Lou Koster

about

Lou Koster (7 May 1889 – 17 November 1973) was a Luxembourg composer and pianist. Specializing in violin and piano, she studied at the Luxembourg Conservatory until 1906, then taught there from 1908. While still young, she began to compose. Her first success was her one-act operetta An der Schemm (At the Baths), composed in 1922. From 1933, many of her orchestral works, especially her waltzes and marches, were played for radio by the RTL Grand Symphony Orchestra. Her greatest success was however the choral ballad Der Geiger von Echternach (The Echternach Fiddler) which she completed when she was 85. It was premiered in the Abbey of Echternach in July 1972 to great acclaim. Born on 7 May 1889 in Luxembourg City, Louise Koster was the daughter of the railway official Jean Koster (1852–1919) and Emma Hoebich (1865–1950). Her maternal grandfather, Franz Ferdinand Bernhard Hoebich (1813–1900), who was born in Silisia, was the conductor of the military band in Echternach from 1842. He later directed the music corps at the grand-ducal court. After retiring in 1878 and becoming a widower in 1882, Hoebich became the music teacher of Lou and her sister Lina (1891–1938). Lou had two other siblings, Fernand (1902–1981) and Laure (1902–1999). It was her grandfather who taught Lou Koster not only to play both the violin and the piano but also elementary music theory. At a time when girls in Luxembourg could only study music privately, Koster proved to be a gifted student. Shortly before

top songs

albums

Koster: Orchestral Music

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Koster: Der Geiger von Echternach

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Lou Koster: French Songs

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KOSTER, L.: Suite dramatique / Ouverture légère / Waltz Suites (Estro Armonico Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra, Kaell)

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Naxos February 2015 New Release Sampler

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KOSTER, L.: Suite dramatique / Ouverture légère / Waltz Suites

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Radio Swiss Classic

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