Short bio Malcolm Forsyth
Full biography Malcolm Forsyth
Malcolm Forsyth was a South African and Canadian composer, as well as a trombonist. Born on December 8, 1936, he is considered to be one of Canada's most important composers. He began his music career performing as a trombonist in the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra , but soon turned to composition and eventually moved to Canada to study at the University of Alberta.
Forsyth's compositions spanned a wide range of genres, including orchestral, choral, and chamber music. He was known for incorporating both his South African and Canadian heritage into his works , often fusing African rhythms and melodies with Western classical music styles. Some of his most famous works include "Atayoskewin", "Masque", and "Electra Rising".
Throughout his career, Forsyth received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to Canadian music, including being named Canadian Composer of the Year in 1989. He was also awarded the Order of Canada in 2010 for his achievements and contributions to Canadian culture.
Forsyth passed away at the age of 74 on July 5, 2011, but his legacy lives on through his works and the many musicians and students he influenced throughout his career. He is remembered for his innovative music compositions, as well as his dedication to teaching and mentoring young musicians.
Compositions featuring Malcolm Forsyth
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accordion Concerto | 21:47 min | Concerto | 1998 |
| 2 | Love Poems (3) of John Donne, for chorus | 10:24 min | Choral | 1995 |
| 3 | Concerto for cello & chamber orchestra, "Electra Rising" | 31:30 min | Concerto | 1995 |
| 4 | Concerto for Alto saxophone & orchestra "Tre Vie" | 22:57 min | Concerto | 1992 |
| 5 | Valley of a Thousand Hills, for orchestra | 19:26 min | Orchestral | 1989 |
| 6 | Rondo in Stride, for cello & piano | 6:00 min | Chamber Music | 1988 |
| 7 | Concerto for trumpet & orchestra | 19:56 min | Concerto | 1987 |
| 8 | The Swan Sees His Reflection for cello and piano | 4:01 min | Chamber Music | 1987 |
| 9 | Atayoskewin, suite for orchestra | Orchestral | 1984 | |
| 10 | Pop's Cycle (Eclectic Suite) | 11:53 min | 1984 | |
| 11 | Ukuzalwa for orchestra | 12:35 min | Orchestral | 1983 |
| 12 | Burlesque for cello & piano | 4:19 min | Chamber Music | 1981 |
| 13 | Metis Songs (3) of Saskatchewan, for voice & orchestra | 9:41 min | Vocal Music | 1976 |
| 14 | Sagittarius for cello and piano | Chamber Music | 1975 | |
| 15 | Concerto for piano & orchestra | 26:07 min | Concerto | 1974 |
| 16 | Sketches from Natal, for orchestra | 14:42 min | Orchestral | 1970 |
| 17 | Jubilee Overture for orchestra | 11:04 min | Orchestral | 1964 |
| 18 | Sun Songs (3) for voice & piano | 17:38 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 19 | Songs from the Q'Appelle Valley, for brass band | 17:06 min | Band Music | - |
| 20 | Solemn Intrada | 3:54 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 21 | Kora Dances for 2 harps | 7:46 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 22 | Quintette for winds (or. . . ) | 16:40 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 23 | Metis Songs From the Qu'Appelle Valley, for voice & trumpet | 13:51 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 24 | Golyardes Grounde, for brass | 3:17 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 25 | Farinelli's Folly | 7:35 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 26 | Fanfare and 3 Masquerades, for horn & wind nonet | 11:53 min | Opera | - |
| 27 | Eclogue, for cello | 11:24 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 28 | Duets (8) for Young Cellists | 10:01 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 29 | Concerto Grosso No. 1 "Sagittarius", for brass quintet & orchestra | Concerto | - | |
| 30 | Aphorisms | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
Albums featuring Malcolm Forsyth
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Prokofiev / Bartók / Forsyth, Jane Coop, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (2) – Piano Concerti(CD, Album) | 2017 | Skylark Music |
| 2 |  |
Violet Archer, Oskar Morawetz, Jean Papineau-Couture, Malcolm Forsyth, Murray Schafer – Ovation Volume 2(5×CD, Compilation) | 2002 | CBC Records |
| 3 |  |
Amanda Forsyth, Peter Longworth - Malcolm Forsyth Plus Arvo Pärt And Gavin Bryars – Soaring With Agamemnon(CD, Album) | 1998 | Marquis Classics |
| 4 |  |
Hétu - Forsyth - Nimmons / Guy Few, James Thompson (4), Dan Warren (6), Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Raffi Armenian – Canadian Trumpet Concerti(CD, Album) | 1993 | CBC Records |
| 5 |  |
Prokofiev / Bartók / Forsyth, Jane Coop, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (2) – Piano Concerti(CD, Album) | 1993 | CBC Records |
| 6 |  |
Maureen Forrester, McGill Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hoenich, Elgar, Steven, Forsyth – Sea Pictures, Pages of Solitary Delights(CD, Album, Remastered, Stereo) | 1988 | McGill University Records |
| 7 |  |
Forsyth, Ridout, Morawetz, Shostakovich, Borodin, Kabalevsky, Glinka - Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Uri Mayer – Canadian And Russian Overtures(LP) | 1986 | CBC Records |
| 8 |  |
Forsyth • Freedman / Edmonton Symphony Orchestra • Uri Mayer – Atayoskewin • Oiseaux Exotiques | 1986 | CBC Records |
| 9 |  |
Portrait Musical - Portrait No.4(7", 33 ⅓ RPM) | - | CAPAC |
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