The "Greatest Lady 'Cellist of the World": May Henrietta Mukle and Her Impact in Twentieth Century British Musical Life

Abstract

The study of twentieth-century British music history and culture is a long-established field which continues to attract interest by scholars on both sides of the Atlantic. Yet, the experiences of many British women musicians remain unheard or become forgotten with time. This thesis traces the musical life of the cellist May Henrietta Mukle (1880-1963). Although Mukle was once acknowledged as one of the leading cellists of her time, her story has been severely overlooked. Through comprehensive research of primary materials and performance-based reflection, this project assesses her contributions within British musical culture. The thesis comprises of two parts. Part one examines Mukle’s musical collaborations and diverse activities as a rounded musician, versed not only in solo and chamber music performance, but also in composition and arrangement. Furthermore, this section addresses her educational and entrepreneurial work, arguing for their significance. The second part of the thesis addresses cello-playing postures deemed socially acceptable for women to utilise during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and Mukle’s noteworthy position within this context. Additionally, it considers her influence within women’s musical and suffrage circles, examining the importance of women’s emancipation within her work. The practical elements of this study, presented within a lecture-recital and two recitals, reflect and complement the written component of the thesis. The lecture-recital breaks down unconventional, women-centred cello-playing postures, and analyses their impractical nature, whilst the two recitals reflect on and celebrate Mukle’s musical collaborations – as well as her own versatility and resilience as a musician. These multifaceted research findings indicate that Mukle led a far more complex career than previously documented, offering insight into the varied work that she conducted for the majority of her career.

Date of Award	13 Apr 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Bangor University
Supervisor	Stephen Rees (Supervisor), Iwan Llewelyn Jones (Supervisor) & Gwawr Ifan (Supervisor)