She was born as
Mathilde Würm in
Southampton,
England, the fourth of ten children. After studying for four years under
Clara Schumann in Frankfurt, she became established as a concert pianist in 1887, as well as launching a career as music teacher. She taught briefly at the
Royal College of Music, and later made regular appearances under Henry Wood at the Queen's Hall Promenade Concerts, being strongly associated with the "Tuesday 12 O'Clock Concerts" of chamber music, from 1907 until her death in 1936. Her sisters were
Adela Verne,
Alice Verne-Bredt and
Mary Wurm. She made her debut in St James's Hall in London, playing a Mendelssohn piano trio. She frequently appeared as soloist under such conductors as
Arthur Nikisch,
Hans Richter, Sir
August Manns, and Sir
Henry J. Wood. She twice visited the United States, playing under
Theodore Thomas. She became especially famous for her authentic playing of the works of
Robert Schumann. Her pupils, aside from her sister,
Adela, and her nephew,
John Vallier, included
Solomon;
Dame Moura Lympany,
Harold Samuel,
Herbert Menges and
Joan Mary Last. She also taught
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (the future
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), who became patron of her school. ==See also==