Gaelic Symphony - Amy Beach

Performed by Virago Symphonic Orchestra and conducted by Pascale Van Os.
Text written by Veroline Vanderbeek based on texts, quotes, letters and interviews by the composer:
Here I am again. Do you still remember my name? Amy Beach. Musical prodigy. When I was 16, I got to make my debut in Boston. I played the Moscheles Concerto in G minor with a large orchestra. Life began! I followed with a solo piece, a rondo by Chopin. From that moment on, my concert work began. I gave recitals and played a lot of chamber music and in concerts, and during the breaks, I worked on my compositions. At that time, I had not yet divided my enthusiasm: the work was complementary. It had not occurred to me that a choice had to be made; that where many people play music, few write music; that the creation is higher than the interpretation. And then when I was twenty I had my breakthrough! The performance of my Gaelic symphony in 1896! The first symphony published by a female American composer. The piece you will soon hear. Enjoy and goodbye.