Success stories of Palestinian achievers from all over the world

William Nicodeme

Personal Info

  • Country of residence: Palestine
  • Gender: Male
  • Born in: 1947
  • Age: 69
  • Curriculum vitae :

Information

William Nicodeme, a pianist, composer, and artist, is a perfect contemporary example of such dedication and determination, although the difficult circumstances in which Palestinians live nowadays are even more difficult for people in the world of fine art. 
 
William was born in 1947 into the family of Julio Nicodeme. The Jerusalemite Arab family was living in the eye-of-the-storm period of Palestinian history: a time when society was in transition and under the threat of imminent war; strangers began to populate the towns; economic life was deteriorating; and most of all, security was becoming every family’s major concern. 
People who know of Palestinian composers would usually think of François Nicodeme, the elder brother of William. He too was a celebrated Palestinian composer and pianist. Although twelve years younger, William became the main concern of young François when their father passed away. William was barely eight years old at the time. 

As a young child, William often accompanied his father to church where he was the organist. After the death of his father, William was further encouraged to explore the world of music through his brother François. In addition, he studied music under the great Augustine Lama at St. Saviour School in Jerusalem. 

In 1965 William graduated from high school, and his brother François tutored him and gave him master classes for two years. After the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, William got a scholarship to study music at the Robin Academy of Music in West Jerusalem. It was not easy for him to study in an Israeli environment, but he pursued a four-year programme in piano performance. After these years he joined Fr. Armando Perucci to study music composition for seven years at the Franciscan Monastery in the Old City of Jerusalem, after which he completed the diploma in composition as well. 
 
In 1972 he began to perform in music events and private concerts. During one of these concerts he was invited to tour Europe and perform in Switzerland, England, France, and Monte Carlo. The most significant moment during the tour was his performance of Schumann’s touching and famous A minor piano concerto. 
 
William taught music and art at the Freres School in Jerusalem, but decided later to dedicate more time to composition and painting. 

William remains a living symbol of the contemporary music and art worlds of Palestine, as he continues to compose and paint in Jerusalem. His works invite us to document, perform, and cherish the creative, talented Palestinian mind in the midst of these turbulent times in Jerusalem and throughout Palestine.


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