Description

KATHERINE RUTH HEYMAN (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, 1877 – NEW YORK CITY, U.S., SEPTEMBER 28, 1944)

 

 

 

 

Katherine Ruth Willoughby Heyman, nicknamed “Kitty”, was an American pianist and composer. She was a proponent of the music of Alexander Scriabin, and she gave several recitals consisting solely of his music.

Heyman made her professional debut as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra on October 13, 1899. In 1905, she moved to London and often toured European cities, especially in Russia. During this time, she toured together with singers Ernestine Schumann-Heink and Marcella Sembrich. She met Ezra Pound, who dedicated the 1906 poem “Scriptor ignotus” to her, during this time.

In addition to her performing activities, she also gave lectures about music. The Relation of Ultramodern to Archaic Music, a collection of her lectures was published in 1921 by Small, Maynard & Company.

She was a noted proponent of Scriabin, and gave several recitals in the 20s and 30s consisting entirely of his music in New York and Europe. She also held “conferences” at her Upper East Side loft where she performed Scriabin works, attendees including composers Charles Ives, Charles Tomlinson Griffes, and Elliott Carter.

Heyman died on September 28, 1944, of a heart ailment, while en route from Sharon Hospital, where she had been staying for her last two months, to St. Luke’s Hospital (now Mount Sinai Morningside).

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

Piano Sonata No.10 Op.70

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

Friends of Recorded Music Disc 28, Disc 29A

Recorded: circa 1938, Musicraft studio, New York

 

Piano Sonata No.4 in F# major Op.30

Andante

Prestissimo volando

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

Friends of Recorded Music Disc No.20-A, 20-B

July 1938, Musicraft studio, New York

 

Klavierstück Op.11 No.2

Klavierstück Op.11 No.2 (Completion)

Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951)

Flammes sombres Op.73

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

Friends of Recorded Music DISC 9A, F.R.M. DISC 9B

Recorded: circa March 1937, New York

 

Piano Sonata No.5 Op.53

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

Friends of Recorded Music GM 552, GM 553, GM 554

4 Preludes Op.37 – (ii) Maestoso, fiero (F sharp major)

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

Friends of Recorded Music GM 641

12 Etudes Op.8 – (ii) A capriccio, con forza (f sharp minor)

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

Friends of Recorded Music GM 641