The Fourth Prize

Fourth Glenn Gould Prize Laureate

1996 – Toru Takemitsu, Japan

Toru Takemitsu (born Tokyo, Japan, 1930; died Tokyo, Japan, 1996) saw his work as a composer, teacher and author establish new bridges between East and West. A true multimedia artist, this prolific composer’s output included concert works for symphony orchestra, choir, chamber ensemble, traditional Japanese gagaku orchestra and electronics as well as soundtracks for ninety movies. It was Takemitsu’s unique fusion and synthesis of two traditions - Japanese traditional music and western concert music - that became a trademark of his work and earned him the respect of composers, musicians and music lovers around the world.

Click here to listen to Toru Takemitsu's acceptance speech.

The City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize

1996 – TAN DUN

Before his death, Dr. Takemitsu was made aware of his having been named the fourth laureate of this Prize.  At that time he personally selected Tan Dun, the dynamic, young Chinese composer/performer/conductor, to be the winner of The City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize.  At the Prize ceremony this honour was presented to Tan Dun by Her Worship, Mayor Barbara Hall, of the City of Toronto.  "It is such a great honour to have been chosen by Toru Takemitsu to receive The City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize.  Both of these men - two of the greatest musicians of the 20th century - had a legendary ability to communicate the voices of heaven, earth and humanity.  This honour is a big encouragement for me to continue discovering the depths of music, to continue building the spiritual road between East and West."

Fourth Glenn Gould Prize Jury

Gabriele Faust (Germany)

Head of Music Zweites Deutches Fernsehen Redaktion Theater und Music/ARTE

André Leplante (Canada)
Pianist

Avril MacRory (United Kingdom)
Head of Music – TV British Broadcasting Corporation

John Peter Lee Roberts (Canada)
Former Dean of Fine Arts The University of Calgary

Trichy Sankaran (Canada)
Professor of Music York University

Jukka-Pekka Saraste (Canada/Finland)
Music Director and Conductor Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Donna Scott, Chair of the Jury (Canada)
Chair, The Canada Council

Fourth Glenn Gould Prize Gala

The fourth Glenn Gould Prize was presented posthumously to Mrs. Asaka Takemitsu and Ms. Maki Takemitsu, wife and daughter of Toru Takemitsu, by The Honourable Henry N.R. Jackman, 39th Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario, in a ceremony at Glenn Gould Studio of the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto on September 25, 1996.