Klein, Bruno Oscar

1858-

Usually regarded as an American composer owing to his long residence in this country. Born at Osnabrück, in Hanover. Graduated from the Gymnasium Carolinum at Osnabrück  and after receiving lessons in piano and composition from his father who was organist at the Cathedral, he went to the Conservatory at Munich, where he studied piano under Baermann, counterpoint under Rheinberger and score reading with Wüllner. He came to America in 1878, and after five years spent in traveling and giving concerts, he settled in New York. Since 1884 has directed the department of piano at the Convent of the Sacred Heart. From 1887 to 1892 he taught composition and counterpoint at the National Conservatory of Music, and from 1884 to 1894 held the position of organist at the church of St. Francis Xavier. He traveled in Germany in 1894 and 1895. His grand opera, Kenilworth, was produced at Hamburg, in 1895. Among his many fine compositions are an Italian suite; three masses; concerto; and concertstuck for piano; two overtures for orchestra; concerto in E minor for violin; two sonatas for piano and violin; suite for violoncello and orchestra and arias for soprano and orchestra.