Nannette Streicher facts for kids
Nannette Streicher (born Anna-Maria Stein on January 2, 1769, in Augsburg, Germany) was a very talented woman. She was a piano maker, a composer (someone who writes music), a music teacher, and a writer. She passed away on January 16, 1833, in Vienna, Austria.
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Her Early Life
Nannette Streicher was born into a family of musicians. Her father, Johann Andreas Stein, was a famous maker of organs and pianos in Augsburg, Germany. Nannette was the sixth of his children.
She started learning piano at a young age from her father. She often played piano at concerts in Augsburg. Sometimes she played with her friend Nanette von Schaden. In 1787, she even sang some songs in a concert. However, she later had to stop singing because of her health.
After her father passed away in 1792, Nannette took over his piano workshop. She managed the business all by herself.
Building Pianos
In 1793, Nannette married a musician named Johann Andreas Streicher. In 1794, they moved to Vienna, Austria. Nannette continued her father's piano business there.
At first, she worked with her younger brother, Matthias Andreas Stein. Their business was called "Geschwister Stein" (Stein Siblings). After 1802, Nannette started her own piano-making company. She used her married name, "Nannette Streicher née Stein."
With help from her husband, and later her son Johann Baptist, her company grew very successful. They built between 50 and 65 grand pianos every year! Nannette's son, Johann Baptist Streicher, later took over the factory. He made it even more famous around the world. The company was eventually sold in 1896.
Today, you can find two beautiful pianos made by Streicher in a museum in Stockholm, Sweden.
Organizing Concerts
Nannette and Andreas Streicher were not just piano makers. They also played a big part in Vienna's music scene. Nannette organized many concerts. At first, these concerts were held in her home.
Then, in 1812, she opened a special music room called a "salon." This salon was next to their piano showrooms. It could seat 300 people! This gave young artists a great chance to perform for an audience. Famous friends and customers of the Streichers included Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Her Friends and Family
Nannette sometimes played piano for her friends and visitors. Her daughter, Sophie, was also a very talented piano player. They sometimes played together.
Nannette was friends with many great musicians in Vienna. She had a very close friendship with Ludwig van Beethoven. For about 18 months starting in 1817, she even helped him with his home life. Beethoven wrote her more than sixty letters. He asked her for advice and help with his household and with raising his nephew, Karl.
Later Life and Passing
Nannette Streicher passed away on January 16, 1833. She had been ill for two months.
Her Music
Nannette Streicher also composed music. Here are some of her known works:
- Klage über den frühen Tod der Jungfer Ursula Sabina Stage. (A song for voice and piano), Augsburg 1788.
- Marche à huit Instruments à vent. (A march for eight wind instruments), Bonn & Cologne, 1817.
- Deux Marches pour le Piano Forte. (Two marches for piano), Bonn & Cologne, 1827.
Some recordings have been made using pianos built by Nannette Streicher. For example, Jan Vermeulen played Franz Schubert's works on an 1826 Nannette Streicher piano.
See also
In Spanish: Nannette Streicher para niños
