Otto H. Kluge, the subject of this biographical sketch, is one of the leading musicians of Grand Rapids. He is a German, born in Chemnitz, Saxony, September 2, 1866, and received his educational training in the city of his nativity. When quite young he displayed extraordinary musical talents, and at the early age of twelve years took up the study of the violin, first taking private lessons under competent instructors, and later entering the Orchestral Music school at Limbach, Saxony, where he remained for a period of four years. After completing the prescribed course in that institution Prof. Kluge became a student in the Conservatory of Music in Leisic, from which he was graduated after a two years course. Among his teachers at that place was the celebrated Prof. Frederick Herman, acknowledged by competent critics everywhere to be one of the most distinguished violinists in the world. He is now teaching in the city of New York.

After his graduation Prof. Kluge played first violin in Langenbach’s orchestra at Bad-Ems, Germany, and subsequently became a member of Buchner’s celebrated orchestra at Leipsic, where he played the same instrument for one year, devoting his leisure, during the period, to close and critical study of the world’s great Musical masters. Leaving Leipsic, Prof. Kluge accepted the position of concert master and director of Lange’s orchestra, Elilenburg, Saxony, and continued there until 1894, when he came to the United States, proceeding direct to Grand Rapids, where he at once began instructing a large number of pupils in the violin. To say he has met with flattering success in his profession since locating in the city is putting it very mildly indeed, as his fame as a master had preceded him, and the large number of pupils who have received his instruction have spread his reputation far and wide. In addition to his private classes he is leader of the Concordia orchestra, the largest amateur musical organization in the city, numbering twenty-five members, all of whom are musicians of marked ability. The high standing the professor has attained in the musical world, and the efficiency with which his instructions have been imparted, are attested by the fact that many of his pupils at the present time are holding professional positions in some of the leading musical organizations, several being directors of orchestra in Michigan and other states.

As a soloist Prof. Kluge has gained much more than a local reputation. He plays the most difficult classical music, and has participated in a number of concerts in this and other cities of the state, and won the applause of critical audience wherever he has appeared. When the professor came to this country he brought with him several very valuable violins, one an Albani and another bearing the name of Steiner, both of which have been pronounced genuine by the most celebrated violinists in America. Among these may be mentioned Prof. Adolph Resenbecker, director of the Redpath Concert company, and a man, whose professional renown is world wide.

Prof. Kluge’s ancestors for generations were musical people, consequently his high professional standing is partly the result of heredity, but his efficiency is for the most part directly traceable to the long years of close and patient study which has given to his beloved instrument. His father, Henry Kluge, was a violinist of note in Saxony, but did not follow music as a profession.

A brother of the subject, Paul Kluge, is one of the distinguished musicians of Germany, being director at this time of one of the largest orchestras in Sol-Bad, Elmen, Saxony.

During Prof. Kluge’s residence in Grand Rapids he has received several flattering offers to join celebrated concert troupes, but always refused on account of the large classes he had succeeded in organizing in this city. Mr. Silcox, manager of the Camilla Orso Concert company, offered him the position of violin soloist with a liberal salary, and only recently he was tendered the directorship of the City orchestra of Burgstadt.