"Ethel Smyth," writes Edward Sackville-West, "was, by any standard, among the greatest women this country has produced." She was one of the very few women composers of international repute, she was an author of great distinction, and she played a leading part in the struggle for women's rights. But, with her extraordinary vitality and her numerous and passionate friendships and antipathies, she was--perhaps above all--"a character" of exciting originality. This life-story follows on the centenary of her birth, and the author, who knew Ethel Smyth personally, has been fortunate in being able to draw on her life-long and voluminous correspondence. The author presents a truly engrossing account of the composer's early musical career, her studies at Leipzig, her friendships with Brahms and Tchaikovsky, her strange relationship with the philosopher Henry Brewster, and her subsequent long struggle for recognition. The book not only re-creates with vigor the character of this unusual and gift

"In 1867 England, a girl learned to be proper and speak when spoken to. But one girl marched to a different beat. Ethel Smyth climbed fences, explored graveyards, and yearned to become a famous composer at a time when only men could publisher their music. But become a composer she did, first signing her music as E. Smyth so people couldn't guess her gender then eventually writing openly as a woman (but still sometimes not getting paid!). Ethel had had enough. She joined the suffragette movement, marching in the streets and fighting for the right to vote. She even composed the famous 'March of the Women' battle cry--and directed it from her cell window with a toothbrush when she was put in prison."--

"The lives,loves,adventures and trailblazing careers of four extraordinary women from a stunning debut biographer. Leah Broad's magnificent group biography resurrects the forgotten voices,-Ethel Smyth, Rebecca Clarke, Dorothy Howell and Dorren Carwithen-recounting lives of rebellion,heartbreak and ambition,and celebrating their musical masterpieces"--Publisher's description.