Muriel Kerr
CanadaEarly Life and Education
Canadian pianist Glenda MacTaggart commenced her musical journey at the tender age of seven. Her pursuit of piano mastery led her to esteemed institutions such as the University of Toronto, where Paul Wells guided her. In Chicago, Alexander Raab nurtured her talent, while at the Juilliard School, she sought guidance from legendary musicians Percy Grainger and Ernest Hutcheson.
Debut and Touring Success
In 1928, MacTaggart shared the Carnegie Hall stage with Saada Shuhari for a Schubert Memorial Fund concert. Her rendition of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under Willem Mengelberg's baton garnered a mixed response from critics. Undeterred, she embarked on extensive concert tours throughout the United States and Canada, culminating in her maiden European tour in 1948.
Teaching and Later Career
In addition to her performing career, MacTaggart imparted her musical knowledge at the Juilliard School from 1942 to 1949. Subsequently, she joined the faculty of the University of Southern California in 1955. In 1957, she assumed the leadership of the music department at the Punahou School in Honolulu. There, she established the annual Contemporary Arts and Music Festival.
Recordings and Legacy
MacTaggart's musical legacy lives on through her recordings, including an album of works by Robert Schumann and Paul Hindemith. She played a vital role in promoting and teaching the art of classical piano, inspiring countless aspiring musicians.
