5 essential compositions by John Weinzweig

John Weinzweig, sometimes called the dean of Canadian composers, was born on March 11, 1913. He is credited with bringing 12-tone technique to the Canadian music scene, composing a wide range of works for orchestra, voices, chamber groups and solo instruments.

One hundred years later, Weinzweig is remembered not only for his music, but also as an educator and advocate for Canadian composers. He taught multiple generations of music students at the University of Toronto, and was instrumental in establishing the Canadian League of Composers and the Canadian Music Centre.

The chronological photo gallery above illustrates some of the milestones of his personal and professional life. And below, you'll find a list of five essential Weinzweig compositions.

1. Divertimento No. 1 (1946)

[Listen]
Fast and playful – slow – moderately fast
Robert Aitken, flute

Scored for flute and string orchestra, Divertimento No. 1 was the first in a series of Divertimenti that Weinzweig composed over the course of his long career. Here, Weinzweig brings 12-tone technique to a three-movement neoclassical form. It's a wonderful vehicle for a flute soloist, and falls easily on the ear. Divertimento No. 1 won the top award for chamber music at the 1948 London Olympiad.

2. 15 Pieces for Harp (1983)

[Listen]Three excerpts:
2. Quick March, 3. Reverie, 4. Quarks
Judy Loman, harp

Weinzweig composed these pieces for harpist Judy Loman, for whom he also wrote a harp concerto in 1967. The individual pieces represent a wide range of moods and characters, and Weinzweig's penchant for spare textures is nowhere more evident or effective. These pieces have proven themselves to be popular with harpists and audiences alike.

3. Woodwind Quintet (1964)

Remarkable for the elements of jazz that emerge in this three-movement chamber work, Weinzweig's Woodwind Quintet was dedicated to his friend, radio producer John Adaskin (brother of composer Murray Adaskin). "The overall temperature could be designated as 'cool,'" said Weinzweig, describing the work, "since most of the playing lies in the relaxed registers."

4. Hockey Night in Canada: A Game in 3 Periods (1985)

[listen]Opera in Concert Chorus
Robert Cooper, conductor

In the mid-1980s, Weinzweig returned his attention to choral music after a 30-year hiatus. Hockey Night in Canada: A Game in 3 Periods is a rhythmically intricate setting of familiar hockey broadcast terminology. Sprechstimme, counterpoint and Foster Hewitt come together in this one-of-a-kind composition that serves as a reminder that Weinzweig had a highly evolved sense of humour.

5. Private Collection (1975)

Weinzweig's Private Collection is a set of nine songs for soprano and piano. Each of the songs gives a short glimpse into an aspect of everyday life. Weinzweig did not care for setting lofty poetry to music, opting instead for colloquial text. "I feel that common speech has a rhythm that sharpens song projection,” he wrote. A soprano wishing to pull off these deceptively simple songs must bring a strong theatrical sense to her performance.

Here, soprano Maghan McPhee sings three songs from Weinzweig's Private Collection at the 2009 Montreal International Musical Competition: "Says What?," "My Dear, Etcetera" and "Hello Rico?"

Further listening and viewing:

CBC Radio 2's In Concert pays tribute to Weinzweig with a series of short documentaries by Philip Coulter. The first episode aired March 10 (listen below); there will be further episodes over the next five weeks.

[Listen]

In 1989, the National Film Board of Canada produced a documentary about Weinzweig called The Radical Romantic, directed by Larry Weinstein. The film won three Gemini Awards, including the award for best performing arts program.

In case we have left you with the impression that Weinzweig was an overly serious composer of atonal art music, the following video is a reminder that he also had a good sense of fun. Behold Il Menù, for which Weinzweig received a Juno nomination in 1999 for best classical composition. Singers Measha Brueggergosman and Jessica Lloyd play the all-consuming divas in this Bravo! video, directed by Matt Hornburg.