Margaret Ruthven Lang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Ruthven Lang
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| Born | November 27, 1867 |
| Died | May 29, 1972 (aged 104) |
| Occupation | composer |
Margaret Ruthven Lang (born November 27, 1867 – died May 29, 1972) was an American composer. She was part of a group of musicians called the Second New England School.
Margaret Lang made history as one of the first two women composers to have her music played by major American symphony orchestras. Her piece, Dramatic Overture, was performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1893. The other composer was Amy Beach.
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Early Life and Musical Family
Margaret Lang was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the oldest child in her family. Her mother, Frances Morse Burrage Lang, was a singer. Her father, Benjamin Johnson "B. J." Lang, was a very important musician in Boston. He was a conductor, pianist, organist, and composer. He also led several music groups, like The Apollo Club and the Handel and Haydn Society.
The Lang family home was a popular place for famous musicians to visit. Guests included Antonín Dvořák and Paderewski. Margaret's father was also friends with Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner. Margaret even played with Wagner's children when she was young.
Learning to Compose
Margaret showed a talent for composing music early on. Her father made sure she received lessons in music theory. This included harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration.
In 1886, when she was 19, Margaret traveled to Munich, Germany. She studied violin there. She also wanted to study counterpoint and fugue, which are types of music composition. However, women were not allowed to take these classes at the Royal Conservatory of Music until 1898.
After returning to Boston, Margaret continued her studies. She learned orchestration and composition from George Whitefield Chadwick. He was a professor at the New England Conservatory of Music. She also studied with other famous composers like John Knowles Paine.
Making Music History
Margaret wrote over 200 songs. Many of these were popular and performed often in Boston. A company called A. P. Schmidt Co. also published many of her songs.
Her Dramatic Overture, Op. 12, made history in April 1893. The Boston Symphony Orchestra performed it. This was the first time a major American symphony orchestra played a piece by a woman composer.
Soon after, another of her overtures, Witichis, Op. 10, was performed. This happened at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Margaret also wrote pieces for voice and orchestra. Her father sometimes conducted her works.
Margaret was very strict about her own music. She often destroyed pieces she was not happy with. Because of this, none of her large orchestra works still exist today. She likely destroyed them herself.
Later Life and Legacy
Margaret never married. After her father passed away in 1909, she took care of her mother. She also managed the family's money.
Her last published music piece was Three Pianoforte Pieces for Young Players, Op. 60, in 1919. After she stopped composing, Margaret focused on religious work. She became a devout Episcopalian.
Between 1927 and 1939, she wrote and published religious pamphlets. These were called "Messages from God." She paid for them herself and sent over 6,000 copies around the world for free.
Margaret holds a special record for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She was a subscriber for 91 years, which is the longest time anyone has ever subscribed. In 1967, the orchestra held a concert to celebrate her 100th birthday. They also placed a small plaque on her seat in the concert hall.
Margaret Lang passed away on May 29, 1972. She was almost 105 years old. Her family's papers, including her own scrapbooks, are kept at the Boston Public Library.
Today, some of Margaret's compositions are available in new editions. These include Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures by Edward Lear, Op. 42, and Irish Love Song. Her Irish Love Song was very popular. Famous singers like Ernestine Schumann-Heink recorded it. Many of her original song manuscripts are in the Library of Congress.
Images for kids
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Margaret Ruthven Lang, around 1900
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See also
In Spanish: Margaret Ruthven Lang para niños
