Friedrich Burgmüller


Johann Friedrich Franz Burgmüller, generally known as Friedrich Burgmuller was a German pianist and composer during the Romantic period. He is perhaps best known for his three collections of children's etudes for the piano, particularly his Op. 100 "25 Études faciles et progressives" for early intermediate students. The other two collections, for more advanced students, were Op. 105 and 109.

Life

Friedrich Burgmüller was born in Ratisbon. His father Friedrich August Burgmüller and his younger brother Norbert Burgmüller were also composers. His mother was pianist and singer Therese von Zandt.
He moved to Kassel in 1829 to study with Ludwig Spohr and Moritz Hauptmann. There he appeared as a pianist for his first concert, January 14, 1830.
Burgmüller moved to Paris in 1832, where he stayed until his death. Norbert Burgmüller, his brother, made plans to join him in Paris, in 1835. However, he drowned in a spa in Aachen during an epileptic seizure a year later. In Paris, Burgmüller adopted Parisian music and developed his trademark style of playing. He wrote many pieces of salon music for the piano and published several albums. Burgmüller also went on to compose piano études intended for children. He died in Paris on February 13, 1874.

Works

Burgmüller composed piano pieces, waltzes, nocturnes, polonaises and two ballets. His Peasant Pas de Deux was added to Adolphe Adam's ballet Giselle for its 1841 premiere. This music was originally titled Souvenirs de Ratisbonne.

Ballets

La Péri
  • ''Lady Harriet''

With opus numbers

6 Mélodies gracieuses de Bellini, Op. 26Souvenir de Bellini, Op. 27Souvenir de Schönbrunn, Op. 32La Cachucha, Op. 36Murmures du Rhone, Op. 66Corbeille de roses, Op. 68Fleurs mélodiques, Op. 82Fantaisie brillante sur "Ernani" de Verdi, Op. 92Blaue Äuglein, Op. 93Les Étincelles, Op. 9725 Études faciles et progressives, Op. 10012 Études, Op. 10518 Études, Op. 109

Without opus numbers

L'Ange consolateurAy Chiquita3 Nocturnes, for cello and guitarLe Pardon de PloërmelLa PériSouvenirs de Londres
  • ''Ballade''