Albert Pratz
Encyclopedia
Albert Pratz was a Canadian violin
ist, conductor
, composer
, and music educator. He was awarded the Canadian Centennial Medal
in 1967. His compositional output was modest and consists of only instrumental works. Some of his compositions, such as Melanie Waltz (1956) and A Tango (1957), were recorded by the CBC Symphony Orchestra
; of which he was concertmaster
from 1953-1961. He worked in the same capacity for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
from 1966–1969 and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
from 1970-1979. He was also active as a teacher, both privately and at a number of universities, and made recordings as both a violinist and conductor.
, Pratz studied in his native city with Broadus Farmer and Luigi von Kunits
. In the summers of the early 1930s he was a pupil of Mischa Mischakoff
in the United States. In 1933 he studied with Michel Piastro in the USA, and in 1936-1937 he studied under William Primrose
in Europe.
Pratz started his career playing in a radio orchestra for the CFRB with conductor Alexander Chuhaldin
in 1929. Throughout the 1930s he played in various orchestras for the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
and CBC Radio
. From 1933-1941 he played in the first violin section of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
. In 1937 he made his solo debut at the Promenade Symphony Concerts performing the Tchaikovsky
's Violin Concerto
under the baton of Reginald Stewart. He served as the conductor of the CBC's orchestra in Winnipeg from 1940-1943.
, serving until the conclusion of World War II
. From 1946-1953 he was a violinist in the NBC Symphony Orchestra
under conductor Arturo Toscanini
. During that time he also played for a variety of New York studio and pit orchestras; including being the concertmaster
/solo violinist for the original Broadway
production of Rodgers and Hammerstein
's Oklahoma!
. He was also associate conductor for the musical One Touch of Venus
.
(CBCSO). He also joined the Festival Trio chamber group in 1953 whose other members included the cellist Isaac Mamott and the pianist Glenn Gould
. Although he only performed with the trio for one year, he did perform in several notable concerts; including at the Stratford Festival.
Pratz taught at the RCM through 1961 where his notable pupils included Imant Raminsh
, Bill Richards
, Steven Staryk
, and David Zafer
. He remained in his post at the CBCSO through 1961, notably appearing as a soloist in performances of works by Johannes Brahms
(1953), Henri Vieuxtemps
(1954), John Weinzweig
(premiere, 1955), Tchaikovsky (1956), Giovanni Battista Viotti
(1957), Ferruccio Busoni
(1958), Philip Bliss
(1959), Édouard Lalo
(1960), William Walton
(1962), and Aram Khachaturian
(1964). He also working as an occasional guest conductor for the CBCSO radio broadcasts, including conducting all of their performances on the CBC Radio series Let's Make Music and The Music Box. He later played with the CBC Festival Orchestra in the Canadian premiere of Berio's Concertino 1951 in 1973.
From 1955-1960 Pratz served as the concertmaster of the Hart House Orchestra with whom he also was heard frequently as a soloist. He also appeared frequently as a soloist on the radio series Stardust and in many CBC recitals during those years. In 1961 he joined the faculty of the University of Toronto
where he founded the Canadian String Quartet (active 1961-1963) and was teacher of violinist Campbell Trowsdale. He left there in 1964 to join the faculty of Brandon University
where he taught through 1966. From 1966-1969 he was concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
where he occasionally filled in as conductor. He also gave many recitals during the 1950s and 1960s, often with his sister Frances Pratz or pianist Leo Barkin accompanying.
In 1969 Pratz returned to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a year later was appointed acting concertmaster. He was given the post of full fledged concertmaster in 1971, remaining in that role until his retirement due to ill health in 1979. During those years he was a frequent soloist with the TSO and actively performed in many Toronto studio orchestras for recordings of film score
s, commercial albums, and jingle
s. He was also active as a teacher both privately and with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Some of his notable students are Dean Franke, Carol Lynn Fujino, Raymond Gniewek
, Myron Moskalyk, Lenny Solomon
, and comedian Jack Benny
. He lived in Florida and then California after his retirement, and died in Scottsdale, Arizona
in 1995 at the age of 80.
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....
ist, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, 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...
, and music educator. He was awarded the Canadian Centennial Medal
Canadian Centennial Medal
The Canadian Centennial Medal is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint in 1967 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation and was awarded to Canadians who were recommended by governments and professional, educational and cultural associations, as well as...
in 1967. His compositional output was modest and consists of only instrumental works. Some of his compositions, such as Melanie Waltz (1956) and A Tango (1957), were recorded by the CBC Symphony Orchestra
CBC Symphony Orchestra
The CBC Symphony Orchestra was a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario that was operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation during the 1950s and 1960s. Founded in 1952, conductor Geoffrey Waddington served as the orchestra'a only music director; although other conductors, such as...
