Nannette and Johann Andreas Streicher - their role in shaping musical life in Vienna in the early 19th century

Nannette and Andreas Streicher were important figures in the musical life of Vienna in the early 19th century. The article introduces their profiles, describes the history of their company, their social, cultural and teaching activity as well as different types of artistic activity. It also explains how keyboard instruments shaped sound and aesthetics-related piano ideals at the turn of the 19th century. The versatile activity of the Streichers, which first of all included instrument building, piano play- ing, composition, teaching and organisation of musical life, made a great contribution to Europe’s cultural heritage. We can notice their numerous connections with outstanding figures of musical life of that time, one that deserves particular attention is their acquaintance with Beethoven. Nannette Streicher was an extremely talented builder who not only coped with the typically masculine craft at that time, but she was also significantly successful in that field. Her instruments were popular, earning general recognition, and the innovative solutions introduced by her also influenced the work of other builders and further development of the piano. Their marriage became the basis for a very fruitful cooperation. Andreas’s numerous connections and his familiarity with the community became an important part of the activity of the company and contributed to its development. Nannette and Andreas shared their passion and passed it on to their son Johann Baptist, who successfully continued their piano making tradition and introduced further improvements, earning a great reputation as well. Social, cultural and teaching activities of the Streichers also played an important role in the musical life of Vienna. Andreas Streicher taught his students the secrets of piano technique and apart from that he shaped their musical and aesthetical awareness. His Kurze Bemerkungen are a valuable source of knowledge also for modern-time performers who can – thanks to this text – learn more about the piano playing aesthetics at the turn of the 19th century as well as a number of universal music and performance topics, which remain accurate to this day. Concerts organised in their house had an educational function too, on the one hand they shaped the tastes of music lovers and supported composers, allowing them to present their latest pieces, and on the other hand they contributed to the promotion of young performers for whom concerts there were often the first step leading towards Vienna’s professional musical stage. The development of the topic of the article in this issue of “Notes Muzyczny” is the trans- lation of the text by Andreas Streicher entitled: Some observations on the playing, tuning and maintenance of pianos built in Vienna by Nannette Streicher nee Stein.