Google has added a special tribute to a modern-day pioneer in British music and opera. This is the day for Amanda Aldridge, who was born and raised in the UK.
Google Doodles are Google’s way of honoring an individual or event that they feel deserves to be celebrated.
The Google image for Friday, June 17 shows Aldridge and a doodle of musical treble clefs on either side. Google describes Aldridge as an inspirational figure who showed musical prowess at a young age.
Aldridge is a woman born on March 10, 1866, in London, who is known for her musical compositions. She released numerous instrumental tracks, parlour music, and up to over 30 songs.
What is there to Know about Anna Aldridge?
Amanda Aldridge is the daughter of African American actor and Swedish opera singer, Ira Aldridge.
Although she pursued a career in classical music, her first passion was jazz, and she continued to perform with the likes of Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie.
Unfortunately, Aldridge’s singing career was cut short by a throat injury. But instead of giving up, she used her talents to develop a successful teaching and composing career.
While many people consider themselves as being part of an ethnically diverse group, not many of them explore the origins of their ethnic heritage by combining rhythmic influences with poetry, creating Parlour music but Aldridge did just that.
Parlour music is a form of entertainment that was enjoyed in the homes of middle-class Americans.
Parlour music is a popular genre performed in the living rooms of middle-class homes, it was played on sheet music at home on piano, accompanied by vocals.
It was widely popular due to records not being available at the time.
The most famous piece she ever wrote was a piano composition called Three African Dances, which was inspired by West African drumming.
Aside her compositions, she taught civil rights activist Paul Robeson and one of America’s first great opera singers, Marian Anderson.
According to Google, Aldridge composed love songs, sambas, and orchestral pieces into her old age, garnering international attention for her fusion of musical styles.
For her first appearance on television at the age of 88, Elizabeth Aldridge gave a concert to the British public. Her classic compositions are just as familiar to a whole new generation today.
Aldridge died on March 9, 1956, one day before her 90th birthday. For each group of words, there are two sentences with the same pattern but different meaning.
Some of Aldridge’s famous works include:
An Assyrian Love Song, words by F. G. Bowles. London.Elkin & Co. , 1921.
Azalea, words and music by M. Ring. London.Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew, 1907.
Blue Days of June, words by F. E. Weatherly. London.Chappell & Co. , 1915.
The Bride, words by P. J. O’Reilly. London.Chappell & Co. , 1910.
The Fickle Songster, words by H. Simpson. London.Cary & Co. , 1908.
Little Brown Messenger, words by F. G. Bowles. London.G. Ricordi & Co. , 1912.
