Lothar Kempter's father was Friedrich Kempter, church musician and music teacher at the seminary in Lauingen. At his father's request, he began studying law at the University of Munich. In 1868, after his father's death, he turned to music. At the Royal Bavarian Music School in Munich, he studied ensemble under Hans von Bülow, composition under Josef Rheinberger, choral singing under Franz Wüllner, and piano under Karl Baermann. During his studies, he became a member of the AGV Munich in the Sondershausen Association. [2]
Lothar Kempter (1844–1918) composer, conductor. Friedrich Alexander Lothar Kempter-Lüning (1873–1948) music theory teacher, conductor, composer. Raymond Scheuer-Kempter (1914–1995), Max Kempter (1870–1943). Grave, Rehalp Cemetery, Zurich
Grave, Rehalp Cemetery, Zurich.
In 1871, he moved to Magdeburg, where he became second conductor of the orchestra at the Magdeburg City Theater. In the same year, he married the singer Caroline Leonoff. He then gained another three years of orchestral experience at the Strasbourg Theater. In 1875, he was hired as conductor by the ''Aktientheater'' in Zurich. In 1879, he became director of the ''Tonhalle'' concerts. In 1886, he took up the position of teacher of theory and composition at the Zurich Music School, which he held for almost thirty years. His students included the future composers Othmar Schoeck and Fritz Stüssi. In 1892, he was granted Zurich citizenship. In 1911, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Zurich. From 1875 to 1915, he conducted the opera orchestra, making a major contribution to the development of musical life in Zurich, in particular the dissemination and establishment of Richard Wagner's music dramas. His oeuvre includes stage works, festivals, songs, male choirs, cantatas, and several instrumental works.
Lothar Kempter was the father of music theory teacher, conductor, and composer Friedrich Alexander Lothar Kempter (1873–1948) and the grandfather of writer Lothar Kempter.
Lothar Kempter was laid to rest in Zurich's Rehalp Cemetery.
