Mary Howe facts for kids

Mary Howe (born Mary Carlisle on April 4, 1882 – died September 14, 1964) was an American composer and pianist. She was known for her beautiful music, especially her orchestral pieces inspired by nature and American themes.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Mary Howe was born in Richmond, Virginia, and spent most of her life near Washington, D.C.. Her father, Calderon Carlisle, was a successful lawyer. Mary started learning piano at a young age with Hermione Seron. By the time she was 18, she was performing for audiences and was accepted into the Peabody Institute in Baltimore.

Learning from the Best

At the Peabody Institute, Mary studied piano with Richard Burmeister and became a very skilled pianist. She also learned about composing music from teachers like Gustav Strube and Ernest Hutcheson. In 1933, she traveled to Paris to study with the famous French pianist and teacher, Nadia Boulanger.

From Performer to Composer

Mary often performed piano duets with her friend Anne Hull. One of their most famous performances was Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos. However, Mary loved composing even more than performing.

She enjoyed a style of music called neo-romanticism, which means her music often had strong feelings and beautiful melodies, but she was also open to new and modern musical ideas. Her first compositions were mostly for the piano.

Nature and American Themes in Music

Mary Howe later became very interested in creating music inspired by nature and American stories. This led to some of her most well-known orchestral works. These include pieces like Sand, Stars, and Rock, which paint musical pictures of these natural elements. She also wrote Three Pieces after Emily Dickinson, inspired by the famous poet's words.

The "Chain Gang Song"

One of her most famous pieces was "Chain Gang Song" for orchestra and chorus. This song was praised for its strong and powerful sound. After its first performance, the audience loved it so much that they called Mary and the performers back to the stage for a bow!

Later Life and Legacy

Later in her life, Mary Howe enjoyed composing music for voices, writing many art songs. During World War II, she wrote powerful pieces to support the troops. These songs used words from the poet William Blake.

Mary Howe passed away in 1964 at the age of 82. She left behind a wonderful collection of music that continues to be enjoyed today.

Musical Compositions

Mary Howe composed a wide variety of music throughout her career.

Choral Works

She wrote many pieces for choirs, including:

• Chain Gang Song (1925)
• Laud for Christmas (1936)
• Song of Ruth (1939)
• Prophecy (1943)

Songs for Voice

Mary Howe composed over 50 songs for solo voice and piano. Some of these include:

• Old English Lullaby (1913)
• Somewhere in France (1918)
• The Lake Isle of Innisfree (1933)
• Velvet Shoes (1935)

Orchestral and Chamber Music

Her orchestral works often drew inspiration from nature and American themes.

• Poema (1922)
• Stars (1927)
• Sand (1928)
• Rock (1954)

She also wrote music for smaller groups of instruments, known as chamber music, such as:

• Fugue for string quartet (1922)
• 3 Pieces after Emily Dickinson for string quartet (1941)
• Wind Quintet (1957)

Piano and Organ Music

Mary Howe composed many pieces for piano, both for solo performance and for two pianos.

• Nocturne (1913)
• Stars (1934)

She also wrote some music for the organ, including Elegy (1939).

See also

In Spanish: Mary Howe para niños