Felix Borowski Program Notes

Felix Borowski (March 10, 1872 – September 6, 1956) was a British-American composer, teacher, and music critic. Born in Burton-in-Kendal, England, he studied violin, music theory, and composition in England and at the Cologne Conservatory in Germany. He began his career as a violin teacher in Aberdeen, Scotland.

In 1897, Borowski moved to the United States after being invited by Florenz Ziegfeld, then president of the Chicago Musical College, to join the faculty as an instructor of composition and violin. He settled in Chicago and remained there for the rest of his life. He served as president of the Chicago Musical College from 1916 to 1925 and was a Professor of Musicology at Northwestern University from 1937 to 1942.

Beyond his academic roles, Borowski was a prominent figure in music journalism. He was a music reviewer for various publications, including the Musical Courier, Chicago Evening Post, Chicago Record-Herald, and Christian Science Monitor. In 1942, he became music editor of the Chicago Sun. For 48 years, starting in 1908, he was the author of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's program notes.

As a composer, Borowski's works include three symphonies, tone poems, a piano concerto, three string quartets, three ballets, an opera, organ works, and numerous pieces for piano, violin, and voice. His violin piece "Adoration" became particularly popular.