Friedrich Burgmüller

Friedrich Burgmüller was a German composer and pianist, best known for his piano études. He was born in Regensburg on December 4, 1806, and was the son of conductor and pianist Friedrich August Burgmüller. Before Friedrich was a year old, the family moved to Düsseldorf, where he spent his childhood and youth. His younger brother was the composer Norbert Burgmüller.

After his father died in 1824, Burgmüller left Düsseldorf for Alsace. In 1829 he studied in Kassel with Louis Spohr and Moritz Hauptmann. He moved to Paris in 1832 and became a French citizen in 1842.

Burgmüller is particularly known for his piano études, including 12 Études, Op. 97; 25 Easy Études, Op. 100; and 18 Études, Op. 105. His other works include the Spanish Waltz, Op. 93; The Rose Garden, Op. 68; a Brilliant Fantasy on a Theme from Verdi’s Ernani, Op. 109; Six Elegant Melodies on Themes by Bellini, Op. 82; and three nocturnes for cello and guitar, Op. 66. He also wrote the Peasant Pas de Deux, an inserted number in Act I of Adolphe Adam’s ballet Giselle, and the ballet La Péri, choreographed by Jean Coralli and premiered at the Théâtre Le Peletier on July 17, 1843.

Burgmüller died on February 13, 1874.