8 December 1936, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – 5 July 2011, Edmonton, Canada
Canadian composer and trombonist
WORKS FOR BRASS ENSEMBLE
- Poem for Brass (version A) (1964-66) for brass ensemble
- Aphorism (1971) for brass quintet
- Golyardes’ Grounde (1972) for brass quintet
- Triangles (1972) for brass quintet
- Five Fanfares (1970 -1978) for brass ensemble
- Poem for Brass (version B) (1975) for brass ensemble
- Exploration Fanfare (1978) for brass ensemble
- Four Pieces for Brass Quintet (1979)
- Two Gentil Knyghtes (1979) for brass ensemble
- Miniatures for Brass Quartet (1982)
- Saltarello (1982) for brass quintet
- Novum Spatium (1985) for brass ensemble
- Pfeifferfanfar fér Pfeiffers (1985) for brass quintet
- Farinelli’s Folly (1986; revised 1988) for brass quintet
- Toccata for Brass Quintet & Organ (1986)
- Songs from the Qu’appelle Valley (1987) for brass band
- Zephyrus (1989) for brass quintet
- El Brazz! (Fanfare) (1993) for trumpet, horn, and trombone
BIOGRAPHY
Malcolm Forsyth studied at the University of Cape Town and played trombone in the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. He immigrated to Canada in 1968 and made his home in Edmonton, Alberta, until his passing in 2011. In that time, he earned an international reputation as one of Canada’s leading composers. He was also a fine trombonist, playing principal trombone with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for many years, and an outstanding teacher.
He was a Professor of Music at the University of Alberta for 34 years and was Composer-in-Residence at the time of his retirement in 2002. He received many accolades, including three JUNO Awards for his compositions, was named Canadian Composer of the Year in 1989 and was presented the Order of Canada in 2003.