Stephen Heller: Works

Stephen Heller (1813 - 1888) was a Hungarian pianist, teacher, and composer whose career spanned the period from Schumann to Bizet, and was an influence for later Romantic composers.

At the age of 25, he travelled to Paris, where he became closely acquainted with Hector Berlioz, Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt and other renowned composers of his era. Here Heller eventually achieved distinction both as a concert performer and as a teacher.

In 1849 he performed in England, where in 1850 he was the subject of a long serial article devoted to some of his music. Most of the last twenty-five years of his life were spent at Paris. He outlived his reputation, and was almost forgotten when he died in 1888.

Heller's Spinning Song, Opus 45, Number 19, for piano is discussed by William Westney in the 2005 book Heller - Selected Piano Studies, Opus 45 & 46, edited by Westney:

"Whether or not he had an actual spinning wheel in mind, Heller has crafted a classic finger-independence challenge (holding down certain fingers while articulating others) that happens to be a graceful musical vignette at the same time."