R murray schafer biography of william

(b. 18 July 1933, Sarnia, Ontario – d. 14 August 2021, Indian River, Ontario).

Canadian composer of interdisciplinary works that have been performed throughout the world; he was also active as a writer.

Mr. Schafer initially studied harpsichord, music theory and piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto from 1945–55.

R. Murray Schafer - The Canadian Encyclopedia

He then briefly studied composition with John Weinzweig, harpsichord with Greta Kraus and piano with Alberto Guerrero at the University of Toronto in 1954–55, from where he was expelled for insubordination. He obtained a piano degree from the Royal College of Music in London while still in Canada. He later taught himself journalism, languages, literature, music, and philosophy in Vienna and London from 1956–61, on a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.

He received six honorary doctorates from universities in Argentina, Canada and France.

Among his honours were two prizes from the Fromm Foundation (1968, 1972), the Canadian Mus R. Murray Schafer (1933–2021) – Institute for Music in Canada WAV