Memorial Faculty Receives Juno Nomination for Classical Composition of the Year
Composer Clark Ross is well known for his eclectic use of musical styles in his compositions – this year it has netted him a Juno Nomination for Classical Composition of the Year. Last Dance, a passionate tango-based composition for piano, was commissioned through the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council by Memorial University pianist Kristina Szutor, who recorded it on her CD, "Bookends in Time". The Juno nomination came as a result of the work's release on Barbara Pritchard's "Piano Atlantica" CD (Centrediscs label), in 2010. Dr. Ross is professor of composition and theory at Memorial University’s School of Music. His compositions have been performed in Japan, Israel, England, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United States, and across Canada. Dr. Ross has received numerous commission grants from the CBC, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, and the Canada Council. Perhaps he’ll soon be able to add a Juno to that list!
You can listen to Last Dance at http://www.clarkross.ca/Progr-LastDance.htm.
In competition with Last Dance is Wild Bird, a duo for violin and piano composed by R. Murray Schafer that has also been nominated for Classical Composition of the Year. There’s a Memorial connection here too! Wild Bird was commissioned and recorded by Memorial faculty Dr. Nancy Dahn and Dr. Timothy Steeves – the Duo Concertante – on their CD of the same name, which has also been nominated for an East Coast Music Award.
