Altman, Ludwig

Biography

Altman, Ludwig, German-American organist and composer b. Breslau, Sept. 2, 1910; d. San Francisco, Nov. 27, 1990. He studied at the University of Breslau with Arnold Schmitz and Peter Epstein; from 1929 to 1933 he attended courses of Hans Joachim Moser, Arnold Schering, Johannes Wolf, and Friedreich Blume at the State Academy for Sacred Music in Berlin; also took private lessons in organ playing with Arthur Zubke. He remained in Berlin for three years after Hitler's advent to power, serving as organist at the Neue Synagoge, the largest Jewish synagogue still in operation (1933-36). In 1936 he emigrated to America; settled in San Francisco; in 1937 became organist and choral director at Temple Emanu-El; from 1940 to 1973 was organist of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. From 1948 to 1965 he was also organist of the Bach festivals in Carmel, Calif.; in 1952 he became Municipal Organist of San Francisco. He composed numerous scores of sacred music, among them Sabbath Music for Cantor, Choir, and Organ (1963); The Blessing of Moses for Baritone Solo, Choir, and Organ (1977); several Psalms for Voice and Organ; and works for organ solo. He furthermore edited Beethoven's organ works, Telemann's Suite Baroque, pieces by C.P.E. Bach for Organ Clock, and some organ compositions by Mendelssohn. As a concert organist he appeared in solo recitals in London, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Bern, Lausanne, and Zurich, as well as in San Francisco, in programs of Baroque and Classical music with a generous inclusion of ultramodern works by contemporary composers, receiving undiluted praise in the press. --Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, eighth edition.

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