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Gustav Pick

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cover to a score of the Fiakerlied

Gustav Pick (10 December 1832 – 29 April 1921)[1] was a musician and composer of Wienerlieder (Viennese songs). He is best known as the creator of the "Fiakerlied".[2]

Early life and education

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Pick was born and brought up in the Jewish village of Rechnitz, where his father was a medical doctor and owner of an estate. His mother was Baroness Schey. sister of Friedrich Schey von Koromla,[3] and he was related to the Thorsch family of bankers.[2]

In 1845 the family moved to Vienna. Whilst working as a bank clerk, Pick took piano lessons and began to compose.

Career

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Pick created one of the most popular Wienerlieder, the "Fiakerlied". It was made famous by actor Alexander Girardi, who sang it as his favorite performance piece.[2]

Although he is said to have written other songs, none of his other compositions have survived.[2]

Death and legacy

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Pick is buried in the Jewish section of the Wiener Zentralfriedhof.[4] The Gustav-Pick-Gasse, a small street in Döbling, Vienna, was named after him.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Pick, Gustav", Bayerisches Musiker-Lexikon Online [de]
  2. ^ a b c d e Spiel, Hilde (1987). Glanz und Untergang: Wien 1866–1938 (in German). Munich: List. pp. 42, 175. ISBN 3-471-78629-5.
  3. ^ "Pick, Gustav" by Monika Kornberger, Oesterreichisches Musiklexikon online, 18 February 2021
  4. ^ "Gustav Pick", Vienna History Wiki, City of Vienna