Fromm, Herbert J.

Herbert Fromm was a composer, choir conductor, organist and pianist. Fromm was born in Kitzingen, Bavaria on February 23, 1905. From 1925-29 he studied at the State Academy of Music at Munich, graduating with honors. He was assistant conductor at two State opera theaters, first Bielefeld (1930-31) then Würzberg (1931-33). Along with other Jewish artists, after 1933 Fromm was prohibited by the Nazi government from taking part in Germany's cultural life. He then became active with several Jewish music organizations in Frankfurt am Main, including the Jüdischer Kulturbund (Jewish Cultural League). It was during this period that Fromm first began employing Jewish melodies and texts in his musical compositions and playing organ in Frankfurt's Westendsynagoge. Herbert Fromm emigrated to the United States in January 1937. Between 1940 and 1941 he was a pupil of German emigré composer Paul Hindemith. Also in 1941, Fromm became organist and choir director at Temple Israel in Boston, Massachusetts, a position he would retire from in 1972. Herbert Fromm authored three books. One of them, "On Jewish Music" (1978), is a collection of his many articles and lectures on Jewish music. The majority of Fromm's published musical compositions were for the Jewish liturgy and published by Transcontinental Music Publications, N.Y. Some of his secular works were published by Carl Fischer, N.Y.; E.C. Schirmer, Boston; Boosey & Hawkes, N.Y. and Israeli Music Publications, Tel Aviv. Herbert Fromm died on March 10, 1995.

From the description of Papers, additional, 1924-1994. (Jewish Theological Seminary of America). WorldCat record id: 58037155

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