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Mary Bowden: L'Aurore joyeuse (Joyous Morn), Op. 26

227 views · Published 1 April 2018 · 3:02 · Indexed 22 September 2026

Channel: PSearPianist · 2018 · Music

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Phillip Sear plays an upbeat piece by the Tasmanian pianist and composer Mary Bowden (not to be confused with the contemporary trumpeter of the same name).
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The Tasmanian composer Mary Bowden (1868-1950) was born Mary Dentith - one of twin sisters. She studied music in Melbourne, and became the first professional accompanist for music competitions in Launceston, Tasmania, where she lived for much of her life. She was the first Tasmanian to get a Trinity College Associate diploma. In 1886 she married another Tasmanian composer, Alfred Bowden (1862-1932), who wrote mainly for strings. She suffered personal tragedy in the early 1930s, losing her youngest daughter, Beatrice, and her husband in successive years. She published a few piano pieces, the most significant being a Ballade, which was championed by the Queensland pianist Percy Briar (I am indebted to Stephen Pleskun's 'A Chronological History of Australian Composers and their Compositions for this biographical information).   The date of composition of this piece is uncertain - but it might have been as early as 1906, as it is dedicated to J. Alfred Johnstone, who was her piano teacher in Melbourne, and helped her to get her Trinity diploma.  The use of a French title and a dedication in French seems amusing to us now, but reflects the view at the time that French titling added class to compositions.  This piece, despite being secular in conception, seemed an appropriate upload for Easter 2018.  My thumbnail shows a painting  'Joyous Morning' By Kyle Wood.  If you like it, you can read about it and buy it from http://dutchartgallery.net/product/joyous-morning-by-kyle-wood/ .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Played by Phillip Sear
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