Jan Gerard Palm (June 2, 1831 – December 13, 1906) was a Curaçaoan composer.

Biography

Born in Curaçao, Palm had directed several music ensembles by a relatively young age. In 1859, he was appointed the music director of the citizen's guard orchestra in Curaçao. Palm played several musical instruments such as piano, organ, lute, clarinet, flute, and mandolin. As an organist, Palm played for many years in the Jewish synagogues Emanu-El and Mikvé Israel; the Protestant Fort Amsterdam Church; and the Lodge Igualdad in Curaçao. He was also a regular contributor to Notas y Letras (Notes and Letters), a periodical which was issued in Curaçao between 1886 and 1888, with numerous subscribers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Palm died at the age of 75 on December 13, 1906. His descendants include the musicians and composers Rudolph Palm (1880–1950), John Palm (1885–1925), Toni Palm (1885–1963), Jacobo Palm (1887–1982), Albert Palm (1903–1958), Edgar Palm (1905–1998), and Robert Rojer (1939).

Compositions

Alongside dance music written for the solo piano, Palm wrote duets for violin and piano, as well as larger works for orchestra. Examples of the latter are his fantasies and serenades. He also wrote several pieces for services in the synagogue, the protestant church and the Lodge.

Media

Sources