Luise Adolpha Le Beau (1850-1927)

Luise Adolpha Le Beau began writing music when she was 15 years old and made her debut as a concert pianist with the Baden Court Orchestra when she was 18. She briefly studied piano with Clara Schumann, though her primary teacher was Joseph Rheinberger. He was a champion of her playing and compositions, introducing her to Hanslick, Liszt, and Brahms. However, she had a falling out with her teacher in the early 1880s, which led to immense difficulty in her arranging performances. She eventually settled in Baden-Baden, where she was able to present a number of chamber concerts and premier her opera, Haudmoth. She also established herself as a music critic. Her music is notable for her strict use of form with innovative phrase structures and colorful harmonies. Hanslick, in particular, noted that her choral works and dance movements were the most successful of her pieces.