Carl Busch

Carl Busch (29 March 1862, Bjerre – 19 December 1943, Kansas City)[1] was a Danish-born American composer and music teacher sometimes associated with the Indianist movement.

His father hoped that he would follow him into the legal profession, but Carl was more interested in pursuing a career in music, learning to play the flute, violin, and cello.

[4] Denmark's vice-consul in Kansas City was one Thyge Skogaard, a former music publisher, and he encouraged Busch to come to the United States.

Consequently, in 1887 he and three friends formed a group called the Gade Quartet and came to America, eventually coming to Kansas City.

In 1911, one of the groups with which Busch was associated became the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra; he stayed with it as director for a further seven years, until his activities were curtailed by American entry into World War I.

[3] In 1912, the King of Denmark made Busch a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog; consequently, he is sometimes referred to as "Sir Carl".