Siegfried Alkan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Siegfried Alkan
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Siegfried Alkan with his mother Johanna in an 1899 photograph
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| Born | 30 March 1858 Dillingen, Saarland, Kingdom of Prussia
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| Died | 24 December 1941 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Composer |
Siegfried Alkan (born March 30, 1858 – died December 24, 1941) was a German composer. He wrote many pieces of music.
Alkan was born in a town called Dillingen, Saarland. At that time, this area was part of Prussia, which is now Germany. His parents were Johannes Alkan and Johanna Bonn. His family had both merchants and musicians.
Through his mother, Siegfried Alkan was a distant cousin to some very famous composers. These included Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Fanny Hensel, and Giacomo Meyerbeer. It is not known if he was related to the French composer and pianist Charles-Valentin Alkan.
Life and Challenges
Siegfried Alkan lived a long life. In 1938, when he was 80 years old, he faced great difficulties. Because he was Jewish, he suffered during a time of persecution. His musical instruments were destroyed. He also faced harsh treatment during this period.
His Music
Many of Siegfried Alkan's musical works are now lost. However, some of his compositions are still known today. These include:
- "Gruß an die Saar" (Opus 32)
- "O wüsstest du's" (Opus 39)
- "Neues Saarlied" (Opus 91)
- "Ur-Großmütterchen" (Opus 80)
The piece "Ur-Großmütterchen" was very popular after World War I.
