Alfred Edward Rodewald was born on 28 January 1862 in Mossley Hill, then part of the Township of Wavertree, Lancashire, England, but now a suburb of Liverpool.
[6] His father, Carl (Charles) Ferdinand Rodewald (1820-1906), was born in Bremen, but moved to America where he met his wife Amelia Mary Elizabeth Byrne (1833-1905).
[8] His maternal grandfather was John Bligh Byrne (1793-1848) who had emigrated from Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, to New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
His elder brother John Ferdinand Byrne Rodewald (1856-1891) also joined the firm from America, allowing the father to retire to London.
The cotton trade had numerous setbacks during Rodewald's time which must have made his life stressful and may have affected his health.
He had other business interests being a director of the North British and Mercantile Insurance and Secretary of the Bimetallist Society (see Bimetalism).
In 1884 Rodewald joined Father James Nugent’s Liverpool Peoples’ Orchestra as a double bass player[22] and had taken over the role of conductor by 1886.
As well as conducting and playing the double bass (in other orchestras), he gave regular lectures on music[25] in the Rotunda (later known as Picton Hall and now part of the Liverpool Central Library).
However, he declined in an infamous letter saying that orchestral concerts should have been maintained as Rodewald’s memorial and that chamber music was inadequate.
[34] Elgar’s view was also shared by Bowden who supported the idea being canvased at the time that official recognition of the Society should be given by creation of a Liverpool Municipal Orchestra.
Alfred Rodewald was a very tall man (6 feet 3 inches)[37] with a commanding presence[38] and a great sense of humour.
[44] Members included Bantock, Elgar, Ernest Newman, Ivor Atkins, Troyte Griffith (Enigma Variations no VII) and possibly Richter, Havergal Brian, and Sir Frederic Hymen Cowen.
[45] From his orchestra he expected commitment and as close to perfection as possible, often repeating passages many times in an attempt to achieve this.