Emilie Zumsteeg

Emilie Zumsteeg was the youngest child of the German composer Johann Rudolf Zumsteeg, and she was known as a composer, pianist, singer and one of the most sought after music teachers of her time. Her father died when she was six years old and shortly thereafter her mother opened a music shop, in which young Emilie helped. Her mother recognized her musical talent and Emilie studied piano, theory and singing. Gifted with a fine alto voice she was soon singing and performing on the piano. As an adult, she was in contact with leading musicians and poets of her day and her literary interest is reflected in the “Lied”, her compositional mainstay and the basis of her creative reputation. She also wrote several piano works (Trois Polonaises) and chamber works. She occupied a central position in the musical life of Stuttgart as a teacher of singing and the piano, as a leading member of the Verein für klassische Kirchenmusik, preparing works such as Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Creation with the choir that she had called to life. In the same manner as Luise Reichardt a male colleague conducted the public performance of her work or arrangement. She also founded the “Sonntagsmusiken” the Sunday-Concerts to which artists from other places came and could be heard. Her music was still known in the late 19th century, it includes many simple strophic songs, but occasionally they reveal an Italianate flair and more originality.