THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS — Friday, September 2 8, 1962 — 58
Jewish Musicians in Civil War-Schlesinger, Bloch
By WILLIAM TUCKI%IAN
(The writer is teacher of
music at Brooklyn College in
New York.)--
While little is known about
the contribution of musicians of
Jewish origin to the music of
the Civil War,, there is evidence
that they played a part in the
music of that historic period in
American history.
One such musician was Sig-
mund Schlesinger, born to par-
ents of the Jewish faith, on
March 1, 1835, in Laupheim,
Wuerteemberg, Germany. He
studied music at the Munich
Conservatory and at one time
trained for the profession of
acting, but gave up the idea be-
cause of the objection of his
parents.
When Schlesinger was 25 he
came to this country, and the
following year went to Mobile,
Ala.
The gradual increase of the
Jewish population of Mobile
led to the organization of the
congregation Shaarei Shoina-
yim, in 1841. The first presi-
dent was Israel I. Jones, also
president of the Mobile Musi-
cal Association. In 1835 larger
quarters had to be found for
the growing congregation and
at the dedication exercises of
the new building the Mobile
Register wrote:
tive, Jacob Schlesinger, estab-
lished themselves in the build-
ing used by Joseph Bloch, at 55
Dauphin Street, taught piano to
the young ladies of Mobile, and
wrote and arranged original
music. In 1870 Sigmund Schle-
singer applied to congregation
Shaarei Shomayim for the posi-
tion of organist and choir
leader. He was engaged and
held that post for 36 years until
his death on April 14, 1906.
Sigmund Schlesinger com-
posed six complete services
for the Reform Synagogue in
America. These included
three for Sabbath evening and
morning, one for the three
festivals, and two for the High
Holy DayS. These services -
were adopted by some of the
Reform congregations in this
country, and published in
several editions.
was included in the "Southern
Flowers" series.
Schlesinger composed the
"Manassas Polka," in remem-
brance of the Confederate vic-
tory over Union forces in the
Battle of Bull Run near Man-
assas Junction, in northern Vir-
ginia. This composition was pub-
lished by Joseph Bloch in
1862. It was one of the selec-
tions of the "Southern Flow-
ers" pieces, and has on the title
page the statement "Sigmund
Schlesinger, Professor of Music
in the Summerville Female
Seminary, Summerville, Noxa-
bee County, Miss."
Another polka composed
by Schlesinger was the "Camp
Moore Polka," published by
Joseph Bloch in 1861, and was
also included in the "Southern
Flowers" series.
Schesinger also became the
director of the Gesang-Verein
Frohsinn, the leading choral
organization of Mobile. It is
because of his work with the
Frohsinn that he achieved his
greatest fame and is best re-
membered. The society became
a distinguished musical organ-
ization and took creditable part
in the singing festivals of the
North American Saengerbund
in New Orleans, Cleveland and
Cincinnati.
"How proud must the en-
Both Sigmund and Ja cob
franchised descendants of the Schlesinger
collaborated on a
patriarchs have felt yesterday popular
series of pieces for the
who were . sometime since the piano which
was titled "South-
slaves and serfs of Russia, Aus-
tria, and Prussia. Poor Poland." ern Flowers," and described on
To the musical and cultural I the title page as "A Selection of
center came young Schlesinger I Favorite Pieces Arranged for
with a letter of introduction to , the Piano Forte and respect-
Prof. Joseph Bloch, known in ! fully dedicated to the Young
Mobile as the "Father of Music." Ladies of the Sunny South."
Joseph Bloch, of Jewish origin, This selection of lively dance
had .established the first music tunes included waltzes, polkas,
shop and small scale publishing schottisches, gallopades, quick-
business in Mobile. The shop steps and other pieces, arranged
solos and duets.
became the rendezvous for the for Sigmund
Schlesinger com-
musicians of Mobile, both pro- posed the "Martha
Quickstep,"
fessional and amateur. There
for
the
pianoforte
and in-
they practiced their own com-
positions and performed the cluded it in the "Southern
Flowers" Series. It was ar-
latest music from New York ranged
for military band and
and Europe.
