American composer and pianist (1867-1944) who was the first successful American female composer of large-scale art music. Her ‘Gaelic’ Symphony, premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1896, was the first symphony composed and published by an American woman. She was one of the first American composers to succeed without the benefit of European training and one of the most respected and acclaimed American composers of her era. Two items: a rare vintage matte-finish 6 x 7.75 portrait photo of the pioneering female composer and pianist, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “For Mrs. Gertrude Gilbert, with sincere regard, Amy M. Beach, May 12, 1916”; and an AMQS on an off-white 4 x 2.5 sheet, signed in black ink, “Mrs. H. H. A. Beach,” who adds four bars of music “From Sonata, Op. 34 for violin and pianoforte.” In overall very good to fine condition, with heavy edge silvering to the signed photo.
