Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

July 6, 1927 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Death

:

July 17, 2021

 

Dolores Claman was a Canadian composer and pianist who was born on July 7, 1927, in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was the daughter of a violinist and a pianist, and her parents encouraged her to pursue music from a young age. Claman began playing the piano at the age of four and showed a natural talent for the instrument. As a child, Claman studied with several prominent piano teachers in Vancouver, including Winifred Scott Wood and Jean Coulthard. She also studied composition with Barbara Pentland and became interested in writing her own music. Claman's early compositions were influenced by the works of classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin. In 1945, Claman moved to Toronto to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She continued her piano studies with Alberto Guerrero and also studied composition with John Weinzweig. During this time, Claman began to experiment with different musical styles, including jazz and popular music. After completing her studies at the Royal Conservatory, Claman began working as a freelance composer and pianist. She wrote music for radio and television commercials, as well as for film and television scores. In 1963, Claman composed the iconic theme music for the television show "Hockey Night in Canada," which became one of the most recognizable pieces of music in Canadian history. Claman's other notable works include the score for the 1967 film "The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar," which won the Canadian Film Award for Best Original Score. She also composed music for the television series "The Forest Rangers" and "The Trouble with Tracy." Throughout her career, Claman continued to write classical music as well. She composed several works for orchestra, including "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" and "Symphony No. 1." She also wrote chamber music, including a string quartet and a sonata for violin and piano. Claman's music was known for its melodic and accessible style, which appealed to a wide audience. She was a prolific composer who wrote in a variety of genres, from classical to jazz to popular music. Her music was performed by orchestras and ensembles across Canada and around the world. In addition to her work as a composer, Claman was also a dedicated teacher. She taught piano and composition at the Royal Conservatory of Music and the University of Toronto, and she mentored many young musicians throughout her career. Claman received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to Canadian music. She was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1998 and received the Canadian Music Council's Composer of the Year Award in 2000. She was also awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. Claman continued to compose and perform music well into her later years. She passed away on July 15, 2019, at the age of 92. Her legacy as a composer and musician continues to inspire and influence generations of Canadian musicians.

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