Maria Szymanowska (1789 - 1831)

Maria Szymanowska was born in Poland to a middle class, Jewish family in the year of the start of the French Revolution. Her music has been described as displaying some of the romantic, spiritual ideals of the revolution, such as the role of the individual, evident in her many works for virtuoso soloists, and patriotism, observed in her use of folk melodies and dances. As a concert pianist, she toured Germany, France, Italy, England, and Russia, where she was appointed Court Pianist to the Tsar in 1822. What can be documented from contemporary materials is her great talent as a lyrical performer, her brilliant technique, her accomplishments as a composer, and her undoubted personal beauty and intellect.