Clara E. Thoms

Biography

Clara E. Thoms was an American concert pianist and the wife of American Art Journal editor W. M. Thoms. Born in Minnesota, she was descended on her father's side from Revolutionary-era stock, including General Putnam, and on her mother's side from a family of three brothers who accompanied Lafayette to America. A prodigy, she was billed as a piano wonder throughout the United States by age eight. In 1873 she traveled to Vienna to study piano, harmony, and singing under Proch, subsequently performing with distinguished success in Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Poland. After six years abroad she returned home and re-established her reputation as a virtuosa. She retired from the stage for several years following her marriage but resumed professional performing in 1887, quickly regaining her former standing. Spillane counted her among the eminent modern American pianists who elevated the standing of the American pianoforte.

Highlights

• Child prodigy pianist billed as a piano wonder throughout the United States by age eight.
• Studied piano, harmony, and singing in Vienna under Proch beginning 1873, then toured Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Poland with distinguished success.
• Descended from Revolutionary-era stock, including General Putnam.

Source

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 354, 355.

Public domain.