A wave of tributes salutes the memory of chef Boris Brott, who was fatally mown down by a driver in Hamilton on Tuesday morning. Despite his 78 years, the chief had in no way slowed down his activities. He multiplied the projects and seemed at the height of his career.
The day after Boris Brott’s death, the National Arts Center lowered its flag in his honor, the Orchester Métropolitain, “overwhelmed” to learn of his death, announced that it would devote its Friday concert to him. .
The Foundation of Greater Montreal expressed its “astonishment”, while the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto said it was “in shock”.
Among the hundreds of testimonials from institutions, but also from musicians who have worked with Boris Brott, the one published by composer Maxime Goulet sums up a lot of things.
He pays tribute to “an incredible person on many levels (with a very great sense of humor!) who has worked so tirelessly for classical music here and abroad”. Maxime Goulet notes: “He was the first professional chef to believe in my talent. He passionately created and played my music everywhere he went. A composer could not hope for a better ambassador. I will always be grateful to him. »
Hamilton’s Boris
This confidence, this human warmth is a trait that we obviously knew in Montreal, but which also comes out in a striking way when we read the testimonies from Hamilton, where Boris Brott founded Brott Music 35 years ago. Festival and the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, enabling young Canadian professional musicians to work alongside professionals from Canada’s top orchestras.
We find in the testimonies those of former students, such as that of the young chef Jaelem Bhate, his assistant for two summers. “Boris went above and beyond to provide me with opportunity, encouragement, support, mentorship, friendship and everything in between,” he wrote. He played a crucial role in my training, as he has for so many other musicians. […] He believed in me so deeply and so fervently during some of my most difficult times. »
Testimonies from Ontario politicians, such as New Democrat elected Andrea Horwath, leader of the official opposition in the provincial legislature, went beyond the agreed messages, warmly mentioning his wife Ardyth and referring to the “tragic loss of a visionary figure”. .
In a lengthy text from his office, Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, referring to a concert at a steel mill, wrote, “He brought the music to the people. He brought Hamilton a unique style and sophistication. “We loved it!” summed up the mayor.
The Boris Brott known in Hamilton was ultimately different from ours, more educational, more “hub”, more anchored in the city. He had also been named one of the greatest Hamiltonians of all time.
In the creed of his organizations, we can read that he wanted to ensure that “music will captivate all ages, all sexes and all ethnicities”.
Boris Brott thus aimed to “transmit the love of music of all musicians to all audiences, to instill in listeners the desire and motivation to become better and more productive members of their communities”.
Exceptional heritage
It is this spirit that he had transposed by transforming the McGill Chamber Orchestra into the Orchester Classique de Montréal, with an enriched and more open program, for example, this season, around exceptional women.
The Orchester Classique de Montréal assured Wednesday “that the concerts of this season as well as the future activities of the orchestra will be maintained”, inviting to make a donation to the Orchester Classique de Montréal – Boris Brott Fund in perpetuity (Foundation of Greater Montreal ) “to support the exceptional legacy left by our artistic director”.