Hopekipk, Helen (1856–1945)

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Hopekipk, Helen (1856–1945)

Scottish pianist. Born Edinburgh, Scotland, May 20, 1856; died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, of a cerebral thrombosis, Nov 19, 1945; dau. of Adam Hopekirk (music-shop pro-prietor) and Helen (Croall) Hopekirk; studied piano with George Lichtenstein; received lessons in harmony, counterpoint, and composition with A.C. Mackenzie; studied with Carl Reinecke and Salomon Jadassohn (composition), Louis Maas (piano) and E.F. Richter (counter-point) in Leipzig, 1876–78; studied under Theodor Leschetizky in Vienna; studied composition with Karel Navra'til in Vienna, and composition and orchestration under Richard Mandl in Paris; m. William A. Wilson (Edinburgh merchant and music critic), Aug 4, 1882 (died 1926); along with husband, became US citizen (1918).

Made debut with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra (1878); after moving to America, became a champion of the music of Edward MacDowell; often performed music of the contemporary French school (Debussy and Faure'); taught for many years at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston; as a composer, best-known works were a Concert Piece as well as a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra; also arranged and edited Scottish folk songs for piano.

See also Hall and Hall, Helen Hopekirk, 1856–1945 (1954); and Women in World History.