Fraser, Norman

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Fraser, Norman

Fraser, Norman, Chilean-born English pianist and composer; b. Valparaiso, Nov. 26, 1904. He pursued his musical studies in Chile, and in 1917 went to England, where he attended classes at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He then took piano lessons with Isidor Philipp in Paris. He subsequently made several tours in South America as a representative of various British organizations. From 1954 to 1971 he was engaged as European music supervisor at the BBC. He gave numerous joint recitals with his wife, Janet Fraser, the English mezzo-soprano (b. Kirkealdy, May 22, 1911). In 1973 he settled at Seaford, England. He composed a number of attractive piano pieces and some chamber music.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire