Walter Prystawski
Encyclopedia
Walter Prystawski, CM
is a Canadian
violinist.
Prystawski studied at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
and with Austrian violinist Wolfgang Schneiderhan.
In June 2006 he retired as concertmaster
of the National Arts Centre Orchestra
in Ottawa
, Canada. He was the founding concertmaster of this orchestra in 1969.
He is the former concertmaster of the Lucerne Festival Strings
and the Basler Orchester Gesellschaft in Basle, Switzerland. He has also been a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
and the CBC Symphony.
Prystawski also performs as a soloist and chamber musician.
He teaches in the Department of Music, University of Ottawa
.
He was made a Member of the Order of Canada
in 2000.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
violinist.
Prystawski studied at the Faculty of Music, 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...
and with Austrian violinist Wolfgang Schneiderhan.
In June 2006 he retired as concertmaster
Concertmaster
The concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
of the National Arts Centre Orchestra
National Arts Centre Orchestra
The National Arts Centre Orchestra is an orchestra in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's capital. It is a classically-sized ensemble currently conducted by Pinchas Zukerman.-Description:Since 1998, Pinchas Zukerman has been the Music Director. Mario Bernardi C.C...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada. He was the founding concertmaster of this orchestra in 1969.
He is the former concertmaster of the Lucerne Festival Strings
Lucerne Festival Strings
The Lucerne Festival Strings is one of Switzerland's most frequently touring chamber orchestras. Founded in 1956 by Wolfgang Schneiderhan and Rudolf Baumgartner and directed by the latter until 1998, Achim Fiedler is the Artistic Director since 1998. Managing Director is Hans-Christoph Mauruschat...
and the Basler Orchester Gesellschaft in Basle, Switzerland. He has also been a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
and the CBC Symphony.
Prystawski also performs as a soloist and chamber musician.
He teaches in the Department of Music, University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
.
He was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 2000.