Boris Berlin
Encyclopedia
Boris Berlin was a Canadian pianist
, music educator, arranger
, and composer
of Russian birth. He is primarily remembered for his work within the field of piano pedagogy, having published an extensive amount of material in that area and teaching a large number of notable pianists. His more than 20 books on the subject of piano pedagogy sold more than 4 million copies during his lifetime. In 2000 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada with the citation "Known as the teacher of teachers, he profoundly influenced musical instruction in our country. Having taught some of Canada's most illustrious musicians, he was known for his extensive contribution to pedagogical material and for his piano pieces for young performers."
, Berlin began his professional musical education at the Sebastopol Conservatory. From 1923-1925 he attended the Conservatoire de Genève and then pursued further studies at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik where he was a pupil of Mark Hambourg
and Leonid Kreutzer
. He began his career in Europe performing as a concert pianist, mainly in Germany and Switzerland.
Berlin first came to Canada in 1925 when he toured the Ontario region in chamber music
concerts with a trio. He liked Canada so much that he decided to take a teaching position at the on the piano faculty at the Hambourg Conservatory of Music in Toronto where he remained through 1927. In 1928 he joined the piano faculty at the Toronto Conservatory of Music (now The Royal Conservatory of Music) where he remained for several decades. From this point on his career was mainly focused on his work as a piano pedagogue. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1931. In 1970 he joined the faculty of the University of Toronto
. He also served as examiner, lecturer, and festival adjudicator throughout his career. Among his notable pupils are the classical pianists Louis Applebaum
, Gwen Beamish MacMillan, Victor Alexeeff
, Bernadene Blaha, Keith MacMillan, Andrew Markow, Christina Petrowska-Quilico
, Dorothy Sandler, Geraldine Schuster-Leder, Adrienne Shannon, Peter C. Simon, Lydia Wong, and the jazz pianists Norman Amadio
and Rudy Toth
. He composed many wonderful pieces including "March of the Goblins" and "Monkeys in the tree".
The Royal Conservatory of Music named Berlin a "Heritage Teacher" in a ceremony on 6 April 1990.
In 1992 he was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
and was made a Member of the Order of Ontario
. In 2000 he became an Officer of the Order of Canada, but died in March 2001 in Toronto before the ceremony honouring him with this title was held.
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:...
, music educator, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, and composer
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...
of Russian birth. He is primarily remembered for his work within the field of piano pedagogy, having published an extensive amount of material in that area and teaching a large number of notable pianists. His more than 20 books on the subject of piano pedagogy sold more than 4 million copies during his lifetime. In 2000 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada with the citation "Known as the teacher of teachers, he profoundly influenced musical instruction in our country. Having taught some of Canada's most illustrious musicians, he was known for his extensive contribution to pedagogical material and for his piano pieces for young performers."
Life and career
Born in Kharkov, Russia (now Kharkiv, Ukraine)Kharkiv
Kharkiv or Kharkov is the second-largest city in Ukraine.The city was founded in 1654 and was a major centre of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire. Kharkiv became the first city in Ukraine where the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in December 1917 and Soviet government was...
, Berlin began his professional musical education at the Sebastopol Conservatory. From 1923-1925 he attended the Conservatoire de Genève and then pursued further studies at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik where he was a pupil of Mark Hambourg
Mark Hambourg
Mark Hambourg was a distinguished Russian-British concert pianist, among the most famous of his age.- Life :Mark Hambourg was the eldest son of the pianist Michael Hambourg , and was brother of the cellist Boris Hambourg and the violinist Jan Hambourg , and of the musical organiser Clement...
and Leonid Kreutzer
Leonid Kreutzer
Leonid Kreutzer was a classical pianist.Kreutzer was born to a family of German Jewish parents. He was a highly influential piano teacher at the Berlin Academy of Music , together with Egon Petri...
. He began his career in Europe performing as a concert pianist, mainly in Germany and Switzerland.
Berlin first came to Canada in 1925 when he toured the Ontario region in chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
concerts with a trio. He liked Canada so much that he decided to take a teaching position at the on the piano faculty at the Hambourg Conservatory of Music in Toronto where he remained through 1927. In 1928 he joined the piano faculty at the Toronto Conservatory of Music (now The Royal Conservatory of Music) where he remained for several decades. From this point on his career was mainly focused on his work as a piano pedagogue. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1931. In 1970 he joined the faculty of 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...
. He also served as examiner, lecturer, and festival adjudicator throughout his career. Among his notable pupils are the classical pianists Louis Applebaum
Louis Applebaum
Louis Applebaum, was a Canadian composer, administrator, and conductor.He was born in Toronto, Ontario and studied at the Toronto Conservatory of Music with Leo Smith and the University of Toronto with Boris Berlin, Healey Willan and Ernest MacMillan...
, Gwen Beamish MacMillan, Victor Alexeeff
Victor Alexeeff
Victor Alexeeff began piano studies at the age of four, encouraged by his grandfather. At seven, he entered the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, and appeared on his first album, "A Tribute to Walt Disney" at the age of nine. Victor Alexeeff studied with Boris Berlin, Marek Jablonski ...
, Bernadene Blaha, Keith MacMillan, Andrew Markow, Christina Petrowska-Quilico
Christina Petrowska-Quilico
Christina Petrowska-Quilico is a Canadian pianist. She is the second wife of Canadian baritone Louis Quilico.- Career :...
, Dorothy Sandler, Geraldine Schuster-Leder, Adrienne Shannon, Peter C. Simon, Lydia Wong, and the jazz pianists Norman Amadio
Norman Amadio
Albert Norman Benedict "Norm" Amadio is a piano teacher, music coach, composer, arranger, session player, band leader, jazz pianist and accompanist. For a span of fifty years he worked for the CBC as an orchestra leader and musical director for many TV series...
and Rudy Toth
Rudy Toth
Rudy Toth was a Canadian composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, and cimbalom player of Czech birth. As a composer he wrote works mainly for television and the radio, working frequently for the Canadian Broadcasting Company for over three decades...
. He composed many wonderful pieces including "March of the Goblins" and "Monkeys in the tree".
The Royal Conservatory of Music named Berlin a "Heritage Teacher" in a ceremony on 6 April 1990.
In 1992 he was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada...
and was made a Member of the Order of Ontario
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
. In 2000 he became an Officer of the Order of Canada, but died in March 2001 in Toronto before the ceremony honouring him with this title was held.