Bruell, Ignaz

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BRUELL, IGNAZ

BRUELL, IGNAZ (1846–1907), Austrian pianist and composer. Born in Prossnitz, Moravia, he was taken to Vienna at the age of three, showed early talent, and became famous as a concert pianist. He toured Europe and gave twenty concerts in London in 1878. As a composer he had most success with "Das Goldene Kreuz" (1875, libretto by S.H. *Mosenthal). Also popular was "Der Husar" (1898). He composed ten operas, two piano concertos, and a body of chamber music. Bruell was a close friend of Brahms and, being a remarkable sight reader, often tried out new works with the composer in four-hand arrangements. He also gave the first public performance of some of them.

bibliography:

H. Schwarz, Ignaz Bruell und sein Freundeskreis (1922); Baker, Biog Dict.

[Dora Leah Sowden]