Google for Doodle is celebrating the life and career of a Black British composer. Additionally, a teacher and opera singer, Amanda Aldridge was celebrated by the company.
Best known as a composer, Aldridge released dozens of instrumental tracks, parlour music, and over 30 songs. She placed work under the pseudonym Montague Ring, according to tech giant. The classic logo switches up to highlight a historical figure or special occasion relating to a specific date
On this day in 1911, Aldridge performed a piano recital at Queens Small Hall. Also, London’s pre-war principal concert venue. As well as the original home of the BBC Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras.
Amanda Aldridge was born in London on March 10, 1866. Her father, an American Shakespearian actor Ira Aldridge and a Swedish opera singer.
According to Google, she “showed her musical prowess at a young age”. She studied at London’s Royal Conservatory of Music. But circumstances altered her abilities. According to reports, a throat injury cut her singing career cut. Nevertheless, Aldridge’s gift aided as a vocal teacher, pianist, and composer.
Aldridge died in 1956 at the age of 89.
But prior to her transition she explored her mixed ethnic heritage through music.
She combined various rhythmic influences and genres with poetry by Black American authors to create what’s known as parlour music.
The popular players of Parlour music often, “performed in the living rooms of middle-class homes.”
Her most famous piece was one of her piano compositions, “Three African Dances,” inspired by West African drumming. In addition to her compositions, she taught civil rights activist Paul Robeson and one of America’s first great opera singers, Marian Anderson.
Aldridge wrote love songs, sambas, and orchestral pieces into her old age and gained international attention for the way she fused musical styles.
