Canadian composer Alex Pauk's contributions to Canadian arts earned him the 2007 Molson Award.
Alex Pauk
One of Toronto's finest composers and conductors, Alex Pauk specializes in taking Canadian music to the international scene. His ensemble, the Esprit Orchestra, promotes contemporary classical music, having commissioned works from over 60 composers. In addition, the programming for Esprit concerts is typically 80% Canadian music. Pauk has also recorded six albums of Canadian music for the CBC Records and has composed several film scores, including the score to The Five Senses (1999). Esprit Orchestra's community involvement includes the Toward a Living Art education programme and the In Your Space outreach initiatives. Pauk's work gained recognition for Canadian composers Chris Paul Harman and Brian Current.
Biography
Born October 4, 1945, Alexander Peter Pauk received a B. Mus from the University of Toronto in 1970 and a B. Ed from the same university in 1971. Before Pauk founded Esprit Orchestra in 1983, he conducted the Vancouver Youth Orchestra. He also conducted the CBC Vancouver Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Sample Compositions
Alex Pauk's style utilizes ethereal, minimalistic sound washes. His inspiration comes from popular music, jazz, and world music.
Scan (1973): This short piece is for solo flute.
Echo Music Isle (1983): This piece was influenced by Pauk's study of gamelan music.
Cosmos (1983): Gongs and percussion simulate the "ringing of the spheres" in this piece commissioned by the Quebec Symphony Orchestra.
Mirage (1984): This piece is based on Balkan and Middle Eastern rhythms and harmonies.
Key Recordings
For an introduction to Alex Pauk's compositions and conducting style, listeners can investigate the following CDs or catch a few samples here.
Esprit Orchestra: This CD offers a comprehensive introduction: the orchestra that Pauk founded is conducted by Pauk and performs Pauk's Echo Music Isle.
Iridescence: This album includes Pauk's Cosmos.
Music for Heaven and Earth: This album does not include any Pauk compositions, but features the works of Canadian composers Robert Aitken, Harry Freedman, Alexina Louie, and Colin McPhee.
Recent Recognition
On June 6, 2007, the Canadian Council for the Arts awarded Alex Pauk the $50, 000 Molson Prize. Two Molson prizes, one for the arts and one for the social sciences or humantites, are awarded to outstanding Canadians a year.
In 2002, Pauk received the Louis Applebaum Composers Award.
Pauk's soundtrack to Last Night was nominated for Best Original Score during the 1998 Genie Awards. His album Tabuh-Tabuhan, Music of Colin McPhee was nominated for Best Classical Album (Large Ensemble) for the 1998 Juno Awards.
