The British Musical Biography

[E] Osborne, George Alexander, pianist
and composer, born at Limerick (where his
father was lay-vicar and organist of the
Cathedral). September 24, 1806. He was in-
tended for the church, but having a strong
bias toward music, he taught himself piano-
forte playing, assisted his father at the organ,
and finally decided upon music as a profession.
In 1825 he went to Brussels, finding a home
with the Prince de Chimay. There he studied
and gave concerts, and was musical instructor
to the Prince of Orange (the late King of
Holland). After the revolution of 1830 he
went to Paris (F6tis says in 1826), where he
studied under Pixis, Fetis, and Kalkbrenner.
He remained there until 1843, occupying a
prominent position as performer, teacher, and
composer. In 1843 he is said to have settled
in London, but he kept up his house in Paris
to the end of 1847. He was in London in
1844, 1845, and also played at a concert in
1848, in which year he seems to have made
London his home. From 1849 his concerts
were important features of the musical season.

[+] He was a Member, and sometime Director,
of the Philharmonic Society ; also Director,
R. A.M., and associated with other institutions.
He retired from active life about 1880, but
played occasionally in performances of his
chamber music up to November, 1889. Per-
sonally acquainted with the greatest musicians
of the century, he has penned his memories
of them in papers read before the Musical
Association, 1878-83. He died at London,.
November 16, 1893.

[+] His compositions comprise two operas ;
several vocal scenas ; Three overtures : The
Forest Maiden, performed at Alexandra Pal-
ace, February, 1876, etc. ; and Marches for
orchestra. A Septet, Sestet (performed, Lon-
don, 1849), and Quintet for pf., wind, and
double bass; Three Trios in A (1844), G, and
E (1845), for pf. and strings ; Sonata, pf. and
'cello; pieces for violin, etc. A large number
of pieces for pf. : La Pluie des Perles ; Ro-
mance sans paroles ; La Tenerezza ; Valses,
etc., many of them exceedingly popular.
With De Beriot he wrote a nvrmber of duets
for violin and pf.

entry id: 304-L-53