Sunday, September 27, 2009

Meet the Family Branscombe/Tenney/Phenix



As I continued my work recording the songs of Gena Branscombe, it was my desire to meet any surviving members of her family. After reading Dr. Marlow's dissertation I knew two of Miss Branscombe's daughters had died during her lifetime and then, hoping that genetic longevity played a factor, maybe one of the two oldest daughters would be alive.

Gena Branscombe lived from 1881-1977; 96 years! Her eldest daughter Gena Tenney was born in 1910, second daughter Vivian in 1913, daughter Betty was born in 1916 and died in 1919 and fourth daughter Beatrice was born in 1919 and died in 1954. Maybe just maybe, one of those ladies was alive.

In continued research I discovered that Miss Branscombe's music was under copyright. Martin suggested I call ASCAP to inquire if there was someone holding those rights. I called the ASCAP office, inquired about the holder of the rights, there was silence so I asked further, "Would this person be old?" The answer, "Yes, if they are still alive!" From that I knew that one or hopefully both of the two oldest daughters was alive! ASCAP would not give out the name or address of the person.

Following this lead one step further, I wrote a "Dear Family Member" letter explaining the beginnings of my project, how I discovered Gena's music in the New York Public Library, the recording of the songs and my wanting to meet family members. I gave my contact information and asked if they would be so kind as to be in contact with me. I sealed the letter and put it into an envelope addressed to ASCAP asking them to forward it to the copyright holder of Gena Branscombe's music. Then the wait....what seemed to be an interminable wait...

I continued my work at the New York Public Library Special Collections Department looking at every song, looking at her manuscripts and published works. I was in awe of the output of this woman who had composed songs, chamber music, choral works, an opera, instrumental works...so much yet she seemed to be unknown. Studying one of her manuscript orchestral works I put my hands on that paper where her hands had worked and touched those very lines and I said, "Gena, please have your family contact me!" My palms of hand began to tingle. Why is that happening? It had been 10 days since I sent my letter to ASCAP!

At 9:45AM the next day my phone rang, I answered and then a very proper voice on the other end inquired, "Is this Kathleen Shimeta"..."yes"...."This is Gena Tenney Phenix. I am Gena Branscombe's oldest daughter!" My heart began pounding. Mrs. Phenix continued to speak, reassuring me that my recording of her mother's songs was wonderful idea and she approved 100%. Most important she was thrilled I had found her mother's music in the library as it deserved a chance to be heard now. Our conversation flowed easily as if we had known one another all of our lives.

We spoke for 45 minutes on subjects ranging from her family, her sisters, father, her mother's career and her own life. Dr. Vivian Tenney had died in 1989 and she, Gena Tenney Phenix was the sole survivor of her mother. I asked Mrs. Phenix to recall any of her mother's songs that she would like included on the CD and I would gladly record them.

As we finished our conversation she gave me Dr. Laurine Elkins Marlow's phone number. Mrs. Phenix had been with Dr. Marlow as she interviewed her mother, Gena Branscombe, for her dissertation. She spoke highly of Dr. Marlow and told me it was an absolute must for me to be in touch with her. Finally, I had a contact number for Dr. Marlow. I had read her dissertation and had not gotten around to finding her.

As we began our goodbyes, Mrs. Phenix said to me, "I know my mother is looking down on you, pleased that you found her music. You were chosen by mother to do this work!" I was speechless as I hung up the phone. Me speechless.....

Moments later I picked up the phone and dialed Dr. Marlow. A sweet voice answered and I asked for Dr. Marlow...response...."speaking." I explained who I was, Gena Tenney Phenix had given me her number, then all the details of my finding the music, the beginning of the recording and my continuing work on the collection in the library. There was dead silence.... my heart skipped a beat, then I thought "darn, someone else beat me to this collection and has already completed a CD"....when Dr. Marlow said, "I've been waiting for someone to find that collection!" I nearly jumped for joy.

