Ottawa — Amidst the hubbub surrounding the big names at the Juno Awards in Ottawa, classical music also had a piece of the festivities to call their own at Saturday’s Classical Nominees’ Showcase. Held at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, a number of this year’s candidates in performance and composition were present. The celebrations were twofold — performances highlighted the ever-increasing diversity of Canadian classical music, as well as existing and up-and-coming musical talent. Musical Toronto fleshed out this year’s power players for their commentary on classical music across Canada.
Ottawa-based journalist Paul Wells MC’d the Showcase, and has followed the Juno celebrations each of the three times Ottawa has played host to the ceremony. He mused on the event’s relevance for classical music: “It’s always a big deal when the Junos come through town. […] The Junos always celebrate the best in Canadian music, the televised Juno ceremony is at the intersection of the best and the most famous. The organizers of these Classical showcases, principally the CMC, they want to ensure that classical musicians are not forgotten while all the pop stars are in town.”
For cellist Matt Haimovitz, the Awards also offer another platform for musical exchange and celebration. “I’m glad they’re doing [JUNO Week], because otherwise what’s the point? But it’s nice to be making music; we had a great impromptu jazz session yesterday when we arrived at Château Laurier with legendary characters Tommy Banks and other musical ambassadors… [it’s] great to have things like this come together and celebrate music.”
Composer and Juno veteran Christos Hatzis arrived with a plan of action for an immersive experience for this year’s celebrations. “My daughter is just flying in, so I’m going to live most of the Juno events through her. Because she’s going to be crazy about her rock stars.” He would go on to accept a Juno that evening in the Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment category for Going Home Star — Truth and Reconciliation.
Roman Borys wears many musical hats, notably as Juno Award-winning cellist of the Gryphon Trio and artistic director of Ottawa Chamberfest. For him, this weekend encouraged discussion about the state of music beyond the Juno Awards: “As classical musicians and organizations that support classical music, we recognize that the Junos ARE [huge inflection] primarily in place to support the pop music industry […] I mean, [classical music] is part of the whole scene here, I wish that it had a bigger presence. Events like today’s certainly helped, it would have been nice if broadcasts of classical music had some sort of place [in the festival programming]; I think the audiences for the kinds of performances that we put on are perhaps a bit bigger than those Juno people think.”
Memorial University-based composer Andrew Staniland was up for two nominations for his Dark Star Requiem. He was very appreciative of the Juno ambiance: “I’ve just arrived today and I’m very much enjoying myself, it’s wonderful to be surrounded by so many talented colleagues and hearing so much great Canadian music.”
Fellow composer Jordan Nobles was one of the classical musical compatriots that Staniland met for the first time in person; Nobles effused personality, but condensed his Juno experience into simple thoughts: “It’s just an honour to be nominated. I’m just glad to bring my wife to Ottawa. I’m really happy to be here.” A Vancouver resident, he echoes a similar appreciation for the chance to come face-to-face with like-minded musicians: “You come here and there are a whole bunch of people who recognize me, but we only know each other because we’ve seen each other online or in a post about a concert. I can recognize six or eight people that I’ve never seen before, like Jamie [Parker], and Andrew Staniland, and Christos Hatzis.” At that evening’s awards ceremony, Nobles brought home the Juno in the Classical Composition category for Immersion.
Though unvoiced, the nominees’ work in classical music exemplifies a common thread: regardless of the outcome, the journey through music does not stop at the awards ceremony. The underlying mission is to continue sharing it with audiences, in step with the increasing diversity of our country.
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Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with composer Christos Hatzis as he dispels the confusion surrounding his Juno win, and shares an illuminating take on classical music’s motivations in society today.
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