Klein, John
Klein, John
Klein, John, American organist, pianist, and composer; b. Rahns, Pa., Feb. 21, 1915; d. there, April 30, 1981. He studied at the Philadelphia Musical Academy, then went to Salzburg, where he took courses at the Mozarteum, and later to Paris, where he had lessons with Boulanger in composition and with Dupré in organ. Returning to America, he was organist at the Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio (1937–42). He then was engaged in radio shows as a pianist (1944–57). He played carillon in recitals and at carillon festivals in Cobb, Ireland, and at the World’s Fair in Brussels. He publ. The Art of Playing the Modern Carillon and The First 4 Centuries of Music. Among his compositions were a Violin Concerto and a number of songs and marches, including the U.S. Army radio show theme, Sound Off.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire