Hérold, (Louis Joseph) Ferdinand 1791 - 1833
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
Last updated：December 1, 2008
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
1. Education and Mentorship History
A French composer from the Alsace region. He received his initial musical training from his father, who had also studied with C. P. E. Bach. His father also composed sonatas for piano and chamber music, among other works. Subsequently, he entered the Paris Conservatoire after attending Pension Hix. At the Conservatoire, he studied piano with Louis Adam (whose father was also the composer Adolphe Adam), violin with Rodolphe Kreutzer, and harmony with Charles-Simon Catel. He also attended composition lectures by Étienne Méhul.
2. Places Visited
In August 1812, he won the Prix de Rome with his cantata La Duchesse de la Vallière. However, like his father, he suffered from tuberculosis, which forced him to abandon his studies in Rome midway. He settled in Naples. Subsequently, he visited Vienna via Rome. He stayed there for approximately two months, meeting figures such as Salieri and Hummel. During this period, he also attended performances of Mozart's operas.
3. Style and Techniques
He composed numerous operas. He was particularly successful in opéra comique, with many of his most successful works written during his last decade. Notably, his unfinished Ludovic was chosen as the theme for a set of variations by Chopin.
In addition to stage works, Hérold also composed piano pieces such as fantasias and rondos. He also wrote variations based on opera arias.
4. Activities Other Than Composition
In April 1812, he performed his own Piano Concerto at the Théâtre-Italien. Upon his return from Italy and Austria, Hérold was appointed accompanist at the Théâtre-Italien. Later, he revisited Italy to select singers for the same theater.
5. Teaching History
Hérold, who had aimed for studies in Rome but had to abandon them midway, settled in Naples and taught music to the daughters of Joachim Murat, King of Naples.
Works(17)
Concerto (1)
concerto (4)
Piano Solo (3)
Reduction/Arrangement (6)
etc (2)