Mixtape #8: Australian Female Composers by Angus McPherson

Happy Monday everyone!

Today’s MixTape has been curated by Angus McPherson, Sydney-based flutist, arts writer and deputy Editor at Limelight Magazine. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram!

Limelight Magazine:

Twitter: @LimelightEd

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Keep sharing and happy listening!

Listen to the last MixTapes:

Spotify: Donne Women in Music

FEBRUARY 24

KETTY NEZ - USA
Born 24 February

More about her

Find scores by Ketty Nez:

CARLA MAGNAN - ITALY
Born 24 February

More about her

Find scores by Carla Magnan:

 Check here last year's composers of the day

24 FEBRUARY 2019

EDITH MARY HARRHY - UK   

BORN 24 FEBRUARY

Edith Harrhy composed under a number of pseudonyms, and although renowned in her lifetime, was not recognised accordingly in historic records. Born in London, Edith Harrhy married an Australian in 1919, and settled in Melbourne. Her recitals were enormously popular, as she would play, sing, and then end up telling anecdotes. She composed under a number of pseudonyms, and although renowned in her lifetime, was not recognised accordingly in historic records.

Edith Mary Harrhy was educated at Shenley House School, London, and took her first Trinity College examination at the age of seven. Later she entered the Guildhall School of Music as an Ernest Palmer Scholar and here she studied piano, singing, harmony, counterpoint and opera. During this time she was the recipient of a number of annual scholarships and prizes. In 1914 Edith went on tour with English violinist Mary Law and it was during her travels that she met William Constant Beckx Daly in Australia. The pair married on 8 April 1919 in London, before returning to Melbourne.

During the 1920s Edith travelled with her husband for his work, all-the-while performing for charities, clubs and societies. From 1930 to 1933 Edith and her family lived in London, where she continued giving recitals. On her return to Melbourne, she began her work with amateur and semi-professional musical-theatre groups. She was involved with Gertrude Johnson's Australian National Theatre Movement from its inception in 1935, and was its musical director in 1940-48. She also worked as musical director with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria, the Q Guild and the Lyric Light Opera Society. Edith also worked as staff coach and accompanist for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Opera Society from 1950.

♫ LISTEN

Thought I Heard a Magpie Call by Edith Harrhy

►FIND SCORES BY EDITH HARRHY

JOSEPHINE McGILL - USA
BORN 24 FEBRUARY

Very little is written about Josephine McGill apart from the fact that she was an American composer and musical historian born in Louisville, KY. on October 20, 1877 and died on February 24, 1919. She was an authority on the songs of the Southern Appalachians.

After attending and graduating from Presentation Academy in Louisville Girl's High School, she devoted her career to music study and composition. She studied piano, organ and voice.

♫ LISTEN

Duna by Josephine McGill

►FIND SCORES BY JOSEPHINE McGILL