; of which he was 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...
from 1953-1961. He worked in the same capacity for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra located in Buffalo, New York. Its primary performing venue is Kleinhans Music Hall, which is a National Historic Landmark. Its regular concert season features gala concerts, classics programming of core repertoire, Pops...
from 1966–1969 and 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...
from 1970-1979. He was also active as a teacher, both privately and at a number of universities, and made recordings as both a violinist and conductor.
Education and early career
Born in TorontoToronto
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...
, Pratz studied in his native city with Broadus Farmer and Luigi von Kunits
Luigi von Kunits
Luigi von Kunits was an Austrian conductor, composer, violinist, and pedagogue. He was the founding conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1922....
. In the summers of the early 1930s he was a pupil of Mischa Mischakoff
Mischa Mischakoff
Mischa Mischakoff was an outstanding violinist and concertmaster for 70 years, from the age of ten until the age of eighty....
in the United States. In 1933 he studied with Michel Piastro in the USA, and in 1936-1937 he studied under William Primrose
William Primrose
William Primrose CBE was a Scottish violist and teacher.-Biography:Primrose was born in Glasgow and studied violin initially. In 1919 he moved to study at the then Guildhall School of Music in London. On the urging of the accompanist Ivor Newton, Primrose moved to Belgium to study under Eugène...
in Europe.
Pratz started his career playing in a radio orchestra for the CFRB with conductor Alexander Chuhaldin
Alexander Chuhaldin
Alexander Gregorovitch Chuhaldin was a Russian violinist, conductor, composer, and music educator. He spent his early career working in his native country but after 1927 he was active in Canada. His compositional output includes over 30 works for string orchestra; many of which were published by...
in 1929. Throughout the 1930s he played in various orchestras for the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
The Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission was Canada's first public broadcaster and the immediate precursor to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.-Origins:...
and CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
. From 1933-1941 he played in the first violin section 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...
. In 1937 he made his solo debut at the Promenade Symphony Concerts performing the Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russian: Пётр Ильи́ч Чайко́вский ; often "Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky" in English. His names are also transliterated "Piotr" or "Petr"; "Ilitsch", "Il'ich" or "Illyich"; and "Tschaikowski", "Tschaikowsky", "Chajkovskij"...
's Violin Concerto
Violin Concerto (Tchaikovsky)
The Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1878, is one of the best known of all violin concertos. It is also considered to be among the most technically difficult works for violin.-Instrumentation:...
under the baton of Reginald Stewart. He served as the conductor of the CBC's orchestra in Winnipeg from 1940-1943.
Military service and career in New York
In 1943 Pratz relocated to New York City to join the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, serving until the conclusion of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. From 1946-1953 he was a violinist in the NBC Symphony Orchestra
NBC Symphony Orchestra
The NBC Symphony Orchestra was a radio orchestra established by David Sarnoff of the National Broadcasting Company especially for conductor Arturo Toscanini...
under conductor Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini was an Italian conductor. One of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 19th and 20th century, he was renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and sonority, and his photographic memory...
. During that time he also played for a variety of New York studio and pit orchestras; including being the 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...
/solo violinist for the original Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of Rodgers and Hammerstein
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were a well-known American songwriting duo, usually referred to as Rodgers and Hammerstein. They created a string of popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s during what is considered the golden age of the medium...
's Oklahoma!
Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! is the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance...
. He was also associate conductor for the musical One Touch of Venus
One Touch of Venus
One Touch of Venus is a musical with music written by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ogden Nash, and book by S. J. Perelman and Nash, based on the novella The Tinted Venus by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, and very loosely spoofing the Pygmalion myth. The show satirizes contemporary American suburban values,...
.
Later career in Canada
In 1953 Pratz returned to Canada to join the faculty of The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) and become the concertmaster of the CBC Symphony OrchestraCBC Symphony Orchestra
The CBC Symphony Orchestra was a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario that was operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation during the 1950s and 1960s. Founded in 1952, conductor Geoffrey Waddington served as the orchestra'a only music director; although other conductors, such as...
(CBCSO). He also joined the Festival Trio chamber group in 1953 whose other members included the cellist Isaac Mamott and the pianist Glenn Gould
Glenn Gould
Glenn Herbert Gould was a Canadian pianist who became one of the best-known and most celebrated classical pianists of the 20th century. He was particularly renowned as an interpreter of the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach...
. Although he only performed with the trio for one year, he did perform in several notable concerts; including at the Stratford Festival.
Pratz taught at the RCM through 1961 where his notable pupils included Imant Raminsh
Imant Raminsh
Imant Karlis Raminsh is a Canadian composer of Latvian descent, best known for his choral compositions. Born in Ventspils, Latvia, he came to Canada in 1948 and became a naturalized citizen in 1954...
, Bill Richards
Bill Richards (musician)
Bill Richards was a Canadian violinist, composer, arranger, and editor. His compositional output includes several film scores, a Flute Quartet , and a number of fiddle tunes. He recored two of his own fiddle compositions for Spiral Records in 1957 and another of his fiddle compositions was...
