Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

April 3, 1918 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Death

:

April 19, 2000

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Louis Applebaum was a Canadian composer, conductor, and music educator who made significant contributions to the classical music scene in Canada. He was born on April 3, 1918, in Toronto, Ontario, to a family of musicians. His father, Harry Applebaum, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Rose, was a pianist. Louis showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Applebaum's musical education began at the Toronto Conservatory of Music, where he studied piano, theory, and composition. He later continued his studies at the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1940. During his time at the university, he studied composition with Healey Willan, one of Canada's most prominent composers. After completing his studies, Applebaum began his career as a composer and conductor. He worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as a music producer and conductor from 1942 to 1965. During his time at the CBC, he composed music for radio dramas, documentaries, and television programs. He also conducted the CBC Symphony Orchestra and the CBC Opera Company. Applebaum's compositions were influenced by a variety of musical styles, including classical, jazz, and folk music. He was particularly interested in incorporating Canadian themes and motifs into his music. One of his most famous works is the ballet score for "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," which was based on the novel by Mordecai Richler. The ballet premiered in 1980 and was later adapted into a film. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Applebaum was also a music educator. He taught at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music, where he was the director of the School of Music from 1968 to 1978. He was also a founding member of the Canadian League of Composers and served as its president from 1960 to 1962. Throughout his career, Applebaum received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to Canadian music. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1974 and was promoted to Officer in 1982. He also received the Canadian Music Council Medal in 1978 and the Toronto Arts Award in 1985. Applebaum continued to compose and conduct music until his death on April 20, 2000, at the age of 82. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.

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