Kwast, James
Kwast, James
Kwast, James, famous German pianist and teacher; b. Nijkerk, the Netherlands, Nov. 23, 1852; d. Berlin, Oct. 31, 1927. He studied with his father and Ferdinand Böhme, and later with Reinecke and Richter at the Leipzig Cons., Theodor Kullak and Wüerst in Berlin, and Brassin and Gevaert in Brussels. He taught at the Cologne Cons. (1874–83) and the Frankfurt Hoch Cons. (1883–1903). He then went to Berlin as a prof, at the Klindworth- Scharwenka Cons. (1903–6) and the Stern Cons, (from 1906). He was greatly esteemed by his colleagues and students; among the latter were Grainger and Pfitzner. He wrote a Piano Concerto and other piano music. His first wife, Antonia (d. Stuttgart, Feb. 10, 1931), was a daughter of Ferdinand Hiller. His second wife, Frieda Hodapp-Kwast (b. Bargen, Aug. 13, 1880; d. Bad Wiessee, Sept. 14, 1949), was a pianist.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire