Felix Borowski was born in Burton, England, on March 10, 1872. He
received his musical training at the Cologne Conservatory and with
private teachers in England. In 1897 he settled in the United States
where he later became a citizen. From 1897 to 1916 he was professor of
harmony and counterpoint at Chicago Musical College, and from 1916 to
1925 its president. His career in music criticism began in 1905. From
1907 to 1917 he was music critic of the Chicago _Record-Herald_ and from
1942 until his death, of the Chicago _Sun_. He was also program
annotator for the concerts of the Chicago Symphony from 1908 on, some of
these annotations being published in the books, _Standard Concert Guide_
and _Encyclopedia of the Symphony_. Borowski died in Chicago, Illinois,
on September 6, 1956.
As a composer, Borowski produced three symphonies, three string
quartets, several ballet-pantomimes, various tone poems and other
instrumental compositions. His major works are now rarely given, but his
smaller salon pieces have retained their popularity through the years.
The best of these are the _Adoration_, for violin and piano, the _La
Coquette_ and _Valsette_ for piano, all transcribed for orchestra. All
three pieces are in simple song structure and unashamedly Romantic in
their lyricism and emotional content. The uninhibited sentimentality of
_Adoration_ has made that piece a particular favorite.