Christopher Jackson (musician)
Christopher Donald Jackson (27 July 1948 – 25 September 2015) was a Canadian organist, harpsichordist and choral conductor. He is best known as a specialist in the performance of Renaissance music, and as the co-founder and long time conductor of the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal.[1]
Early life and education
Jackson was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He graduated from the École de musique Vincent-d'Indy and the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal.
Career
As a young man, Jackson worked as an organ builder. He began teaching at Concordia University in 1973.[2] Jackson co-founded both the Société des Concerts d'orgue de Montréal and the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal in 1974.[3] He became the artistic director of the latter institutions in 1988. He conducted the ensemble in several recordings, including the 1998 Heavenly Spheres, which was awarded a Félix Award from the ADISQ and the Juno Award for Classical Album of the Year – Vocal or Choral Performance in 2000.[4][5]
Jackson taught at the music faculties of Concordia University[6] and McGill University. He was Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University from 1994 to 2005. He also held the post of organist and choirmaster at a variety of churches in Montreal, including St. George's Anglican Church.[4]
Jackson received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sudbury in 1999 and was inducted as a member of the Royal Society of Canada in 2009.
In 2011 Jackson conducted the Studio de music ancienne for the recording of an album, Musica Vaticana.[7]
Jackson died of lung cancer on September 25, 2015 in Montreal, aged 67.[8][9]
References
- ^ "Décès du pilier de la musique ancienne au Canada ". Le Devoir, Christophe Huss 26 September 2015
- ^ "Christopher Jackson, 67, was master of Renaissance music". MontrealGazette, Arthur Kaptainis, September 27, 2015
- ^ "Conductor Christopher Jackson helped musicians shine". Robert Rowat, The Globe and Mail, October 14, 2015
- ^ a b Hélène Panneton. "Christopher Jackson". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- ^ "Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal; Christopher Jackson: Heavenly Spheres". Juno Awards database.
- ^ "Monteverdi Helps Musicians Honor Late Conductor". Classical Voice North America, Arthur Kaptainis
- ^ Christopher Jackson / Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal: Musica Vaticana". AllMusic review by Stephen Eddins
- ^ "Early music pioneer has died, aged 67". Slippedisk, September 2015.
- ^ Huss, Christophe. "Décès du pilier de la musique ancienne au Canada". Le Devoir. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
External links
- "Christopher Jackson" at AllMusic
juno
- 1948 births
- 2015 deaths
- Canadian conductors (music)
- Canadian harpsichordists
- Canadian organists
- Concordia University faculty
- Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal alumni
- École de musique Vincent-d'Indy alumni
- McGill University faculty
- Musicians from Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Musicians from Montreal
- Deaths from lung cancer
- Deaths from cancer in Quebec
- Canadian classical organists