Rebecca Clarke

Rebecca Clarke was a pioneering female composer and performer in the early 20th century. As a composer, she specialized in chamber music, performing much of it herself as a violist. Clarke was born on August 27, 1886, in Harrow, England. Her father forced Clarke and her three siblings to learn and perform chamber music he wanted to hear. Clarke became interested in composition and copied out scores on her own to increase her knowledge. Her father withdrew her from the Royal Academy of Music when one of her teachers proposed marriage to her. Clarke's father discouraged her com...