Friedrich Kuhlau 1786 – 1832

Biography

Friedrich Kuhlau was born on September 11, 1786, in Uelzen, a town in northern Germany. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to the art of musical composition, becoming a figure of note in the classical music world during the early nineteenth century. His career spanned a formative period in European music history, during which he contributed works that reflected the tastes and innovations of his era.

Kuhlau eventually established himself in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he spent much of his later life. The Danish capital became the center of his professional activities, and it was there that he built his reputation as a composer. His decision to make Copenhagen his home proved significant, as the city’s musical community became closely associated with his legacy.

On March 12, 1832, Kuhlau’s life came to an end in Copenhagen. He was laid to rest at Assistens Cemetery in Copenhagen Municipality, where his grave remains as a testament to his life and contributions to music. Though the specific circumstances surrounding his death were not recorded for posterity, his final resting place in one of Copenhagen’s most notable cemeteries reflects the respect afforded to him by his adopted city.