Saturday, March 1, 2014

Kathleen Lockhart Manning


Kathleen Lockhart Manning (1890-1951).

Born in Hollywood, California, Kathleen was fortunate to study piano and composition with Moritz Moszkowski in Paris.  Also a singer, she performed with the Hammerstein Opera Company in London during the 1911-1912 season. 

As a composer she wrote mainly vocal works for which she penned her own words.  Her song cycles include, “Sketches of New York,” “Sketches of London,”  “Sketches of Paris,” “Chinese Impressions,” and “Songs of Egypt.”  A number of her individual songs were arranged for chorus.

After the death of Miss Lockhart Manning’s husband in 1938, mental illness haunted her the remainder of her life.  She died in Los Angeles. 







I am not sure if Kathleen Lockhart Manning and Gena Branscombe actually knew each other but there is a reference to Gena in one of Kathleen’s diary entries.  She noted that she must send Miss Branscombe a copy of her newest published song cycle.

A CD of the Lockhart songs is available, To The Mart of Dreams: Songs by Kathleen Lockart Manning, Vol I.  Listening to her charming songs will brighten your day.  

My friend, Rebecca Schultz Lanning, is the leading authority on Kathleen Lockhart Manning.  Her research has put her in touch with the composer's family who have been generous sharing Kathleen's papers, compositions and diaries!  Way to go Rebecca.

6 comments:

  1. Hello! I am selling a first edition Sketches of New York by Kathleen Lockhart Manning. In researching the composition, I came across your website and am so intrigued by Kathleen's story and talent. The copy I have has her signature with a handwritten dedication to Edgar Scheffield: "To Edgar Scheffield in deep appreciation - and sincere admiration." Any thoughts about who Edgar is?

    Thank you for keeping alive the legacy of this wonderful and gifted musician and composer.

    ~Janice

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  2. Hi Janice, First, what is the price on the Sketches of New York that you are selling? And, I will find out who Edgar Scheffield is and let you know.

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  3. HI, Janice, I checked with my friend who is the authority on Kathleen Lockhart Manning. She has no idea who Mr. Scheffield is as he does not appear in her diaries or lists of people to whom she gave music. He may have been a fan of hers and that is why she autographed the music to him.

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  4. Hi Kathleen! Thank you for your reply. I have a starting bid on ebay for $8.00. It has pictures of the piece of music including the signed dedication. I am so excited to have come across your website. There are so many gifted women composers and I am glad to have learned of Kathleen.

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  5. I would be very interested to get in touch with Kathleen Manning's relatives, or with Rebecca Schultz Lanning, to see if any of her orchestral music has survived, especially her piano concerto. I am an independent musicologist with a particular interest in the "Romantic" concerto repertoire.
    Gareth Vaughan

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    1. Gareth - here is the information from Dr. Lanning's website...
      .https://www.mga.edu/directory/people.php?name=lanning-rebecca

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