Tributes pour in for maestro Boris Brott after the famous conductor was fatally hit by a car
Tributes are pouring in following news of the death of maestro Boris Brott, artistic director and conductor of the Orchester Classique de Montréal, who died Tuesday after being hit by a car in Hamilton. He was 78 years old.
The orchestra shared the news in a Facebook post who called him his “heart and soul”.
“The entire OCM family is in a state of shock and disbelief,” the orchestra’s management said in the post.
“[He was] an extraordinary ambassador of classical music, recognized beyond our borders, a mentor to countless young musicians and a very dear friend to many of them. His sudden death leaves a deep void in the music community and great sadness in our hearts.”
WATCH | Brott at work in 2013:
Brott was a titan of classical music, both in Canada and abroad. Born in 1944, he was the founding artistic director of his Brott Music Festival and of the National Academy Orchestra, a training orchestra also based in the city.
“He will be dearly missed by all who appreciated his unparalleled talent and by those who loved him,” Brott Music Festival said. said in a Facebook post.
Brott, who has played for Pope Francis more than once, has also held positions in Europe and the United States during his storied career. He became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1986.
“The Brott family are musical royalty in Canada, and it has been one of my greatest honors to know them as friends and to work with Boris for nearly 20 years,” said classical pianist Sara Davis Buechner . writes on facebook. Buechner remembers playing Beethoven Third piano concerto with Brott in the fall.
“My condolences go out to all of Boris Brott’s family, his friends around the world and all who have been blessed to hear his exalted performances over a long and incredibly creative life.”
Brott started his life in Montreal. His parents were Alexander Brott, violinist and composer who founded the orchestra that became the OCM. Her mother was cellist Lotte Brott and her younger brother is cellist Denis Brott.
A motivational speaker and cultural ambassador, Brott was also a member of the Order of Ontario and an Officer of the Order of Quebec.
Brott received an honorary doctorate from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in 2013.
I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of visionary Canadian conductor Boris Brott. From the National Academy Orchestra of Canada to the Brott Music Festival and beyond, he has shared his love of music with #HamOnt and the world.
I think of Ardyth and his family as they mourn this loss.