Palme, Rudolf 10/23/1834 - 01/08/1909

Rudolf Palme (1834-1909) was a German organist, composer, publisher and organ examiner. As the son of a private teacher and organist he substituted for his father in church services,starting at the age of nine. He attended the Lehrerseminar (Teachers' Seminary) in Magdeburg from 1853–1856. As a member of the Magdeburg Cathedral Choir he attracted the attention of the cathedral organist August Gottfried Ritter, who accepted him as a composition and organ student. He sojourned annually in Berlin to study.



In 1856 he obtained a position in Magdeburg as a primary school teacher and in 1862 became organist at the Heilig-Geist-Kirche (Church of the Holy Spirit); in 1880 Royal Music Director; and in 1883, as successor to Ritter, Royal Organ Examiner. As a further distinction he received the title of professor.



For several years he directed a choral society. With his extraordinarily widely disseminated practical editions and collections for seminaries, schools, church choirs, organists and private lessons his influence reached far beyond Magdeburg. In contrast, his compositions have never held interest for long.