Maurer, Ludwig (Wilhelm)
Maurer, Ludwig (Wilhelm)
Maurer, Ludwig (Wilhelm) , German violinist and composer; b. Potsdam, Feb. 8, 1789; d. St. Petersburg, Oct. 25, 1878. He studied with K. Haack. A precocious child musician, he appeared in concerts at the age of 13. At 17 he went to Russia, remaining there for 10 years, giving concerts and serving as house musician to Russian aristocrats. From 1817 until 1832 he traveled in Europe, and was successful as a violinist in Berlin and in Paris. He was in Russia again (1832–45), then lived in Dresden, eventually returning to St. Petersburg. He produced 2 operas in Hannover, Der neue Paris (Jan. 27, 1826) and Aloise (Jan. 16, 1828); also wrote many stage pieces in Russia. With Aliabiev and Ver-stovsky, he contributed the music to Chmelnitsky’s comedy A Novel Prank, or Theatrical Combat (1822). In addition, he wrote a curious quadruple concerto, Symphonie concertante, for 4 Violins with Orch. (1838), 10 violin concertos, 6 string quartets, and other chamber music. His 2 sons Vsevolod (1819–92), a violinist, and Alexis, a cellist, remained in Russia.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire