Marie Bigot facts for kids

Marie Kiéné Bigot de Morogues (born March 3, 1786 – died September 16, 1820) was a talented French musician. She was known as a wonderful pianist and also wrote her own music. People especially remember her for her sonatas and études, which are types of musical pieces.

Marie Bigot's Musical Journey

Marie Kiéné was born in a town called Colmar in Alsace, France. After she married M. Bigot, she moved to Vienna, Austria, in 1804. She lived there for five years and became very skilled at playing the piano.

Playing for Famous Composers

Marie Bigot played for many famous musicians of her time. One day, she played for the famous composer Joseph Haydn. He was so impressed that he exclaimed, "Oh, my dear child, I did not write this music – it is you who has composed it!" He even wrote a note on her music sheet saying, "On 20 February 1805, Joseph Haydn was happy."

She also became good friends with another composer named Antonio Salieri. Her husband worked as a librarian for Count Razumovsky, which helped Marie become friends with Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven greatly admired her piano playing.

Marie was the first person to play Beethoven's new Appassionata Sonata from his original handwritten copy. She played it so well that Beethoven told her, "That is not exactly the character I wanted to give this piece; but go right on. If it is not wholly mine it is something better." He was so impressed that he gave her the original handwritten music for the Appassionata.

Returning to Paris

In 1808, there was a small misunderstanding with Beethoven. He had invited Marie and her three-year-old daughter, Caroline, for a carriage ride, but she refused. Beethoven later sent a kind letter to her and her husband. He explained that he always wanted to have only friendly relationships with married women. He said he would never want to cause distrust or unhappiness in anyone's life.

The Bigot family moved back to Paris, France, in 1809. Marie continued to compose music and give piano lessons. She worked hard to introduce Beethoven's music to audiences in Paris.

In 1812, her husband was captured during a war campaign. To support her two children, Marie focused on teaching piano. In 1816, she even gave lessons to the young and talented Felix Mendelssohn and his sister Fanny Mendelssohn when they were in Paris.

Marie Bigot sadly passed away in Paris at the age of 34 from a lung illness.

Marie Bigot's Compositions

Marie Bigot studied music theory and how to compose music with famous teachers like Auber and Cherubini in Paris.

Early Works

While she was living in Vienna, she wrote a Sonata, which was her first published work (called Op. 1). She dedicated this piece to Queen Luise of Prussia. She also composed an Andante varié, which means a slow piece with variations (Op. 2). This piece had eight variations and a special section called a caprice. She dedicated it to her sister, Caroline Kiéné.

Later Works and Legacy

After returning to Paris, Marie Bigot published a Rondeau (a musical form with a repeating main theme) and a collection of Études. Études are pieces designed to help musicians practice and improve their skills.

A music historian named Fétis mentioned a set of waltzes that seemed to be written by her. However, he wasn't sure if she actually composed them herself. An article written after her death mentioned that she had composed even more music. But she chose not to publish it, perhaps because she was very modest about her own work.

See also

In Spanish: Marie Bigot para niños