Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (1925-2007) was a Canadian pianist and composer.
He first learned music from his self-taught father, a West Indian immigrant who
worked as a railway porter, then studied under both a classical pianist and
old-time jazz musicians.
Oscar Peterson's break came when he won a CBC amateur
contest, followed by appearances on a weekly Montréal radio show and with The
Happy Gang. In 1949, he played Carnegie Hall, formed the Oscar Peterson Trio soon
thereafter, and later performed or recorded with many of the greats of American
jazz. Dr. Peterson has recorded close to 200 albums, but his best-known works
remain the "Canadiana Suite" and "Hymn
to Freedom", the unofficial anthem of youth choirs throughout the world.
Oscar Peterson's awards are numerous and include:
multiple Grammy and Juno winner, Companion of the Order of Canada, recipient of
the Glenn Gould Prize (whose namesake is considered Peterson's only rival among
Canadian pianists of international renown), the UNESCO International Music
Prize in 2000, member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and recipient of the
"lifetime achievement" award from the National Academy of Recording
Arts and Sciences, parent body to the (US) Grammy Awards.
In "The Oscar Peterson Journal" the artist describes his visit
to Aachen and the presentation of the UNESCO
International Music Prize: "I spent a weekend in Aachen,
Germany in order to receive one of the most prestigious awards ever bestowed on
me: the UNESCO International Music Prize, awarded by UNESCO and the
International Music Council. I took my family along on the trip because I felt
so honoured that I wanted them to be able to share this great moment with me.
Perhaps, due to the fact that I have been the recipient of various other awards
and prizes, you might imagine that I would have viewed this as just
"another prize." Not so. On the one hand, of course, I was
overwhelmed to be joining so prestigious a list of recipients. But on the other,
I had learned that only once before had the award been given to a Jazz musician
– Benny Goodman. So it pleased me that I would be helping to increase the
visibility of the music I have loved and served for a lifetime.
The Town Hall, where the prize was
presented, was erected on the foundation of what was once Charlemagne's castle.
It is also next door to the ancient and beautiful cathedral where many Emperors
and Kings were crowned. We were taken through this fascinating building and
could not fail to be impressed by the abiding grandeur of its architecture and
historic 'presence'. What an exhilarating emotion it produced – a feeling of
somehow being catapulted back in time into another world. We were cordially
escorted by Mayor Dr. Jürgen Linden and his
entourage, and after a short cocktail period, were welcomed into one of the
council rooms where we were interviewed by a large entourage of press
personnel. As best I could, I fielded various questions, primarily about my
emotions in being the recipient of this great honour. The International Music
Prize not only recognizes my efforts in my lifetime of music, but also
acknowledges my pursuit of human rights for all in the world during my career.
Later that same
evening, we returned to the Town Hall for the ceremony and presentation,
attended by approximately 800 guests. The ceremony was held in the Coronation
Hall of the Town Hall, a room where the celebrations were held after the
coronations of the various emperors and kings had been completed in the
Cathedral.
The musical
part of the program commenced with the Deutsche Welle
Choir of 50 voices singing my composition Hymn to Freedom; a most moving
experience for my family and myself. This was followed by a performance by a
wonderful Jazz trio, led by Frank Chastenier on
piano, along with very talented and musical bassist, John Goldsby,
and percussionist, Martijn Vink.
This segment was most enjoyable for me. Time seemed somehow bent in on itself, considering the fact that here I was, sitting in
this ancient building, listening to this modern-day Jazz group performing
today's music.
After these performances, I was
presented with the Picasso-Miro Medal. The medal is a
very beautiful piece – indeed, a work of art in itself – one side of which was
designed by Pablo Picasso and the other by Joan Miro,
the great Spanish artist.
After the
ceremony and a period of autograph signing, his Honour the Mayor and his staff
hosted a late-night dinner for us at a charming and picturesque Italian
restaurant. We spent a wonderful evening of food and conversation with these
most dedicated and appreciative members of the International Music Council and
other guests.
During my
earlier years of touring in Europe I had had the opportunity of visiting Aachen, at which time I was fortunate enough to have a
little time to spend photographing this most beautiful and historic area of
Germany. So the trip felt somehow like a returning, but enormously heightened,
of course, by the present extraordinary occasion. I am most proud to have been
honoured by UNESCO, and I feel fortunate that I was able to in some way
represent other members of the Jazz community of the world. It was, needless to
say, an incredible experience for me, and an unforgettable moment in the lives
of my wife, Kelly, and daughter, Celine." (photo's from
Stamp catalogue
Austria
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