Curt Sachs German and American musicologist, ethnographer and ballet scholar Date of Birth: 29.06.1881 Country: Germany

Biography of Kurt Sachs

Kurt Sachs was a German and American musicologist, ethnographer, and balletologist. He was one of the founders of modern organology and one of the authors of the classification of musical instruments known as the Hornbostel-Sachs system.

From 1904, Sachs held a doctorate from the University of Berlin and lectured on music history. He developed a methodology for studying dance in relation to music and other forms of art.

After the rise of the Nazis to power in Germany, Sachs emigrated to France and then to the United States. In the U.S., Sachs's expertise and knowledge were in demand. In 1939, he became a professor at New York University, and in 1953, a professor at Columbia University.

Sachs is known for his works on the history of dance, particularly his book "World History of Dance." These works were based on the study of documentary material on music and choreography.