Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Denmark

Birth

:

May 28, 1927

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

Bernhard Lewkovitch was a Danish composer and pianist who was born on September 22, 1927, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the son of a Russian-Jewish father and a Danish mother. His father was a composer and conductor, and his mother was a pianist. Lewkovitch grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at a young age. Lewkovitch studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where he was taught by the composer Vagn Holmboe. He also studied with the pianist and composer Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Lewkovitch was a talented pianist and performed as a soloist with many orchestras in Denmark and abroad. Lewkovitch's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style of Stravinsky and Hindemith. His first major work was his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered in 1953. The symphony was well-received and established Lewkovitch as a promising young composer. In the 1960s, Lewkovitch's style began to change, and he started incorporating elements of serialism and atonality into his music. His Symphony No. 2, which was premiered in 1962, was a landmark work in Danish music and established Lewkovitch as a leading figure in the avant-garde. Lewkovitch's music was often characterized by its complexity and intellectual rigor. He was interested in exploring new forms and structures, and his works often featured intricate rhythms and harmonies. Despite this, his music was also known for its emotional depth and expressiveness. One of Lewkovitch's most famous works is his Piano Concerto, which was premiered in 1970. The concerto is a virtuosic tour-de-force for the soloist and features complex rhythms and harmonies. The work has been performed by many pianists around the world and is considered one of the most important Danish piano concertos of the 20th century. Lewkovitch also wrote a number of chamber works, including string quartets, sonatas, and trios. His String Quartet No. 3, which was premiered in 1976, is considered one of his most important chamber works. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that explores the limits of the string quartet form. In addition to his work as a composer, Lewkovitch was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Music for many years and was a mentor to many young composers. He was also a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music schools around the world. Lewkovitch received many awards and honors during his lifetime, including the Carl Nielsen Prize, the Sonning Prize, and the Order of the Dannebrog. He was also a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters. Lewkovitch continued to compose and perform music until his death on December 27, 2011, at the age of 84. His legacy as a composer and pianist continues to be celebrated in Denmark and around the world.

More....