A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Pixis
PIXIS, a family of musicians. Friedrich Wilhelm, the elder, was a pupil of the Abbé Vogler in Mannheim in 1770, and still lived there in 1805. He published organ-music, and sonatas and trios for PF. His eldest son, also
Friedrich Wilhelm, born in Mannheim, 1786, studied the violin under Ritter, Luigi, and Franzel, early made a name, and travelled throughout Germany with his father and brother. At Hamburg he took lessons from Viotti. In 1804 he entered the Elector's Chapel at Mannheim, and afterwards went to Prague, where he became professor at the Conservatorium, and Capellmeister of the theatre, and died Oct. 20, 1842. His brother,
Johann Peter, born 1788, pianist and composer for the PF., lived with his father and brother till 1809, when he settled in Munich. In 1825 he went to Paris, and became a teacher of great note there. His adopted daughter, Franzilla Güringer (born 1816 at Lichtenthal, Baden), developing a good mezzo soprano voice and real talent, he trained her for a singer, and in 1833 started with her on a tour, which extended to Naples. Here Pacini wrote for her the part of Saffo in his well-known opera of that name. After her marriage to an Italian, Pixis settled finally in Baden-Baden, and gave lessons at his well-known villa there almost up to his death on Dec. 21, 1874 [App. p.749 "Dec. 20"]. He composed much for the PF.—concertos, sonatas, and drawing-room pieces, all now forgotten. The fact that he contributed the 3rd variation to the 'Hexameron,' in company with Liszt, Czerny, Thalberg, Herz and Chopin, shows the position which he held in Paris. His works amount in all to more than 150. Though not wholly devoid of originality he was apt to follow too closely in the footsteps of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. In 1831 he composed an opera 'Bibiana' for Mme. Schroeder-Devrient, produced in Paris without success. 'Die Sprache des Herzens' was composed in 1836 for the Konigstadt Theatre in Berlin.[ F. G. ]