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: an ALS signed “Amy M. Beach,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 6.5, February 28, 1919, handwritten letter to the “Ladies of the Cutting Up Club” of the Newton Highlands, thanking them “for the very beautiful flowers which you so kindly sent to me”; and a blue ink signature, “With best wishes of Mrs. H. H. A. Beach, New York, May 24th 1943,” on an off-white 3.5 x 2 card. In overall fine condition, with a short tear to right edge of card. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed transmittal envelope.
