Hélène (Murray) Tham
Swedish
Female
Born 1843, Died 1925
Tham was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the daughter of the wholesaler Uno Murray and his wife Charlotte. Her godmother was Jenny Lind, the “Swedish nightingale.” Her childhood home was filled with music and literature. From a young age, musical composition was fostered and encouraged.
In 1864, Hélène married Vollrath Tham, an industrialist and later parliamentarian. Vollrath had a deep love for music and likely encouraged Hélène to continue her musical pursuits. The couple had no less than nine children.
Some of her existing manuscripts are possibly signed with her maiden name, Murray, possibly dating before her marriage. But the bulk of her compositions were written when Hélène was in her 40s or 50s. This suggests that she composed throughout her life, even when deeply involved with time-consuming family obligations. Hélène’s surviving compositions include pieces for piano solo, organ solo, art song and a few choral selections.
In 1864, Hélène married Vollrath Tham, an industrialist and later parliamentarian. Vollrath had a deep love for music and likely encouraged Hélène to continue her musical pursuits. The couple had no less than nine children.
Some of her existing manuscripts are possibly signed with her maiden name, Murray, possibly dating before her marriage. But the bulk of her compositions were written when Hélène was in her 40s or 50s. This suggests that she composed throughout her life, even when deeply involved with time-consuming family obligations. Hélène’s surviving compositions include pieces for piano solo, organ solo, art song and a few choral selections.