The Unknown Composer

[ATTO7]

Another little riddle:
Elegie by Maurits.
Score without covers, printed without Plate-Numbers.
Maurits.-.Elegie-(pno).pdf

Here's what i found: the full name is "Herinnering aan KLAASJE ZEVENSTER. Elegie aan Madeline, door MAURITS". Count Maurits was a suitor who adored Madeline who died from illness in the end of novel Klaasje Zevenster, hence the name of the piece. Based on some Dutch newspaper advertisements, it was published in 1866, perhaps in Arnhem (i think ?). Anyway, nothing on the true identity of the real composer.

[Bravega]

J. M. J. Jacobs (?)
Valse-Impromptu in Bb
G. H. van Eck (Weygand), Haye, 18??.
Jacobs,JMJ.-.Valse-Impromptu-(pno-Eck-Edition).pdf

Esta pieza forma parte del catálogo de música neerlandesa de finales del siglo XIX. La editorial de Van Eck, que operaba desde la calle Vlamingstraat 38 en La Haya, fue responsable de difundir el trabajo de compositores locales de la época, consolidando un repertorio que hoy se recoge en archivos históricos como el Handboek der Nederlandsche muzieklitteratuur.
Detalles de la edición:
Compositor: G.J. Jacobs (frecuentemente citado por sus iniciales en catálogos de partituras antiguos).
Título: Valse-Impromptu.
Editorial: G.H. van Eck, Den Haag (La Haya).

[ColorfulSecret]

Hello everyone. I stumbled upon two obscure 'polka' attached below and I've been wondering if they are real compopsitions. I couldn't find any information about the authors. The autror of 'Forest Polka' is labeled as either Carl Hans or anonymous. Appreciate any details shared.

[tracyross]

Pic-Nic Polka is by Samuel Serrander
Forest Polka seems to be by Carl Hans but I can't find any other sheet music.

[quercus]

The Forest Polka seems to be common among young piano students in China, and it's on some of the exams (similar to ABRSM). Try searching for 森林波尔卡

This article has some background (translated below): https://m.qulewu.com/article20220714064 ... e9164.html

Appreciation of the Piano Piece “Forest Polka”_Music Appreciation_Piano Fun House
Li Meng, Wang Kechao

Karl Hans’s piano piece “Forest Polka” has been included in numerous domestic piano sheet music collections since the 1990s. In 2007, it was selected for the *National Piano Performance Grading Repertoire* (Grade 4) and has remained in the collection ever since. Its humorous and witty musical character, clear and well-structured composition, accessible musical language, and moderate technical difficulty have greatly enhanced the work’s artistic value, facilitated its widespread circulation, earned the affection of countless young pianists, and gained recognition from industry experts.

In all domestic piano sheet music, the composer of this piece is listed as “Karl Hans” (or “Karl Hans”), yet there is not a single mention of the piece or its composer in authoritative dictionaries or various literature. There are two intriguing theories regarding the authenticity of the composer’s name: first, that such a person actually existed—an unknown foreign musician whose piano score was brought to China; second, that the composer’s real name was lost during the piece’s transmission, and this name was fabricated when the collection was compiled. Regardless of the reason why the work and its composer remain unverifiable, this has not hindered people from understanding, appreciating, and embracing it, allowing their focus to remain on the work itself, free from the influence of factors such as the composer’s fame.

[ilu]

Composer, music teacher. (1829-1912) Pehr Samuel Serrander in Åker, Södermanland, died in Frustuna, Södermanland.