Schonthal, Ruth (1924–)

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Schonthal, Ruth (1924–)

American composer, pianist and teacher. Born in Hamburg, Germany, June 27, 1924; began musical studies at age 5 at Berlin's Stern Conservatory, studying piano with Luise Lehde and music theory with Hilda Bischoff.

Immigrated to Sweden with parents (1938), continuing studies at Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm; immigrated to Mexico (1941), where she studied at National Conservatory with Manuel Ponce and Rodolfo Halffter; studied at Yale University with Paul Hindemith, graduating with BA in Music (1948); taught at Westchester Conservatory (1976–), Adelphi University (1974–77), and New York University (1977–82); a modernist, composed Sonata Breve (1976), along with compositions that reflect her years in Mexico, including her piece for solo guitar, Fantasia in a Nostalgic Mood (1978), the 1942 Concerto Romantico for Piano and Orchestra, and The Beautiful Days of Aranjuez for Harp and String Orchestra (1981); active in organizations defending the interests of American women composers.