Percy Kahn

Percival (Percy) Benedict Kahn (9 December 1880 – 1966) was an English composer and pianist. His most noted composition was the song Ave Maria with accompaniment by piano, and violin obbligato.

Kahn was born in London in 1880. He was a boy soprano, then studied organ at the Royal College of Music with Walter Parratt, piano with Marmaduke Barton, and theory with Charles Wood and Walford Davies.

Kahn accompanied some of the great musicians of the day, including recordings with violinist Mischa Elman; sopranos Luisa Tetrazzini, Florence Austral and Oda Slobodskaya, tenors Enrico Caruso, John McCormack, Richard Tauber, Joseph Hislop and Beniamino Gigli; and baritones Titta Ruffo and John Brownlee.

His Ave Maria was recorded in 1913 by Enrico Caruso and Mischa Elman, with the composer at the piano.