Role

:

Composer

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Keith Bissell was a Canadian composer, pianist, and music educator who was born on August 6, 1927, in Toronto, Ontario. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Bissell began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He studied piano with Alberto Guerrero and composition with John Weinzweig at the University of Toronto, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1950. After completing his studies, Bissell worked as a music teacher and composer. He taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and was a professor of music at the University of Western Ontario from 1961 to 1988. Bissell was also a prolific composer, with a career spanning over six decades. He composed music for a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and solo piano pieces. One of Bissell's most notable works is his Piano Concerto No. 1, which he composed in 1953. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist, with a lively and energetic first movement, a lyrical second movement, and a lively and rhythmic third movement. The concerto has been performed by many pianists, including Anton Kuerti, who recorded it with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1985. Bissell's other orchestral works include his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1956. The symphony is a dramatic and powerful work, with a hauntingly beautiful slow movement and a lively and energetic finale. Bissell also composed several other works for orchestra, including his Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, which he composed in 1960. In addition to his orchestral works, Bissell composed a significant amount of chamber music. One of his most notable chamber works is his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1952. The quartet is a complex and challenging work, with intricate counterpoint and a wide range of emotions. Bissell also composed several other works for chamber ensembles, including his Sonata for Flute and Piano, which he composed in 1954. Bissell was also a prolific composer of choral music. One of his most notable choral works is his Requiem, which he composed in 1963. The Requiem is a powerful and moving work, with a hauntingly beautiful setting of the Latin text. Bissell also composed several other works for choir, including his Mass for the Dead, which he composed in 1972. Throughout his career, Bissell was recognized for his contributions to Canadian music. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1988 and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1993. Bissell continued to compose and perform music until his death on December 18, 2017, at the age of 90. In conclusion, Keith Bissell was a Canadian composer who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was a prolific composer who wrote music for a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and solo piano pieces. His works are characterized by their complexity, emotional depth, and virtuosic writing. Bissell's legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

More....