TORONTO – Malcolm Forsyth, a Juno Award-winning Canadian composer whose works have been performed around the world, has died. He was 74.
The South African-born musician had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.
Forsyth settled in Canada back in 1968, becoming a faculty member at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he taught theory, composition, conducting and trombone.
He was also a member of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for more than a decade.
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Forsyth was best-known, however, for his original compositions.
With a catalogue that spans more than 140 pieces, including three symphonies, Forsyth was commissioned by the CBC, the Canadian Brass, Maureen Forrester and orchestras in Edmonton, Montreal and Cape Town.
Some of his best-known compositions include “Electra Rising,” “Atayoskewin,” “Sketches from Natal, “Evangeline” and “Sagittarius.”
He won three Junos, received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and he was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2003.
In June, he travelled to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa to attend the world premiere of his final work, “A Ballad of Canada,” which featured works by Canadian poets and a 160-person choir.
“In addition to being arguably one of Canada’s greatest composers, Malcolm was also an important member of the NAC family,” said National Arts Centre president and CEO Peter Herrndorf in a release.
“Welcoming him back to the NAC last month for the world premiere of what Malcolm fondly referred to as his ‘epic, iconically Canadian work’ was a fitting tribute to a great talent and a great Canadian.”
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