Article: Biographical sketch of Oscar Pfeiffer

A “biography” of Oscar Pfeiffer.

Born October 27, 1830 in Vienna. [Salgado’s book, The Teatro Solis: 150 Years of Opera, Concert and Ballet in Montevideo, quotes his birthplace as Montevideo, Uruguay.] Studied with Anton Halm. Studied clavier, piano and composition. By 1844 he was playing frequently in Vienna, and intended to undertake a tour of Europe in 1845. Berlioz, who was in Vienna at the time, took part in [attended?] a concert and gave his opinion that when Pfeiffer was in Paris, where he wanted to go next, he shouldn’t study any more and only in the French capital; he should steadily hear cosmopolitan music played in order to refine his taste. He returned to Vienna in 1845-46 to further follow his studies. In the same year, he went to Russia and remained there until 1848. He played in Petersburg, Mocow and Odessa with success. The “Sturm-und Drang” period of 1848 called him back into the political arena. He also concertized in Leipzig, Dresden, Hannover and Hamburg. From there he went by way of London to Lisbon with the aim of going to Brazil. He lived in Portugal and Spain until 1850. He gave 6 concerts in 3 weeks in Lisbon, and Queen Donna Maria presented him with the Order of Christ. The greatest enthusiasm for him was in Madrid, Seville and Cadiz.

Then Pfeiffer came to America for the first time. He visited the Antilles, Havana and the United States. He returned to Spain and Portugal in 1852, and in 1856 gave more concerts in Paris during the Great Exposition. The critics praised him as an artist and composer with extraordinary talent. In the same year he returned to America. In Mexico he received a brilliant reception.

He returned to Lisbon in 1858, from there went to Rio de Janeiro, played frequently and was covered with praise. In 1866 there awoke in him a new wanderlust and he went to New York. He gained a place among the most outstanding artists and in the past year gained a favorable impression through his playing in Harrison’s concerts.