A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ascher, Joseph

by Edward Dannreuther

ASCHER, Joseph, was born in London, 1831, and died there 1869 [App. p.524 "June 20"]. A fashionable pianist, and composer of drawing-room pieces. He was taught by Moscheles, and followed his master to the Conservatorium at Leipzig. His successful career began in Paris, where he was nominated court pianist to the Empress Eugenie, an honour which appears to convey considerable business advantage in the fashionable world, and is accordingly a coveted title.

His compositions amount to above a hundred salon pieces—mazurkas, gallops, nocturnes, études, transcriptions, etc.—well written and effective, of moderate difficulty, and rarely if ever without a certain elegant grace and finish. Among the best are 'La perle du Nord' and 'Dozia,' both mazurkas, and 'Les gouttes d'eau,' an étude. Ascher believed in himself, and in his earlier compositions at least, offered his best; but the dissipated habits he gradually fell into ruined both his health and his taste.

[ E. D. ]