Iwan Edwards | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 5, 1937 Wales |
| Died | March 4, 2022 (age 84) Lachine, Quebec, Canada |
| Alma mater | University of Wales |
| Occupation | Conductor |
Iwan EdwardsCM (October 5, 1937 – March 4, 2022) was a Welsh-born Canadian choral conductor. Over a forty-year span he founded and conducted several choirs. He was appointed Member of theOrder of Canada in 1995.[1][2]
Edwards was born inWales on October 5, 1937.[3][4] He studied music (violin) at theUniversity College of Wales, graduating with aBachelor of Music in 1961. He was then awarded a scholarship in orchestral conducting at theRoyal Academy of Music, but turned it down in favour of professional teaching and directing.[3] Edwards left Wales in 1965 and relocated toMontreal,Quebec, Canada.[3][4]
After emigrating to Canada, Edwards initially taught music atLachine High School until 1979. He subsequently taught at theFine Arts Core Education School in Montreal from 1979 to 1990, before becoming an associate professor at theFaculty of Music ofMcGill University. During his tenure, he conducted the McGill Chamber Singers, the University Chorus and, on occasion, the McGill Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. He also served as Chairman of the Performance Department of the Faculty of Music from 1992 to 1996.[2] He retired from academia in 2001.[3]
Edwards established theSt. Lawrence Choir in 1972.[3] He went on to lead this choir as its director for audiences in Montreal,Toronto, Ottawa,[5]Saratoga Springs, New York City (Carnegie Hall),[6] andPhiladelphia[5] for 35 years until his retirement in 2007.[3]
He also directed theF.A.C.E. Treble Choir,Concerto Della Donna,Choeur des enfants de Montréal, and theCanadian Chamber Choir, in addition to working with theOttawa Choral Society, theLanaudière International Festival Chorus, and theVancouver Bach Choir. These collaborations have led to performances with orchestras in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, and Vancouver and, internationally, theKarlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic. Renowned conductors with whom Edwards worked includeCharles Dutoit,Franz-Paul Decker,Zubin Mehta,Bramwell Tovey,Trevor Pinnock,Helmut Rilling,Robert Shaw,Leonard Slatkin,Roger Norrington andKent Nagano.[7] During his 21-year tenure at the helm of the Chorus of theMontreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO), recordings involving the chorus won aGrammy Award (Les Troyens –Berlioz) and twoJuno Awards (1995 for Berlioz'sLes Troyens and 1997 forLa damnation de Faust).[3] Over the course of his long relationship with the MSO, Maestro Edwards conducted numerous MSO performances includingHandel'sMessiah at Notre Dame Basilica.[7]
Edwards was the guest conductor of theNational Youth Choir of Canada in 1998 and 1999.[2] He later became the artistic director and conductor of the newly formedCanadian Chamber Choir. He was succeeded in that capacity byJulia Davids in 2004.[8]
Edwards retired from the Saint Lawrence Choir, Chorus of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Choeur des enfants de Montréal in 2007.[9] During his retirement, he focused on the 17-voice women ensembleConcerto Della Donna, acting as conductor and musical director.[7][10]
Edwards was appointed a member of theOrder of Canada in October 1994 and invested seven months later in May 1995.[3][11] Seven years later, he was the recipient of theQueen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.[3][12]
Edwards was married to Undeg. Together, they had two children.[6]
Edwards died on the morning of March 4, 2022, at his home inLachine. He was 84 years old.[4][12]
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