Dear friends,
It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I announce to you the passing of Toronto composer Ann Southam, Thursday afternoon (Nov. 25th). Undoubtedly one of the most unique compositional voices in Canada, Ann was a graduate of the University of Toronto (Lic.Dip., 1963) where she studied with Professor emeritus Gustav Ciamaga. She was also a student of the late Samuel Dolin at the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), a master teacher credited for nurturing the talents of a remarkable number of Canadian composers, many of which went on to having illustrious careers both as composers and educators.
Ann worked in a wide range of styles and enjoyed success early in her career as a composer of electronic music: she wrote countless pieces for tape (literally, cutting tape) in collaboration with a number of renowned modern dance companies and artists. Her early instrumental music was rooted in the tradition of the great romantics. She later adopted the 12-tone system, employed jazz elements to some of her work, experimented with form and eventually settled to writing in a minimalist style, progressively graduating from complex structures to music made of the simplest (albeit not simplistic) materials.
Her artistic merits aside, Ann was also a philanthropist, a solid supporter of Canadian New Music and a strong advocate of Canadian women artists at large. In recognition to all of the above, Ann was earlier this year appointed to the Order of Canada. She was appreciated and will be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing her for her kindness, humbleness and the humorous and witty ways in which she approached all things in life.
For any and all of you interested, a large body of Ann's work (scores and recordings) is available for viewing and/or purchasing through the Canadian Music Center.Click here to hear pianist Christina Petrowska-Quilico perfoming Southam's Glass Houses
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