In Thursday’s (6/9) Globe and Mail (Toronto), Colin Eatock writes, “Edmonton composer Malcolm Forsyth took on a big challenge when he accepted a commission from Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra to write an ‘iconically Canadian’ work for chorus and orchestra. For his title, he came up with A Ballad of Canada. … Last October, while still working on the last movement of his new work, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A Ballad of Canada could well be Forsyth’s last composition. ‘In October, the doctors said he had two months to live,’ says his daughter, Amanda Forsyth, principal cellist of the NAC Orchestra and wife of the NACO’s music director, Pinchas Zukerman. … Amanda thinks the task of composing A Ballad of Canada is at least partly the reason why her father has outlived his doctors’ prognosis. … As recently as a few days ago, there was some doubt as to whether the elder Forsyth would be well enough to attend the premiere. But with caregivers and oxygen tanks, he’s made the trip from Edmonton, and will be on hand to take a bow tonight.”
Posted June 9, 2011
