Riegel. Ludwig Christian.
Hide not your talents, they for use were made,
What's a sundial in the shade?Benjamin Franklin
Child Prodigy
Born in Taucha, the Riegel family runs a piano manufacturing business in Leipzig. His father discovered Ludwig’s unusual talent when the 6-year-old him rendered a full concerto perfectly after listening to a public performance. Riegel Sr. also published some of his compositions, which gained a famous pianist, violinist and composer, N. Kremer’s attention. Kremer taught young Ludwig essential instrument techniques and helped him publish compositions more systematically - he quickly became recognised in Europe when he was 10.
Adagietto
1848 Revolutions
Kremer was involved in secret political meetings in 1847 and was arrested by the police. Ludwig carried his ashes to his hometown Vienna. Austrian musicians’ society welcomed the famed Ludwig Riegel, but he often rejected attending social events.
Ezekiel von Kess
Ludwig became romantically obsessed with the violin virtuoso Robert E. von Kessler in 1850. The two exchanged letters often, and he dedicated many violin pieces to Kessler. Their relationship only started when Ludwig was summoned home by his sick mother in 1852. Fortunately, his elder sister Lucia volunteered to take care of their mother after her divorce in late 1854. He lived in Switzerland with Kessler afterwards and went home briefly when his mother passed. He passed away aged 38 in Bern, with “Rezekiel” at his bedside.
Ludwig has fair blonde hair and some tiny freckles on his cheeks. He has a little braid which is usually hung above his forehead in line with his fringes, and his thick long hair is never tied up. He has greyish-blue pupils and a relatively skinny physique, which is a bit exaggerated by his tall figure.
After Ludwig returned to Taucha, he still composed and taught students for a living - the apparent sorrow in his compositions faded, they became much more vibrant and colourful.
He was like a lone wolf, very reserved and cautious socially, but he was very clingy and possessive over his lover. He expressed his love by dedicating pieces to Kessler and making appearances at encores of his concerts. Nearly all his pieces were inspired by the violinist, so they suit him amazingly every time. Ludwig always criticised others’ interpretations of his pieces.
