Kolbe, Oscar

1836-1878

German composer and teacher. Most of his life was spent at Berlin, where he was born and died. He studied at the Royal Institute for Church Music, and then at the Royal Academy, his teachers being Loschorn, Grell and A. W. Bach. He taught musical theory at Stern's Conservatory for sixteen years, then on the success of an oratorio he composed, Johannes der Taufer, he was made Royal music-director. He composed music for the piano and songs; also books on thorough-bass and harmony.