Esmeralda Athanasiu-Gardeev (1834–1917) was a Romanian pianist and composer. Life Athanasiu-Gardeev was born in Galaţi, Moldavia, in 1834. She studied music in Bucharest and then piano and composition in Paris with Julius Schulhoff and composition in St. Petersburg with Anton Rubinstein. She married Vasile Hermaziu and then General Gardeev who introduced her to Russian aristocracy. After the Romanian War of Independence, she lived in Bucharest, teaching voice, lute and piano. She died in Bucharest in 1917. Works Many of Athanasiu-Gardeev's compositions were based on Romanian folklore. Selected works include: Romanian March, Op. 1 Myosotis (mazurka) Sourvenir de Odessa (mazurka) Polca capricioasa Wordless romance Scherzo Imn hymn for mixed chorus Collection de chansons 3 Leider References 1834 births 1917 deaths People from Galați People of the Principality of Moldavia 19th-century classical composers 20th-century classical composers Piano pedagogues Romanian classical pianists Romanian women pianists Romanian classical composers Romanian music educators Romantic composers Voice teachers Women classical composers 19th-century classical pianists Women music educators Women classical pianists 20th-century women composers 19th-century women composers 19th-century women pianists 20th-century women pianists