1. Marjorie Hesse began piano lessons in Ipswich, Queensland and was recognised as a child prodigy.
16 Facts About Marjorie Hesse
1. 2.
When she was 15, Hesse moved to Sydney with her family.
3.
Marjorie Hesse's mother ran a boarding house in Darlinghurst where Hesse worked and often performed in the evenings.
4.
In 1927, Marjorie Hesse won the National Prize for Piano and Harmony from Trinity College London as the best candidate in the British Commonwealth.
5.
Marjorie Hesse joined the NSW State Conservatorium of Music in 1928 where she studied piano with Frank Hutchens, composition with Alfred Hill and Mirrie Hill, and attained diplomas in teaching and performance in 1931.
6.
Marjorie Hesse achieved a piano scholarship from the AMEB in 1930 for outstanding performance.
7.
In 1936, Marjorie Hesse began a Commonwealth tour with contralto Alice Prowse and violinist Phyllis MacDonald under direction of the ABC.
8.
Marjorie Hesse was invited by the Italian tenor Dino Borgioli to accompany his students, including Australian soprano Joan Hammond.
9.
Marjorie Hesse was assistant artist with Richard Tauber at the Royal Empire Society concerts.
10.
One of these recitals took place at the Rockefeller Center where Marjorie Hesse performed works by herself, Alfred and Mirrie Hill, and Percy Grainger who attended the concert.
11.
Marjorie Hesse was forced to return to Australia in October 1940 after she could no longer receive funds.
12.
Marjorie Hesse was appointed adjudicator for the instrumentals section of the Launceston Eisteddfod in 1948.
13.
Marjorie Hesse was a prolific composer of pedagogical piano music with published books of Children's Suites, violin and piano solos, and songs.
14.
Marjorie Hesse married Hungarian engineer Tibor Kereny in December 1944, three days after completing her BA.
15.
In 1975, Marjorie Hesse was awarded an MBE for her services to music.
16.
Marjorie Hesse's songs were often broadcast on radio, although some were unpublished works.