We wish to pay tribute to an outstanding
figure in Canadian music, Oskar Morawetz, composer and teacher.
It is perhaps surprising that as a composer
he is essentially self-taught. Perhaps because of this, because he has
thought through by himself the technical questions of composition, he is all
the more adept in conveying this knowledge to his students. In his 25 years at
the University of Toronto, hundreds of young musicians have studied some
branch of musical craftsmanship with him. All, most and least gifted, must
have valued and admired, beyond his tremendous musical knowledge, the quality
of his inspiration and insight. He is also much admired as an excellent
pianist, and one who can sit down and play just about anything from classical
literature - from memory. Another girt is that of seeing the humourous side of
things; his refreshing wit is always a delight.
Oskar Morawetz has been a leading Canadian
composer for 30 years. He has received many international honours, awards, and
commissions; his compositions are performed by internationally celebrated
performers and conductors. His steadily growing reputation in North America
and Europe rests on a vast musical output; works for orchestra, soloists and
orchestra, chamber ensembles, chorus, solo voice, and piano. All of these are
distinguished by sound craftsmanship, clarity, practicality, sensitivity, and
a strong emotional message. His music covers the entire range from brightness,
gracefulness, humour and wit, to the picturesque, serious, tragic, and deeply
moving. He has never accepted mechanical formulae nor mere effects, nor
followed fashionable bandwagons of the day. Instead, in quietly turning to new
compositions, he has always remained true to himself and his musical ideals.
One belief is surely this, only if music is written with true feeling and
conviction can others be convinced and come to feel it too.
