Carl Busch was born in Jutland,
Denmark, March 29,
1862. At an early age he showed great musical talent, so that
along with his regular education he was given musical
instruction. After studying under private teachers, he entered
the University of
Copenhagen, where he remained for three years
under the tutelage of masters like Niels Gade, Tofte, and
Hartman.
He played in the Philharmonic Orchestra under Johann
Svendson, and in the Music Verein under Gade's baton. It was
after this that he won a scholarship in the Brussels Conservatory,
and so greatly was his art broadened that he journeyed to Paris, and
played under the direction of the great Gounod and Godard.
From Paris he returned to Denmark; but in 1887 he came to America,
locating finally in Kansas City.
In this country he has
attained favor as an orchestral composer and writer of songs.
His compositions have been played at the Music Teachers' National
Association concerts in Berlin, Hamburg, Leipsic, Dresden, and
Weimar. Among his best known works are "The Lady of
Shalott," "King Olaf's War Horns," "The League of
the Alps," and an opera, "The Grey Nun." He is
director of the Oratorio Society and of the Philharmonic Orchestra,
and has done much to cultivate and elevate local musical taste.
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