American
pianist, conductor, and composer Edward Collins (1886–1951) wraps up our Irish
month here on Clef Notes. Though American, Collins had an Irish heritage that
greatly influenced his music.
As
a boy, Collins studied piano and composition in Chicago before traveling to
Europe to receive further education from Max Bruch and Englebert Humperdink.
After finishing his education, he spent a brief period conducting before WWI
when he then traveled home to join the U.S. Army. While serving, he spent his
free time arranging music to entertain the troops. Following the war, he became
a teacher. Unfortunately, Edward Collins has not received the attention he
deserved and has become relatively forgotten by many. Below, you can hear one
of his Irish-inspired pieces, the Irish
Rhapsody.
Stay
tuned in April for as we celebrate 400 years of Shakespeare by looking at
musical settings of his work!
