ETHEL MARY SMYTH DBE, Mus.Doc.

A MUSICAL TIMELINE compiled by Lewis Orchard

Early days & adolescence in Frimley

1858 Born 22 April at 5 Lower Seymour Street (now part of Wigmore Street), Marylebone, London; daughter of Lieutenant Colonel (then) John Hall Smyth of the Bengal Artillery and Emma (Nina) Smyth. Ethel liked to claim that she was born on St. George's Day 23 April but her birth certificate clearly states 22 April. Baptised at St. Marylebone parish church on 28 May, 1858. On return of father from India the family took up residence at Sidcup Place, Sidcup, Kent where she spent her early years up to age 9. Mostly educated by a series of governesses

1867 When father promoted to an artillery command at Aldershot the family moved to a large house 'Frimhurst' at Frimley Green, Surrey, which later he purchased. Sang duets with sister Mary at various functions and displayed early interest in music.

1870 'When I was 12 a new victim (governess) arrived who had studied music at the Leipzig Conservatorium'. This was Marie Louise Schultz of Stettin, Pomerania, Germany (now Szezecin, Poland) who encouraged her interest in music and introduced her to the works of the major (German) composers, notably Beethoven.. Later Ethel met Alexander Ewing (also in the army at Aldershot in the Army Service Corps). Ethel became acquainted with him through Mrs Ewing who was a friend of her mother. Ewing was musically well educated and was impressed by Ethel's piano playing and compositions. He encouraged her in her musical ambitions. He taught her harmony and introduced her to the works of Brahms, List, Wagner and Berlioz and gave her a copy of Berlioz's 'Treatise on Orchestration'. Also she went to concerts in London with the Ewings. She decided to become a composer and study at Leipzig, at that time considered to be the musical capital of the world, but her father strongly objected – unlike her mother, he refused to believe in her musical abilities and described artists, musicians and the like as 'loose fish'

1872 Sent to boarding school in Putney with sister, Mary, for short period (2 years?) after departure of governess. Father arranged posting of Ewing well away from Aldershot (to Manchester) to remove his influence on Ethel but she continued to fight tenaciously to study music in Leipzig. The Leipzig Years 1877-1885

1877 Aged 19, she finally achieved parental consent to study music in Leipzig and travelled there on July 26 with her brother-in- law Harry Davidson who knew Germany well. She quickly learned German. Introduced to the very musical Röntgen family (Papa Röntgen was the Leader of the Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestra). Dissatisfied with tuition at the Conservatorium, which had declined since the death of Mendelssohn who had founded the institution, she subsequently studied privately with Heinrich von Herzogenberg (1843-1900), minor composer and (?)President of the Bach Verein in Leipzig: Ethel said he regularly composed for x hours a day resulting in 'dry' works and had a pianistic touch 'like a paving stone'. Ethel was befriended and looked after by Elisabeth (Lisl) Heinrich's wife, a striking blonde, very musical and much admired by Brahms; (Ethel described her as her 'foster mother'). The von Herzogenberg's were part of the Leipzig musical establishment and they introduced Ethel to major composers who visited Leipzig notably Brahms who is reputed to have said that if it had not been for Lisl he would not set foot in Leipzig at all. She met Tchaikovsky who encouraged her to study orchestration (her study with von Herzogenberg had concentrated largely or wholly on chamber music and exercises in counterpoint).

1878 Introduced to Brahms who refused to believe that she had written some of her songs shown to him. Ethel also met Lili Wach, Mendelssohn's youngest daughter who was very musical and a firm friendship developed only interrupted (terminated?) by the Great War. When Ethel became ill in the Spring Lisl nursed her, referring to her fondly as 'her child' (the Herzogenbergs were unable to have children). Lisl became Ethel’s first serious love. Ethel returned home to 'Frimhurst' in June (as required by father when allowing her to go to Leipzig) but reported that Summer that she could not wait to get better and return to Germany, music and Leipzig friends. Notable that during this period there was frequent correspondence with Lisl. Well enough to return to Leipzig in September and 'from now on I became, and remained, a semi-detached member of the Herzogenberg family'.

1879 Met Edvard Grieg when he was visiting Leipzig. Spent the Summer in England as usual and met the Garrett sisters, both keen Suffragists, and became friends particularly with Rhoda who was running a decorating business in the William Morris style. In the Autumn heard talk for the first time of 'pan-Germanism': 'England on the downgrade and the Fatherland swinging to the top'

1880 German fury over British actions in South Africa resulting in the first Boer War. Ethel reported much anti-British feeling in Germany but she did not suffer personally other than remarks made during conversations with various officials.

1881 Spent the summer with the Garrets at Rustington, Sussex, and met Sir Hubert Parry for the first time (later studied organ with him for a brief period resulting in her composing some organ preludes).