From Dr. Marlow I learned that when Gena Branscombe died, she went to the apartment where for 18 months she had interviewed Miss Branscombe and had begun the work on her dissertation. There amidst the piles of music, articles and books piled under the piano, on the piano, on tables and chairs, Dr. Marlow began the work of organizing all the manuscripts and published works, recordings and programs. She put them in alphabetical order and then began the process of typing, yes typing a catalogue list of each work. This is tedious work especially organizing works of a composer.
Gena had written multiple manuscripts of any given work, changing the instrumentation whether for full orchestra, then chamber orchestra, or piano with several instruments. Her choral works would be written for women's chorus, then 4 part men's chorus or SATB. Each piece was a separate entry.

When Dr. Marlow completed her cataloguing, she, Gena Tenney Phenix and Dr. Vivian Tenney donated the collection to the New York Public Library Special Collections department.

As Laurine and I completed our one hour conversation, she said to me, "You were chosen for this work!" Twice in two hours I was told I was chosen.
My first contact with Gena Branscombe's daughter, Gena Tenney Phenix and Dr. Laurine Elkins Marlow was now the beginning of our work together. Part II.....of Meet the Family will come in a few days. Thank you Gena Branscombe!

#BringingBackBranscombe






Tuesday, September 15, 2009

We're Making a CD



















With Martin's encouragement we used David Smith as our sound engineer and guide during the recording process. What a process it is. So technical, the lack of an audience for whom you perform, take after take because the piano bench squeaked or I sang a wrong note or something else went wrong. This is followed by the pain of editing; listening to yourself, Martin's playing then the combination of Martin's work and mine to find the best take to wed together with a few previous measures. A painful process indeed.
Finally with five good songs knitted together, I applied to several labels asking that they pick up this Gena Branscombe recording for its unique qualities and its importance to American music especially American women composers. Albany Records picked us up! How thrilled we were!

Not only were there Gena's beautiful, melodic songs, but Martin agreed to play four of Gena's piano works. These charming pieces were written for her daughters at their various stages of piano lessons. Martin's playing.....simply exquisite!

Our CD was released in November 2003....Ah! Love, I Shall Find Thee: Songs of Gena Branscombe on the Albany Records label....Troy #599. Available on my website http://www.kathleenshimeta.com/.

#BringingBackBranscombe

Thursday, September 3, 2009

A Journey Begins




An art song recital for Valentine's Day, it should be fairly easy to find repertoire to fill out a program. My thought.....what is the greatest love story in the literary world? Why that would be Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning. Is there a a woman composer who set Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem, How Do I Love Thee? Two women-in-music reference books listed Gena Branscombe's settings of six of the Sonnets from the Portuguese as fine pieces of music. Her setting of How Do I Love Thee? was noted as being one of the best of her era. A small music publisher in Texas had reissued the song cycle, Love in a Life, which included the song I wanted. Who is this woman and why am I now being drawn to her music?

When the music arrived I took it to my accompanist Martin Hennessy. His immediate reaction was, "You must record these songs. And, who is she? She composes beautifully." Thus began my journey.

Several trips to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center provided me with more information. There was a doctoral dissertation written about Miss Branscombe and the author, Dr. Laurine Elkins Marlow, worked with Gena for 18 months before her death gathering all the necessary information. I found that nearly all of Miss Branscombe's original manuscripts and published works were held in the Special Collections Department. There were 150 art songs, instrumental works, piano pieces, chamber music, an oratorio, unfinished opera and choral music. A true treasure trove of music to be explored and reintroduced to people.
Reading through her songs, Martin and I began to choose those we thought would be the best representation of Miss Branscombe's art songs and piano works. We were going to record a CD....something I never thought I would do!


#BringingBackBranscombe

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

I'm up and running in the 21st century

Today, I have entered the 21st century technical world. I am officially on Facebook and have this blog. How exciting is that! More to come in the next few days. How exciting!

#BringingBackBranscombe