Cultural Commentary: Louis Moreau Gottschalk - America's Dashing Musical Ambassador

Authors

Henry Santos, Bridgewater State College

Abstract

Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869), the first American pianist and composer to achieve international fame, can truly be described as a musical ambassador. He toured France, Switzerland, Spain, the U.S., Canada, the West Indies and South America. But ironically, although Gottschalk’s compositions and piano virtuosity made a great impact abroad, his work received an unenthusiastic and in some cases hostile reception from the musical establishment in his native country.

Note on the Author

Henry Santos is Assistant Professor Music.

Recommended Citation

Santos, Henry (1983). Cultural Commentary: Louis Moreau Gottschalk - America's Dashing Musical Ambassador. Bridgewater Review, 2(1), 26-27.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/br_rev/vol2/iss1/10