Clara Mathilda Faisst

Clara Mathilda Faisst (22 June 1872 – 22 November 1948) was a German pianist, composer and writer. Early life Clara Faisst was born in Karlsruhe, Baden to August and Emma Faisst. Her father died when she was one year old. She was the youngest of six children. Those close to her considered her to be quiet and dreamy as a child. Faisst suffered poor health throughout most of her childhood. Education Her musical education began when she entered school. She received musical training from the Grand Ducal conservatory in Karlsruhe until 1894. At age 7, she was the youngest student ever taught by concertmaster Carl Will. She continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in Berlin until 1896. At the academy, she had many prestigious teachers. Clara Schumann’s student Ernst Rudorff taught her piano. Woldemar Bargiel (Schumann’s stepbrother) also taught her the theory of counterpoint and composition. Berlin composer Robert Kahn taught her piano and music theory. Her most well-known teacher was Max Bruch (1838 – 1920) who taught composition. She remained in correspondence with Bruch for most of his life. She composed the score for “Five Songs for a Voice with Pianoforte”, for which Max