Featured Composer

Featured Composer: Srul irving Glick (1934-2002)

Srul Irving Glick was born in Toronto, and lived there most of his life. His musical life was influenced by his father who was an esteemed cantor and his brother Norman, a professional clarinetist. Glick began piano lessons at age 12 and, before he finished high school, knew he wanted to be a composer. He began an intense and difficult study at the University of Toronto at a time when twelve tone and serial music was considered the direction of serious music. This conflicted with his natural lyrical and harmonic preferences. In 1958 Glick achieved his Masters Degree in Composition.

After two summers at Aspen studying with Darius Milhaud and Joaquin Nin-Culmell, Glick continued his studies in the fall of 1959 with Darius Milhaud in Paris. Later that year he met and began working with Max Deutsch and Louis Saguer; both encouraged him to write the music he felt spoke from his heart.

From 1962-1986 Glick was classical music producer for CBC radio, creating over 150 recordings. He had the pleasure and privilege of working with some of the world's greatest musicians and helped promote many of his Canadian colleagues. His recordings won several Grand Prix du Disques and a Juno award. In 1969 he became choir leader of Beth Tikvah Synagogue. There he found a vibrant and vital home which gave him the opportunity to explore the music from his father and his heritage. That music, with its Yiddish/Hebrew melodies, came to him easily and joyously, and he wrote extensively commemorating services, festivals, and the broader Jewsh culture. Glick was awarded many of the top prizes for his liturgical music. His music, both "Jewish" and "Classical" continues to be performed throughout the world.

In 1993 Glick received the Governor General's Medal for his contribution to Canadian culture and in 1994 he was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada.

Visit the new web site dedicated to Glick's artistry, www.srulirvingglick.com for more information.