September 5, 1867:
Amy Marcy Cheney (Beach) is born at 102 Western Avenue in Henniker, New Hampshire, USA, the only child of Charles Abbott Cheney, a paper manufacturer and Clara Imogene Marcy, amateur singer and pianist.
October 24, 1883:
Amy Marcy Cheney (16) makes her public performing debut as one of several soloists at the Boston Music Hall. She performs a Rondo in E flat by Chopin (†34) and Moscheles’ Piano Concerto in g minor. Critics are effusive in their praise.
January 9, 1884:
Amy Marcy Cheney (16) gives her first public recital, in Chickering Hall, Boston. The critics are generally positive. Among the assisting musicians is Charles Martin Loeffler (22).
March 28, 1885:
Amy Marcy Cheney (17) plays with a major orchestra for the first time, performing Chopin’s (†35) f minor concerto with the Boston Symphony.
December 2, 1885:
Amy Marcy Cheney (18) marries Henry Harris Aubrey Beach, MD in Trinity Church, Boston. He is 24 years her senior. After a honeymoon in New York, they will live in Beach’s home at 28 Commonwealth Avenue.
March 21, 1889:
Valse-caprice op.4 by Amy Cheney Beach (21) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
February 7, 1891:
O praise the Lord, all ye nations for chorus and organ by Amy Cheney Beach (23) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
February 27, 1891:
Ballad op.6 for piano by Amy Cheney Beach (23) is performed for the first time, at the Tremont Temple in Boston. Mrs. Beach performs the premiere of the second of George Whitefield Chadwick’s (36) Two Caprices for pianoforte.
October 14, 1891:
O Praise the Lord, All Ye Nations op.7 for chorus by Amy Beach (24) is performed for the first time, in Trinity Church, Boston, for the installation of Phillips Brooks as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Rev. Brooks performed the composer’s wedding ceremony.
February 7, 1892:
A Mass in E flat for chorus and orchestra op. 5 by Amy Beach (24) is performed for the first time, in the Boston Music Hall. Public and critics are enthralled.
July 28, 1892:
Peace I Leave With You op.8/2 for vocal quartet by Amy Beach (24) is performed for the first time, in the First Congregational Church of Nashua, New Hampshire.
November 9, 1892:
In Autumn op.15/1 for piano by Amy Beach (25) is performed for the first time, at New England Conservatory, Boston by the composer.
November 29, 1892:
The third of the Four Sketches for piano op.15 by Amy Cheney Beach (25) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
December 2, 1892:
Eilende Wolken, Segler die Lüfte op.18 for alto and orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (25) to words of Schiller, is performed for the first time, in New York.
May 1, 1893:
Festival Jubilate op.17 by Amy Cheney Beach (25) is performed for the first time, at the dedication of the Women’s Building of the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago.
July 6, 1893:
Romance for violin and piano op.23 by Amy Beach (25) is performed for the first time at the Chicago Columbian Exposition, the composer at the keyboard. The audience requires that the piece be repeated.
October 16, 1893:
For Me the Jasmine Buds Unfold, a song for voice and piano by Amy Beach (26) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
November 13, 1893:
Two songs from op.21 of Amy Beach (26) are performed for the first time, in New York: Elle et moi to words of Boret, and Extase to words of Hugo.
December 12, 1893:
Bal masque op.22 for orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (26) is performed for the first time, in New York.
May 7, 1894:
For the first time, Amy Beach (26) gives a recital which includes only her own music, at Wellesley College.
January 29, 1895:
Across the World op.20, a villanelle for voice and piano by Amy Beach (27) to words of Thomas, is performed for the first time, in New York.
January 30, 1895:
Two songs by Amy Beach (27) are performed for the first time, in Boston: Just for This op.26/2 to words of Fabbri, and Wouldn’t That Be Queer op.26/4 to words of Cooley.
