Karl Goldmark short biography

An important violinist and composer, Karl Goldmark was born into a poor family of a Jewish cantor. Karl’s talent was immediately recognized, but the family was unable to provide him a professional education. Young Goldmark was self taught as a composer. The first significant success came in 1860 with Goldmark’s String Quartet, Op. 8. Goldmark was one of the founding members of Wagner Society in Vienna and soon became one of the most influential musicians of the Viennese capital.