On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK,” Emma Rush’s The Life and Times of Catharina Pratten revives the legacy of a 19th-century guitar virtuosa with a groundbreaking album of previously unrecorded works, performed on historically significant instruments.
The Life And Times Of Catharina Pratten
Acclaimed Canadian classical guitarist Emma Rush, praised as “one of Canada’s premier classical guitarists” by Vivascene Magazine, has unveiled her latest triumph, The Life and Times of Catharina Pratten. This groundbreaking album, now available worldwide, breathes new life into the legacy of 19th-century guitar pioneer Catharina Josepha Pratten, a virtuosa whose contributions have long been overlooked. With meticulous research, expressive artistry, and a passion for rediscovery, Rush delivers the first-ever album dedicated to Pratten, cementing her place as a champion of hidden musical voices.
The album is a meticulously curated collection, featuring seven previously unrecorded works by Pratten herself, alongside debut recordings of pieces by her father, Ferdinand Pelzer, her husband, Robert Sidney Pratten, her colleague Leonard Schulz, and her student Frank Mott Harrison. Complementing these are works by Pratten’s contemporaries, including Francisco Tárrega, Giulio Regondi, and Ernest Shand. Rush’s selections paint a vivid portrait of Pratten’s world, blending historical significance with emotional depth.
Adding to the album’s authenticity, Rush performed on two historically significant instruments tied to Pratten: one guitar bearing Pratten’s personal signature and another, a Boosey and Sons “Pratten model” from the 1850s, part of the first-ever signature series of guitars. These instruments infuse the recordings with a tangible connection to Pratten’s era. Among the standout tracks is “Absence,” which Rush names as her personal favorite, and the single “Evening Song,” a compact yet profoundly expressive piece showcasing Pratten’s lyrical sensitivity and harmonic ingenuity.
Emma Rush
Rush’s dedication to uncovering forgotten voices is a hallmark of her career. Her 2020 album Wake the Sigh highlighted rare works by 19th-century women composers, while her 2023 release A Dream of Colour featured new compositions inspired by Canadian painter William Blair Bruce. With The Life and Times of Catharina Pratten, Rush continues her mission to bridge performance, research, and advocacy, restoring a trailblazing woman to her rightful place in music history.
Beyond the recording studio, Rush’s international presence is flourishing. She has performed at prestigious events like the Altamira Shanghai International Guitar Festival, Future Echoes in Sweden, and a cross-country tour aboard The Canadian. Her 2025–26 touring schedule promises to elevate her profile further, with appearances across Canada and Europe, including the renowned Iserlohn International Guitar Symposium in Germany and a U.K. tour.
A sought-after educator and festival director, Rush is Co-Director of GuitarFest West in Calgary, Director of Pigeon Lake Guitar Retreat and Hamilton Guitar Day in Ontario, and a collaborator with Wakefield Guitar Festival in Québec. Her work has earned support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and FACTOR, underscoring her influence in the classical music world.
The Life and Times of Catharina Pratten is more than an album—it’s a reclamation of a forgotten legacy. Through her virtuosic playing and curatorial vision, Emma Rush ensures that Catharina Pratten’s music resonates for a new generation, proving that the past can still sing with vibrant relevance.
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