November 15, 1895:
Sleep, Little Darling op.29/2, a song by Amy Beach (28) to words of Spofford, is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
December 18, 1895:
Within Thy Heart op.29/1, a song by Amy Beach (28) to her own words, is performed for the first time, in Newark. The same day sees the premiere of Beach’s cantata The Rose of Avon-Town op.30 for solo voices, female chorus, and orchestra to words of Mischka, in New York.
October 30, 1896:
Symphony “Gaelic” op.32 by Amy Cheney Beach (29) is performed for the first time, in an open rehearsal in Boston. The official premiere takes place tomorrow. The audience and critics are ecstatic.
October 31, 1896:
One day after the premiere of her Gaelic Symphony in Boston, George Whitefield Chadwick (41) writes to Amy Cheney Beach (29) praising her work. The symphony, said Chadwick, is good enough to make her “one of the boys”, referring to the artistic members of the Tavern Club. Beach is excluded from the club because of her sex.
January 4, 1897:
Violin Sonata op.34 by Amy Cheney Beach (29) is performed for the first time, in Association Hall, Boston, the composer at the piano.
December 8, 1897:
Three Shakespeare Choruses for female chorus and piano op.39 by Amy Beach (30) are performed for the first time, in Detroit.
April 2, 1898:
Three Compositions for violin and piano op.40 by Amy Cheney Beach (30) are performed for the first time, in Boston.
June 1, 1898:
Song of Welcome op.42 for chorus and orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (30) is performed for the first time, in Omaha, Nebraska for the opening of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition.
April 7, 1900:
Piano Concerto in c# minor op.45 by Amy Cheney Beach (32) is performed for the first time, in the Music Hall, Boston, the composer at the keyboard. Critics are disappointed. There was an open rehearsal yesterday.
November 25, 1904:
Two works for piano, Scottish Legend and Gavotte fantastique op.54 by Amy Cheney Beach (37), are performed for the first time, in Boston.
February 8, 1905:
Variations on Balkan Themes op.60 for piano by Amy Cheney Beach (37) is performed for the first time, in Huntington Chambers Hall, Boston. The audience and critics are positive.
April 7, 1905:
Sylvania: A Wedding Cantata op.46 for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (37) to words of Bancroft after Bloem is performed for the first time, in Chickering Hall, Boston. Present are George Whitefield Chadwick (50) and John Knowles Paine (66) who consider it a triumph.
January 21, 1908:
The Chambered Nautilus op.66 for solo voices, female chorus, and orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (40) to words of Holmes is performed for the first time, in New York.
February 11, 1908:
Suite: Les rêves de Columbine op.65 for piano by Amy Cheney Beach (40) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
February 27, 1908:
Piano Quintet op.67 by Amy Cheney Beach (40) is performed for the first time, in Potter Hall, Boston, the composer at the piano.
November 30, 1908:
In an official ceremony, the cornerstone is laid for the new Boston Opera House. Inside the stone is a compartment containing compositions by John Knowles Paine (†2), Edward MacDowell (†0), George Whitefield Chadwick (54), Charles Martin Loeffler (47), Horatio Parker (45), Amy Beach (41), and Frederick S. Converse (37).
February 11, 1910:
Iverniana op.70 for two pianos by Amy Cheney Beach (42) is performed for the first time, in Boston by the composer and Carl Faelten.
June 28, 1910:
Dr. HHA Beach, husband of Amy Cheney Beach (42), dies at his Boston home, of septicemia following injuries sustained in a fall on 25 April. This will change her life dramatically.
November 4, 1910:
Amy Beach (43) is baptized into the Episcopal faith in Emmanuel Church, Boston.
February 18, 1911:
Clara Marcy, mother of Amy Beach (43), dies in Boston, eight months after the death of Dr. Beach. The composer is on her own, without family ties to hold her back.
September 5, 1911:
After her husband’s death, Amy Cheney Beach sets sail for Europe in an attempt to gain a reputation as performer and composer, on her 44th birthday.
