Cornelius Gurlitt was a German composer who was born in Altona, Schleswig-Holstein. He attended school with Carl Reinecke, whose father led the well-known Leipzig Conservatory. Gurlitt studied for six years with Reinecke's father, gaining important musical training. At the age of seventeen, Gurlitt gave his first public performance, which was received positively. He then went to Copenhagen to continue learning. There, he studied organ, piano, and composition with teachers Curlander and Weyse. While in Copenhagen, he met Danish composer Niels Gade, and they remained friends until Gade's death. In 1842, Gurlitt moved to Hørsholm, where he worked as an organist and music teacher for four years. After this period, he returned to Leipzig, where Gade was the musical director for the Gewandhaus concerts. Gurlitt then traveled to Rome, where his brother Louis, a known painter, was studying. In Rome, Gurlitt's talents were quickly recognized, and he was made an honorary member of the papal Accademia di Santa Cecilia. He also graduated as a Professor of Music in 1855. While there, Gurlitt studied painting and achieved good results. On returning to Altona, he taught three daughters of the DukeofAugustenburg. When the Schleswig-Holstein war began in 1849, Gurlitt became a military band master. Throughout his life, he composed a large amount of music across various types, including songs, teaching pieces, operas, cantatas, and symphonies. He spent his final years in Altona, where he passed away. His work covered a wide range of musical genres and showed his varied talents.