Julius Epstein - Biography

Julius Epstein (born 7 August 1832, Zagreb, Croatia - 3 March 1926, Vienna) was an Austro-Hungarian Jewish pianist. He was a pupil at Agram of the choir-director Vatroslav Lichtenegger, and in Vienna of Johann Rufinatscha (composition) and Anton Halm (pianoforte). He made his début in 1852, and soon became one of the most popular pianists and teachers in Vienna.

From 1867 to 1901, Epstein was a professor of piano at the Vienna Conservatory, where Ignaz Brüll, Marcella Sembrich, Mathilde Kralik and Gustav Mahler were among his pupils. Epstein edited Beethoven's "Claviersonaten", Mendelssohn's "Sämmtliche Clavierwerke" and Schubert's "Kritisch Durchgesehene Gesammtausgabe", among others.

His two daughters Rudolfine (cellist) and Eugénie (violinist) went on a very successful concert tour through Germany and Austria during the 1876 - 1877 season. His son Richard (* 26 January 1869 in Vienna; † 1 August 1919 in New York, NY (US)) was also a professor of piano at the Vienna Conservatorium. Epstein was a friend of Brahms.

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