Marianne Kirchgessner

Harmonica 1.

Marianne Antonia Kirchgessner, also Mariana Kirchgessner, Kirchgäßner, (5 June 1769 in Bruchsal, Holy Roman Empire,[1] – 9 December 1808), was a German glass harmonica player. She was blind from eye disease caused by smallpox when she was four years old.[2] Kirchgessner's artistic qualities brought her the attention of great composers such as Muzio Clementi, Johann Gottlieb Naumann, Johann Friedrich Fasch, Johann Friedrich Reichardt and Franz Anton Hoffmeister.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in Vienna, in the last year of his life, composed for her—producing one of the best works for this instrument, the Quintet Adagio and Rondo for glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello in C major K. 617,[2] as well as the Adagio for glass harmonica solo K. 356/617a.[2]

  1. ^ Schuhmacher, Stefan. "Marianne Kirchgessner aus Bruchsal" (in German). Bruchsal.org. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Randel, Don Michael (1996). The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music. Harvard University Press. pp. 448. ISBN 0-674-37299-9.