October 28, 1912:
Amy Cheney Beach (45) makes her European performing debut in Dresden, accompanying her Violin Sonata. The audience is appreciative.
August 10, 1914:
Amy Beach (46) writes from Munich that despite all the excitement, she is completely safe.
September 18, 1914:
After three years in Europe, Amy Beach (47) arrives in New York from Liverpool aboard SS Cretic. She took the last train out of Germany, offered by the government at their expense.
November 18, 1914:
Five songs for voice and piano by Amy Cheney Beach (47) are performed for the first time, in Boston: Ein altes Gebet op.72/1, Grossmütterchen, and Der Totenkranz op.73 to words of Zacharias, Separation to words of Stoddard, and The Lotus Isles to words of Tennyson op.76.
December 16, 1914:
Prelude and Fugue op.81 for piano by Amy Cheney Beach (47) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
September 28, 1916:
Theme and Variations for flute and string quartet op.80 by Amy Cheney Beach (49) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco. The composer is not present, having left California for home about 6 August.
November 28, 1916:
Wind o’ the Westland, a song for voice and piano by Amy Cheney Beach (49) to words of Burnett, is performed for the first time, in New York.
October 8, 1921:
Three works for piano by Amy Cheney Beach (54) are performed for the first time, in New London, New Hampshire: The Fair Hills of Eire op.91, The Hermit Thrush at Eve op.92/1, and The Hermit Thrush at Morn, op.92/2.
April 4, 1922:
Fantasia fugata op.87 for piano by Amy Cheney Beach (54) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
September 23, 1924:
Amy Beach (57) is elected to the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.
October 25, 1924:
Suite for Two Pianos founded upon Old Irish Melodies op.104 by Amy Cheney Beach (57) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 27, 1924:
Amy Beach (57) sells the home on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston which she occupied with her husband before his death in 1910. The large profit on the sale puts her in a much more secure financial condition.
March 7, 1925:
By the Still Waters op.114 for piano by Amy Cheney Beach (57) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
October 11, 1925:
Amy Beach (58) is elected first president of the Society of American Women Composers in New York.
December 1, 1925:
Tyrolian Valse-fantaisie op.116 for piano by Amy Cheney Beach (58) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.
September 13, 1926:
After being transported from the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire, Amy Beach (59) enters Fenway Hospital in Boston and undergoes a hemorrhoidectomy. She will later remark that it was “the worst day of my life, too horrid to remember.”
September 30, 1926:
Amy Beach (59) is discharged from Fenway Hospital in Boston following a hemorrhoidectomy on 13 September.
November 20, 1926:
Amy Beach (59) departs Boston for her second tour of Europe.
July 19, 1927:
After eight months in Europe, Amy Beach (59) returns to her home in Centerville, Massachusetts.
February 5, 1928:
Amy Beach (60) meets Béla Bartók (46) in New York. She finds his Violin Sonata “hideous.”
June 15, 1928:
Amy Beach (60) is awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree by the University of New Hampshire.
December 9, 1928:
The Canticle of the Sun op.123 for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (61) to words of St. Francis of Assisi (tr. Arnold), is performed for the first time, in St. Bartholomew’s Church, New York. This occasion sees the chorus accompanied by organ. Also performed is the premiere of Beach’s Benedicite, omnia opera Domini op.121 for chorus and organ to words of the Bible. See 12 May 1930.
December 11, 1928:
Amy Beach (61) sails from New York aboard the SS Saturnia for her third European tour.
April 11, 1929:
Quartet for strings in one movement op.89 by Amy Beach (61) is performed for the first time, at the American Academy in Rome.
May 10, 1929:
While visiting Munich, Amy Beach (61) finds a trunk and three boxes that were confiscated from her in 1914. They have been held in Munich ever since.
May 25, 1929:
Amy Beach (61) returns to Hoboken aboard the SS America eleven days out of Bremerhaven, thus ending her third European tour.
