Gottschalk, Louis Moreau (1829–1869)

US composer and pianist. His adoption of Creole and American folk music, Latin American rhythms and dance forms, and striking colouristic effects won the admiration of Hector Berlioz, Franz Liszt, Jacques Offenbach, and others. His compositions include Souvenir d'Andalousie/Souvenir of Andalusia (1851) for piano and orchestra and numerous piano pieces, among which are La Gallina: danse cubaine/La Gallina: Cuban Dance (c. 1868) and Le Banjo – esquisse américaine/Banjo – American Sketch (1854–55).

Gottschalk studied in Paris, France, and had much success there as a pianist from his debut in 1844. He toured throughout Europe and, from 1853, North and South America. He died of yellow fever while on tour in Brazil.

Works Escenas campestres for soprano, tenor, baritone, and orchestra (1860); two symphonic poems, La nuit des tropiques and Montevideo; numerous piano pieces including The Dying Poet and Grand Fantasy on the Brazilian National Anthem.