Short bio Norma Beecroft
Full biography Norma Beecroft
Norma Beecroft was a pioneering Canadian composer and music educator, born on August 11, 1934 in Barrie, Ontario. She completed her undergraduate studies in music at the University of Toronto, and later spent two years studying in Europe on a Canada Council grant. In 1966, she received her Master's degree in Composition from the University of Illinois.
Beecroft's music was often experimental and avant-garde, drawing on electronic and aleatoric techniques. She was also known for her work in incorporating aspects of multimedia into her performances. Her compositions have been performed internationally, including at the opening of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and at the prestigious Donaueschingen Festival in Germany.
In addition to composing music, Beecroft was a dedicated teacher. She taught at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music from 1966 to 1999, where she inspired many young composers. She was also the founder and director of the university's Electronic Music Studio, which gave students access to cutting-edge technology for music creation.
Throughout her career, Beecroft received numerous accolades and awards for her contributions to Canadian music. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1997, and in 2016, she was awarded the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts.
Norma Beecroft passed away on June 6, 2018, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Canada's most innovative and influential composers.
Compositions featuring Norma Beecroft
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evocations: Images of Canada, for electronics | 16:01 min | Electronic/Computer Music | 1992 |
| 2 | Piece for Bob, for flute, percussion & tape | 12:02 min | Chamber Music | 1975 |
| 3 | Improvvisazioni Concertanti No. 2, for orchestra | 8:12 min | Orchestral | 1971 |
| 4 | Rasas I, for ensemble | 9:05 min | Chamber Music | 1968 |
| 5 | The Living Flame of Love, for chorus | 10:10 min | Choral | 1968 |
| 6 | Elegy and Two Went to Sleep, for soprano, flute, percussion & tape | 7:34 min | Vocal Music | 1967 |
| 7 | Pezzi Brevi (3), for flute & piano | 3:43 min | Chamber Music | 1960 |
Albums featuring Norma Beecroft
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Norma Beecroft, Barbara Pentland, Talivaldis Kenins, John Beckwith, Gilles Tremblay – Ovation Volume 3(5×CD, Compilation) | 2003 | CBC Records |
| 2 |  |
Canadian Composers Portraits(2×CD, Compilation) | 2003 | Centredisques |
| 3 |  |
Anthology Of Canadian Music / Anthologie De La Musique Canadienne(4×LP, Compilation) | 1982 | Radio Canada International |
| 4 |  |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, L'Orchestre Du Centre National Des Arts, Norma Beecroft – Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 5 In A Major(LP) | 1974 | RCA Red Seal |
| 5 |  |
Robert Turner (5), CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra / Norma Beecroft, CBC Toronto Chorus And Symphony Orchestra • John Avison – Music And Musicians Of Canada Centennial Edition Vol. II / Musique Et Musiciens Du Canada Edition Du Centenaire Vol. II | 1967 | CBC Radio Canada |
| 6 |  |
CAPAC Musical Portraits(7", 33 ⅓ RPM) | - | CAPAC |
Leave a Reply