Herz, Henri

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HERZ, HENRI

HERZ, HENRI (Heinrich ; 1802–1888), Austrian pianist and composer. Born in Vienna, he belonged to the group of elegant European virtuosos preceding the generation of Liszt. Though disdained by Schumann and by the "new German School," he enjoyed fashionable popularity in France both as a pianist and as a composer of "salon" piano pieces, more than 200 in number. He taught in Paris, founded a piano factory there, organized concerts, and had interests in various financial enterprises. He toured the U.S. three times and during a visit to Mexico composed the Mexican national anthem. His travels are described in Mes voyages en Amérique (1866).

bibliography:

Grove's Dict, s.v.; mgg, s.v.

[Judith Cohen]

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