Eduard Scharf (musician)

Eduard Scharf (23 March 1857 – 23 January 1928) was a German pianist and teacher who had a long career in Australia, for many years with the Melbourne Conservatorium.

He was incarcerated as an enemy alien during the latter years of World War I. Scharf was born in Ettlingen, Grand Duchy of Baden[1] and had his first piano lessons from his father, but before embarking on further training received a thorough education at the University of Metz.

[a] In 1897, during Marshall-Hall's long illness, Scharf was deputed by the University Council to take on certain of his duties, including conducting the Conservatorium Orchestra,[10] while W. A. Laver[11] acted as director.

Marshall-Hall attempted to have Scharf and August Siede appointed to staff but was rebuffed — it was university policy that their employment should be conditional on student fees.

[15] Marshall-Hall departed for England in early 1913,[16] leaving Scharf as acting director, but by year's end he had accepted a position with the University Conservatorium.