Originally destined for a career in the diplomatic service, Sigismund Thalberg began his music studies in Vienna. At the age of 14 Thalberg already established himself as a pianist of amazing talent. At 16, Thalberg published his first compositions. Thalberg later became a student of Moscheles in London and of Pixis and Kalkbrenner in Paris. In 1836, Thalberg premiered his Piano concerto with phenomenal success that made him an international keyboard star. Admired by major composers of the period, Mendelssohn, Donizetti and Schumann, Thalberg toured all over Europe, United States and Latin America with unprecedented success.