Tom McNeely: Louis Moreau Gottschalk

Artist: Tom McNeely
1935 -
Nationality: Canadian
Artwork Year: 1997
Image Size: 18 by 23 inches
Overall Size: 20.875 by 25.625 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

Born in New Orleans on May 8, 1829, Louis Moreau Gottschalk became the first American pianist and composer to achieve international acclaim. His musical abilities were evident at age three, and by age 13 Gottschalk had become an accomplished organist and concert pianist. His parents sent him to Paris to study music, where he became popular with the French aristocracy, absorbing European culture and manners. After performing in concerts throughout Europe, he debuted in New York in 1853. Gottschalk then toured the United States and West Indies, living for many years as a vagabond in Cuba and the Caribbean, where he wrote some of his best compositions. His concerts were received with phenomenal enthusiasm. Gottschalk's music incorporated European elements with American folk and Latin-American music. His compositions include The Last Hope, The Dying Poet, A Night in the Tropics and Montevideo. His virtuoso piano pieces, such as La Bamboula and Gran Tarantella, display a distinct Creole influence. He often organized large music festivals involving hundreds and even thousands of musicians. During his biggest festival in Rio de Janeiro in 1869, Gottschalk's Marche Triophale aroused tremendous enthusiasm. Tragically, he died of yellow fever on December 18, 1869, only two weeks after that incredible performance. Gottschalk was the first American composer to popularize Creole and Latin-American folk themes, predating the nationalist movement in American music by almost 50 years.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the 32¢ Louis Moreau Gottschalk American Music Series stamp issued September 12, 1997.

Artwork Copyright © 1997 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): Sold

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