Life
Wirkhaus' father was the musician and Estonian social movement figure David Otto Wirkhaus. In 1908, he graduated from Leipzig Conservatory in conducting and in composition speciality. , Elvi Nander and while appearing in Wirkhaus's "Kevadtormid" in 1934 From 1908 to 1912, he was a music director of the Estonia Theatre. 1912–1917, he was a music director of Valga Säde Society. In 1919, he founded (with August Nieländer) Tartu Music School. In 1944, he fled with his family from the advancing Red Army to Germany. Since 1949, he lived in Fort Lauderdale, USA. His son was composer and conductor Taavo Virkhaus and his nephew was composer, choir director and organist Leonhard Virkhaus.Works
* operetta "Jaaniöö" ('Midsummer Night'; 1911). First Estonian operetta. * operetta "Kevadtormid" ('Spring Storms'; 1934)References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wirkhaus, Adalbert 1880 births 1960 deaths 20th-century Estonian composers Estonian conductors (music) University of Music and Theatre Leipzig alumni Estonian World War II refugees Estonian emigrants to the United States People from Tartu Parish