14 Facts About Maud Powell

Minnie "Maud" Powell was an American violinist who gained international acclaim for her skill and virtuosity.

Maud Powell's mother was Wilhelmina "Minnie" Bengelstraeter Powell, and her father was William Bramwell Powell.

Maud Powell was the niece of John Wesley Powell, an American Civil War hero and famed explorer of the Grand Canyon.

Maud Powell made his first scientific exploration of the Colorado River in 1869, when Maud was two years old.

Maud Powell was 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.

Maud Powell was a powerful advocate for music by Americans, women, and black composers, including the British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, from whom she commissioned a violin concerto.

Maud Powell was a committed champion of the Sibelius Violin Concerto and was largely responsible for its addition to the repertoire.

In January 1894, Maud Powell was initiated honorably into musical women's fraternity Alpha Chi Omega.

On October 31,1916, Maud Powell performed in Ottawa, Illinois, on the occasion of the dedication of the Ottawa High School building.

On November 27,1919, Maud Powell suffered a heart attack on stage in St Louis, Missouri.

On January 8,1920, Maud Powell died following another heart attack in Uniontown, Pennsylvania while on tour.

Maud Powell was the first American violinist to achieve international rank.

Maud Powell was among the first instrumentalists to make Red Seal records for the Victor Talking Machine Company, starting in 1904 until 1919.

In 1995, her home town of Peru dedicated an 8-foot bronze statue of Maud Powell, sculpted by Joseph Heyd.