musician, composer, director, b. Berlin, Germany. He studied music under various masters at the Berlin HochschuIe (1879-1880), was a piano student of Karl and Oscar Rail (1881-1884), and studied composition with Friedrich Kiel. He migrated to the U.S. and to Milwaukee in 1887, where he earned his living as a music teacher, composer, and orchestra director. He was instrumental in founding the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and helped organize the Maennerchor men's chorus and the Milwaukee Liederkranz. He was a popular composer, and several of his compositions were performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 1902 he returned to Germany, where he remained until his death. During his lifetime he was widely regarded as one of Germany's outstanding choral music and oratorio composers, and was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts. He was the composer of five operas, three symphonies, and numerous string quartets; among his works based on American themes are a festival march, "The Star Spangled Banner," and a symphonic poem, "Minnehaha and Hiawatha." O. Thompson, International Cyclopedia .. . Musicians (5th ed., New York, 1949); Milwaukee Journal, Apr. 2, July 23, 1932; N.Y. Times, Apr. 3, 1932.Learn More
Dictionary of Wisconsin History
Explore more than 1,600 people, places and events in Wisconsin history.
[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]
