Edward "Eddy" Lowinsky

Edward Lowinsky was a musician, music historian, and educator. He was a scholar of sixteenth-century music and was well published in the field. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Heidelberg in 1933, studying under Heinrich Besseler.

He then emigrated to the United States in 1940 and joined the Black Mountain College faculty in 1942. He continued to teach at Queens College, NY (1947-56), the University of California, Berkeley (1956-61) and the University of Chicago (1961-76).

Lowinsky is considered one of the major figures of postwar musicology. His numerous publications include major critical editions and innovative historical and stylistic observations.

A biography that was shared in a College bulletin of January 1943 states, "Dr Lowinsky is widely known as a pianist, a musicologist, and a teacher. He studied at the University of Heidelberg, and lived recently in Holland where he was, until the war, a popular lecturer before Dutch musical societies. In 1933, his Book of Children’s Music was published in Denmark, and in 1937 his study of Orlando di Lasso was published in Holland. A new book on Renaissance Music has been accepted for publication by the Columbia University Press. At Black Mountain Dr Lowinsky is working with piano students, teaching music history, and directing the madrigal group. Mrs Lowinsky is teaching violin and viola.”

Lowinsky headed many programs and initiatives at the college, especially with the music institute, but also was head ofnthe Interracial program to recruit African American students and faculty.

Good sources for biographical information about Lowinsky

Gretel and Edward Lowinsky File Collection at the University of Chicago libraries.

Lowinsky’s book, Music in the Culture of the Renaissance and other Essays which was edited by his second wife, Bonnie J. Blackburn in 1989

Relationships

Wife: Fellow BMC faculty, Gretel Lowinsky