Kuhlau, Friedrich 09/11/1786 - 03/12/1832

Friedrich (Frederic) Kuhlau (1786-1832), German-Danish composer, studied piano with Schwenke in Hamburg, where he began his career as pianist and piano teacher. He fled in 1810 to Copenhagen, to evade conscription into the French army, and spent the rest of his life in Denmark. In Copenhagen he obtained a position as chamber musician and was named royal court composer after the success of his first operas, "Die Räuberburg" and "Elisa." For the composition of the theatrical work "Elverhoj" he received the title of professor. Besides several other operas, he composed vocal and instrumental compositions, including many piano sonatas which are still used today for piano instruction.