Cecile Chaminade

French Romantic Era Composer and Pianist

Cécile Chaminade (1857–1944) was a French composer and pianist known for her melodic compositions that were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She composed character pieces for piano and salon songs, which were particularly favored by amateur musicians in the United States. Chaminade's Concertstück for Piano and Orchestra in C-sharp minor, Op. 40, is one of her more notable works and reflects her ability to blend lyrical melodies with virtuosic piano writing. She was also one of the first female composers to receive the Légion d'Honneur in 1913, a significant recognition of her contributions to French music. Although she wrote over 400 pieces of music, her works were somewhat neglected after her death until a resurgence of interest in women composers began to bring her music back into the public eye. Chaminade's compositions are now increasingly performed and recorded, contributing to the legacy of female composers in classical music history.