Kirchgässner, Marianne (Antonia)

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Kirchgässner, Marianne (Antonia)

Kirchgässner, Marianne (Antonia), blind German glass harmonica player; b. Bruchsal, June 5, 1769; d. Schaffhausen, Dec. 9, 1808. Although stricken with blindness at the age of 4, she persevered in her determination to study music. After training with J.A. Schmittbauer, she made her first tour in 1791 and performed in Munich, Salzburg, Linz, and Vienna. Mozart heard her in /Vienna and was so taken by her talent that he composed his Fantasie for Glass Harmonica, Flute, Oboe, Viola, and Cello, K.Anh.92/616a, Adagio and Rondo, K.617, and Adagio, K.356/617a with her instrument in mind.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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