A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Kirchgessner, Marianna

KIRCHGESSNER, Marianna, performer on the glass harmonica, born 1770 at Waghäusel near Rastatt, Baden. An illness in her fourth year left her blind for life, but this misfortune was compensated by a delicate organisation for music. She learned the harmonica from Schmittbauer of Carlsruhe, and made numerous successful concert-tours. Mozart heard her in Vienna (1791), and composed a quintet for her (Köchel 617). In London Fröschel made her a new instrument, which in future she always used. Here also she recovered a glimmering of sight under medical treatment. Much as they admired her playing, musicians regretted that she failed to bring out the true qualities of the harmonica through a wrong method of execution. After living in retirement at Gohlis near Leipzig, she undertook another concert-tour, but fell ill and died at Schaffhausen, Dec. 9, 1808.

[ C. F. P. ]