Dame Myra Hess, DBE

Julia Myra Hess was born on 25 February 1890 to a Jewish family in Kilburn, London. The youngest of four children, she began playing the piano at an early age, starting lessons when she was five. Two years later, she entered the Guildhall School of Music, where she graduated as winner of the Gold Medal.

She studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Tobias Matthay. Her debut came in 1907 when she played Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with Sir Thomas Beecham conducting. She went on to tour through Britain, the Netherlands and France. Upon her American debut (New York City, 24 January 1922) she became a prime favourite in the United States, not only as a soloist, but also as an ensemble player. She also has a link to jazz, having given lessons in the 1920s to Elizabeth Ivy Brubeck, mother of Dave Brubeck.

GRO Birth Index

• HESS, JULIA MYRA Mother's maiden name - JACOBS
• GRO Reference: 1890 M Quarter in HAMPSTEAD Volume 01A Page 688

Marriages Mar 1884

• Hess Solomon Kensington 1a 301
• JACOBS Lizzie Kensington 1a 301