Anton Krause (November 9, 1834–January 31, 1907) was a German conductor, pianist, and composer. He was born in Geithain and died in Dresden.
He studied in Dresden with Fritz Spindler and Friedrich Wieck, then attended the Leipzig Conservatory from 1850 to 1853, where he studied with Carl Reinecke. From 1855 to 1859, he conducted the Leipzig Liedertafel.
In 1859, at Reinecke’s suggestion, Krause succeeded him as head of the city orchestra in Barmen, now part of Wuppertal. He held the post until 1897. His work there included a close artistic collaboration with Max Bruch: Krause’s orchestra and choir often performed Bruch’s music. Krause organized the premiere of Bruch’s oratorio Odysseus in 1873, inviting the composer to conduct it. Bruch later wrote further choral works, including the oratorio Moses (1895), dedicated to the Barmen Singing Society. For the 25th anniversary of Krause’s work in Barmen, Bruch composed the congratulatory motet Be Faithful unto Death (Sei getreu bis in den Tod). Krause also promoted the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in the city.
Krause taught privately; his students included Heinrich Werkmeister. He wrote numerous pedagogical piano pieces as well as vocal works.