Dr. Abraham Zvi Idelsohn, noted Jewish composer and professor emeritus of Jewish music and liturgy at Hebrew Union College, died in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday, it was announced here today. Dr. Idelsohn was 56.
Illness in 1934 forced Prof. Idelsohn to retire from active service, and he went to Johannesburg to live. Born in Courland, Russia, he came to Hebrew Union College in 1924 after studying in Berlin and Leipzig and a teaching career in Jerusalem. Dr. Idelsohn is credited with having laid the foundation for the scientific study of Jewish music. His principal work was a ten-volume thesaurus of Jewish melodies.
Surviving Dr. Idelsohn are his widow, Zilla, three daughters and a son, all in Johannesburg.
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