Friedrich Wieck and Adolph Bargiel first met at Zingst Manor, the estate of Baron von Seckendorff in Saxony-Anhalt. Both worked there as tutors for the Baron's children and developed a close friendship.[5] While Wieck was employed as a piano teacher and music instructor, Bargiel primarily taught the children's music. Later, Bargiel married Marianne, Wieck's former wife, and thus became her stepfather.[5] Friedrich Wieck, born on August 18, 1785, in Pretzsch, a small town between Wittenberg and Leipzig, grew up as the son of a merchant.[3] Although music was hardly present in his family, he showed great musical talent early on and began studying theology in Wittenberg. After his exams, however, he decided against a clerical career and instead took a position as a tutor at Zingst Manor. Adolph Bargiel was born on November 1, 1783, in Bauerwitz, Silesia. He initially received singing and music lessons from his father, a school principal.[1] However, a musical career was not part of his plans; therefore, Bargiel began studying law in Breslau. The Napoleonic Wars interrupted his studies, after which he accepted a position as a music teacher on the Zingst estate.[1] Only later did he finally decide to dedicate himself to music, founding a music school and teaching on a boarding school system.[4] The marriage of Friedrich Wieck and Marianne Tromlitz, his first piano student, ended after Wieck was deemed too domineering and Marianne left him.[5] After the divorce, she married Adolph Bargiel, while Wieck remarried and had more children.[5] Wieck's daughter Clara, prepared from the beginning for a career as a pianist, remained under his influence.[5] Bargiel, who later became friends with Johannes Brahms, among others, composed mainly piano works and contributed to complete editions of Schumann and Chopin. As a respected music educator, he worked in Berlin and Rotterdam and is remembered for his collaboration with Brahms and Schumann.
