Ludwig Bonvin S.J.1850-1939

LUDWIG BONVINMedicine & Law (Early years)

Priest

Composer

Educator

Writer

February 17, 1850Born in Siders, Switzerland

Switzerland

1862-1870 College in Sion,Switzerland

1870-1872 Medicine Vienna University,

Austria

1872-1874 Law, Sion, Switzerland

1874 - Entered Society of Jesus, Exaeten, Holland

1876 Humanities, Wynandsrade, Holland

1878 Philosophy, Bylenbeek, Holland

1881 Prefect of Discipline, Austria

1882 Theology, Ditton Hall, England

1885 Ordained Priest, Ditton Hall

1886 Tertianship, Portico, England

COMPOSITIONSSacred:

3 Hymnals

10 Masses

52 Motets

Litanies and offertories

COMPOSITIONSSecular:

1 symphony6 Tone PoemsChoral Works with Orchestra11 Lieder Cycles17 Chamber Ensembles4 Operas for ChildrenSolos for violin, flute, organ, and piano

Jesu dulcis memoria

Missa festiva in honorem S. Ignatii

Gohebener Stimmung

PublishersAnton Boehm & Sohn, Augsburg

Alfred Coppenrath’s Verlan, Regenensburg

Supplement in Singenberger’s Caecilian

Fischer & Bros., New York

Gebrueder Hug & Co., Leipzig

F.E.C. Leuckart, Leipzig

L. Schwann, Duesseldorf

F. Kistner & C.F.W. Siegel, Leipzig

BUFFALO - 1887-19391887-1895, 1897-1905 C.C. Choir

1888-1907 C.C.Orchestra

1892-1929 Confessor, St. Michael’s

1895-1897, 1909-1910 C.C. French

1922-1929 Sacred Heart Academy

Orchestra

HONOR FOR FATHER BONVIN

Eminent Musician, Member of Canisius College Faculty Invited to Take Part in International Musical Congress at Straussburg - His Views on Motu Proprio

CHURCH MUSIC CONGRESS

Great International Gathering of Musicians to be held at Straussburg - Pius X’s Suggestion

Ideas of Rev. Ludwig Bonvin, S.J., Delegate to Congress, on What the Reform in Church Music Implies - A Moderate View

MOTU PROPRIOMusical issues

The role of plainchant in the Church

The permissibility of mixed choirs in the Church

“Hosanna”

English-Latin Hymn Book

(1910)

Rev. and Dear Father Bonvin, Accept my congratulations on your new Hymnbook entitled “Hosanna.” It is a great satisfaction to find a hymn book in which sound Catholic doctrine is set to melodies that are beautiful and which breath a true Catholic spirit. The appendix containing approved prayers and devotions is a happy conception and adds much to the usefulness of the book. This book merits a very wide circulation; I

trust it will receive it.

Faithfully yours, Charles H. Colton, Bishop

CANISIUS COLLEGE MUSIC

1887-1895, 1897-1905 Directed Choir

1888-1907

Directed Orchestra

Canisius College Orchestra 1890-91

Local Performances and Honors

1934 - Buffalo Symphony Orchestra (Symphony No. 2)1935 - Buffalo Symphony Orchestra (Ballade)1928-1939 - Sacred Heart Academy (4 operas)1969 - Honored by having a bust placed in Kleinhans Music Hall1985 - BPO goes to College Series, Canisius College (Festzug)

The Caecilia - 1931

Died - February 18, 1939

LET’S GATHER UP THE TOIL OF YEARS

Let’s gather up the toil of yearsAnd weave it into song,It’s diamond light will mark the pathOf us who march along.

Come, let us toast the grand old man,A brothers’ song of praise:‘Tis two score years and one score more,God bless his length of days.

The silent song of sixty yearsNo bannered hosts may sing,But trumpet-tongued thro’ Sion’s hallsThe pealing anthems ring.

His broken frame our stronger stepsWill strengthen as we plod;Long has he toiled for Christ our KingThis veteran of God.

LUDWIG BONVIN

1850-1939