Branscombe comes home

From Picton to the World, a concert celebrating the works of pianist, composer and conductor Gena Branscombe (1881 – 1977) this weekend will carry her music back to its early roots in Prince Edward County. For New Yorker Kathleen Shimeta, this event will be the realization of a long-time dream.

Co-founder and chair of the Gena Branscombe Project, Shimeta is a dedicated enthusiast of the works of the Picton-born woman who became a musical force of nature, establishing her place in the world through her composition, conducting and leadership. She describes Branscombe’s life as an inspiring record of a woman of great ability, a visionary who carved a musical career when American composers were just coming into their own in their country.

The concert celebrating Branscombe’s music, much of it composed during her time in Canada, will take place on Saturday, August 15, at 4 p.m. at Picton United Church. It will be followed by a reception at the Black Prince Winery, with an opportunity to meet the musicians performing her works.

Branscombe was born in Picton, in 1881, the daughter of Henry Branscombe, a dentist, optometrist and druggist, and his wife, Sarah Allison Branscombe. Her musical talents became apparent at a very early age during studies with local teachers. When she was 15, she left her hometown to attend the Chicago Musical College where she would later be employed for a time. In the years that followed, she returned home as often as possible, usually during summer vacations and for special holidays. Often, she performed concerts of her music while visiting Picton.

In 1909, recognizing the importance of European training for her professional development, she spent a year in Berlin, studying piano with Rudolf Ganz and composition with Englebert Humperdinck. The following year, she returned to her hometown to marry John F. Tenney, a lawyer and businessman, in Picton Methodist United Church, which she had attended in childhood days. The couple then settled in New York City to pursue their careers.

Branscombe’s return visits to Picton would continue throughout her lifetime. Often, she would stay at the Sandbanks and spend the summer visiting with relatives and friends. Sometimes, two of her four daughters would accompany her and once sang several of her songs during one of her concerts.

Shimeta says Branscombe was famous in her day as a composer, conductor and advocate for women composers. Unfortunately, with the passing of time, her music was lost in the sense that it was no longer available, because publishers had discontinued her works. Her music is steeped in the late German romantic style of beautiful melodies and rich harmonies. It is filled with references to her home country— maple leaves, flowers and use of the word “Dominion”. From Picton to the World will be a homecoming of her compositions, which will feature the song Dear Lad O’Mine, written for the Canadian WWI effort, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross. Another piece of music, Blow Softly Maple Leaves, will feature poetry by Branscombe’s friend and fellow Canadian Arthur Springer.

Gena Branscombe died in 1977 at the age of 96 and is buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Methuen, Massachusetts. A foot marker at her grave bears the inscription “She Walked to the Sound of Invisible Trumpets.”

Tickets for the From Picton to the World concert are available on-line at https://givebutter.com/frompictontotheworld or at the door. Attendance at the reception is included with the ticket price.