The life and career of Peers Coetmore, English cellist (1905-1976)

© 2012 Stephanie BrownePeers Coetmore (1905-1976) began her career at a time when female cellists were rare. From the late 1920s she struggled within a male-dominated profession and against hard economic times to establish her career in England. She turned to her strong female role models, musicians such as Guilhermina Suggia and Harriet Cohen, for inspiration and guidance. In association with the Committee for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts and the Entertainments National Service Association, Coetmore travelled across Europe touring during World War II. In 1945 she married the prominent British composer Ernest Moeran. Her career flourished during their marriage as she premiered a number of his compositions, most importantly his cello concerto. In 1950, following Moeran’s death, Coetmore emigrated to Melbourne and established herself as a prominent musical figure, both as a touring performer and as a chamber musician. She performed with the Victorian Symphony Orchestra (now the MSO) and taught at the Melbourne Conservatorium (1951 and 1959-76), the Victorian College of the Arts (1974-76) and privately. Today Coetmore is predominantly known through her association with Moeran and her recording of his cello compositions. This thesis examines Coetmore’s life and career, clarifying how she established herself as a soloist and chamber musician during the Depression, the nature of her relationship and collaboration with Moeran and the role she played as his muse and interpreter