Arnold Walter
Encyclopedia
Arnold Maria Walter, OC
(August 30, 1902 - October 6, 1973) was a Canadian musicologist, educator, composer and writer. He founded the Canadian Opera Company
, and was Director of Music at University of Toronto
.
, Moravia
, Austria-Hungary
(now in the Czech Republic
). He studied law at the University of Prague
, then musicology
at the University of Berlin. In addition, he had private music lessons in piano and composition with Rudolf Breithaupt, Frederic Lamond, and Franz Schreker
.
and taught at Upper Canada College
.
From 1952 to 1968, Walter was music director of the music faculty of the University of Toronto. Among his notable pupils was pianist Howard Brown
.
He received an Honorary Doctor of Music from Mount Allison University
in 1966. In 1972, Walter was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada
.
He died in Toronto
, Canada. His records were donated to the National Library of Canada by his stepdaughter.
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...
(August 30, 1902 - October 6, 1973) was a Canadian musicologist, educator, composer and writer. He founded the Canadian Opera Company
Canadian Opera Company
The Canadian Opera Company is an opera company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest opera company in Canada and the third largest producer of opera in North America. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.-History:For 40 years until...
, and was Director of Music at 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...
.
Early years
He was born in HanušoviceHanušovice
Hanušovice is a town in the Czech Republic which is located on the Morava river. The name means "John’s village". Hanušovice is an important rail junction, and the Holba brewery is located in the town.- History :...
, Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
(now in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
). He studied law at the University of Prague
Charles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...
, then musicology
Musicology
Musicology is the scholarly study of music. The word is used in narrow, broad and intermediate senses. In the narrow sense, musicology is confined to the music history of Western culture...
at the University of Berlin. In addition, he had private music lessons in piano and composition with Rudolf Breithaupt, Frederic Lamond, and Franz Schreker
Franz Schreker
Franz Schreker was an Austrian composer, conductor, teacher and administrator. Primarily a composer of operas, his style is characterized by aesthetic plurality , timbral experimentation, strategies of extended tonality and...
.
Career
In the early 1930s, Walter wrote the music column for Die Weltbühne, and was music critic for the Vorwärts magazine. In 1937, he emigrated to CanadaCanada
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...
and taught at Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
.
From 1952 to 1968, Walter was music director of the music faculty of the University of Toronto. Among his notable pupils was pianist Howard Brown
Howard Brown (pianist)
Howard Fuller Brown is a Canadian pianist, harpsichordist, and music educator. He was active as a concert pianist and recitalist in Atlantic Canada during the mid-twentieth century, appearing as a soloist with many important Canadian symphony orchestras...
.
He received an Honorary Doctor of Music from Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University is a primarily undergraduate Canadian liberal arts and science university situated in Sackville, New Brunswick. It is located about a half hour from the regional city of Moncton and 20 minutes from the Greater Moncton International Airport...
in 1966. In 1972, Walter was appointed Officer 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...
.
He died in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada. His records were donated to the National Library of Canada by his stepdaughter.
Works
- Sonatina for Cello and Piano, 1940
- Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano, 1940
- Sonata for Violin and Piano, 1940
- Symphony in G minor for large orchestra, 1942
- Suite for Piano, 1945
- For the Fallen for soprano, mixed chorus and orchestra, 1949
- Concerto for Orchestra, 1958
- Sonata for Piano Forte, 1950
- Summer Idyll for tape, 1960