Luise Greger

Luise Greger was a composer and pianist who lived and died in Germany. She started playing piano at the age of 6 (just like me!) and at the age of 9 she was good enough that she had the opportunity to play for the Tzar of Russia (can't relate to that one...). Then, at the age of 11, she began composing her own music. In her later life Richard Strauss, a famous composer, proclaimed her a real composer among the best of composers. She was married at the age of 26 and continued to play, compose, and also teach piano. She ended up divorcing her husband, but was able to support herself by teaching. In her old age, she was sent to a nursing home, which ended up causing her death. As a precursor to the Holocaust, doctors began mistreating and euthanizing patients who were considered not a "productive part of society." Sadly, Luise Greger was one of their victims and died from starvation.

Luise Greger's contribution is important for many reasons. It shows us that women composers are just as capable as their male counterparts, and also how resourceful women can be. The fact that she was able to support herself in the 20th century after her divorce is extremely impressive to me. I think her story can also make us reflect and think about how much we lose out on when we ignore the work of women artists. Her music is absolutely beautiful - Rob's rendition of a lullaby she wrote was lovely. The fact that she thought a lullaby was worth composing shows us just how important it is to have women's perspectives in everything, because that is something that a lot of men would never do!

Luise Greger did receive recognition during her lifetime for her achievements in composing and as a pianist, but unfortunately she has not been commemorated well. Her works were not rediscovered until very recently by two BYU students who were looking for works by women composers. There isn't really any plaques or statues commemorating her, although you can go visit the philharmonic building where she worked. I also found that there is a "Luise Greger International Women in Music Festival" in Washington State, which is pretty cool, but unfortunately is not well known. I think that she deserves to be commemorated for being such an accomplished composer, as well as be remembered for her tragic death at the hands of the Nazis.