French composer and pianist, renowned for her prolific output of charming salon music and one of the first female composers awarded the Légion d'Honneur.Born in Paris, Chaminade showed early talent, composing by age eight. Though denied formal Conservatoire training by her father, she studied privately with prominent teachers. She achieved significant popularity, particularly in France, England, and the United States during the Belle Époque, primarily for her character pieces for piano and so...