Schlesinger was admitted to played by the Regiment Band
this circle of musicians and be- of the Twenty-Sixth North
gan to teach music shortly Carolina. In the repertory of
thereafter. Both he and a rela- the band this piece was listed
Next to "Dixie," the song
"The Bonnie Blue Flag," by
Harry Macarthy was the second
most popular song, and became
the rallying song of the Con-
federacy. This song saluted
every state which seceded, start-
ing with South Carolina, until
the single star of the Bonnie
Blue Flag had grown to be 11.
Schlesinger was inspired by
the song and composed a set of
brilliant variations on the
theme, for the piano. "Harry
Macarthy's Bonnie Blue Flag,
with brilliant variations for the
piano," (sic) was dedicated by
the composer to his friend,
George F. Werborn, and _pub-
lished by A. E. Blackmar and
Bro., of Mobile, in 1862.
Another Jewish musician
who participated in the music
of the Civil War was Jacob
Schlesinger. He composed
"How Can I Leave Thee, Gal-
lopade," and Sigmund ar-
ranged this composition for
the piano. This piece was also
included in "Southern Flow-
ers."
Jacob Schlesinger arranged
for the pianoforte a patriotic
song called "Trust to Luck Ala-
bama," which was composed by
G. W. Jameson. The song was
sung with success at the Mobile
Theatre by S. B. Duffield. The
third edition was published by
Joseph Bloch.
Another song composed by
in Book 3 of the manuscript
part books preserved in the Jacob Schlesinger was "The
library of the Salem Brass Hobble," to words by Dr. Wood-
Band of Winston-Salem, North cock. It was published by Jos-
eph Bloch and included as No.
Carolina.
Schlesinger composed t h e 7 in "Southern Fire-Side Songs."
Still another Jewish musi-
"Fort Morgan Gallopade," and
named it in honor of General cian who was active in Civil
John Hunt Morgan, brilliant War music was Joseph Bloch.
Confederate officer, whose name He was born in Wacheim, Ger-
is associated with his cavalry many, on July 10, 1826 and
raids through Kentucky. The died in Mobile, July 12, 1903.
composer dedicated this piece Bloch introduced music in the
to another Confederate officer, public schools of Mobile, and
the gallant and colorful Colonel with the help of his daugh-
Harry Maury, of Mobile, colonel ter, Frannie, provided the
of the Second Alabama Regi- music for commencement pro-
ment, whom he admired. The grams for many years.
One week each year the New
"Fort Morgan Gallopade," was
published in 1861 by Joseph Orleans Opera Company gave
Bloch, music publisher a n d performances in Mobile. On
rintib ;15
le
• e
Best WisAes for• Wapp y new Year
Jo
Our griends and Customers
BEST BROOM
MANUFACTURING CO., Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. David I. Berris
and Judith
Mr. and Mrs. Shimon L. Berris
and Neil, Abraham, Michael and Ernest
one . occasion the conductor of
the Opera Company telegraphed
the manager of the Mobile
Theater that the scheduled per-
formance of the opera "William
Tell," could not be given be-
cause of the illness of the flutist.
The manager called Professor
Bloch and wired back, "Bring on
your Tell. We have a flutist
who can replace anybody."
Bloch's participation in the
music of the Civil War took on
various forms. He blew the
bugle at the Battle of Mobile
Bay. He published the lively
quicksteps, gallopades, polkas,
songs and piano pieces which
cheered the spirits of the Con-
federate soldiers at the front
and brought relief to the folks
back home.
Musicians of the Jewish faith
have contributed to the music
of the Civil War. Confederate
regiments marched to the lilting
quicksteps of Jewish composers
and arrangers. At war rallies
and in theatres, .Southern hearts
were inspired by patriotic songs
written by composers of Jewish
origin. In the parlors of South-
ern homes, young ladies enter-
tained ther guests by playing
the tuneful and lively piano
pieces of Jewish musicians. The
music publishing house estab-
lished by Joseph Bloch pub-
lished patriotic vocal and in-
strumental music during the
Civil War period. Southerners,
in truth; sung the songs "and
danced to music composed by
her own children—" the Jew-
ish musicians of the South.
Holiday Good Wishes
MR. and MRS.
SAM KLETTER
and FAMILY
19730 Chesterfield
Detroit 21, Michigan
Happy New Year
KAECHLE DAIRY CO.
Ferndale, Mich.
1666 West Troy Road
Greetings on the Holiday
KRAJ EN KE
World's Largest Buick Dealer
11620 Joseph Campau, south of Davison
TWinbrook 1-2700
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