Kaufmann, Fritz

1855-

Cqmposer and teacher; born at Berlin. He received his first instruction in piano and violin from Hermann Mohr and Wilhelm Hellmich. From 1874 to 1877 he studied natural  science and was apprenticed to a druggist at Leipsic. Entering the Akademische Hochschule in 1878 he studied composition under Kiel and piano under Rudorff, winning the Mendelssohn Prize in 1881. From 1881 to 1882 he lived in Vienna, then returned to Berlin, where he was a composer and teacher until 1889, when he went to Magdeburg, where he has since occupied the position of conductor of the city concerts and of the music festivals arranged by the Music Society. He received the title of Royal Music Director in 1893. He has written songs for solo voice with piano accompaniment; quartet for male chorus; several quartets for mixed chorus; a terzet for female chorus; dramatic overture; violin concerto in D minor; a symphony in A minor; piano concerto in C minor; piano sonata in A major and B minor; a fantasie; two piano trios; variations for stringed quartet in G. His other variations are the Tanz Improvisationem; and comic opera, Die Herzskrankheit.