Behrend, Siegfried

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Behrend, Siegfried

Behrend, Siegfried, German guitarist; b. Berlin, Nov. 19, 1933; d. Hausham, Sept. 20, 1990. His father, a guitar virtuoso, guided his early interest, and at the age of 16 he entered the Klindworth-Scharwenka Cons, in Berlin, where he studied piano, composition, and conducting. He made his debut as a guitarist in Berlin in 1952, then toured Europe. Behrend was particularly known for his performances of contemporary music, and commissioned many works for the guitar.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire