Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

December 16, 1931 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Milton Barnes was a Canadian composer and music educator who was born on December 23, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged their children to pursue music. Barnes began his musical education at a young age, studying piano and violin. He later attended McGill University in Montreal, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He continued his studies at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Master of Music degree in composition. After completing his studies, Barnes returned to Canada and began a career as a music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of Western Ontario, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia. He also served as the director of the Canadian Music Centre from 1971 to 1974. Throughout his career, Barnes composed a wide variety of music, including orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and music for solo instruments. His music was often characterized by its use of traditional forms and structures, as well as its incorporation of elements of Canadian folk music. One of Barnes' most well-known works is his Symphony No. 1, which was composed in 1967 to celebrate Canada's centennial. The symphony is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different Canadian folk song. The first movement is based on "Land of the Silver Birch," the second on "Un Canadien Errant," the third on "She's Like the Swallow," and the fourth on "The Maple Leaf Forever." The symphony has been performed by orchestras throughout Canada and has become a staple of the Canadian classical music repertoire. Another notable work by Barnes is his String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1959. The quartet is a three-movement work that is characterized by its use of traditional forms and its incorporation of elements of Canadian folk music. The first movement is a sonata form, the second is a theme and variations, and the third is a rondo. The quartet has been performed by numerous string quartets throughout Canada and has been praised for its lyrical melodies and inventive harmonies. Barnes also composed a significant amount of choral music, including his Missa Brevis, which was composed in 1963. The Missa Brevis is a setting of the traditional Latin Mass text and is characterized by its use of polyphonic textures and its incorporation of elements of Canadian folk music. The work has been performed by choirs throughout Canada and has been praised for its beauty and accessibility. In addition to his work as a composer, Barnes was also a respected music educator. He was known for his dedication to his students and his commitment to promoting Canadian music. He was a mentor to many young composers and was instrumental in the development of the Canadian Music Centre, which was established to promote and support Canadian composers. Barnes received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Canada in 1991 and the Canadian Music Council's Composer of the Year award in 1992. He continued to compose and teach until his death on January 17, 2001, in Vancouver, British Columbia. In conclusion, Milton Barnes was a Canadian composer and music educator who made significant contributions to the Canadian classical music repertoire.

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