Mirecki, Franz

1794-1862

Piano composer; born at Cracow; began his career as pianist at four, appearing in concert when only six. Going to Vienna in 1814 he studied piano and composition with Hummel, and harmony wth Preindl, and became acquainted with Moscheles, Beethoven, Salieri and Pixis. In 1816 he went to Venice to study, then was for several years in Paris and finally went to Milan and other cities of Italy. About 1825 he became director of the San Carlo Theatre, but soon after went to England, and in 1826 returned to Genoa, where he taught vocal music. In 1838 he became director of the School of Dramatic Singing, and he died in Genoa in 1862. It is said that he was at one time a member of the Conservatory at Paris. He arranged a beautiful edition of Marcello's celebrated psalms, in which work he is said to have been helped by Cherubini. He wrote oratorios; symphonies for grand orchestra; sonatas for piano and violin; and several collections of mazurkas and polonaises. He also wrote a treatise on instrumentation, Trattato intorno agli stromenti ed all' instrumentazione.