Yesterday’s audience attendance was a testament to the impact of the Maestro on Toronto’s music scene as well as the love and respect that he inspired in the artists with whom he worked.
A Celebrated conductor, music director and radio personality, Maestro Stratton was inspired to become a conductor after hearing Leonard Bernstein on the radio as a child. Many years later I was able to tell Kerry of how he had in turn impacted my musical development through his informative and highly entertaining radio show, Conductors' Choice. Known for his versatility across genres ranging from the classics to popular music Maestro Stratton was an in-demand guest conductor and an ardent supporter of young musicians.
The tribute concert programme featured Clarinet Quintet in A Major K.581 by Mozart (clarinet soloist, Marco Verza), "Three Pieces" for solo clarinet by Stravinsky, "Requiem for Kerry Stratton" by Daniele Colla and my works "Loss" and "Non Ti Appartiene" (Soprano, Sonia Stillo). Thank you to Marco Verza and the Toronto Concert Orchestra String Quartet (violinists Marcus Scholtes & Bijan Sepanji, violist Laurence Schaufele and cellist Jonathan Tortolano) for featuring two of my works in their heartfelt tribute concert and thank you to all who came out to celebrate the life of Maestro Stratton.
