Birth

:

1914 in Hobart, OK

Death

:

September 19, 2003 in Portland, OR

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Catharine Crozier was a renowned American organist and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. She was born on October 14, 1924, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to a family of musicians. Her father, William Crozier, was a church organist, and her mother, Mary Crozier, was a pianist. Catharine showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. She later switched to the organ and became a prodigious talent. Crozier's musical education began at the age of 12 when she started taking organ lessons from her father. She continued her studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1946. She then went on to study with Marcel Dupré at the Paris Conservatory, where she received a Premier Prix in 1950. Dupré was a significant influence on Crozier's musical style, and she later became one of his most prominent students. Crozier's career as a concert organist began in the 1950s, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented organists of her generation. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 1955 and went on to perform at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Sydney Opera House. Crozier was known for her virtuosic performances and her ability to bring out the unique qualities of each organ she played. Crozier was also a prolific recording artist, and she made over 20 recordings throughout her career. Her recordings included works by Bach, Franck, Dupré, and other composers, and they received critical acclaim. In 1971, she became the first American organist to record on the historic organ at St. Sulpice in Paris, which was built in the 18th century. In addition to her career as a performer, Crozier was also a dedicated music educator. She taught at several institutions, including the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, and the University of Oklahoma. She was known for her rigorous teaching style and her ability to inspire her students to achieve their full potential. Many of her students went on to have successful careers as organists and music educators. Crozier received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1962, she was awarded the Prix de Virtuosité from the Paris Conservatory, and in 1975, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Eastman School of Music. She was also a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists and a member of the Royal College of Organists in London. Crozier continued to perform and teach until her death on September 22, 2003, at the age of 78. Her legacy as a performer and educator lives on through her recordings and the many students she inspired. She was a true pioneer in the world of classical music and will always be remembered as one of the greatest organists of the 20th century.

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