Albert Ellmenreich

A German actor, librettist, and composer whose lasting fame rests almost entirely on a single piece — the Spinnliedchen (Spinning Song), Op. 14 No. 4 — which became one of the most popular character pieces of the late nineteenth century and remains a staple of intermediate piano repertoire. Born in Karlsruhe, Ellmenreich spent most of his career as a stage actor in Hamburg and Schwerin; his musical output was small but distinctive.