BORN

1921

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Teague Funeral Home

2260 IVY RD

Charlottesville, Virginia

Marjorie Mitchell Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 7, 2017.

Internationally acclaimed concert pianist Marjorie Mitchell died on August 7, 2017. She was 95. Born in Oklahoma in 1921, Miss Mitchell moved with her family to Charlottesville in 1931 and lived there for the rest of her life.



Her first piano teacher was her mother, Eula Mitchell, who taught piano in Charlottesville for 40 years. Miss Mitchell continued her studies at the Julliard School of Music in New York City. She interrupted those studies to join the USO and entertain the troops for two years during World War II. Upon completing her graduate studies at Julliard, she received a Fulbright Scholarship in 1952 for additional study and training in Europe. By that time she had already begun playing professionally in the U. S., including a debut with the National Symphony in Washington. Her career took off with her highly successful European debut in 1953. Many bookings quickly followed on the Continent, and over her career she appeared in virtually every major European city. In 1961 one critic wrote “Marjorie Mitchell with her dynamic rhythms and elan is the best America has sent to this continent in a long time. . .”



In 1956 she made her Carnegie Hall debut in spectacular fashion, as she played three concertos and one ballade all on the same program. The tough New York critics hailed the performance. One said “Her technique is all steel and flame…In short, the mechanics of piano rendition are as child’s play to her. The keyboard is her natural medium. She revels in it.” Early in 1957 she appeared in recital in San Francisco. Again the critics raved: “Clarity, brilliance, and a superb sense of style were the leading themes in Marjorie Mitchell’s recital. She…knows all there is to know about pianistic tone color…”



In 1959 the New York Mirror reported that, “They call her America’s female Van Cliburn.” Also in 1959 she gave her first performance of Gershwin’s Concerto in F with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Andre Kostelanetz. The New York Times reported that, “The audience recalled Marjorie Mitchell, American pianist, ten times…” The demand for more was immediate. She subsequently toured Europe playing all-Gershwin programs, and she teamed up with a German orchestra and two American singers to produce German-made recordings of Gershwin’s works.



In the 1960s the United States State Department’s Cultural Presentations Program sent Miss Mitchell on tours to far-flung world capitals in the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Mexico, and South America. On one of those tours, she played an impromptu memorial recital at the American embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan upon receiving news of President John Kennedy’s death.



She made numerous recordings, in particular for Decca and Vanguard. Her recordings reflect a wide-ranging repertoire, from Mozart to Ernest Bloch. While she was an ardent admirer of Franz Liszt and Sergei Rachmaninoff, she paid particular attention to neglected works of modern composers, both in her programs and in her recordings. She premiered a piano concerto written for her by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Robert Ward. One of her last collaborations was with Charlottesville composer Walter Ross.



Throughout her career she found time for performances in her hometown, often as benefits for local charitable groups. She played solo recitals and orchestral concerts with local musical groups. In 1967 she teamed up again with the National Symphony to play an all-Gershwin benefit concert at University Hall. Long after her retirement from the concert stage she played periodic recitals for the elderly residents of the Martha Jefferson House.



Like her mother before her, Miss Mitchell taught piano privately in Charlottesville for many years. She also served briefly on the faculty of the North Carolina School for the Arts in Winston-Salem.



Miss Mitchell is survived by three nephews and a niece: H. Bryan Mitchell of Madison County, Virginia, Charles P. Mitchell of Wichita, Douglas G. Mitchell of Austin, and Mary Virginia Pinho of Boston.



Burial will be private, and a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date at Connect Church. Contact the church for details. Memorial contributions may be made to the Martha Jefferson House, Connect Church, or the charity of one’s choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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October 11, 2017

Marjorie was so influential in our daughter's development as a musician and composer. Her standards were so high! And she was so accomplished! She was a wonderful woman who had an influence on so many people during her life. We were out of town when the obituary was in the paper, so we learned recently of her death. She will be missed. God rest her soul.
Mary &. Bob Gibson

September 24, 2017

Teacher

Mara Gibson

Posted by Mara Gibson

September 24, 2017

Teacher

Mara Gibson

I was so fortunate to meet Marjorie when I was 15 years old in 1987. She helped shape me as a musician. Now a composer with an active 13 year old son who has played piano since he was five (the right way:-), she touched my life in so many meaningful ways. I wrote my college entrance essay on her as an active female pianist in the 50s. She was a role model for me (and still is)! I remember her fondly from family visits and am absolutely thrilled she met my son. Sending much love to her spirit and family.

August 11, 2017

Debra Marshall

I feel very fortunate to have become one of Marjorie's adult piano students upon my arrival in Charlottesville over 30 years ago. She enriched my life with her music, wisdom and friendship that endured throughout my many moves away from Virginia. I always treasured those return visits with her at her home and, more recently, the Martha Jefferson House where we had fond memories of sharing music with the residents over the years. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

August 10, 2017

Camelia Farrar

TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE Ms. Mitchell I will miss her at the Martha Jefferson House. She was a very sweet lady. Camelia Farrar Charlottesville, Va.

August 10, 2017

Camelia Farrar

TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE Ms. Mitchell I will miss her at the Martha Jefferson House. She was a very sweet lady. Camelia Farrar Charlottesville, Va.

August 10, 2017

Ellen Schorsch

It was my privilege to be Marjorie's piano student and friend for many years.
We shared many joyful musical and life experiences. There was no one like her and she gave her all to everything she
pursued. Her warmth and caring will be missed by those of us who knew her.

August 9, 2017

Deshauna Catoe

There was never a dull moment with her around. She was the positive soul that everyone needed to start their day. She made all the staff laugh. She was a good friend to quite a few people at MJH. I'm so sad to see her gone. I remember we would always sing to each other "I'm always thinking of you Margie." She would say "oh such a cute song darling." I sure had tons of great memories of her. I will miss her so much. Rest in paradise my sweet friend

August 9, 2017

Suzanne Michels

Mrs. Mitchell and my father struck up an instant friendship when he entered the Martha Jefferson House this spring, and though neither of them could remember each other's names, they recognized each other's spirits. Mrs. Mitchell's effervescent personality, loving smile, and adventurousness kept him (and me) entertained on many afternoons. She was truly one of a kind, touching everyone she met. She will be sorely missed at Martha Jefferson House.

August 9, 2017

Donna Martin

My Dearest Miss Mitchell, You have touched so many people in so many ways here at Martha Jefferson House. I'm gonna miss your beautiful smile!

August 7, 2017

Carlton Monroe Dickerson

Miss Marjorie Mitchell,
Well done! It has been a wonderful journey. I am so thankful that I got to know you when I first moved to Charlottesville; and then, when I felt led to show up at your door many years later.The renewal of our friendship has enriched my life with happy, intimate, and magical moments - dancing with angels. Certainly, I got into some trouble allowing you to talk me into some unusual situations. Such as, driving you home for the afternoon during your convalescense at a local facility. Or the time I found you in the hospital, and you sent me on a mission to see how long they were going to leave you on a stretcher in the hallway; my orders were to tell the hospital that you were walking out if they didn't see you immediately. I think of you and Franz Liszt together in bliss.
Lovingly,

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