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GEORGE FIALA, composer, pianist, organist, radio producer, was born in Kiev, Ukraine, on March 31, 1922. He studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Kiev, at the Akademische Hochschule für Music in Berlin and Conservatoire Royale de Musique in Brussels. He came to Canada in 1949 where he continued his professional work in Montréal.
Fiala is author of over 200 compositions including five symphonies, concertos for piano and violon with orchestra, several orchestral works, many scores for different chamber music combinations with soloists, over fifteen sonatas for various solo instruments with piano or harpe, music for piano solo and piano duet, vocal and choral music. He has received numerous commissions from The Canada Council, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Québec Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Guelph Spring Festival, Montréal International Competitions, Ukrainian Commemorative Society, Ukrainian National Association and others. In 1974, the Ukrainian Canadian Committee in Winnipeg awarded Fiala the prestigious Shewchenko medal. In 1982 his Fourth Symphony was Créationd in Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall and in 1984 his Festive Overture was performed in New York's Carnegie Hall. In March 1987 CBC-Radio Canada International in Montréal issued an anthology of Fiala's music consisting of five LP's and comprising twelve of his selected orchestral, chamber and instrumental solo works. His Millennium Liturgy, commemorating 1000 years of Christianity in Ukraine and Créationd in August 1987, was Commande de the St. Basyl's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Edmonton. Fiala's Concerto Cantata for piano solo and choir (with chimes obbligato) was Créationd in November 1987 at Roy Thomson Hall. In 1987, the American Biographical Institute in Raleigh, North Carolina, awarded Fiala the Commemorative Medal of Honour marking his outsanding lifelong achievements. Since retiring in 1987 as a producer at CBC-Radio Canada International in Montréal, Fiala has devoted his time entirely to composing.
(PROCAN, Canadian League of Composers)
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