Malcolm Forsyth (1936–2011) was a musical legend: a much-loved composer, performer, teacher, and mentor. Reflections on Malcolm Forsyth presents a captivating and approachable portrait of one of Canada’s finest modern composers. Readers will discover both public and private sides to the man and gain fresh insights from critical assessments of a broad range of Forsyth’s compositions, his continuing popular appreciation, and his lasting influence on the next generation of musicians and music scholars. Drawing from the perspectives of leading scholars, composers, and musicians, as well as on those of family, friends, students, and colleagues, Reflections on Malcolm Forsyth honours the rich life and cultural significance of this exceptional creative mind. It is important reading for music students and researchers, professional performers, and anyone who loves contemporary music.
Contributors: Tommy Banks, Allan Gordon Bell, Nora Bumanis, Robin Elliott, Amanda Forsyth, Valerie Forsyth, Allan Gilliland, Carl Hare, Mary I. Ingraham, Edward Jurkowski, Ryan McClelland, John McPherson, Fordyce C. (Duke) Pier, Roxane Prevost, Kathy Primos, Tanya Prochazka, Leonard Ratzlaff, Rayfield Rideout, Robert C. Rival, Julia Shaw, Dale Sorensen, Christopher Taylor
Figures
Acknowledgements
Prelude / AMANDA FORSYTH
Introduction / MARY I. INGRAHAM & ROBERT C. RIVAL
1 Reflections on a Life and Career / ROBIN ELLIOTT
2 Sonorous Pleasure: Portrait of a Master Orchestrator as Pedagogue / ALLAN GORDON BELL
3 Remembering and Continuing: Rhapsody for 14 Strings / RYAN MCCLELLAND
4 Finding Inspiration in Canadian Folk Songs: An Analysis of Three Métis Songs from Saskatchewan / ROXANE PREVOST
5 Breathing in G: Harmonic Tension and Repose in the Cello Concerto Electra Rising / ROBERT C. RIVAL
6 Allusion and Reflection in Je répondrais… for Solo Piano / EDWARD JURKOWSKI
7 “Here, All Is a Beginning”: Reflections of Forsyth in A Ballad of Canada / MARY I. INGRAHAM
8 Interlude: Reminiscences / CARL HARE, TOMMY BANKS, NORA BUMANIS & JULIA SHAW, ALLAN GILLILAND, JOHN MCPHERSON, FORDYCE C. (DUKE) PIER, TANYA PROCHAZKA, RAYFIELD RIDEOUT, CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR
9 A Life Experience: The Early Orchestral Works / KATHY PRIMOS
10 Splendour in the Brass: A Legacy of Brass Music / DALE SORENSEN
11 The Choral Music / LEONARD RATZLAFF
Postlude / VALERIE FORSYTH
List of Works
Contributors
Permissions
Index