Maurice Zbriger
Encyclopedia
Maurice Zbriger was a Canadian violinist, composer and conductor. He began learning violin
as a child, and continued his studies at the conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he was a classmate of Jascha Heifetz
, Nathan Milstein
and Mischa Elman.
He left Russia
in 1920 and traveled throughout Europe, until he arrived in Montreal in 1924. He quickly found work there at His Majesty's Theatre
, in silent film
houses, and other venues. He was one of the founders of the Traymore Quartet in 1925, which later became the Traymore Salon Orchestra. He was one of the first Canadians to specialize in Roma music
and performed and conducted for a radio show that ran on the station CKAC for 40 years.
Zbriger became a partner in, and eventually the sole owner of, the Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen. Better known as "Schwartz's
", this restaurant is famous for its distinctive Montreal-style smoked meat
. With the profits from this business, Zbriger spent many thousands of dollars organizing free concerts of his music.
Zbriger was unable to pursue a career as a concert violinist because his wife was in poor health. Mrs. Zbriger was a pianist and co-composed music with Maurice, until her death after 65 years of marriage.
Many of Zbriger's compositions were dedicated to famous people. He wrote The Vincent Massey
March (1952) for the Canadian statesman of the same name, while "Mother's Lullaby" (1948) was dedicated to Charles, Prince of Wales
upon his birth. The individuals honored by Zbriger frequently received copies of the music with letters he commissioned.
In his later years, arthritis
in his hands prevented Zbriger from performing publicly, though he continued to compose and conduct until his death.
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....
as a child, and continued his studies at the conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he was a classmate of Jascha Heifetz
Jascha Heifetz
Jascha Heifetz was a violinist, born in Vilnius, then Russian Empire, now Lithuania. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time.- Early life :...
, Nathan Milstein
Nathan Milstein
Nathan Mironovich Milstein was a Russian-born American virtuoso violinist.Widely considered one of the finest violinists of the 20th century, Milstein was known for his interpretations of Bach's solo violin works and for works from the Romantic period...
and Mischa Elman.
He left Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in 1920 and traveled throughout Europe, until he arrived in Montreal in 1924. He quickly found work there at His Majesty's Theatre
His Majesty's Theatre
His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen is the largest theatre in north-east Scotland, seating more than 1400. The theatre is sited on Rosemount Viaduct, opposite the city's Union Terrace Gardens. It was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1906...
, in silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
houses, and other venues. He was one of the founders of the Traymore Quartet in 1925, which later became the Traymore Salon Orchestra. He was one of the first Canadians to specialize in Roma music
Roma music
Romani music is the music of the Romani people, who have their origins in Northern India, but today live mostly in Europe....
and performed and conducted for a radio show that ran on the station CKAC for 40 years.
Zbriger became a partner in, and eventually the sole owner of, the Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen. Better known as "Schwartz's
Schwartz's
Schwartz's, also known as the Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen is a delicatessen established in 1928 by Reuben Schwartz, a Jewish immigrant from Romania. It is a landmark at 3895 Saint-Laurent Boulevard and the most famous Montreal-style smoked meat restaurant. Schwartz's often has a line extending...
", this restaurant is famous for its distinctive Montreal-style smoked meat
Montreal-style smoked meat
Montreal-style smoked meat, Montreal smoked meat or simply smoked meat in Montreal , is a type of kosher-style deli meat product made by salting and curing beef brisket with spices...
. With the profits from this business, Zbriger spent many thousands of dollars organizing free concerts of his music.
Zbriger was unable to pursue a career as a concert violinist because his wife was in poor health. Mrs. Zbriger was a pianist and co-composed music with Maurice, until her death after 65 years of marriage.
Many of Zbriger's compositions were dedicated to famous people. He wrote The Vincent Massey
Vincent Massey
Charles Vincent Massey was a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 18th since Canadian Confederation....
March (1952) for the Canadian statesman of the same name, while "Mother's Lullaby" (1948) was dedicated to Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
upon his birth. The individuals honored by Zbriger frequently received copies of the music with letters he commissioned.
In his later years, arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
in his hands prevented Zbriger from performing publicly, though he continued to compose and conduct until his death.
Sources
- Allaire, D. “Zbriger, Maurice” in The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0003768
- Ianzelo, T. (Director), Courtois, D. & Symansky, A. (Producers). (1993). The Concert Man. [Motion picture]. Ottawa: National Film Board of Canada.