Franz Kraemer

Franz Kraemer
Born(1914-06-01)June 1, 1914
DiedAugust 27, 1999(1999-08-27) (aged 85)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NationalityCanadian (1947)
Other namesFranz Krämer
Occupation(s)musician, composer
Known forTV and radio producer

Franz Kraemer, OC (June 1, 1914 – August 27, 1999) was a Canadian radio producer, a "pioneer produced of opera at CBC Television".[1] In the 1930 he studied music in Vienna, with Alban Berg, Anton von Webern and others.[2] Leaving Austria like many other artists in the 1930s around the time of the Nazi takeover in 1938, Kraemer became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1947,[3] the first year that Canadian citizenship was made available (prior to that all Canadians were considered British subjects). Kraemer has made a name of himself as a gifted music composer and producer; he has been called by Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada and CBC journalist, as "the most prolific and talented music producer the CBC Television ever produced ... He was a mentor for many of us in television who did that kind of programming."[4]

Kraemer's career was cut short in Austria by fascism and a climate of hatred. Asked about it, we would simply say "Mr. Hitler ruined me."[5] In Canada, he became a close colleague and friend of Glenn Gould.[6] Eric Koch said "Franz knew everything" in music.[7] In 1971, he was appointed music director of the Toronto Arts Foundation In 1981, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Officer in 1987.

  1. ^ Koch, Eric. "Three Musicians". youtube.com. Retrieved 20 Jan 2018., text summary
  2. ^ Cross, Bruce. "RIP Franz Kraemer". GlennGould.Org. Retrieved 20 Jan 2018.
  3. ^ Nygaard King & Schulman, Betty & Michale. "Franz Krämer".
  4. ^ NYGAARD KING & SCHULMAN, BETTY & MICHAEL. "Franz Krämer". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Hurtig. Retrieved 20 Jan 2018.
  5. ^ Teitelbaum, Ethel. "RIP Franz Kraemer". GlennGould.Org. Retrieved 20 Jan 2018.
  6. ^ Koch, Eric. "Three Musicians who arrived at the right time". youtube.com. self-recorded testimony. Retrieved 20 Jan 2018., qtd. from the text summary
  7. ^ Koch, Eric. "Three Musicians who Arrived at the Right Time". youtube.com. self-recorded testimony. Retrieved 20 Jan 2018., about 8:30 min in.