Julie von Webenau facts for kids

Julie von Webenau (born October 16, 1813, died July 2, 1887) was a talented German-Austrian composer. She wrote many pieces, mostly for the piano.

About Julie's Life

Julie was the daughter of Ludwig Cajetan Baroni-Cavalcabò, a government official, and Josephine Baroni-Cavalcabò, who enjoyed singing. She had a sister named Laura and a brother named Adolf. When she lived in Lemberg, Julie studied music with Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart, who was the son of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The well-known composer Robert Schumann became friends with Julie. He met her in Leipzig in 1835 and later reconnected with her in Vienna. In 1839, Schumann dedicated his music piece Humoresque op. 20 to Julie. He had thought about dedicating another piece, Arabesque op. 18, to her instead.

Julie von Webenau also dedicated one of her own compositions to Robert Schumann. It was called L'Adieu et le Retour. Morceaux de Fantaisie pour Pianoforte op. 25. This piece was published in March 1840. At the time, it was not common for women to be professional composers. Schumann once wrote that the names of all female composers could fit on a "rose leaf," showing how few were recognized.

Julie's Family Life

On March 29, 1838, Julie married Wilhelm Weber Edler von Webenau in Lemberg. He was a lawyer who worked in Vienna. They moved to Vienna that same year. Their son, Arthur Weber Edler von Webenau, later became an important embassy counselor in Constantinople. Sadly, Julie's first husband died on August 16, 1841.

In July 1842, Julie married again. Her second husband was Dr. Johann Alois Ritter by Britto, who was a secretary for the Brazilian Legation. They had two sons and one daughter together. After her second husband passed away in 1877, Julie lived with her sister, Laura Pawlikowska, until her own death.

Laura Pawlikowska, born Countess Baroni-Cavalcabò, was Julie's older sister. She was married to an art collector named Johann Gualbert Ritter von Pawlikowsky. Julie's granddaughter, Vilma von Webenau, also became a composer, continuing the family's musical talent.

Julie's Musical Works

Julie von Webenau composed many pieces, mostly for the piano. Here are some of her published works:

• op. 1 - Variation for piano (May 1830)
• op. 2 - Caprice for piano No. 1
• op. 3 - Piano Sonata in E flat major, published in 1830
• op. 4 - Fantasy in C minor for piano
• op.5 - Introduction et Rondeau for piano (December 1830)
• op. 6 - Die Grabesrose for bass, baritone or alto (November 1837)
• op.8 - Allegro di Bravura for piano (July 1834)
• op. 9 - Farewell! , a poem by Heinrich Heine, dedicated to singer Francilla Pixis (December 1836)
• op. 10 - Three German songs , published in 1836

• op. 11 - The Unnamed , a poem by Johann Ludwig Uhland (May 1838)
• op.12 - Capriccio No. 2 in A major for piano, dedicated to Sigismund Thalberg (February 1837)
• op. 13 - Equestrian song for bass or baritone (May 1837)
• op. 15 - Dispute and Atonement , a duet for soprano and bass (November 1837)
• op. 16 - Il rimprovero , a song in A flat minor
• op. 17 - It sails gently on silver waves (November 1838)
• op.18 - Caprice for piano No. 3, published in 1838
• op.19 - Fantasy in E minor for piano, published in 1838
• op. 21 - The young man and the nymph (April 1838)
• op. 22 - Why? , a song in D flat major, published in 1838
• op. 23 - Your picture , published in 1839
• op. 24 - To the Swallows (August 1842)

• op. 25 - L'Adieu et le Retour. Morceaux de Fantaisie pour Pianoforte , dedicated to Robert Schumann (March 1840)
• op. 26 - Au Bord du Lac , Morceau de Salon (May 1843)
• op. 27 - Nocturne (October 1843)
• op. 28 - Morceaux de Salon (September 1844)
• op. 29 - Barcarolle for piano
• op. 30 Two songs

Other works include:

• Shepherd's Lament , a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, published in 1829
• La Chasse
• Own railway (August 1840)
• Ask the moon , a group of four songs by Julie von Webenau. These songs were later arranged for an orchestra and performed in Vienna in 2013.

Images for kids

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  This image shows Josephine Baroni-Cavalcabo, Julie's mother, as Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music.