Zeckwer, Camille W., 1875-1924

Camille Wolfgang Zeckwer was an American composer. He was the son of composer Richard Zeckwer. He was born on June 26, 1875 in Philadelphia, and was educated at that city's Musical Academy, where his father was director from 1876-1917. Later, he studied with Antonín Dvořák in New York City, and traveled to Berlin to study with Xavier Scharwenka. He then returned to Philadelphia, becoming an instructor at the Academy; upon his father's retirement in 1917, he became co-director of the Academy with Frederick E. Hahn, a position which he held for a number of years. As a composer Zeckwer was active mainly in smaller forms, producing many songs and chamber pieces; in larger forms he composed a symphonic poem, a piano concerto, an opera, and numerous cantatas. He died on August 7, 1924 in Southampton, New York.