Princess Marie Elisabeth of Saxe-Meiningen
Encyclopedia
Princess Marie Elisabeth of Saxe-Meiningen (23 September 1853 – 22 February 1923) was the only daughter of Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
by his first wife Princess Charlotte Frederica of Prussia
. She was notable as a musician and composer. One of her most famous works is Romanze in F major for clarinet and piano.
. She was the third child and only daughter of Georg, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Meiningen
by his first wife Princess Charlotte Frederica of Prussia
, and had only one surviving brother, Hereditary Prince Bernhard. Her parent's marriage was very happy, as it was the rare instance of a love match rather than a marriage of state
. In 1855, tragedy struck with the death of their younger infant brother; Charlotte died three months later in childbirth. Georg was inconsolable, but remarried several years later to Princess Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
in order to provide a mother for his remaining young children. Marie Elisabeth's father succeeded as Duke Georg II of Saxe-Meiningen in 1866. His second marriage was unhappy; it produced three younger brothers (Ernst, Friedrich, and Viktor) for Marie Elisabeth before Feodora's death in 1872.
Marie Elisabeth's father participated in the Franco-Prussian War
, where he fought in nearly every battle. After the war, Georg II devoted himself to the stage, and his court became famous for its brilliance and culture. A year after Feodora's death, Georg II married for a third and last time to Ellen Franz
, a stage actress. A happy marriage, together they founded the Meiningen Ensemble
, which became the center for dramatic art in Germany.
, who worked as a music teacher in Meiningen for various pupils, including Marie Elisabeth, whom he gave piano lessons to. In addition to Brahms, Marie Elisabeth was in close contact with other famous musicians, such as Richard Strauss
, Franz Mannstädt, and Hans von Bülow
.
Marie Elisabeth was a student of the Conservatorium; she and Prince Alexander of Hesse, another royal pupil of Brahms, celebrated the birthday of musician Joachim Rafft in Frankfurt
in 1886. There, they interpreted Brahm's Sonata (Op. 78) for pianoforte and violin in a special feature for the ceremony. At the 1878 wedding of her elder brother Bernhard to Princess Charlotte of Prussia
, eldest daughter of German Crown Prince Frederick
, Marie Elisabeth composed a piece of music specially meant for the occasion entitled torch dance.
As of 1913, Marie Elisabeth was the author of Einzugsmarsch for orchestra
, Fackeltanz for piano
as well as several other piano compositions. She also wrote a "pretty" Cradle Song for violin
and piano, and, in 1892, she produced a Romanze in F major for clarinet
and piano which had been influenced by Brahms' teachings. At her residence in Berchtesgaden
, Marie Elisabeth received a regular circle of artists and encouraged talented singers by financing their education.
Marie Elisabeth died on 22 February 1923 in Obersendling
. She never married, and is buried in the cemetery park in Meiningen
.
Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen , was the penultimate Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, reigning from 1866 to 1914.-Family and early life:...
by his first wife Princess Charlotte Frederica of Prussia
Princess Charlotte Frederica of Prussia
Princess Frederica Louise Wilhelmina Marianne Charlotte of Prussia was the eldest daughter of Prince Albert of Prussia and his wife Princess Marianne of the Netherlands...
. She was notable as a musician and composer. One of her most famous works is Romanze in F major for clarinet and piano.
Early life
Her Serene Highness Princess Marie Elisabeth was born on 23 September 1853 in PotsdamPotsdam
Potsdam is the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg and part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. It is situated on the River Havel, southwest of Berlin city centre....
. She was the third child and only daughter of Georg, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Meiningen
Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen , was the penultimate Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, reigning from 1866 to 1914.-Family and early life:...
by his first wife Princess Charlotte Frederica of Prussia
Princess Charlotte Frederica of Prussia
Princess Frederica Louise Wilhelmina Marianne Charlotte of Prussia was the eldest daughter of Prince Albert of Prussia and his wife Princess Marianne of the Netherlands...
, and had only one surviving brother, Hereditary Prince Bernhard. Her parent's marriage was very happy, as it was the rare instance of a love match rather than a marriage of state
Marriage of state
A marriage of state in ancient use is a diplomatic marriage or union between two members of different nation-states or internally, between two power blocks, usually in authoritarian societies and is a practice which dates back into pre-history, as far back as early Grecian cultures in western...
