Ethel Smyth

English composer Ethel Smyth, noted for militancy and imprisoned in 1911 for her part in the suffragette movement, was born on 22 April 1858 and died in 1944 on 8 May (or 9 May according to some sources), aged eighty-six. She had studied music in Leipzig and Berlin, leaving two good operas for posterity.

 

A selection of articles about Ethel Smyth

Spotlight. An Interesting and Varied Release - Geoff Pearce recommends Hanni Liang's album of piano music by women composers. 'I was very impressed with the originality of this prgramme.'

Classical music news. Emerging Genius - A biographical novel tells the tale of a talented but maligned composer, plus other news

Ensemble. A Big Disappointment - In the last of his reports from the 2024 Buxton Festival, Mike Wheeler experiences Ethel Smyth's comic opera 'The Boatswain's Mate'

Ensemble. Little Short of Miraculous - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Hanni Liang's pianism, but reports that some audience members were unhappy with her recital's lecture element

Spotlight. Highly Individual - Geoff Pearce listens to chamber music by two generations of female composers. '... marvellous unfamiliar music ...'

CD Spotlight. Lifetime Favourites - Geoff Pearce listens to string quartets by Ethel Smyth and Frederick Delius. '... the recording ... is of pleasing quality.'

CD Spotlight. Important Women Composers - British music by Ethel Smyth, Susan Spain-Dunk, Constance Warren and Ruth Gipps, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... performances of the highest calibre, combining irrepressible beauty and fragility with technical mastery that brings out all the suavity of these sophisticated creations.'

Classical music news. The Prison - The first recording of Ethel Smyth's 1930 work 'The Prison' is to be released on Chandos Records

Ensemble. An Absolute Triumph - Roderic Dunnett listens enraptured to Ireland and Smyth at the opening night of the 2018 Three Choirs Festival

Ensemble. Centres of Excellence - Roderic Dunnett looks back to the 2017 Three Choirs Festival at Worcester, and forward to 2018 in Hereford

Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - Johannes Goritzki and Julian Jacobson at London's Royal College of Music, heard by Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight - Smyth's Mass. 'The musical ideas are often bold ...' A disc in the EMI British Composers' series, with Peter Dale