Lessel, Franz (actually, Franciszek)

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Lessel, Franz (actually, Franciszek)

Lessel, Franz (actually, Franciszek), Polish pianist and composer; b. probably in Pulawy, c. 1780; d. Petrikow, Dec. 26, 1838. He went to Vienna in 1797 to study medicine, but became a pupil of Haydn and one of his few close friends. He returned to Poland upon Haydn’s death, continuing to compose. He was a talented composer, numbering among his works 5 syms., a Piano Concerto, sacred music, 8 string quartets, a Piano Trio, 3 piano sonatas, various piano pieces, and songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire