Pieces › Amy Beach

Symphony in E minor “Gaelic”, Op. 32

II. Alla Siciliana – Allegro vivace – Andante

Amy Beach · 1894–96 · F major · 214 bars · 235 chords analysed

The first symphony by an American woman to be published and performed, premiered by the Boston Symphony in 1896. Beach built it on Irish folk tunes in answer to Dvořák's advice that American composers should use native melodies.

Keys visited: F major, A minor, C major, A♭ major, E minor, C♯ minor, D minor, E♭ major, F minor.