Is there any Canadian Nationalism Musical School?

Hello

We all know about the American national school (Copland, Gershwin, Ives) or Russia (The Mighty Five or whatever) the British national school (Holst, Elgar) the Italian national school (Puccinni, Respighi) the French school (Debussy, Ravel), and even the Japanese nationalist school (Toru Tagemitsu).

What I want to know is, is there such a thing as a Canadian nationalist school? As in, music that evokes the Canadian identity?

Now, I don't want to start a discussion on WHAT exactly is the Canadian musical identity, because that could go on forever.

There are only three MAJOR Canadian composers of classical "art music", that I know are of world renown. Hatsis and Murray Schaffer. Murray Schaffer is perhaps best known for his "Soundscape projects", in which he has performances of his works in specific natural spots, such as having two choirs on opposite ends of a pond, for example. Hatsis, I don't know much about him except he teaches at U of T and apparently has is music performed all over the place.

Still, none of these composers seem to have any truly Canadian themes to their music, or at least nothing really recognisable.

Nothing like, say, "An American in Paris," or "Lincoln Portrait."

No "Canadian Symphony," or anything like that.

HOWEVER, I stumbled upon ONE composer, Iian Kelso. He composed some music for the History Channel, for some shorts dealing with Canadian history. The one I found most intriguing, and perhaps most Canadian, was his tone poem "Brebeuf Among The Hurons." It was just brilliant. And even if I didn't know the name, it has an interesting "Canadian Flavor", whatever that is.

Canada has a vibrant musical culture, but they either seem to be musicians, folk singers, or pop stars.'

No GREAT CANADIAN COMPOSER.

I mean, we have GREAT Canadian art (Group of Seven), literature (Mordecai Richler, Robertson Davis), comedy (SCTV, Kids in the Hall), drama (Stratford Festival), but no GREAT "Canadian Nationalist Music?"

Is it too late to begin a Canadian Nationalist School? Why hasn't it ever been done before? I mean, think of the possibilities, a quest to find a classical Canadian identity? A "John A. Macdonald Portrait." if you will.

No iconically sounding Canadian classical music.

I really want to to learn more if there is such a thing.

If not, maybe we could begin one?

I suppose that it is never too late to start one, but I'm not sure why you would want to. Canada provides so very little support and funding for classical music, and its population is mostly interested in popular music, including the emerging trends of "Indie" music, which Canada is perhaps the biggest proponent and leader of. Overall, classical musicians of Canadian descent end up in the United States, where there is more funding and a larger market for classical music.

You need interest in classical music before a group of composers come together, backed with some degree of funding and guaranteed performances, before a country can actually say that "these composers represent Canadian classical music."

I don't see that happening, nor would I want it to happen: there is enough nationalist mumbo-jumbo floating about, no need for more.

Personally, I'm not a rah-rah patriot. I love the United Nations and would serve it more than any country.

But that's beside the point.

I'm talking about a classical trend in music that best represents the country, a Nationalist school.

I'm talking about a classical trend in music that best represents the country, a Nationalist school.

Well, there is none currently
Go start one! Hell, if they'll give me money to compose, I'll pretend like I care about this place we've come to call Canada. I'll pretend to care about Panama if they pay me to make a living composing!!!!

You can be "The Drunken Hosers".

You might be interested in pursuing Alex Pauk and is Espirit Orchestra. It is based in Toronto and is dedicated to the performance of modern Canadian works.

I do not know if that constitutes a Canadian National music sound, but it is dedicated to improving the stature of Canadian classical composers. At least, last I had heard.

You might be interested in pursuing Alex Pauk and is Espirit Orchestra. It is based in Toronto and is dedicated to the performance of modern Canadian works.

I do not know if that constitutes a Canadian National music sound, but it is dedicated to improving the stature of Canadian classical composers. At least, last I had heard.

It is also devoted to nothing but atonal/modern music. I have personally been in contact with the Esprit Orchestra. They are not trying to formulate a "canadian" genre of music - they are just playing modern works by Canadian composers.

Why is it that the Canadian musical "establishment" is so obsessed with Schoenberg and the rest of the atonal world?

Why is it that the Canadian musical "establishment" is so obsessed with Schoenberg and the rest of the atonal world?

That is the trend in classical music all over the world right now.

That is the trend in classical music all over the world right now.

Not quite true. In fact, in America at least, the trend is towards a new romanticism. I attended a Concert in Pittsburgh last month which featured two world premiers.

Jennifer Higdon's Trombone Concerto began with a very Roy Harris/Aaron Copland sombre melody. Even when it grew fast paced and left ehind the haunting melodies, it was still tonal in sound, if not in the way that most folks here would think of it.

Similarly, Lucas Richman's Oboe Concerto 'The Clearing' was very melodic and enchanting, relying on many traditional harmonies in addition to the more modern sound. But nowhere was it atonal. It was lush but spartan. If works of the 18th century are sonnets, then this was free verse.

That's the trend in America, towards a new Romanticism. It's an extension of the paths that Aaron Copland trod. It may be a bit more dissonant ala Prokofiev, but it is nevertheless tonal.