Murray Adaskin

This recording is part of the Centrediscs’ Canadian Composers Portraits series which documents the emergence of a generation of pioneering professional composers who firmly established Canada’s place on the world’s musical map. Each release in this retrospective of the last fifty years is dedicated to a single composer and uniquely combines full-length documentaries on the composers’ lives and music, as well as a selection of their most important works.

Reviews:

“This is intensely pleasant music.” – John Story, Fanfare (USA)

“The second disc, containing the five orchestral works, demonstrates highly professional production values and top quality performances by major Canadian orchestras. […] The legacy of Murray Adaskin is very large, spanning over five decades and myriad genres, including orchestral music, chamber music, choral music, and opera. This Canadian Composers Portraits CD provides a fascinating glimpse into his life through his own words, and several convincing performances of some of his works. For the documentary alone, the recording is worth owning.” – Brian E. Power, CAML Review

CD 1

Adaskin documentary produced and presented by Eitan Cornfield

CD 2

1. Divertimento for Orchestra

2-4. Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra

5-7. Suite for Orchestra

8-10. In Praise of Canadian Painting in the Thirties

11. Diverimento No.6 for Percussion and Orchestra

View the English transcription of the documentary.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

PERFORMERS:

National Arts Centre Orchestra; Mario Bernardi (conductor / chef d’orchestre)
George Zuckerman (bassoon / basson); CBC Vancouber Chamber Orchestra; John Avison (conductor / chef d’orchestre)
CBC Vancouver Orchestra; Mario Bernardi (condcutor / chef d’orchestre)
John Rudolf (percussion); CBC Vancouver Orchestra; Mario Bernardi (conductor / chef d’orchestre)