Emilie Zumsteeg

Emilie Zumsteeg (December 9, 1796 – August 1, 1857) was a German choir conductor, songwriter, composer, and pianist.

She was born and died in Stuttgart. Her father was composer Johann Rudolf Zumsteeg.^[1] Her father died when she was six, but her mother ran a music store which maintained her interest. She showed a facility at sight-reading and cultivated a circle of talented musicians. Her compositions include an overture, piano-pieces, and three polonaises. She was perhaps best known for her songs, which became popular in her homeland and beyond.^[2] One song in particular was later used by the Russian Baptist leader Ivan Prokhanov, and became widely known as the "Prisoners' Song".^[3]

Web sources

1. Women Making Music: The Western Art Tradition, 1150-1950 By Jane M. Bowers, Judith Tick pg 228
2. Woman's Work in Music By Arthur Elson: pgs 159-160
3. Video on YouTube