Peter Paul Koprowski
Encyclopedia
Peter Paul Koprowski is a Canadian composer
, conductor
, music educator, and pianist
of Polish
descent. He became a Canadian citizen in 1976. As a composer he is chiefly known for his large output of symphonic
works which began with his still frequently performed In Memoriam Karol Szymanowski (1963). He has twice won the Jules Léger Prize (in 1989 for Sonnet for Laura and in 1994 for his Woodwind Quintet) and received the Canada Council
's Victor M. Lynch-Staunton Award in 1989. His first Viola Concerto was awarded the Jean A. Chalmers National Music Award in 1997. He was nominated for a Juno Award
in 2002 for Redemption, a concerto
for viola
and orchestra
.
Koprowski began his musical training at the Academy of Music in Łódź, earning an Artist Diploma in 1966. He earned a masters degree from the Academy of Music in Kraków
in 1969 where he was a pupil of Bolesław Woytowicz. He then studied in Paris with Nadia Boulanger
from 1969-1971. He earned a Doctor of Music
from the University of Toronto
in 1977 where he was a pupil of John Weinzweig
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, music educator, and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
of Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
descent. He became a Canadian citizen in 1976. As a composer he is chiefly known for his large output of symphonic
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
works which began with his still frequently performed In Memoriam Karol Szymanowski (1963). He has twice won the Jules Léger Prize (in 1989 for Sonnet for Laura and in 1994 for his Woodwind Quintet) and received the Canada Council
Canada Council
The Canada Council for the Arts, commonly called the Canada Council, is a Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government of Canada, created to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. It funds Canadian artists and...
's Victor M. Lynch-Staunton Award in 1989. His first Viola Concerto was awarded the Jean A. Chalmers National Music Award in 1997. He was nominated for a Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
in 2002 for Redemption, a concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
for viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
.
Koprowski began his musical training at the Academy of Music in Łódź, earning an Artist Diploma in 1966. He earned a masters degree from the Academy of Music in Kraków
Academy of Music in Kraków
The Academy of Music in Kraków is a conservatory located in downtown Kraków, Poland.-History:The Academy, until 1945 as a conservatory under the name Cracow Conservatory or Conservatory of the Music Society, was founded in 1888 by the eminent Polish composer Władysław Żeleński thanks to artistic...
in 1969 where he was a pupil of Bolesław Woytowicz. He then studied in Paris with Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor and teacher who taught many composers and performers of the 20th century.From a musical family, she achieved early honours as a student at the Paris Conservatoire, but believing that her talent as a composer was inferior to that of her younger...
from 1969-1971. He earned a Doctor of Music
Doctor of Music
The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1977 where he was a pupil of John Weinzweig
John Weinzweig
John Weinzweig, OC, O.Ont was a Canadian composer of classical music.Born in Toronto, Weinzweig went to Harbord Collegiate Institute, and studied music at the university. In 1937, he left for the United States to study under Bernard Rogers...
.