Jean Coulthard
Encyclopedia
Jean Coulthard, was a Canadian
composer
and music educator. She was part of a trio of women composers who dominated Western Canadian music in the twentieth century: Coulthard, Barbara Pentland
, and Violet Archer
. All three died within weeks of each other in 2000. Her own work might be loosely termed "prematurely neo-Romantic", as the orthodox serialists who dominated academic musical life in North America during the 1950s and 1960s had little use for her. Some of her well-known compositions include Cradle Song, Threnody, Canadian Fantasy, Ballade "A Winter's Tale" and her opera Return of the Native.
, British Columbia
, Coulthard was the daughter of Jean Blake Robinson Coulthard, a prominent and influential music teacher in Vancouver. Through her mother she received her earliest musical training and was introduced at an early age to the work of French composers like Claude Debussy
and Maurice Ravel
, both of whom were life-long influences. From 1924-1928 she studied the piano with Jan Cherniavsky and music theory
with Frederick Chubb. A scholarship from the Vancouver Woman's Musical Club enabled her to pursue studies at the Royal College of Music
in 1928-1929 where she was a pupil of Kathleen Long
, R.O. Morris, and Ralph Vaughan Williams
. She later studied at various points in her artistic career with such great composers as Béla Bartók
, Aaron Copland
, and Arnold Schoenberg
.
Beginning in 1925, Coulthard began teaching the piano in her mother's studio. In 1947 she joined the music faculty at the University of British Columbia
where she taught theory and composition through 1973. Her composition students included the Canadian composers Chan Ka Nin
, Michael Conway Baker
, Sylvia Rickard, Ernst Schneider, Robert Knox, Jean Ethridge, Joan Hansen, David Gordon Duke, Lloyd Burritt and Frederick Schipizky.
In 1978, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1994, she was awarded the Order of British Columbia
. In 1997, her portrait was painted by Canadian artist Christian Cardell Corbet
, Coll. Vancouver Academy of Music
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and music educator. She was part of a trio of women composers who dominated Western Canadian music in the twentieth century: Coulthard, Barbara Pentland
Barbara Pentland
Barbara Pentland was one of the pre-eminent members of the generation of Canadian composers who came to artistic maturity in the years following World War Two.-Life and career:...
, and Violet Archer
Violet Archer
Violet Archer, CM was a Canadian composer, teacher, pianist, organist, and percussionist. Born Violet Balestreri in Montreal, Quebec, her family changed their name to Archer. She died in Ottawa....
. All three died within weeks of each other in 2000. Her own work might be loosely termed "prematurely neo-Romantic", as the orthodox serialists who dominated academic musical life in North America during the 1950s and 1960s had little use for her. Some of her well-known compositions include Cradle Song, Threnody, Canadian Fantasy, Ballade "A Winter's Tale" and her opera Return of the Native.
Life and career
Born in VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Coulthard was the daughter of Jean Blake Robinson Coulthard, a prominent and influential music teacher in Vancouver. Through her mother she received her earliest musical training and was introduced at an early age to the work of French composers like Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy
Claude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
and Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel
Joseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
, both of whom were life-long influences. From 1924-1928 she studied the piano with Jan Cherniavsky and music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
with Frederick Chubb. A scholarship from the Vancouver Woman's Musical Club enabled her to pursue studies at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
in 1928-1929 where she was a pupil of Kathleen Long
Kathleen Long
Kathleen Long CBE was a British pianist and teacher. She was an awarded soloist, but was also a much appreciated chamber music player and recitalist. Her tours included Europe, North America and South Africa....
, R.O. Morris, and Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
. She later studied at various points in her artistic career with such great composers as Béla Bartók
Béla Bartók
Béla Viktor János Bartók was a Hungarian composer and pianist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and is regarded, along with Liszt, as Hungary's greatest composer...
, Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
, and Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, associated with the expressionist movement in German poetry and art, and leader of the Second Viennese School...
.
Beginning in 1925, Coulthard began teaching the piano in her mother's studio. In 1947 she joined the music faculty at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
where she taught theory and composition through 1973. Her composition students included the Canadian composers Chan Ka Nin
Chan Ka Nin
Chan Ka Nin is a Canadian composer and music educator of Chinese descent. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1971. He has been commissioned write works for such ensembles as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the CBC Radio Orchestra, the Esprit Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra,...
, Michael Conway Baker
Michael Conway Baker
Michael Conway Baker is a Canadian composer and music educator of American birth. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1970 and has resided more or less continuously in the Vancouver area since....
, Sylvia Rickard, Ernst Schneider, Robert Knox, Jean Ethridge, Joan Hansen, David Gordon Duke, Lloyd Burritt and Frederick Schipizky.
In 1978, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1994, she was awarded the Order of British Columbia
Order of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
. In 1997, her portrait was painted by Canadian artist Christian Cardell Corbet
Christian Cardell Corbet
Christian Cardell Corbet is a Canadian sculptor, painter and designer. He co-founded and was first President of the Canadian Portrait Academy.- Quotes :...
, Coll. Vancouver Academy of Music
Vancouver Academy of Music
The Vancouver Academy of Music is a Canadian music conservatory located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The school was founded as the Community Music School of Greater Vancouver in 1969 through efforts made by the Vancouver Community Arts Council. The school was originally located on West 12th...
.
Principal Works
- 4 Studies for piano (1945)
- Sonata for piano (1947)
- Sonata for cello and piano (1947)
- String Quartet No. 1 (1948)
- Symphony No. 1 for Strings (1950)
- Variations on BACH (1951)
- Sonata in duet for violin and piano (1952)
- A Prayer for Elizabeth for Strings (1953)
- String Quartet No. 2 Threnody (1954, rev. 1969)
- 12 Preludes (1954-1964)
- Violin Concerto (1959)
- Sonata Rhapsody, for viola and piano (1962)
- 6 Medieval Songs, for baritone and piano (1962)
- Piano Concerto (1963, rev. 1967)
- Endymion, symphonic poem (1964)
- Choral symphony This land (Symphony No. 2) for choir and orchestra (1967)
- Lyric trio, for piano, violin and cello (1968)
- Divertimento, for horn, bassoon and piano (1968)
- Lyric sonatina, for bassoon and piano (1971)
- Octet (double string quartet) (1972)
- Lyric Symphony (No. 3) for bassoon and orchestra (1975)
- Burlesca, for piano and orchestra (1977)
- Symphony Ode (No. 4), for viola and orchestra (1977)
External links
- Jean Coulthard at the Canadian Music CentreCanadian Music CentreThe Canadian Music Centre holds Canada's largest collection of Canadian concert music. The CMC exists to promote the works of its Associate Composers in Canada and around the world....
. - Jean Coulthard fonds at the University of British Columbia.
Further reading
A short biography for students, Jean Coulthard: A Life in Music by William Bruneau & David Gordon Duke, was published by Ronsdale Press in 2005.See also
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- List of Canadian composers