Johann Friedrich Franz Burgmüller

German Romantic composer and pianist, renowned for his accessible and pedagogically valuable piano études, particularly popular with students.Born in Regensburg, Germany, Burgmüller initially studied music with his father. After his father's death in 1824, he moved to Kassel for further studies. Seeking greater opportunities, he relocated to Paris around 1832, where he spent the remainder of his career. He achieved significant success composing piano music, ballet scores, and salon pieces. His primary legacy lies in his collections of piano études, especially the '25 Easy and Progressive Studies' Op. 100, which remain fundamental teaching repertoire.
  • Burgmüller's father, Johann August Franz Burgmüller, was a noted musical director in Düsseldorf. His younger brother, Norbert Burgmüller, also showed immense compositional talent but died tragically young.
  • His relocation to Paris in the early 1830s marked a significant shift, aligning him with the vibrant Parisian salon music scene and distancing him somewhat from his German roots.
  • Beyond piano études, Burgmüller composed successful ballet music, including "La Péri" (1843) and "Lady Henriette" (1844, co-written with Flotow and Deldevez), showcasing his versatility.
  • While immensely popular in his lifetime, especially in France, Burgmüller's music fell somewhat out of favor after his death in 1874, perceived as 'salon music'. However, his pedagogical piano works experienced a strong and enduring revival in the 20th century.
  • The cause of his death in Paris on February 13, 1874, is not widely documented in common sources, though he lived a relatively long life for the period.