Szymanowska, Maria

1790-1831

Polish pianist, composer and teacher, nee Wolowska. She studied under Field at Moscow and became noted as an excellent virtuosa, Goethe placing her above Hummel. Her success was great in Leipsic, Berlin, Hamburg, Vienna and the cities of France and England which she visited. At St. Petersburg she was made Court pianist. From 1815 to 1830 she lived at Weimar, but she died while on a visit to the Russian capital. She had a high reputation as a teacher, and her compositions, include studies; the nocturne, Le Murmure; and twentyfour mazurkas.