1882 Mountain climbing in Switzerland near Interlaken in August with the Wachs: injured knee whilst climbing the Schildhorn. Decided to spend winter in Italy. Went to Venice in the Autumn and continued to Florence for first visit where she spent Christmas. First meeting with the Brewsters, Henry (Harry), author and cosmopolitan, and Julia, Lisl von Herzogenberg's sister and 11 years older than Henry. Ethel found a kindred spirit in Henry but despite a professed relaxed attitude to marriage Julia became jealous of their relationship. Ethel's friend Rhoda Garrett died in November.

1883 Spent first two months at the home of Hildebrand the sculptor recuperating from the knee injury. Met with Henry Brewster while at Berchtesgarten to discuss their developing relationship and consideration of breaking it off. Julia was increasingly aloof and ultimately regarded Ethel as 'the woman who had stolen her husband's heart'. The Brewster's children, Clotilde and Christopher, remained reasonably friendly. As described by Christopher St. John in her biography, Ethel at the age of 25 was 'a young girl with fair hair, pale blue eyes, beautiful complexion, well cut features and figure of an athlete'. Spent Summer in England at Smyth family home and later in Leipzig and Florence. First meeting with Empress Eugénie, who had moved to a neighbouring property 'Farnborough Hill' after the death of husband Napoleon III and who had became friendly with Ethel's mother, with whom she conversed in French. The Empress encouraged and supported Ethel in her musical ambitions.

1884 First public performance of her compositions in Leipzig – string quintet Op.1. Met and became friend of Clara Schumann while in Leipzig. “The most miserable years of my life”

1885 Deepening friendship with Henry Brewster caused rift with Lisl von Herzogenberg, who was said to have felt that Ethel had betrayed both her and her sister but who was probably under pressure from the family to cease her friendship, notably by Baroness Stockhausen, Lisl's mother, who hated Ethel (Ethel referred to her as 'an evil genius'). This effectively cut Ethel off from the von Herzogenbergs and their part of the Leipzig musical establishment but some friends remained loyal, notably Lili Wach (Mendelssohn's daughter) and the Röntgens. Ethel saw Lisl for the last time when the von Herzogenburgs left Leipzig in May 1885: correspondence from Lisl dried up to 'a frozen trickle' and then ceased altogether even though Ethel broke off contact with Brewster at this time.

1885-1890 'The most miserable years of my life. For seven years my life had been inextricably mixed up with the Herzogenberg's lives, whether musically or humanly, as if I really had been their own child'. ‘It may be remembered that the Brewsters held unusual views concerning the bond between man and wife, views which up to the time of my arrival on the scene had not been put to the proof by the touch of reality. My second visit to Florence was fated to supply that test.....'. Henry Brewster became Ethel's closest friend and, eventually, her lover. 'There had been nothing resembling love-making...except during that fateful winter of 84-85, when he twice turned up at Leipzig convinced that Julia was coming round, and when we were as good, or as bad, as an engaged couple' (ES in 'As Time Went On')

1886 First meeting with Mrs Benson, wife of Archbishop of Canterbury and her two daughters Nelly and Maggie. Ethel was introduced to her by Edith Davidson, wife of Dr. Davidson, the Dean of Windsor, and sister-in-law of Harry Davidson, Alice Smyth's husband: Mrs Benson became Ethel's senior friend and confidante. Also during this period Ethel became a friend of Lady Ponsonby, wife of Queen Victoria's Private Secretary. Ethel remained in England during 1885/6. Visited Cornwall in the summer: this experience surfaced in the composition of her '' set in Cornwall, notably her visit to Piper's Hole in the Scilly Isles which suggested the setting for Act 3.

1887 Went back to Leipzig for Winter of 1887. People generally friendly, even Brahms, but locked out of the von Herzogenberg circle. Given 'Marco', the first of a continuous series of dogs which she had for the rest of her life. Marco gave '12 years of joy in my life'. Given to her by Ella Limberger who had bought him in Vienna as a puppy of one of the dogs that hauled laundry carts in that city.

1888 Returned to 'Frimhurst' (all five sisters now married and son Bob joining his regiment in India). Clashes with mother resulted in going back to Germany 'my spiritual home'. In Leipzig she met Greig and Tschaikovsky who wrote 'Miss Smyth is one of the comparatively few women composers who may be seriously reckoned among the workers in this sphere of music'. Even Brahms was friendly but the overworked Mahler was too busy to look at her operatic scores

1889 Went to Munich in the autumn and met celebrated conductor Hermann Levi who was impressed by her compositions. Saw a great deal of Sir Alfred and Lady Trevelyan and became friends with the elder daughter, Pauline, a devout Roman Catholic and dedicatee of her which was begun soon after she had left Munich in December (Ethel had a brief period of religious fervour at this time). At Christmas decided to return to England to look after ageing parents and manage 'Frimhurst' for them now that all the other children had left home. Became friends with Nelly Benson (see 1886 above) during the Summer as a result of playing women's cricket for the White Heather Club of which Ethel's sisters also were members

1890 Serenade in D for orchestra written following encouragement from Tschaikovsky to compose larger scale works. First public performance of her compositions in England on 26 April - Serenade in D and Overture 'Anthony and Cleopatra' at a Crystal Palace concert under August Manns and well received. Henry Brewster present on that occasion and friendship with him renewed.

