Maud Powell

American musician (1867–1920)

Minnie "Maud" Powell (August 22, 1867 – January 8, 1920) was an American violinist who gained international acclaim for her skill and virtuosity.

Powell was born in Peru, Illinois. Her mother was Wilhelmina "Minnie" Bengelstraeter Powell, and her father was William Bramwell Powell. W. B. Powell wrote numerous books such as The Normal Course of Reading and served as superintendent of Peru Elementary School District 124 from 1862 to 1870. She was the niece of John Wesley Powell, an American Civil War hero and famed explorer of the Grand Canyon. He made his first scientific exploration of the Colorado River in 1869, when Maud was two years old. She was soon recognized as a prodigy and at age 9 began four years of being taken to Chicago for piano study with Agnes Ingersoll and violin study with William Lewis. In January 1894, Powell was initiated honorably into musical women's fraternity Alpha Chi Omega. On October 31, 1916, Powell performed in Ottawa, Illinois, on the occasion of the dedication of the Ottawa High School building. On November 27, 1919, Powell suffered a heart attack on stage in St. Louis, Missouri.

Powell was the first American violinist to achieve international rank. She was among the first instrumentalists to make Red Seal records for the Victor Talking Machine Company, starting in 1904 until 1919. With these recordings she set an enduring standard for violin performance. In 1986, Powell's biographer Karen A. Shaffer founded the Maud Powell Society for Music and Education to further knowledge of Powell and her significant role in music both in the United States and abroad. In 1995, her home town of Peru dedicated an 8 foot bronze statue of Powell, sculpted by Joseph Heyd. In 2007, American violinist Rachel Barton Pine released a CD of music transcribed by, commissioned by or dedicated to Maud Powell. In 2009, Maud Powell Favorites, a 4 volume set of Powell's transcriptions and works commissioned by her or dedicated to her was published by the Maud Powell Society for Music and Education. The music was compiled by Karen A. Shaffer who wrote the extensive historical introduction and annotations while Rachel Barton Pine served as the music editor. Maud Powell was posthumously granted the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on January 25, 2014, at the Recording Academy's 2014 Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Nominees Reception. The award was accepted on behalf of Powell by biographer Karen A. Shaffer and Rachel Barton Pine.

American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell. Rachel Barton Pine (violin), Matthew Hagle (piano). Cedille Records, 2006: CDR 90000 097
Powell, Maud: Complete Recordings, Vol. 2 (1904–1917). Naxos Records, 2001: 8.110962
Powell, Maud: Complete Recordings, Vol. 3 (1904–1917). Naxos Records, 2001: 8.110963
Powell, Maud: Complete Recordings, Vol. 4 (1904–1917). Naxos Records, 2004: 8.110993