Mildred Portney Chase

Mildred Portney Chase (1921–1991) was an international concert pianist, teacher, author, wife, mother, grandmother. Published "Just Being At The Piano" and "Improvisation, Music From The Inside Out". Born in Brooklyn, New York, moved to Los Angeles at two and a half years old. Started playing at the age of three by ear. She had absolute pitch. Grew up in Boyle Heights, L.A. Studied with Victor Trice, Olga Steeb, and Richard Buhlig. She won many piano competitions and at 13 years old had a weekly recital radio broadcast coast to coast.

Graduated Roosevelt High School in L.A. at 17. Went to the Juilliard School of Music in New York on a fellowship. Studied with Josef Lhévinne who considered her his prize pupil. Took lessons from Rosina Lhévinne when her husband was on tour. Graduated with a diploma. Married William Francis Chase and moved back to L.A. Played regularly on “Evenings On The Roof” concert series launched by Peter Yeats. Met Meade Lux Lewis, who could not read music, but taught her Boogie-Woogie. She played Jazz piano at Ciro's on Sunset Blvd., Shelly’s Man Hole and elsewhere. She taught at the USC Graduate School of Music and the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. At the latter she assisted Rosina Lhevinne. She was a crusader against the war in Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s, gave concerts for the Women’s International Strike for Peace (W.I.S.P.). Politically active in protesting Board of Education’s music defunding in L.A. schools in 1960s.

Sons, Kenneth and Sanders. Grandsons, Chris and Mike. Sister Leonora Panich and brother Joseph Portney. Had a not for profit Art Gallery in Idyllwild, CA. Gave concerts there and at the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts (I.S.O.M.A.T.A.), now known as the Idyllwild Arts Foundation. Played concerts on KPFK radio station. Specialized in Baroque Music performance. Played the harpsichord with Sol Babitz, violinist in The Early Music Laboratory Group. Also performed chamber music extensively with Sascha Jacobsen, Bernie Kundell, Joachim Chassman and other noted players.

On October 31, 1987, Mildred P. Chase received a letter from the revered composer Witold Lutosławski. Lutosławski wrote:

"Dear Miss Chase, Warmest thanks for your letter of 29th September and for your words about my music. They are of great value for me, indeed. I am reading your book which is fascinating for me as a man who used to be a pianist and not a bad one. Many thanks for your thoughts about pianism apparently simple, and yet so original. Of course, I am anxious to read your new book. Best wishes. Yours sincerely, -W Lutosławski"

Improvisation: Music From The Inside Out

Improvisation: Music From The Inside Out was published in 1988. The New York Times said it offers helpful advice but "it skirts the major problem of an art that demands both a free-flying spirit and the heavy weight of discipline".