Theodore Oesten (also Theodor in German) (December 31, 1813 – March 16, 1870) was a German composer, musician, and music teacher."Oesten, Theodor." Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, J. A. Fuller Maitland, M.A., F.S.A. Vol. 3 (M-P). p. 427 Philadelphia: Theodore Presser, 1916.
Oesten was born in Berlin. He learned to play wind and string instruments from the Stadtmusikus in Fürstenwalde (a small town outside Berlin). At the age of nineteen he studied composition with Böhmer, Carl Friedrich Rungenhagen, G. A. Schneider and August Wilhelm Bach in Berlin. Oesten is perhaps best known for his easy to play piano compositions, including transcriptions of operatic works, written in the sentimental style of his day. He died in his native city of Berlin. His son Max Oesten also became a composer.
Partial list of piano compositions (Note: Items without reference numbers are from a list at Piano Master*Works.
A Little Story 12 Standard Pieces For Piano: Alpine Bells (Alpenglockchen)Unknown Alpine Glow (Alpengluhen Idylle), Op. 193 Carnival Of Venice (Capricietto Brillant) Cradle Song (Schlummerlied), Opus 91 De Boself Der kuss, Opus 205 Dolly's Dreaming and Awakening (Puppchens Traumen Und Erwachen!); Cradle Song (Wiegenlied), Opus 202, No. 4 Echo Idylle, Opus 223 FarewellUnknown Forest Roses Gondellied, Op. 56 Heavenly Bliss (Seliges Gluck), Opus 50, No. 4 Illustrations: Six Elegant Fantasias n Favorite Themes, Op. 99Music Library-19th Century Am. Sheet Music Digitization Project - Browse La fille du régiment,Gaetano Donizetti, La fille du régiment Opus 57, No. 10, Perles de L'Opera, 12 Morceaux Elegantes Long Long Weary Day, Op. 49 Love In May (Maienliebe), Op. 50, No. 1 Lucia Di Lammermoor, Six Fantaisies Brilliantes Sur Des Motifs Favoris De L'Opera, Op. 67 Morning Song On The Rialto (Auf Den Lugunen), Barcarolle For Piano, Op. 222 Sleep Well, Thou Sweet Angel, Opus 277 No. 2 Snowbells' Spring Carol (Idylle), Op. 227 Souvenir de Martha,Friedrich von Flotow, Martha Fantaisie Brillante On Flotow's Opera Spanish Dance Op.61, No.10 The Little Tyrolean Maid When The Swallows Homeward Fly: Agathe With Bow And Arrow
Notes
External links Theodore Oesten University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Music Library--19th Century American Sheet Music Digitization Project Historic American Sheet Music (Digital Scriptorium collection, Duke University) Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music, 1870-1885 (American Memory collection, Library of Congress)