, Steven Staryk
Steven Staryk
Steven Sam Staryk, OC is a Canadian violin virtuoso.Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada of Ukrainian descent, he began his musical education as a child at the Harbord Collegiate Institute...
, and David Zafer
David Zafer
David Zafer is a Canadian violinist and pedagogue.-Background:Zafer studied with Albert Pratz at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto...
. He remained in his post at the CBCSO through 1961, notably appearing as a soloist in performances of works by Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
(1953), Henri Vieuxtemps
Henri Vieuxtemps
Henri François Joseph Vieuxtemps was a Belgian composer and violinist. He occupies an important place in the history of the violin as a prominent exponent of the Franco-Belgian violin school during the mid-19th century....
(1954), John Weinzweig
John Weinzweig
John Weinzweig, OC, O.Ont was a Canadian composer of classical music.Born in Toronto, Weinzweig went to Harbord Collegiate Institute, and studied music at the university. In 1937, he left for the United States to study under Bernard Rogers...
(premiere, 1955), Tchaikovsky (1956), Giovanni Battista Viotti
Giovanni Battista Viotti
Giovanni Battista Viotti was an Italian violinist whose virtuosity was famed and whose work as a composer featured a prominent violin and an appealing lyrical tunefulness...
(1957), Ferruccio Busoni
Ferruccio Busoni
Ferruccio Busoni was an Italian composer, pianist, editor, writer, piano and composition teacher, and conductor.-Biography:...
(1958), Philip Bliss
Philip Bliss
Philip Paul Bliss was an American composer, conductor, bass-baritone writer of hymns and a Gospel singer. He wrote many well-known hymns, including Almost Persuaded, Hallelujah, What a Saviour!, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Wonderful Words of Life, and the tune for Horatio Spafford's It Is...
(1959), Édouard Lalo
Édouard Lalo
Édouard-Victoire-Antoine Lalo was a French composer.-Biography:Lalo was born in Lille , in northernmost France. He attended that city's music conservatory in his youth. Then, beginning at age 16, Lalo studied at the Paris Conservatoire under Berlioz's old enemy François Antoine Habeneck...
(1960), William Walton
William Walton
Sir William Turner Walton OM was an English composer. During a sixty-year career, he wrote music in several classical genres and styles, from film scores to opera...
(1962), and Aram Khachaturian
Aram Khachaturian
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian was a prominent Soviet composer. Khachaturian's works were often influenced by classical Russian music and Armenian folk music...
(1964). He also working as an occasional guest conductor for the CBCSO radio broadcasts, including conducting all of their performances on the CBC Radio series Let's Make Music and The Music Box. He later played with the CBC Festival Orchestra in the Canadian premiere of Berio's Concertino 1951 in 1973.
From 1955-1960 Pratz served as the concertmaster of the Hart House Orchestra with whom he also was heard frequently as a soloist. He also appeared frequently as a soloist on the radio series Stardust and in many CBC recitals during those years. In 1961 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...
where he founded the Canadian String Quartet (active 1961-1963) and was teacher of violinist Campbell Trowsdale. He left there in 1964 to join the faculty of Brandon University
Brandon University
Brandon University is a Canadian university located in the city of Brandon, Manitoba, with an enrolment of 3383 full-time and part-time students. The current location was founded on July 13, 1899, as Brandon College as a Baptist institution. It was chartered as a university by then President Dr....
where he taught through 1966. From 1966-1969 he was concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra located in Buffalo, New York. Its primary performing venue is Kleinhans Music Hall, which is a National Historic Landmark. Its regular concert season features gala concerts, classics programming of core repertoire, Pops...
where he occasionally filled in as conductor. He also gave many recitals during the 1950s and 1960s, often with his sister Frances Pratz or pianist Leo Barkin accompanying.
In 1969 Pratz returned to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a year later was appointed acting concertmaster. He was given the post of full fledged concertmaster in 1971, remaining in that role until his retirement due to ill health in 1979. During those years he was a frequent soloist with the TSO and actively performed in many Toronto studio orchestras for recordings of film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
s, commercial albums, and jingle
Jingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
s. He was also active as a teacher both privately and with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Some of his notable students are Dean Franke, Carol Lynn Fujino, Raymond Gniewek
Raymond Gniewek
Raymond Gniewek is an American violinist. He served as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra for 43 years; upon his appointment in 1957 he was the youngest person to ever hold the post. He has also had a career as a soloist. His final performance as concertmaster with the orchestra...
, Myron Moskalyk, Lenny Solomon
Lenny Solomon
Lenny Solomon is a Canadian jazz, pop, and classical violinist and composer. An active studio musician, he has performed on hundreds of recordings and soundtracks, including albums by Nigel Kennedy, Anne Murray, and John McDermott. He has also recorded two of his own jazz albums: After You've Gone...
, and comedian Jack Benny
Jack Benny
Jack Benny was an American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor for radio, television, and film...
. He lived in Florida and then California after his retirement, and died in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
in 1995 at the age of 80.