Nelson and Neal
Encyclopedia
Allison Nelson and Harry Lee Neal (born Paris, Tennessee
, United States – September 15, 1968, Paris, Tennessee, United States) were a duo-piano
married couple performing throughout the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. They taught at the University of Tennessee at Martin
(UTM), where Nelson is professor emeritus in piano. They published the Nelson and Neal Piano Study Series (12 books of piano studies) for their children, and a book about their years on the road as traveling performers: Wave As You Pass by Harry Neal, 1958 (now out of print).
, Australia. A child prodigy in piano, she was well known throughout Australia at a young age. Harry Neal grew up in Paris, Tennessee
, the son of William Fisher Neal, who was a prominent lawyer and politician in Henry County. They were married on New Year's Day, 1949 on Endsmeet Farm, just outside of Philadelphia.
Allison and Harry both studied piano at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music
in Philadelphia. Allison is one of few students to ever be accepted into Curtis without an audition. Eugene Ormandy
, who had seen her playing while visiting Australia, arranged for her to have a place there after seeing her perform. While there, Allison was a student of Rudolf Serkin
, and Harry was a student of Isabelle Vengerova
.
Harry and Allison spent time in 1950 in Adelaide after her national tour for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, living with her family. It was then that they decided to end their solo careers and become a permanent piano duo before returning to the United States in mid-1951.
The Neals and their three children, John, Kathie, and Elise were featured on This Is Your Life
in 1958, where they received an Edsel
station wagon
as a gift. Ironically, Harry always said that Edsel was the best car he ever owned.
Harry Neal died on September 15, 1968 in Paris, Tennessee, of an apparent heart attack. Allison Nelson completed her career as a professor of piano at UTM, where she founded the UTM Piano Ensemble. In 2006, it is still active under the direction of Dr. Elaine Harriss, who for many years performed with Dr. Nelson.
Paris, Tennessee
Paris is a city in Henry County, Tennessee, United States, west of Nashville, on a fork of the West Sandy River. In 1900, 2,018 people lived in Paris, Tennessee; in 1910, 3,881; and in 1940, 6,395. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,763. It is the county seat of Henry...
, United States – September 15, 1968, Paris, Tennessee, United States) were a duo-piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
married couple performing throughout the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. They taught at the University of Tennessee at Martin
University of Tennessee at Martin
The University of Tennessee at Martin is a campus in the University of Tennessee system. Other campuses include the flagship campus in Knoxville, the Chattanooga campus, the Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis, and the Space Institute in Tullahoma...
(UTM), where Nelson is professor emeritus in piano. They published the Nelson and Neal Piano Study Series (12 books of piano studies) for their children, and a book about their years on the road as traveling performers: Wave As You Pass by Harry Neal, 1958 (now out of print).
Biography
Allison Nelson was a native of AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, Australia. A child prodigy in piano, she was well known throughout Australia at a young age. Harry Neal grew up in Paris, Tennessee
Paris, Tennessee
Paris is a city in Henry County, Tennessee, United States, west of Nashville, on a fork of the West Sandy River. In 1900, 2,018 people lived in Paris, Tennessee; in 1910, 3,881; and in 1940, 6,395. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,763. It is the county seat of Henry...
, the son of William Fisher Neal, who was a prominent lawyer and politician in Henry County. They were married on New Year's Day, 1949 on Endsmeet Farm, just outside of Philadelphia.
Allison and Harry both studied piano at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
in Philadelphia. Allison is one of few students to ever be accepted into Curtis without an audition. Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy was a Hungarian-born conductor and violinist.-Early life:Born Jenő Blau in Budapest, Hungary, Ormandy began studying violin at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music at the age of five...
, who had seen her playing while visiting Australia, arranged for her to have a place there after seeing her perform. While there, Allison was a student of Rudolf Serkin
Rudolf Serkin
Rudolf Serkin , was a Bohemian-born pianist.-Life and early career:Serkin was born in Eger, Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire to a Russian-Jewish family....
, and Harry was a student of Isabelle Vengerova
Isabelle Vengerova
Isabelle Vengerova was a Russian, later American, pianist and music teacherShe was born Izabella Afanasyevna Vengerova , in Minsk . Her elder brother Semyon Vengerov was a venerable literary historian...
.
Harry and Allison spent time in 1950 in Adelaide after her national tour for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, living with her family. It was then that they decided to end their solo careers and become a permanent piano duo before returning to the United States in mid-1951.
The Neals and their three children, John, Kathie, and Elise were featured on This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards from 1952 to 1961. In the show, the host surprises a guest, and proceeds to take them through their life in front of an audience including friends and family.Edwards...
in 1958, where they received an Edsel
Edsel
The Edsel was an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company during the 1958, 1959, and 1960 model years. The Edsel never gained popularity with contemporary American car buyers and sold poorly. Consequently, the Ford Motor Company lost millions of dollars on the Edsel's development,...
station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
as a gift. Ironically, Harry always said that Edsel was the best car he ever owned.
Harry Neal died on September 15, 1968 in Paris, Tennessee, of an apparent heart attack. Allison Nelson completed her career as a professor of piano at UTM, where she founded the UTM Piano Ensemble. In 2006, it is still active under the direction of Dr. Elaine Harriss, who for many years performed with Dr. Nelson.