. In 1855, tragedy struck with the death of their younger infant brother; Charlotte died three months later in childbirth. Georg was inconsolable, but remarried several years later to Princess Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
Princess Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
Princess Feodora Victoria Adelaide of Hohenlohe-Langenburg was a daughter of Ernst I, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Feodora of Leiningen. By her marriage to Georg of Saxe-Meiningen, she would become Duchess consort of Saxe-Meiningen upon his succession in 1866.-Family:Feodora was the...
in order to provide a mother for his remaining young children. Marie Elisabeth's father succeeded as Duke Georg II of Saxe-Meiningen in 1866. His second marriage was unhappy; it produced three younger brothers (Ernst, Friedrich, and Viktor) for Marie Elisabeth before Feodora's death in 1872.
Marie Elisabeth's father participated in the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
, where he fought in nearly every battle. After the war, Georg II devoted himself to the stage, and his court became famous for its brilliance and culture. A year after Feodora's death, Georg II married for a third and last time to Ellen Franz
Ellen Franz
Ellen Franz was a German pianist and actress.-Early life:She was born in Berlin. According to Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt, Ellen Franz made her first appearance in the Hoftheater of Meiningen in 1867.-Marriage:...
, a stage actress. A happy marriage, together they founded the Meiningen Ensemble
Meiningen Ensemble
The Meiningen Ensemble, also known as the Meiningen Company, was the court theatre of the German state of Saxe-Meiningen, led by Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. Its principal director was Ludwig Chronegk...
, which became the center for dramatic art in Germany.
Music
As her father was a great patron of the stage and the founder of a national theater, Marie Elisabeth was raised in this environment, consequently becoming artistic and a great lover of music like her parents. She received a thorough education under the tutelage of Theodor Kirchner, a talented pianist. Her father was a great patron of German composer and pianist Johannes BrahmsJohannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
, who worked as a music teacher in Meiningen for various pupils, including Marie Elisabeth, whom he gave piano lessons to. In addition to Brahms, Marie Elisabeth was in close contact with other famous musicians, such as Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
, Franz Mannstädt, and Hans von Bülow
Hans von Bülow
Hans Guido Freiherr von Bülow was a German conductor, virtuoso pianist, and composer of the Romantic era. He was one of the most famous conductors of the 19th century, and his activity was critical for establishing the successes of several major composers of the time, including Richard...
.
Marie Elisabeth was a student of the Conservatorium; she and Prince Alexander of Hesse, another royal pupil of Brahms, celebrated the birthday of musician Joachim Rafft in Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
in 1886. There, they interpreted Brahm's Sonata (Op. 78) for pianoforte and violin in a special feature for the ceremony. At the 1878 wedding of her elder brother Bernhard to Princess Charlotte of Prussia
Princess Charlotte of Prussia
Princess Charlotte of Prussia , Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen was the second child born to Prince Friedrich of Prussia and Princess Victoria...
, eldest daughter of German Crown Prince Frederick
Frederick III, German Emperor
Frederick III was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days in 1888, the Year of the Three Emperors. Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl known informally as Fritz, was the only son of Emperor William I and was raised in his family's tradition of military service...
, Marie Elisabeth composed a piece of music specially meant for the occasion entitled torch dance.
As of 1913, Marie Elisabeth was the author of Einzugsmarsch for orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, Fackeltanz for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
as well as several other piano compositions. She also wrote a "pretty" Cradle Song for violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and piano, and, in 1892, she produced a Romanze in F major for clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
and piano which had been influenced by Brahms' teachings. At her residence in Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden is a municipality in the German Bavarian Alps. It is located in the south district of Berchtesgadener Land in Bavaria, near the border with Austria, some 30 km south of Salzburg and 180 km southeast of Munich...
, Marie Elisabeth received a regular circle of artists and encouraged talented singers by financing their education.
Marie Elisabeth died on 22 February 1923 in Obersendling
Thalkirchen-Obersendling-Forstenried-Fürstenried-Solln
Thalkirchen-Obersendling-Forstenried-Fürstenried-Solln is the 19th borough of Munich, Germany, comprising the extreme southern part of the city on the left back of the river Isar. After the administrative reform, the boroughs Thalkirchen-Obersendling-Forstenried and Solln were incorporated, thus...
. She never married, and is buried in the cemetery park in Meiningen
Meiningen
Meiningen is a town in Germany - located in the southern part of the state of Thuringia and is the district seat of Schmalkalden-Meiningen. It is situated on the river Werra....
.
Titles and styles
- 23 September 1853 – 22 February 1923: Her Serene Highness Princess Marie Elisabeth of Saxe-Meiningen