Bohm, Carl

1844-1920

Carl Bohm was a German pianist and composer of the Romantic period.

He is remembered mostly for his chamber music and for his songs, some of which achieved world-wide fame during his lifetime.

Bohm is considered as an important German songwriter of the 19th century, with works such as Still wie die Nacht [Calm as the Night], Twilight, May Bells, Enfant Cheri and The Fountain.

According the The Oxford Companion to Music, Carl Bohm was "a German composer of great fecundity and the highest salability... He occupied an important position in the musical commonwealth inasmuch as his publisher, Simrock, declared that the profits on his compositions provided the capital for the publication of those of Brahms."

Carl Bohm's music is characterized by a light character, as opposed to the dark, brooding and introspective works of Brahms.

Like Schubert, Carl Bohm composed in many musical genres besides songs. His chamber music and his works for violin are much appreciated by concert and recital audiences.