Hemsi (Chicurel), Alberto

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Hemsi (Chicurel), Alberto

Hemsi (Chicurel), Alberto, Italian conductor, ethnomusicologist, and composer of Jewish descent; b. Cassaba, Turkey, Dec. 23, 1896; d. Aubervilliers, near Paris, Oct. 7, 1975. He studied music in Izmir, and later took courses in piano, theory, and composition at the Milan Cons. He was music director of the Grand Synagogue in Alexandria, Egypt (1927–57), and founder-conductor of the Alexandria Phil. (1928–40); also founded the Édition Orientale de Musique (1929) and was active as a teacher. In 1957 he settled in Paris as prof, at the Jewish Seminary. He was particularly interested in Sephardic Jewry. His compositions were of an oriental flavor, the most characteristic being the symphonic suite Croquis égyptiens (1930); other works include Poème biblique for Voice and Orch., Suite Séfardie for Violin and Piano, 6 danses turques for Piano, and a number of songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire