Ilse Fromm-Michaels facts for kids
Ilse Fromm-Michaels (born December 30, 1888 – died January 22, 1986) was a talented German pianist and composer. She wrote many pieces of music and performed them herself.
Her Life Story
Ilse Fromm-Michaels was born in Hamburg, Germany. She showed a special gift for music from a very young age. She went to music schools in Berlin to learn more. She studied composition with Heinrich van Eyken and piano with Marie Bender. Later, she continued her studies at the Sternsche Conservatory with Hans Pfitzner and James Kwast. She finished her music education in 1913 in Cologne, learning from conductor Fritz Steinbach and pianist Carl Friedberg.
In 1908, Ilse Fromm-Michaels started her career as a concert pianist. She often played her own musical creations for audiences. She married Dr. Walter Michaels, a judge from Hamburg. During a difficult time in history, when the Nazis were in power, new rules were made. These rules, called the Nuremberg Race Laws, stopped her from performing or publishing her music.
Even though she couldn't perform, Ilse Fromm-Michaels continued to teach music. After World War II, she helped start the Hamburg First School of Music and Drama. In 1964, she received the Johannes Brahms Medal from the City of Hamburg, which is a special award. In 1973, she moved to Detmold to be closer to her son. She passed away there in 1986.
Her Musical Works
Ilse Fromm-Michaels composed many different kinds of music. She wrote pieces for piano, for voices, and for orchestras. Here are some examples of her works:
- Variationen über ein eigenes Thema, op. 8 (1918/19) - Variations on her own theme.
- Vier Puppen, op. 4 (1908) - Four Dolls, a set of piano pieces.
- Sonate für Klavier op. 6 (1917) - A sonata for piano.
- Passacaglia für Klavier, op. 16 (1932) - A passacaglia, which is a type of musical form, for piano.
- Marien-Passion für Chor, Kammerorchester und Orgel, op. 18 (1932/33) - A large work for choir, chamber orchestra, and organ.
- Symphonie c-moll für großes Orchester, op. 19 (1938) - A symphony for a large orchestra.
Some of her piano works have been recorded and released on CDs. For example, the album Sämtliche Klavierwerke (Complete Piano Works) features Babette Dorn playing Ilse Fromm-Michaels's piano music.
