Friedrich Wilhelm Kücken

The son of an executioner, he learned the piano as a child and played chamber music at home in a family ensemble.

[1] After moving to Schwerin he studied harmony with his brother-in-law Friedrich Lührss, and piano with Georg Rettberg, also learning flute and violin.

From 1832 to 1841, Kücken lived in Berlin, studying counterpoint with Heinrich Birnbach and teaching music to the later king George V of Hanover; he was also a member of the Sing-Akademie.

[2] Leaving Berlin, he studied with Simon Sechter in Vienna (until 1843), when his popular song Ach, wie wärs möglich dann secured his being chosen court composer for Grand Duke Paul Friedrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

[4] His numerous light and popular songs brought him fame all over Europe and were published and reprinted in many editions.