Rohan Kriwaczek
Encyclopedia
Rohan Kriwaczek is a British writer, composer
and violin
ist of part-Austrian
descent. A former student of Peter Maxwell Davies
, Oliver Knussen
and Judith Weir
, and prolific creator of classical works, scores for theatre, TV, and radio, he has become best known as "England
's foremost authority on the history and practice of Funerary Violin", a musical art form he invented, complete with a history and composers dating back several centuries. He is the author of the 2006 book An Incomplete History of the Art of Funerary Violin
that purports to document this musical genre and contains numerous musical examples in score.
His work has been compared to Peter Schickele
; however, Schickele's compositions—passed off as works by Bach's fictitious offspring (cf. P. D. Q. Bach
) -- are humorous parodies. Instead, Kriwaczek's music is somber and haunting—if not macabre. In the latter quality Kriwaczek's works are similar in both character and the attached mythopoeia to tombeau
x by Roman Turovsky.
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...
and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist of part-Austrian
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
descent. A former student of Peter Maxwell Davies
Peter Maxwell Davies
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE is an English composer and conductor and is currently Master of the Queen's Music.-Biography:...
, Oliver Knussen
Oliver Knussen
Oliver Knussen CBE is a British composer and conductor.-Biography:Oliver Knussen was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His father, Stuart Knussen, was principal double bass of the London Symphony Orchestra. Oliver Knussen studied composition with John Lambert, between 1963 and 1969 and also received...
and Judith Weir
Judith Weir
Judith Weir CBE, is a British composer.-Biography:Her music has been appreciated by audiences and critics alike. She trained with John Tavener while still at school and subsequently with Robin Holloway at King's College, Cambridge, graduating in 1976...
, and prolific creator of classical works, scores for theatre, TV, and radio, he has become best known as "England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
's foremost authority on the history and practice of Funerary Violin", a musical art form he invented, complete with a history and composers dating back several centuries. He is the author of the 2006 book An Incomplete History of the Art of Funerary Violin
An Incomplete History of the Art of Funerary Violin
An Incomplete History of the Art of the Funerary Violin is a 2006 book by Rohan Kriwaczek, purportedly tracing the lost history of funerary violin...
that purports to document this musical genre and contains numerous musical examples in score.
His work has been compared to Peter Schickele
Peter Schickele
Johann Peter Schickele is an American composer, musical educator, and parodist. He is best known for his comedy music albums featuring his music that he presents as music written by the fictional composer P. D. Q...
; however, Schickele's compositions—passed off as works by Bach's fictitious offspring (cf. P. D. Q. Bach
P. D. Q. Bach
P. D. Q. Bach is a fictitious composer invented by musical satirist "Professor" Peter Schickele. In a gag that Schickele has developed over a five-decade-long career, he performs "discovered" works of this forgotten member of the Bach family...
) -- are humorous parodies. Instead, Kriwaczek's music is somber and haunting—if not macabre. In the latter quality Kriwaczek's works are similar in both character and the attached mythopoeia to tombeau
Tombeau
A tombeau is a musical composition commemorating the death of a notable individual. The term derives from the French word for "tomb" or "tombstone". The vast majority of tombeaux date from the 17th century and were composed for lute or other plucked string instruments...
x by Roman Turovsky.
External links
- official home page of Rohan Kriwaczek
- Uncovering the 'True' History of the Funerary Violin, NPRNPRNPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
story October 5, 2006