Dolin, Samuel (Joseph)

Dolin, Samuel (Joseph), Canadian composer and teacher; b. Montreal, Aug. 22, 1917. He received training in piano and theory in Montreal, and then pursued his education at the Univ. of Toronto (B.Mus., 1942). In 1945 he joined the staff of the Toronto Cons, of Music, where he studied composition with Weinzweig. He also studied piano and had lessons in composition with Krenek before completing his education at the Univ. of Toronto (D.Mus., 1958). Dolin continued to serve on the staff at the Cons, as a teacher for 50 years, founding its electronic music studio in 1966, and teaching composition in the Glenn Gould Professional School. He served as vice-president (1967–68) and presi-dent (1969–73) of the Canadian League of Composers, and also as chairman (1970–74) of the Canadian section of the ISCM. From 1972 to 1975 he was vice-president of the ISCM. In 1984 he was founding artistic director of the Canadian Contemporary Music Workshop. Dorin’s music ranges widely in scope, from the traditional in manner to multimedia scores.

Works

DRAMATIC Casino (Greed), opera (1966–67); Drakkar, entertainment for Narrator, Mezzo-soprano, 2 Baritones, 2 Dancers, Chamber Ensemble, 2 Synthesizers, and Amplifiers (1972; Toronto, Feb. 17, 1973); Golden Section: The Biography of a Woman for Soprano, Dancer, Slides, Narrator, Lighting, and Orch. (1981); Hero of Our Time for Baritone, Men’s Chorus, Dancers, and Orch. (1985). ORCH.: Sinfonietta (1950); Serenade for Strings (1951); 3 syms. (1956, 1957, 1976); Isometric Variables (Bassooneries in Free Variations) for Bassoon and Strings (1957); Sonata for Strings (1962); Fantasy for Piano and Chamber Orch. (1967); Piano Concerto (1974); Accordion Concerto (1984); Concerto for Oboe, Cello, and Orch. (1989). CHAMBER : Violin Sonata (1960); Portrait for String Quartet (1961); Georgian Bay, concerto grosso for Percussion, Accordion, and Tape (1970); Sonata for Solo Accordion (1970); Sonata for Violin and Tape (1973); Sonata for Flute and Tape (1973); Sonata for Cello and Tape (1973); Adikia for 1 to 5 Accordions and Tape (1975); Prelude, Interlude, and Fantasy for Cello (1976); Duo Concertante for Free Bass Accordion and Guitar (1977); Cello Sonata (1978); Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1980); Blago’s Trio for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1980); Sonata Fantasia for Baroque Flute and Fortepiano (1980); Brass Quintet (1981); Psalmody for Oboe (1982); 2 Vocalises for 2 Cellos (1990); Variables for Cello and Piano (1994). Piano : 4 Miniatures (1943); 3 Preludes (1949); Sonata (1950); Little Suite (1954); Little Toccata (1959); Sonatina (1959); Slightly Square Round Dance (1966); // (1972); Prelude for John Weinzweig (1973); Queekhoven and A. J. (1975); Y Not (1995). VOCAL: 3 song sets (1951); Chloris for Voice and Piano (1951); The Hills of Hebron for Chorus and Piano (1954; also for Men’s Chorus and Piano, 1999); Marchbankantata for Baritone, Chorus, Piano, and Synthesizer (1971); Mass for 6 Voices, Congregation, and Organ (1972); Deuteronomy XXXII for Voice and Flute (1977).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire