Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler (July 16, 1863 - August 20 1927) was an Austrian-born U.S. pianist.
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Childhood and emigration to U.S.
Zeisler was born Fannie Blumenfeld on July 16, 1863, in Bielitz, Austria. She emigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 4 in 1867. The family settled in Chicago, Illinois where they later changed their name to Bloomfield. She was the sister of Maurice Bloomfield. At the age of six, before receiving any musical instruction, she began picking out tunes on the piano. In 1877, Annette Essipova, then on tour in the United States, heard her play and advised that she become a pupil of Theodor Leschetizky.
Musical career
Blumenfeld (as she then was) made her debut at the age of 11 in February 1875. In 1878, she returned to Austria to study in Vienna, under Theodor Leschetizky. While in Austria, she changed her name from Blumenfeld to Bloomfield. She returned to Chicago in 1883. Bloomfield performed in concert in Chicago in April 1884. In January 1885, she debuted in New York City.
Marriage to Sigmund Zeisler and Tours
Bloomfeld married the attorney Sigmund Zeisler in 1885. In 1888, she returned to Vienna to study with Leschetizky. She also began to tour in Europe and the United States, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Zeislers had three sons: Leonard, Paul and Ernest. Her last performance was in February 1925 in Chicago. She played the Beethoven Andante Favori and concertos by Chopin and Schumann. She was regarded as being one of the foremost pianists of her time. Zeisler died in Chicago on August 20, 1927.
Discography
- Caswell Collection, Vol. 3: Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler ASIN: B00005B7H6
- The Genesis Recordings of Legendary Pianists, Vol. 1 ASIN: B00000J89K
External links
- Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler and Sigmund Zeisler Papers Newberry Library Chicago
- Jewish Encyclopedia article
References
- Dilworth, Hiram P. Ode on the pure art and the great achievement and the enduring name of Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler (1928) ASIN: B00088ZRT8
- This article incorporates text from the 1901–1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, a publication now in the public domain.
