Thalberg

(tal’-bérkh), (x) Sigismund, Geneva, Jan. 7, 1812—Naples, April 27, 1871; famous piano-virtuoso and composer. - “‘Being the son of Prince Diet rich stein, who had many wives without being married, T. had several brothers of different family names” (Grove). His mother was the Barone von Wetzlar. of the parents took the greatest interest in his education. He was intended for a diplomatic career, but after his succ. as a pianist at 14, gave himself up to mus. He had some tuition from Hummel (pf.). and Sechter (comp.), but chiefly from Mittag, a ba oonist. At 16 three florid compositions appeared; at 18 a pf.concerto. The same year he toured Germany with much succ.; 1834, ct.-pianist at Vienna; 1835, he conquered Paris, and later the rest of Europe. 1843, hem. Mme. Boucher, daughter of Lablache; 1851, his first opera “Florida,” failed in London, and 1855, ‘‘Cristina di Svezia’”’ failed in Vienna. He then toured Brazil (2855), and 1856, United States; retiring in 1858 to his villa at Posilippo, near Naples. 1862, Paris and London; 1863, second Brazilian tour; 1864, retired again. He was remarkable for his legato effects and for the singing-tone, Liszt saying “Thalberg is the only artist who can play the violin on the keyboard.” abused scheme of dividing a central melody between the two thumbs, and enveloping it in arpeggiated ornament. His comps. include many florid transcriptions of opera-tunes, also a grand concerto, 6 nocturnes,: “La Cadence,” and “Marche funébre var iée,” etc. (2) Marcian, b. Ode a, 1877; pianist; pupil of Leipzig Cons.; toured in Europe; after 1913 teacher of advanced students at Cincinnati Conservatory.