Ethel Leginska - Suggested addition to the British Music Collection

‪Ethel Leginska (Ethel Annie Liggins) was born in Hull, Yorkshire in 1886. An outspoken feminist, pianist, composer and conductor, she settled in America in the 1920's and created avant-garde compositions. A great chapter about her is in this book by ‪Beth Abelson Macleod‬ :Women Performing Music‬: ‪The Emergence of American Women as Classical Instrumentalists and Conductors‬" and more can be found online. In an interview in 1917, she is alleged to have said "We are always hearing about the "traditional woman." Why not for a change about the "traditional man?" Why are we always being generalised about? And why, why are we so docile and obedient in abiding by our traditions? If only we woe would sometimes rebel,…break loose from traditions and go our own way!…We will never be original, do great work, until we get some courage and daring and trust our own way instead of the eternal beaten paths on which we are always asked to poke along."

This image in held in the Library of Congress and is in the public domain for non-commercial us.