León Zuckert

León Zuckert (4 May 1904 – 29 May 1992) was a Canadian composer, conductor, arranger, violinist, violist and radio pioneer of Ukrainian descent. He was married to the poet Ella Bobrow, with whom he collaborated on many songs.

Early life and education Zuckert was born in Poltava, Ukraine into a Jewish family. From 1916 to 1918, Zuckert studied the violin under Boris Brodsky at the Imperial Music Society School in Poltava. During the Russian Revolution, his father was arrested and died in prison; the family moved to Poland.

Career

As a young man in Poland, Zuckert worked in a lumberyard, and then as a violist, playing first in cafes and later in a military orchestra. as well as in a symphony orchestra. He immigrated to Canada in 1929,

In 1974 he was commissioned by the CBC to compose "Fantasia of Ukrainian Themes", which was premiered as part of the Winnipeg Centennial Festival. He was also commissioned to create an orchestra arrangement of Tevye's Hodel, to be played by an ensemble from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

After moving about for much of his life, Zuckert retired to Toronto, where he died 29 May 1992.

Selected works "Quintette de la Luna de Mar" "The Quetico" – symphonic suite film soundtrack Along Gypsy Trails (CD) "Fantasia on Ukrainian Themes" "In the Gleam of Northern Lights" (oratorio)