Myra Hess was a renowned British pianist and keyboardist who was known for her interpretations of classical music. She was born in London in 1890 and began playing the piano at the age of four. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music and went on to become a professor there. She was also a prolific composer, writing over 200 works for the piano. Hess was a major figure in the British musical scene during the first half of the 20th century, performing in concerts and recitals throughout Europe and the United States. She was also an advocate for the rights of musicians, and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1945.