sacchini. By 1779, she was performing in London. She held special concerts in 1783 and 1784 where people could subscribe to attend. Jane was known for playing the piano with a lot of feeling and expression. Around this time, she published her first set of six sonatas, called Op. 1. Many people, including royalty, bought subscriptions to these works. They were also published in Paris in 1784 and Berlin in 1785.

On August 29, 1789, Jane married Abram Allen Miles, who was an accountant, in London. In the 1790s, she continued to teach and perform in Bath. She played at concerts led by Venanzio Rauzzini, who was another one of her teachers. She also wrote some concertos, which are pieces for a solo instrument with an orchestra, but these haven't been found today.

In 1804, Jane became the piano teacher for Princess Amelia. Princess Amelia was the youngest daughter of King George III. Then, in 1806, Jane also started teaching Princess Charlotte of Wales. Princess Charlotte was the daughter of the Prince Regent (who later became King George IV). Sadly, Princess Amelia passed away in 1810 after being ill for many years. In 1814, Princess Charlotte's father dismissed all her staff, but Jane remained her tutor until at least that time.

Jane's husband, Abram, died in 1832. Jane herself passed away on March 20, 1846, in Blackheath, London. She had been living there with her daughter, Louisa. She was buried with her husband at the church of St Edmund, King and Martyr. Some of her music stayed popular even after she died. For example, "The Fairies' Dance" was republished in 1863, and "The Bonnie Wee Wife" was republished in 1874.

Musical Works

Jane Mary Guest composed many different types of musical pieces. Here are some of her most well-known works:

Keyboard Sonatas

A sonata is a piece of music usually for one or two instruments.

• Six Sonatas, Op. 1 (around 1783), with music for violin or flute to play along.
• Sonata (1807), with music for violin accompaniment.

Other Keyboard Works

These are other pieces she wrote for keyboard instruments like the piano.

• Introduction and March from Rossini's Ricciardo e Zoraide (around 1820)
• La Georgiana: Introduction and Waltz (1826) - A waltz is a dance in triple time.
• La jolie Julienne: Polacca (1826) - A polacca is a type of Polish dance.
• La Jeanette: Introduction and Original Air (1828)
• Divertimento (1829) - A divertimento is a light and entertaining musical piece.

Vocal Works with Keyboard Music

These are songs she wrote where a singer performs with keyboard accompaniment.

• "Marion, or Will Ye Gang to the Burn Side" (around 1820), a ballad (a song that tells a story).
• "The Bonnie Wee Wife" (1823), a ballad with words by Robert Burns.
• "Brignal Banks" (1825), a glee (a song for several voices without instruments), with words by Walter Scott.
• "Jessica" (around 1825), a ballad.
• "Come Buy My Garlands Gay" (1826), a ballad.
• "Di te non mi fido" (1827), a duet (a song for two singers).
• "The Fairies' Dance" (1829), a duet.
• "Dalton Hall" (around 1830), a ballad.
• "Fair One, Take This Rose" (around 1830)
• "The Bonnie Lassie" (around 1830), with words by Robert Burns.
• "Yes! I'll Gang to the Eure Bughts" (around 1830)
• "The Field Daisy" (1842)

See also

In Spanish: Jane Mary Guest para niños