Biographical Sketches

From "The Worlds Best Music" © 1908

Michaelis, Theodor
Born in Ballenstedt, Germany, in 1831
He wrote both upon the history and theory of music and of composition. He is also known for his contributions to pianoforte music. One of his best known pieces is the "Turkish Patrol March".
He died in Hamburg in 1887.

Moszkowski, Moritz
Born in Breslau, Prussia, August 23, 1854.
He studied at the Dresden conservatory, and completed his musical education at the Stern and Kullak Conservatory, Berlin. His pianoforte solos and duets proved very popular. His more important works include: "Boabdil der Maurenkonig" (1892); incidental music to Grabbe's "Don Juan und Faust" (1896); "Jeanne d'Arc", a symphonic poem. His "Spanish Dances" greatly extended his reputation.

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Born in Salzburg, Austria, January 27, 1756.
His genius developed very easily under the instruction of his father, and when less than five years old Wolfgang began composing, and at six he gave his first public performance, which was followed by a tour of the European capitals with his sister, under their father's direction. At Vienna, in 1768, the young Mozart conducted a mass composed by himself. Soon after this he was made concert meister to the Archbishop of Salzburg.

In 1869 Mozart went with his father to Italy, and in Rome, after twice hearing the famous "Miserere" of Allegri, which the authorities had kept secret, he wrote it out from memory. The Pope made him a Knight of the Golden Spur. At Bologna he was elected a member of the Philharmonic Society. At Milan, in 1770, he composed and brought out his first opera, "Mitridate, Re de Ponto". On his next visit to Milan, in 1771, the triumph of his serenata "Ascanio in Alba", written for the marriage of the Archduke Ferdinand, added to his reputation. The next year, the Archbishop of Salzburg being dead, Mozart composed for the installation of his successor "Il Sogno de Scipione" (The Dream of Scipio). At Milan he also produced "Lucio Silla" and "La Finta Giardiniera"; and at Salzburg, in 1775, during the visit of Archduke Maximilian Francis, he brought out "Il Re Pastore". The new Archbishop of Salzburg proved himself an enemy, rather than a friend, and gladly escaping from slights and indignities, in 1777 Mozart set out on a journey that led him to Paris the next year. Returned to Salzburg, he resumed his composition.

Mozart's position as an artist was finally assured in 1781, when his opera "Idomeneo" was produced in Munich with triumphant success. That year he settled in Vienna, where his "Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail" (1782) was equally well received. Minor operas and other works came steadily from his pen, and the latter years of his life were extremely fruitful. He fulfilled many commissions, adding materially to his fame, though little to his wealth. "Il Nozze de Figaro" and "Die Zauberflote" (The Magic Flute) are among the most successful of his later works. Sacred music also claimed his attention, and he produced grand hymns and masses. His "Requiem" was the work of his closing days. It was completed by his pupil Sussmayer from directions given by Mozart on his deathbed.
He died in Vienna, December 5, 1791.

Oesten, Theodor
Born in Berlin, Germany, December 31, 1813.
When he had finished his studies he became very popular as a teacher. In 1843 his rondo entitled "Les Premieres Violettes" had a prodigious success. It was followed by many pieces of a similar nature, whose attractive titles and easy technique kept them in favor for many years.
He died in Berlin, March 16, 1870.

Offenbach, Jacques
Born in Cologne, Germany, June 21, 1819.
He was of Jewish parentage, went to France in 1833, and is classed among French composers. After some years at the Paris Conservatoire, he began his musical career as a player upon the violoncello. Several compositions followed his debut, and in 1847 he became leader of orchestra at the Theatre Francais. From 1855 to 1866 his operas were produced at the Bouffes-Parisiens, where he was director. Many of them have also been produced throughout Europe and America. An American tour (1876), that profited him little, he described in his "Notes d'un Musicien en Voyage" (1877).

Though not ranking with the greatest composers, Offenbach was the first to bring to the treatment of burlesque the ingenuity and elaboration which others had given to more serious music, and in his own style of operatic work he is supreme. His humor and exuberance are shown in all his characteristic productions, such as "Orphee aux Enfers" (1858), "Genevieve de Brabant" (1860), "La Belle Helene" (1864), "La Grande Duchesse" (1867), etc.
He died in Paris, October 5, 1880.

Paderewski, Ignace Jan
Born in Podolia, Russia, November 6, 1860.
He was early thrown on his own resources for a livelihood. From childhood he showed his love of music, and at seven began to study under a teacher. At twelve he gave public recitals. In 1872 he went to Warsaw and studied at the Conservatory under Raguski, and there at eighteen he became a professor. In 1884 he abandoned teaching, went to Vienna, worked under Leschetizky, and in 1887 in that city made his debut as a pianist, taking his place in the foremost ranks. Two years later he made his first appearance in Paris.

In 1890 Paderewski played in London, arousing great enthusiasm, as he also did in the United States during several visits paid to this country (1892, 1893, 1895-96, 1899, 1902, 1905). After his profitable season here in 1895-96 he gave a fund of $10,000, the interest to be devoted to prizes for American composers. His opera "Manru" was produced by himself in this country in 1902. He is universally recognized as one of the greatest pianists the world has seen. Paderewski's compositions for the piano include many well known works, and he has also written pleasing songs.

Paganini, Niccolo
Born in Genoa, October 27, 1782.
At a very early age he began to receive musical training, at six could play the violin, and at nine made his first public appearance. In 1797, in company with his father, he made a successful tour in Lombardy, and afterward he traveled alone over the greater part of Italy. He was appointed principal violinist to the court chapel at Lucca in 1805, and held this position till 1808. Thereafter, for twenty years, he toured Italy, sometimes in a wandering and obscure manner. A new chapter in his career opened in 1828 with a great triumph in Vienna. From this time his fame was world wide. the wonder he excited was caused not merely by the extraordinary skill and charm of his execution, but also by his personal eccentricities, in which there was something weird and, as many thought, almost demoniacal. In tricks of virtuosity he was an adept. His imitation of the flageolet and his performance of entire pieces on the G string seems especially marvelous. The Emperor of Austria made him court virtuoso, and the King of Prussia bestowed on him a like honor. In Germany, France, and England he was equally successful. Paganini is still the most celebrated of violinists. Among his compositions, which are not numerous, one of the best known is the "Carnival of Venice".
He died in Nice, May 27, 1840.