September 9, 1929:
Amy Beach (62) suffers a gall bladder attack at her home in Centerville, Massachusetts. See 11 October 1929.
October 11, 1929:
Amy Beach (62) enters Massachusetts General Hospital for a gall bladder operation. The operation is successful but an abscess develops and she will be hospitalized again in December.
January 4, 1930:
Amy Beach (62) is discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital for a second time following an operation on her gall bladder and a subsequent abscess.
May 12, 1930:
The Canticle of the Sun op.123 for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (62) is performed for the first time in its orchestration, in Toledo. See 9 December 1928.
November 20, 1931:
Drowsy Dreamtown op.129, a song for soprano, women’s chorus, and piano by Amy Beach (64) to words of Norwood, is performed for the first time, in New York, with the composer at the piano. The performance is a surprise for Dr. Norwood who is the minister of St. Bartholomew’s Church.
April 17, 1932:
Christ in the Universe op.132 for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (64) to words of Meynell is performed for the first time, in New York.
November 30, 1932:
Two songs for voice and piano by Amy Beach (65) to words of Norwood are performed for the first time, in Roerich Museum, New York at a memorial for Dr. Norwood, the late minister at St. Bartholomew’s Church: A Light that Overflows and My Love Came Through the Fields.
February 10, 1934:
Merry Mount, an opera by Howard Hanson (37) to words of Stokes after Hawthorne is staged for the first time, at the Metropolitan Opera, New York. Amy Beach (66) is in the audience and finds the music “very rich and interesting.” See 20 May 1933.
April 23, 1934:
Amy Beach (66) and Ruth Shaffner appear in a command performance in the East Room of the White House for Eleanor Roosevelt and 400 invited guests. In spite of her continual life-long insistence on voting the Republican ticket, Mrs. Beach will always cherish the day and the kindness of Mrs. Roosevelt.
January 13, 1935:
We who sing have walked in glory op.140 for chorus and organ by Amy Cheney Beach (67) to words of Bridgman is performed for the first time, in New York.
April 26, 1936:
O Lord God of Israel op.141, an anthem for solo voices and chorus by Amy Beach (68) to words of the Bible, is performed for the first time, in St. Bartholomew’s Church, New York.
September 22, 1936:
Amy Beach (69) undergoes an operation in Peterborough, New Hampshire for a growth on her groin.
November 5, 1936:
Six weeks after surgery to remove a growth from her groin, Amy Beach (69) is discharged from the Peterborough (NH) Hospital.
January 3, 1939:
Amy Beach (71), Daniel Gregory Mason (65), John Alden Carpenter (62), Wallingford Riegger (53), Aaron Copland (38), Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, Efrem Zimbalist, Olin Downes, and Alfred Hertz sign a letter urging the United States to lift the arms embargo against the “legitimate Spanish government.”
January 15, 1939:
Piano Trio op.150 by Amy Cheney Beach (71) is performed for the first time, at the MacDowell Club in New York the composer at the keyboard.
March 19, 1940:
Amy Beach (72) plays the piano part in her Piano Trio at the Neighborhood Club in Brooklyn. Unknown to all present, it is her last public performance.
March 22, 1940:
Amy Beach (72) is stricken with what she calls “terrific bronchitis” leaving her gasping for breath. She is diagnosed with a serious heart condition.
May 19, 1940:
I Will Give Thanks op.146 for soprano, chorus, and organ by Amy Beach (72) to words of Psalm III, is performed for the first time, at St. Bartholomew’s Church, New York.
December 27, 1944:
Amy Marcy Cheney Beach dies of a heart ailment in her rooms at the Hotel Barclay, New York, New York, USA, aged 77 years, three months, and 22 days.
February 27, 1945:
Cabildo, an opera by Amy Cheney Beach (†0) to words of Stephens, is performed for the first time, in Athens, Georgia.
October 3, 1945:
The ashes of Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (†0) are placed next to those of her husband in Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston. During the nine months since her death, they have been kept in St. Bartholomew’s Church, New York.