Elizabeth Margaret Beath (Betty Beath) nee Eardley, (b. 19 Nov 1932) is married to author/illustrator, David Cox. She is an Australian composer, pianist,and music educator . She was born in Bundaberg, Queensland, and began piano lessons at the age of three. She studied with Frank Hutchens

Frank Hutchens

Francis "Frank" Hutchens OBE was a pianist, music teacher and composer originally from New Zealand. He became a popular concert pianist in Australia, and was a founding member of the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music, where he taught for fifty years.-Early life and education:Hutchens'...

 at the Sydney

Sydney

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

 Conservatorium and also at the Queensland Conservatorium, with Max Olding and Dr. Janet Delpratt.

After completing her education, Beath settled in Brisbane

Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...

 and took positions as an accompanist and later teacher at Queensland Conservatorium and was Head of Music at St. Margaret's Girls' School, Brisbane. She is an Examiner with the Australian Music Examinations Board. Beath received a Southeast Asian Fellowship from the Australia Council in 1974 to conduct research in Bali

Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...

 and Java

Java

Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...

.

Works

Beath, at times, incorporates [world music] themes into her compositions, including music from Bali and Java. Selected works include:

ORCHESTRAL'

• ASMARADANA(1994), for Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. First performance Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta,18/6/1994.
• JOURNEYS - AN INDONESIAN TRIPTYCH (1994), Commissioned by the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra.
• DREAMS AND VISIONS (1996), Commissioned by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
• WOMAN'S SONG: Allegro Vivace for Strings,(1999). Published by Wirripang.
• LAMENT FOR KOSOVO: Adagio for Strings, (1999). Published by Wirripang.
• LAGU LAGU MANIS (1994)

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC WITH SOLOIST

• IN THIS GARDEN (1973).
• RIDDLES (1974) a cycle of four songs for Voice and Orchestra. 1. The Cry 2. In An English Garden 3. In Spanish Mountains 4. In the Carnarvon Ranges.

• From a Quiet Place, 3 Pieces for viola and piano (1997)
• Mikri Thalassa for 2 mandolins, mandola and guitar
• Adagio for Strings: Lament for Kosovo
• Towards the Psalms, settings of texts from the novel Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels
• Merindu Bali, programmed
• River Songs for soprano with ensemble
• Abigail and the Bushranger with David Cox
• Abigail and the Rainmaker for treble choir with piano
• Lagu lagu Manis II for chamber orchestra
• Heart song for solo cello
• Poverello: St. Francis of Assisi, a Saint for Our Times

Her music has been recorded and issued on CD, including:

• 'Music of Betty Beath'2010 Wirripang, Wirr024
• 'Betty Beath, Journeys of the Mind' 2/10/2011, Beath-Cox Art Enterprises CD BC02
• 'Music in Bali and Java, Betty Beath & David Cox', 1/9/2011, Beath-Cox Art Enterprises CD BC01
• 'Splendour of the Past, Music of Australian Composers', 27/1/1991. JAD CD 1025
• 'River Songs' 29 February 1992. JAD CD1026
• 'Poetic Nostalgia' 7/7/1992. JAD CD1029
• Still Life (25 October 2003). Tall Poppies, TP162
• 'Music From Six Continents, 1995 Series.' Vienna Modern Masters VMM3031
• 'New Music for Orchestra...Music From Six Continents, 1996 Series. Vienna Modern Masters VMM3036
• 'Symphony, Music of Australian Composers', 15/3/1993. JAD CD1037
• 'New Music for Orchestra...Music From Six Continents, 1997 Series. Vienna Modern Masters VMM3039
• 'In This Garden', 18/1/94. JAD CD1044
• 'Music from Six Continents, 2001 Series.' Vienna Modern Masters VMM 3052
• 'Music From Six Continents, 2001 Series.' Vienna Modern Masters VMM 3053
• 'Music for a Candlelight Dinner', 26/2/l996. JAD CD1058
• 'Procession for Elizabeth, Music of Australian Composers' 17/9/1998. JAD CD1079
• 'Shade of Summer, Music of Australian Composers', 28/10/1992. JAD CD1032
• 'Music From The Fellowship of Australian Composers', 9/3/1993. JAD CD1036
• 'Water Colours, Music of the Australian Composers', 5/10/1993. JAD CD1041
• 'Tales from Nowhere, Music of the Australian Composers', 8/2/1994. JAD CD1046
• 'Music for a Festive Occasion, Music of Australian Composers', 15/3/1994. JAD CD1048
• 'Best of Jade Classics, Music of the Australian Composers', 5/10/1995. JAD CD1056
• 'American Dream, Music of American and Australian Composers', 11/1/2001. JAD CD1090
• 'The Original Music For A Champagne Breakfast, Australian Composers', 4/6/1999. JAD CD1085
• 'Winter Solstice, Music of Australian Composers', 18/1/2006. JAD CD1108
• 'Reflections Through A Stained Glass Window', 29/8/2006. JAD CD1110
• 'Sonata Piccola, Music of Australian Composers's, 31/10/2006. JAD CD1111
• 'Forever Sunset,' Celebrating the 100th disc in the Jade Series of Australian Composers. 16/10/2007. JAD CD1116
• 'Un-ruffled, Australian Viola, French Horn, Double Bass & Bassoon Music', 2004. Fellowship of Australian Composers FAC CD3