Vienna, Austria, June 25th. JHPCUs Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music was conferred on the distinguished organist and Professor of Church Music, Dr. Peter Planyavsky.

Dr. Peter Planyavsky (left) being presented with his Hon. DSM by President, Prof. Stephan U. Breu (middle) and Prof. Elmar Kuhn (right).

​The Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Christian University (JHPCU), based in Miami, Florida (USA), awarded an honorary doctorate to the Viennese church musician, organist and composer Prof. Peter Planyavsky (73). The "Doctor of Sacred Music honoris causa" was presented in the chapel of the Archbishop's Curhaus in Vienna. Its president, Prof. Stephan Breu, praised Planyavsky's tireless and innovative efforts in the field of sacred music in his laudation.

"His openness and creativity in the further development of sacred music and also in music in general will inspire and challenge generations of young musicians," he said in his laudation. Planyavsky is a role model not only through the interpretation of existing compositions, but also through the introduction of individual traits in his famous parodies and improvisations. In addition to his musical talents as a church musician, composer and conductor, the honorary doctor also has a deep understanding of the craft as an organ builder and has successfully accompanied many important organ projects.

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Christian University (JHPCU), named after the famous Swiss educational pioneer, is Christian and ecumenical. It cooperates with the National College of Music and Arts in London to collectively value music as a "universal language and understanding beyond cultural, linguistic or religious boundaries".

Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the JHPCU, is the Austrian Prof. Elmar Kuhn, who as a European Advisor, is responsible for contact and dialogue with German-speaking partners.

Peter Planyavsky, born in Vienna in 1947, studied organ, composition and improvisation, piano and conducting while still a student at the Schottengymnasium at the Vienna University of Music and completed his studies in 1966 with diplomas for organ and church music in 1966. He worked in an organ workshop before he Became organist in the Upper Austrian Abbey Schlägl.

From 1969 to 2004, Planyavsky was cathedral organist at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna and from 1983 to 1990 he was the overall responsible cathedral music director. In 1980 he became professor for organ, improvisation and liturgical organ playing at the Vienna University of Music. Concert tours and master classes have taken Planyavsky to many countries in Europe and beyond. He was honored with the award for music of the Republic of Austria.

http://www.peterplanyavsky.at/
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