Buczynski, Walter (Joseph)

Buczynski, Walter (Joseph), Canadian composer, pianist, and teacher; b. Toronto, Dec. 17, 1933. After studies with Earle Moss (piano) and Ridout (theory) at the Royal Cons, of Music of Toronto, he had lessons in composition with Milhaud and Charles Jones at the Aspen (Colo.) Music School (summer 1956); he then studied piano with Lhévinne in N.Y. (1958–59) and Drzewiecki in Warsaw (1959, 1961), and composition with Boulanger in Paris (1960, 1962). He taught piano and theory at the Royal Cons, of Music of Toronto (from 1962), and piano, theory, and composition at the Univ. of Toronto (from 1969); until 1977 he also pursued an active career as a pianist. His early penchant for satirical and humorous expression eventually mellowed as he pursued a more lyrical but still adventuresome path.

Works

DRAMATIC: Mr. Rhinoceros and His Musicians, children’s opera (1965); Do Re Mi, children’s opera (1967); From the Buczynski Book of the Living, chamber opera (1972); Naked at the Opera, chamber opera (1978). orch.:Beztitula for Piano and Orch. (1964); 4 Arabesques and Dance for Flute and Strings (1964); 3 Thoughts (1964); Triptych (1964); 4 Movements for Piano and Strings (1969); 7 Miniatures (1970); A Work for Dance (1970); Zeroing In No. 2 (Distractions and Then) (1971), No. 4 (Innards and Outards) for Soprano, Piano, and Orch. (1972), and No. 3 for String Quartet and Orch. (1973); 3 against Many for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Orch. (1973); Ars Romantica for Chamber Orch. (1976); Lyric I for Piano and Orch. (1976), 7Í for Piano and Orch. (1983), III for Cello and Orch. (1984), V for Oboe and Strings (1988), and VII for Viola and Orch. (1991); Rhapsody for 2 Horns and Strings (1976); 3 Serenades (1976); Legends for Strings (1976); Piano Concerto (1979); Violin Concerto (1980); Rhapsody for 2 Horns and Strings (1976); 3 Serenades (1976); Legends for Strings (1976); Piano Concerto (1979); Violin Concerto (1980); Fantasy on Themes from the Past for Accordion and Strings (1980; rev. 1984); Prayer and Dance for Clarinet, String Quartet, and String Orch. (1982); Sym. (1986). chamber:Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1954); Divertimento for Violin, Cello, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1957); Elegy: In Memoriam Kathleen Parlow for Violin and Piano (1963); Trio/67 for Mandolin, Clarinet, and Cello (1967); Duo for Double Bass and Piano (1974); Quartet/74 for Flute, Clarinet, Cello, and Harpsichord (1974); Sextet for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and 2 Percussion (1974); Trio/74 for Harp, Bass Clarinet, and Double Bass (1974); Olympics ’76 for Brass Quintet (1976); Sonata Belsize for Accordion (1977); Violin Sonata (1979); ...Winds... for Flute, Cello, Celesta, Harpsichord, and Percussion (1982); Cello Sonata (1982); Sonata for Violin and Cello (1983); Piano Quintet (1984); Gemini Quartet for Oboe, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1986); Divertissement No. 2 for Harp, Accordion, and Vibraphone (1987) and No. 3: Impressions and Memories for Percussion Quintet (1988); String Quartet No. 3 with Soprano (1987). Piano: Aria and Toccata (1963); Amorphus (1964); Suite (1964); 3 sonatas (1967, 1972, 1991); Zeroing In for Pianist-Speaker and Tape (1971) and No. 5 (Dictionary of Mannerisms) (1972); 27 Pieces for a 27 Minute Show (1973); Zeroing In—Zeroing Out for Piano and Tape (1977); Monogram (1978); Lyric li (1984); August Collection, 24 preludes (1987); Mosaics (1988). vocal:Mass with Outside Prayers for Chorus and Wind Quintet (1976); The Tales of Nanabozho for Speaker and Wind Quintet (1976); Psalm 51 for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1977); Missa brevis for Chorus, String Quartet, and Brass Quartet (1977); Resurrection II for Baritone, Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello, Accordion, and Percussion (1980); Songs of War for Tenor, Baritone, and Piano (1983); Remembrances of Latin Texts for Chorus (1988).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire