Margaret Ruthven Lang-A view from the balcony

Margaret Ruthven Lang (1867-1972) was the first woman composer to have her work performed publicly by an American orchestra. The Boston Symphony Orchestra played her Dramatic Overture, Opus 12 on April 8, 1893. She could still recall her nerves at that event seventy years later, saying “I crept up to the balcony and hid.”

In fact, to honor her as the longest ever subscriber to the Boston Symphony, there is a plaque with her name on seat B1 of the balcony in Symphony Hall. Although her orchestral works were performed by some of the best musicians of her day, she was more well known for her songs. She had a passion for poetry and storytelling and would include poems at the beginning of her piano works to illustrate her inspiration for the piece.

Margaret came from a prominent musical family and there are many places to find information on her lineage-her father and grandfather both wrote music and the family knew the Wagners. Her gift for musical composition was further supported by her neighbor, the art collector and philanthropist Isabella Stewart Gardner, and the two became friends. Isabella’s music room served as a salon for musical works to be heard and for women especially to socialize. Many of Margaret’s compositions were premiered there.

Margaret’s works had some major opportunities to be heard by the public-one of her songs was included at the Paris Exhibition of 1899 at the recommendation of her teacher Edward MacDowell. Margaret and Isabella attended the Boston Symphony concerts together regularly. Through her friendship with the conductor of the BSO, Arthur Nikish, Margaret was able to meet with members of the orchestra to learn about writing music for each instrument. Trying out one’s ideas with such an array of talent and musicianship must have been a treat!

I have not personally performed any of Lang’s music, which is a shame, but I am struck by its beauty and emotional depth as I listen to one of her most famous songs, Irish Love Song (1913). I hope you’ll enjoy how the recording captures its longing and tenderness.

Despite such successes with her musical works, Lang destroyed many of her compositions as she was highly critical of them. She stopped composing in her early 50s, never married and towards the end of her life wrote to her friend Marian MacDowell, “I am glad, very glad not to be active in any musical way, but only a thankful listener.”

I am grateful Lang left us with some of her beautiful musical works, and a legacy of supporting the arts and artists with such devotion. For further reading consider this wonderful article which features a high quality recording of more of Lang’s song output and gives insight into some of the constraints she faced as a woman composer during her time.

To support new musical compositions, media and a practicing musical artist today, please consider joining Voices of Women: From Unknown to Renowned on Patreon. Although we don’t have balcony seating for your name, your impact is just as great on the future of the arts in America and around the world. Let’s continue to illuminate the voices of women composers together.