Meyerowitz, Jan

views updated May 14 2018

Meyerowitz, Jan [ Jan Hans-Hermann] (b Breslau [now Wroclaw, Poland], 1913; d Colmar, nr Labaroche, 1998). Ger.-born composer (Amer. cit. 1951). Settled in USA 1946, teaching at Tanglewood 1948–51, Brooklyn 1954–61, and in NY from 1962. Works incl. 9 operas, e.g. Esther (1957); choral works incl. The Glory Around His Head (1955), Stabat Mater, e. e. cummings Cantata (1949–56), Emily Dickinson Cantata (1948), Robert Herrick Cantata (1948–54); Sym. Midrash Esther (1957); fl. conc., vc. sonata, songs, etc.

Wrocław

views updated Jun 27 2018

Wrocław (formerly Breslau) Industrial city and port on the River Oder, sw Poland; capital of lower Silesia and Poland's fourth-largest city. Originally a Slavic settlement, it was destroyed by the Mongols in 1241, rebuilt by the Austrians from 1526 and ceded to Prussia in 1741. It developed as a trade centre in the 19th century and was badly damaged in World War 2. It became part of Poland under the terms of the Potsdam Conference (1945). Industries: heavy machinery, processed food, electrical equipment, textiles, paper, timber, chemicals. Pop. (1993) 643,600.