Sigismond Thalberg

Sigismond Thalberg was born at Geneva, January 7, 1812. As a pianist he belonged to the Viennese School, which he represented with exceptional authority and success. His instruction was received from Sechter, Czerny and Hummel. It was in 1828 that he commenced his professional career by concerts at Vienna which brought him considerable attention, and by the publication of his Opus 1. Melanges sur des themes d'Euryanthe. In 1834 he was made court pianist, and in 1835 commenced his concert tours, which proved a continual triumph and gained for him high eminence as a pianist. In 1855 he gave a series of concerts in Brazil, visiting the United States the following year. In 1858 he settled at Naples, where he made his permanent home. His wife was a daughter of the famous singer, Lablache. He died at Naples, April 27, 1871.

Thalberg's published compositions reached Opus, number 83, to which should be added a number of pieces without Opus, including a pianoforte school. Many of his compositions are to be classed as fantasies upon themes from operas, outside of which the most notable works are a concerto, concert studies, several caprices and nocturnes, a scherzo, a ballade and a sonata. Although not destitute of merit, the compositions of Thalberg had but a temporary vogue; intended, first of all, to display the virtuosity of the executant, they necessarily had to suit the style of his time. This article is based on a text from the Etude magazine, 1909-1922.