Karl Feininger

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Feininger (born in Durlach, Grand Duchy of Baden, 31 July 1844; died in New York City, 31 January 1922) was a German–American musician.

Biography Feininger came to the United States with his parents in 1853. They settled in Columbia, South Carolina. Feininger was educated in St. Mary's College there. He displayed a talent for music, and was placed with August Koepper for instruction. He made his debut at 14, playing the violin part of a Beethoven trio (Op. 70, No. 2). Afterward, he studied music in the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany where he studied with Ferdinand David. He led an orchestra in 1863. He returned to the United States in 1864 when the Civil War was in progress, and enlisted in the Union Army, serving under General Gillmore until the war ended.

He was survived by his second wife, Jane Pottinger Feininger, a pianist and accompanist who toured with him until 1910. For several years, she was the piano accompanist of the London Handel Society. He was also survived by a son from his first marriage, Lyonel Feininger, a noted painter.

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