Found something interesting today at my local library. Checked out the book “The Acoustic Guitar” by Nick Freeth and Charles Alexander ( Courage Books, Philadelphia, 1999) and while leafing through it came across an interesting page about Catherina Josepha Pelzer, the wife of Robert Sydney Pratten. Enjoy!
Casey
Yeah, she was one of the few (and largely forgotten) women composers/performers for the classical guitar in the 19th century…and, for an Irish connection, one of the best collections of her compositions is located at the RIAM (Royal Academy of Irish Music). A talented husband and wife team!
Paul
A Pratten composition on period guitar.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dTfIVQx65ec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTfIVQx65ec
wonder if there is duet flute and guitar stuff out there.
she actually gave concertina lessons, too…according to the old advertisements in Musical World when Hudson moved to the Boosey manufactury with the Pratten’s Perfected flute.
Pratten played the harmonium.
Interesting woman whose heart was dissolved with Robert’s death (who went by Sidney, which was his mother’s maiden name). She was totally devoted to him, even stopping from performing or teaching after his death. Apparently it was her sister who persuaded her to return to music.
Funny enough…they were not buried anywhere near each other. You’d have thought they would have been.