Musicatlas
News for Weinzweig
- Canadian composer John Weinzweig dies at 93
[posted 26 August 2006]On Thursday 24 August Canadian composer John Weinzweig died in a hospital in Toronto, Canada. The "dean of Canadian classical composing" was 93 years old.
[Source: www.cbc.ca]
Music
From 1941-51 Weinzweig composed much incidental music for CBC plays, etc. and film scores for the National Film Board. Since 1952 he has concentrated exclusively on concert music. Among his earlier successes are: Divertimento No. 1 for flute and string orchestra (1946), String quartet No. 2 (1952), Violin concerto (1951-54), and Wine of Peace (1957). Later works include Concerto for Harp & Chamber orchestra (1967) and a series of Divertimenti for solo instruments and chamber or string orchestra. From 1970 onwards Weinzweig has composed a number of theatre-oriented pieces such as Trialogue, Impromptus for piano and Private Collection.
Among works recorded on CD are:
- Private Collection for Soprano & Piano and Contrasts for guitar (CMC CD 0582)
- 18 pieces for guitar (Pal 01110-CD)
- 15 pieces for harp (MVCD1029)
- Red Ear of Corn for orchestra (1949)
- Interlude in the Life of an Artist, string quartet (1943)
(Contribution by Judith Diane Smith <heyjude
ebtech.net>.)
Life
Studied orchestration and composition with Bernard Rogers. Taught at Toronto Conservatory of Music 1939-43 and 1945-60. Co-founder of Canadian League of Composers in 1951. Faculty member of University of Toronto 1952-78.