1891 Death of mother. Completed Mass in D, much of it composed on the Empress Eugénie's yacht in the Mediterranean: dedicated to Pauline Trevelyan as noted above. Death of Elisabeth von Herzogenberg, no reconciliation having been achieved despite the efforts of friends, e.g. Lili Wach, to mend the relationship. Visited Balmoral with Empress Eugénie and gave a solo performance (voice and piano) of the Mass in D to Queen Victoria who was favourably impressed The maturing composer 1891-1910

1893 Mass in D performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London with the support of the Empress Eugénie who met the cost of its publication. Successful public reception but critics were lukewarm.

1894 Death of father and sale of 'Frimhurst'; entire proceeds given to brother Bob to meet 'regimental debts'. Ethel moved to a small house in the Portsmouth Road (A325), Frimley, Surrey, which she called 'One Oak', together with a formidable housekeeper, Agnes Faulkner and dog Marco (the house still exists as part of a motel). It was conveniently located under 2 miles from 'Farnborough Hill', the Empress Eugénie's residence.

1895 Death of Julia Brewster. Harry Brewster proposed marriage to Ethel who rejected him on the grounds that it would adversely affect her composing and other musical activities.

1896 Toured Germany in attempt to get her first opera '' performed: conductor Felix Mottl appeared to be interested.

1898 Premiere of 'Fantasio' on 20 May in Weimar. An enthusiastic audience reception but adverse press.

1900 Increased Anglophobia in Germany due to the Boer Wars made it difficult for an English composer to obtain performances of works in Germany but Mottl still interested in 'Fantasio'. Henry Brewster stayed at his daughter Clotilde's house 'The Rushes', Farnborough only 3 miles from Ethel's house 'One Oak'. Clotilde had trained as an architect and married Percy Fielding, also an architect.

1901 'Almost perfect' performance of 'Fantasio' by Mottl in Karleruhe 'In 1901 I got involved body and soul in the frantic fight for the vote'

1902 Premiere of second opera '' on 21 April in Berlin conducted by Karl Muck. Successful first performance at the Royal Opera House in London, on 18 July with a good press reception.

1903 Successful premiere of 'Der Wald' at the New York on 14 March.: Ethel was there with sister Mary who paid for all expenses. Another performance at Royal Opera House during the Summer.

1904 Composed the majority of her third opera 'The Wreckers' to a libretto by Henry Brewster

1906 Premiere of 'The Wreckers' in Leipzig: good reception but immediately withdrawn by Ethel who strongly objected to cuts made by the conductor. Score then taken to Prague by Ethel but the subsequent performance there was very poor.

1908 Ethel's hearing began to deteriorate Went to Venice and stayed with her sister Mary. Tried to interest Mahler in 'The Wreckers' but he was too busy and passed it to Bruno Walter who was most favourably impressed and stated 'I consider a composer of quite special significance who is certain of a permanent place in musical history'. Concert performance of first two acts of 'The Wreckers' in London at Queen's Hall. Henry Brewster was present but very ill. Brewster died shortly afterwards in June aged 57 at Clotilde's house in Farnborough. Staged performance of 'The Wreckers' at Her Majesty's Theatre, London conducted by Mr (later Sir) . Politics, War and Books

1910 Performances of 'The Wreckers' at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, conducted by Bruno Walter and Thomas Beecham Awarded honorary degree of D.Mus by Durham University As a friend of the Pankhursts she became involved in the suffragette movement and wrote the 'March of the Women' which became the WSPU (Women's Social and Political Union) battle hymn.

Moved to Hook Heath, Woking, Surrey: land purchased and house built with funds provided by American patroness Mary Dodge, friend of sister Violet. She named it 'Coign' and lived there for the rest of her life. [It has now been renamed Brettanby Cottage and, confusingly, another house in the same road has taken up the name Coign.

1911 Choral works performed in Vienna to critical acclaim Chamber music, including French song cycle, performed in Paris salon (Princess de Polignac) receiving favourable comment from Claude Debussy.

