Sigmund Schlesinger was one of the most influential figures among the group of mid- to late-19th-century American synagogue organists and choirmasters who attempted to create and adapt music to suit the new ritual and format of American Reform congregations — before and especially after their consolidation within an official movement.
He was born in Uhlen, Württemberg (later Germany), and received his musical education at a Munich conservatory. He came to the United States in 1860, and to Mobile, Alabama, in 1870. In 1870 Schlesinger applied to Congregation Shaarei Shomayim for the position of organist and choir leader. He was engaged and held that post for thirty- six years until his death.
Schlesinger recognized the need of an appropriate musical setting for Jewish congregational services and composed complete musical services according to the Union prayer book. These services were adopted by some of the Reforms congregations in this country and published in several editions.
Schlesinger also became the musical Director of the Gesang-Verin Frohsinn, the leading choral organization of Mobile. The society took creditable part in the singing festivals of the North American Saengerbund in New Orleans, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
Sigmund Schlesinger collaborated with his brother, Jacob, on a popular series of pieces for the piano which was titled Southern Flowers. This selection of lively dance tunes included waltzes, polkas, schottisches, gallopades, quicksteps and other pieces, arranger for solos and duets.
Sigmund Schlesinger died in Mobile at the age of seventy-one beloved by many and described as 'that gentle master of music', the 'loving Schlesinger'.[1]
Source:
William Tuckman, 'Sigmund and Jacob Schlesinger and Joseph Bloch: Civil War Composers and Musicians', in American Jewish Historical Quarterly, Vol. 53, No. 1 (September 1963), 70-75.
Milken Archive Of Jewish Music.
[1] Tuckman, 'Sigmund and Jacob Schlesinger and Joseph Bloch', 73.
