Gustav Pick (10 December 1832 – 29 April 1921)[1] was a musician and composer of Wienerlieder (Viennese songs). He is best known as the creator of the "Fiakerlied".[2]

Cover to a score of the Fiakerlied

Early life and education

edit

Pick was born and brought up in the Jewish village of Rechnitz, where his father was a medical doctor and owner of an estate. His mother was Baroness Schey. sister of Friedrich Schey von Koromla,[3] and he was related to the Thorsch family of bankers.[2]

In 1845 the family moved to Vienna. Whilst working as a bank clerk, Pick took piano lessons and began to compose.

Career

edit

Pick created one of the most popular Wienerlieder, the "Fiakerlied". It was made famous by actor Alexander Girardi, who sang it as his favorite performance piece.[2]

Although he is said to have written other songs, none of his other compositions have survived.[2]

Death and legacy

edit

Pick is buried in the Jewish section of the Wiener Zentralfriedhof.[4] The Gustav-Pick-Gasse, a small street in Döbling, Vienna, was named after him.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Pick, Gustav", Bayerisches Musiker-Lexikon Online [de]
  2. ^ a b c d e Spiel, Hilde (1987). Glanz und Untergang: Wien 1866–1938 (in German). Munich: List. pp. 42, 175. ISBN 3-471-78629-5.
  3. ^ "Pick, Gustav" by Monika Kornberger, Oesterreichisches Musiklexikon online, 18 February 2021
  4. ^ "Gustav Pick", Vienna History Wiki, City of Vienna