Logier, Johann Bernard

1780-1846

Born at Kaiserslautern, in the Palatinate, the descendant of French refugees of the time of Louis XIV. He received his early musical instruction from his father, who, as well as his father before him, had been organist at his birthplace. When he was about ten years old his parents died and he went to England in charge of an English gentleman, who for two years treated him as his own son. He devoted himself to the flute and piano, in the latter being instructed y Baron de Griffe. At the end of this time he joined the band of a regiment commanded by the Marquis of Abercorn. The master of this band was his countryman, Willman. They went to Ireland, and for a time Logier was engaged in composing for and instructing military bands and teaching the piano. The war being over and his regiment disbanded, he became organist at Westport, Ireland, which position he held until 1807, when he was appointed bandmaster of the Kilkenny Militia. While at Westport he taught his seven-year-old daughter to take his place as organist upon his occasional absences for professional engagements. In 1809 he established himself in Dublin, where he opened a music-shop, and was musical director of the Royal Hibernian Theatre for a year. At this time he invented his machine for guiding the hands of learners on the piano and devised the system of instruction known by his name. He was invited to Berlin to superintend its establishment in Prussia, remaining there three years, with yearly vacations in which to visit England. In 1826 he returned, to remain permanently in Berlin.

Among his compositions are. many sonatas and other pieces, besides numerous arrangements for the piano. He also composed an ode in commemoration of the entrance of the King, George III., into the fiftieth year of his reign, which was performed in Dublin. Besides the publication connected with his chiroplast, he wrote A Complete Introduction to the Keyed Bugle, of which instrument he is supposed to have been the inventor.