Walter Prystawski

Walter Prystawski, CM (born 1933) is a Canadian violinist. Born in Toronto, Ontario. Graduated with Artist Diploma of the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. Past member of Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and member of CBC Symphony Toronto. Moved to Lucerne, Switzerland to attend masterclasses with Austrian violinist W olfgang Schneiderhan. Subsequently, member, then concertmaster of the chamber orchestra Lucerne Festival Strings. Toured with the ensemble in Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. Recorded extensively as member and soloist for Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Taught in the professional training program for violinists at the Konservatoium Dreilinden in Lucerne, Switzerland. First Concertmaster, Basler Orchester Gesellschaft in Basle, Switzerland. Returned to Canada as founding Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. Continues in the post. Has appeared as soloist with the Orchestra and as a recitalist and chamber music player. Served on juries or as an assessor for the Montreal International Music Competition, the Conservatoires du Quebec, the Canada Council, CBC music competitions, the City of Ottawa and various music festival competitions. Member of the Order of Canada, 1999. Doctor of the University, University of Ottawa, 2001. Director, Sylva Gelber Foundation 1998 - . Biographical entries in Encyclopaedia of Music in Canada and Canadian Who's Who. Shares his life with wife Victoria, and two grown children, Linda, an actor and Laurence, a lawyer.