Gustav Pick

{{Short description|Austrian composer (1832–1921)}} {{use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} thumb|Cover to a score of the Fiakerlied '''Gustav Pick''' (10 December 1832 – 29 April 1921)<ref>[https://www.bmlo.uni-muenchen.de/p1390 "Pick, Gustav"], {{ill|Bayerisches Musiker-Lexikon Online|de}}</ref> was a musician and composer of Wienerlieder (Viennese songs). He is best known as the creator of the "Fiakerlied".<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Spiel |first=Hilde |title=Glanz und Untergang: Wien 1866–1938 |date=1987 |publisher=List |isbn=3-471-78629-5 |location=Munich |pages=42, 175 |language=de}}</ref>

== Early life and education == Pick was born and brought up in the Jewish village of Rechnitz, where his father was a medical doctor and owner of an estate. His mother was Baroness Schey. sister of Friedrich Schey von Koromla,<ref>[https://www.musiklexikon.ac.at/ml/musik_P/Pick_Gustav.xml "Pick, Gustav"] by Monika Kornberger, ''Oesterreichisches Musiklexikon online'', 18 February 2021</ref> and he was related to the Thorsch family of bankers.<ref name=":0" />

In 1845 the family moved to Vienna. Whilst working as a bank clerk, Pick took piano lessons and began to compose.

== Career == Pick created one of the most popular Wienerlieder, the "Fiakerlied". It was made famous by actor Alexander Girardi, who sang it as his favorite performance piece.<ref name=":0" />

Although he is said to have written other songs, none of his other compositions have survived.<ref name=":0" />

== Death and legacy == Pick is buried in the Jewish section of the Wiener Zentralfriedhof.<ref>[https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Gustav_Pick "Gustav Pick"], Vienna History Wiki, City of Vienna</ref> The Gustav-Pick-Gasse, a small street in Döbling, Vienna, was named after him.<ref name=":0" />

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Authority control|state=collapsed}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Pick, Gustav}} Category:1832 births Category:1921 deaths Category:Composers from Austria-Hungary Category:People from Oberwart District Category:Austrian Jews Category:Jewish songwriters Category:Wienerlied Category:Burials at the Vienna Central Cemetery