Otto Moritz David Goldschmidt was a German composer, conductor and pianist, known for his piano concertos and other piano pieces.
Background
Goldschmidt was born in Hamburg, Germany, and his parents were Jewish salesman Moritz David Goldschmidt and women"s rights activist Johanna Goldschmidt. Since his mother was musically gifted – an excellent singer, pianist, violinist and harpist – she focused on the musical education of her children.
Education
Goldschmidt attended the Conservatory in Leipzig from 1843 to 1846 where he studied under Hans von Bülow, Felix Mendelssohn and Moritz Hauptmann.
Career
From Mendelssohn, Goldschmidt received this student certificate: "Mr. Goldschmidt has developed a fine talent for piano playing in gratifying manner and also has shown not insignificant talent in composition for his instrument." Additionally, he took private piano lessons with Clara Schumann. On 5 February 1852, Goldschmidt married the world-famous soprano Jenny Lind in Boston, Massachusetts.
They had three children.
From 1858, they lived in London where Otto became a professor in 1863 and later vocal director at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1863, Goldschmidt and William Sterndale Bennett compiled the Chorale Book of England.
In 1876, he founded the Bach Choir, which he led until 1886. He several times conducted the famous Lower Rhine festivals at Düsseldorf.
Ihre Laufbahn als Künstlerin (Jenny Lind: Her Career as an Artist).
Goldschmidt died in London in 1907 at the age of 77.