Boris Brott
Boris Brott was a renowned Canadian conductor, motivational speaker, and the founder of the Brott Music Festival, celebrated for his extensive contributions to the music world. Born on March 14, 1944, in Montreal, his early exposure to music came from his accomplished parents, both musicians. Brott's illustrious career began at a young age, performing with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra at just five years old. He gained significant recognition as a conductor, holding prestigious positions with various orchestras, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Hamilton Philharmonic.
In addition to his conducting achievements, Brott was a prominent television and radio host, known for programs such as "Music—From Bach to Rock." His ability to inspire others extended beyond music, leading him to become a sought-after motivational speaker for international companies. Over his lifetime, he received numerous accolades, including being named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Tragically, Brott's life was cut short on April 5, 2022, when he was struck by a vehicle in Hamilton, Ontario. His legacy continues through his contributions to music education and performance, as well as the festivals and orchestras he founded and led.
Subject Terms
Boris Brott
Conductor
- Born: March 14, 1944
- Place of Birth: Montreal, Quebec
- Died: April 5, 2022
Contribution: A famed conductor and motivational speaker, Boris Brott is known across the globe for his numerous accomplishments. Founder of the Brott Music Festival, Brott is also a television and radio host and an officer of the Order of Canada.
Early Life and Education
Boris Brott was born on March 14, 1944, in Montreal, Canada, to musically talented parents. His father, Alexander Brott, was a famed violinist, composer, and conductor. His mother, Lotte Brott, was a cellist. At an early age, Brott began demonstrating his own musical talents. In 1949, when he was only five years old, Brott performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and made his solo debut. His education consisted of classes at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal and McGill University. In 1958, he was awarded first prize at the Pan-American Conductors Competition in Mexico. Ten years after his first solo performance on the violin, he founded the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and made his conducting debut at the symphony’s first performance in 1959.
Musical Career
In 1962, at the Liverpool Conductors Competition in Great Britain, Brott won third prize. The following year, in 1963, he became the assistant conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He then became the music director of the Northern Sinfonia, a position he held from 1964 until 1968. Overlapping his career with the Northern Sinfonia was the work he did with the Royal Ballet Covent Garden, where he served as the music director and conductor from 1964 to 1967.
International Competition for Orchestral Conducting in New York. Following this accomplishment, he worked as assistant conductor under Leonard Bernstein for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. At the end of the decade, Brott began his career with the Hamilton Philharmonic as artistic director and conductor, a position he would hold until 1990.
The 1970s and 1980s also saw a number of appointments for Brott. From 1971 to 1973, he directed the Regina Symphony. In 1972, Brott became the conductor of the BBC National Symphony of Wales and, in 1975, he directed the CBC Winnipeg Orchestra while maintaining his position with the Hamilton Philharmonic.
During the 1980s, Brott helped restructure the Symphony Nova Scotia and served as its artistic director and conductor from 1982 to 1985. Between the years 1983 and 1991, he also worked as a conductor and music director for the Ontario Place Pops Orchestra. In 1988, he founded the Brott Music Festival in Hamilton, Ontario, which is held three times each year, in the spring, summer, and autumn. During this same year, McMaster University awarded Brott an honorary doctorate degree, and Brott was appointed the associate conductor of the McGill Chamber Orchestra in Montreal, the orchestra founded by his parents. Later, in 2000, he was appointed as the director of this orchestra. Brott also founded the National Academy Orchestra of Canada in 1989. This mentor-apprentice program is also the orchestra-in-residence at the Brott Music Festivals.
In 1990, the Hamilton Philharmonic did not renew Brott’s contract, so Brott decided to attend law school at the University of Western Ontario, graduating in 1995. While attending school, Brott was hired to speak at IBM’s 100 Percent Club meetings, which marked the beginning of his career as a motivational speaker. After that, Brott spoke at a number of international companies.
Although Brott became a well-known motivational speaker, he continued conducting and directing. In 2000, he was invited to the Vatican to conduct Bernstein’s MASS for Pope John Paul II.
During his distinguished career, Brott has also been involved in a number of television and radio broadcasts for CBC, including the five-part series “Music—From Bach to Rock” and “Brott To You.” He also recorded for Septre-Mace, Mercury, Pro-Arte Records, and Sony Classical.
In 2011 Brott was named Principal Guest Conductor of the historic Petruzzelli Theatre, located in Bari, Italy, after making his Italian operatic debut there in 2010. In the spring of 2013 he once again performed for a pope, this time conducting in front of Pope Francis.
Awards
Brott received a number of awards throughout his career. In 1987, he was awarded the Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1992, he was recognized by the International Biographical Center in Cambridge, England, as the International Man of the Year. In 1996, he became a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of Great Britain. Brott was also appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2006.
Personal Life
Brott and his wife, Webster, had three sons and resided in Hamilton, Ontario, while he continued to serve as the artistic director of the Brott Music Festival and as speaker to a number of Fortune 500 companies.
Brott died on April 5, 2022, after being struck by a car in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was taking a walk and was just 144 steps from home according to his widow. He was seventy-eight. The driver, Arsenije Lojovic, 35, was charged with dangerous driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and a parole violation. He was sentenced to nearly ten years in prison but given credit for time served while his case was adjudicated.
Bibliography
“Boris Brott.” Boris Brott. Boris Brott, n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
“Brott’s Storied Legacy Takes Root at Mac.” thespec.com. Metroland Media Group, 26 May 2011. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
Brownstein, Bill. "Brownstein: Conductor Boris Brott 'wasn’t 78 years old — he was 78 years young'." Montreal Gazette, 6 April 2022, montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/brownstein-tragic-death-of-boris-brott-shocks-music-world. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.
Carter, Adam. “Hamilton Conductor Boris Brott to Perform for the Pope.” CBCNews. CBC, 30 Apr. 2013. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
Kaptainis, Arthur. “Boris Brott is a Hit in the Land of Bravos.” Gazette. Postmedia Network, 27 Oct. 2012. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
“Mordecai Richler at Boris Brott Music Festival.” Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada 27. 3 (1992): 24. Print.
Nickerson, Cara. "Driver in Hit-and-Run Death of Hamilton Conductor Boris Brott Sentenced to Nearly 8 Years in Prison." CBC News, 31 Aug. 2023, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hit-and-run-death-boris-brott-trial-1.6953795. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.