Martin Krause was born in Lobstadt, Germany in 1853. He initially studied with his father and, later, Reinecke and Wenzel at the Leipzig Conservatory. He had already commenced a succesful career as a pianist and teacher when he met Liszt in 1882. He studied further with Liszt at Weimar. Krause continued teaching in Dresden, Leipzig and Berlin, fostering a notable reputation. Krause died in 1918.