Ernst Urbach composer / arranger

Born in the Rhineland. Ernst Urbach was guided into a music career by his father, a well-known pianist. Young Urbach studied music in Berlin and then played flute in several symphony orchestras in that city. He gradually archieved a reputation as a composer and arranger of light music. Among his early works were several fine marches. Many of his arrangements remained in the active repertoire of bands for many years. In addition to his composing and arranging, he wrote a manual of piano etudes

While much of his arranging was of light music, Urbach also prepared orchestral arrangements of the music by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Grieg and Haydn. The titles indicate that they could have been performed by various types of orchestras including salon orchestras.

Ernst Urbach died in St. Blasien, a fashionable resort in the southern part of Germany's Black Forest. His move there also is reflected in his music, for example by his piece "Zwei schwäbische Tänze" (Two Swabian Dances).