Met and impressed by Emmeline Pankhurst and her votes for women movement, and agreed to devote 2 years to the WSPU movement. Briefly imprisoned with other WSPU activists. Refused to complete the census of 1911 for ‘Coign’ commenting ‘No vote – no census’

1913 Her 'Flight into Egypt - my sole hope of struggling out of the suffrage whirlpool and getting back to music'. Stayed in Hotel Tewfik, Helouan (previously a palace built for the Khedive Tewfik). Composed most of fourth opera 'The Boatswain's Mate' there. Hearing problem worsens, 'singing in ears' (Tinnitus?).

1914 Visited Vienna to arrange production of 'The Wreckers' (due to be performed in February 1915) and also for 'The Boatswain's Mate' in the same year but after war declared all plans for further performances in Germany cancelled. By July had established herself on the French coast at St. Brieuc where joined by Emmeline Pankhurst who had been temporarily released from prison. Returned to England when war broke out on 4 August. Performance of 'The Boatswain's Mate' at Shaftesbury Theatre, London.

1915 Joined sister Nina on the Italian front. Nina and friend Lady Helena Gleichen had raised an ambulance outfit and were later decorated for valour on the Italian front. Returned to Paris and trained as a radiographer. Then attached to the XIII Division of the French army as a radiologist ('voluntary localiser') at the French military hospital at Vichy. Began to write first of a series of her memoirs 'Impressions that Remained' (said she could not compose music under those circumstances but that 'writing memoirs in between whiles was a delightful relief').

1916 English premiere of 'The Boatswain's Mate' in London

1917 Continued writing 'Impressions that Remained' Increasing deafness

1918 Returned to England in March. Short spell as interpreter for the Red Cross in Italy but then returned to England to promote her music.

1919 'The Boatswain's Mate' performed by Beecham's British National Opera Company at Royal Opera House. 'Impressions that Remained' (two volumes) published by Longmans, Green.

1920 Death of patroness and friend the Empress Eugénie Gave up smoking. Public recognition and later years

1921 Publication of 'Streaks of Life', second in her series of memoirs Began composing again, including commencing work on ‘Fête Galante’ Performances of 'The Boatswain's Mate' at The Old Vic, at Guildford and at the British Music Festival.

1922 Created 'Dame Commander of the British Empire' in January honours list for services to music 'The Boatswain's Mate performed again at the Old Vic: met Lilian Bayliss. Successful performance of her French song cycle at Salzburg Festival 'Hey Nonny No' choral work performed at Leeds. Fête Galante arranged as a ballet with additional music (Unstaged but concert performances in 1932/33)

1923 Premiere of fifth opera 'Fête Galante' in Birmingham and in London: public success but critics again lukewarm. Further performances of 'The Boatswain's Mate'.

1924 Successful performance of Mass in London. Sixth Opera '' completed in November Friendship with Edith Somerville commenced.

1925 'Fête Galante, and 'Entente Cordiale' performed at the Royal College of Music, London. Performance of the Mass in D at the Royal Albert Hall in January conducted by Mr. (later Sir) Malcolm Sargent: 'He will be a fine conductor one day'!

1926 Awarded honorary degree of Doctor of Music by Oxford University. 'Entente Cordiale' produced in Bristol.

1927 Publication of third book of memoirs 'A Three- legged tour of Greece'

1928 Awarded honorary degree of L.L.D.by the University of St. Andrews, Edinburgh. Publication of fourth book of memoirs 'A Final Burning of Boats'

1930 Composed choral symphony 'The Prison'; words by Brewster. Performed in Edinburgh and London under Adrian Boult: enthusiastic reception. Friendship with Virginia Woolf commenced.

1933 Publication of fifth book of memoirs 'Female Pipings in Eden'.

1934 Concert of her works, conducted by Beecham, given at Royal Albert Hall in honour of her 75th birthday.

1935 Publication of sixth book of memoirs 'Beecham and Pharaoh'

1936 Publication of seventh book of memoirs 'As Time Went On' Publication of her biographies of her dogs 'Inordinate (?) Affection'

1938 Publication of biography of Maurice Baring Broadcast of her works in honour of her 80th birthday

1939 Performances of 'The Wreckers' at Sadlers Wells theatre conducted by Warwick Braithwaite. Outbreak of Second World War

1940 Publication of final volume of memoirs 'What Happened Next'. Notes for a further volume to be entitled 'A Fresh Start' are held at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbour, USA.. Broadcast of 'The Boatswain's Mate'

1941 Death of Virginia Woolf Deafness now severe.

1943 Mass in D broadcast

1944 Ethel died at her home in Hook Heath, Woking, on 8 May, aged 86. As she had wished, her ashes were strewn in the woodland adjoining Woking Golf Course by her brother Bob. (She had been a member of the ladies' section of the Club and an enthusiastic golfer).