Dr. Colin Eatock, composer
  • Home
  • About Colin Eatock
  • Composing
  • Catalogue of works
  • Writing about music
  • Eatock Daily (blog)
  • New and upcoming
  • Contact me

Stuart Hamilton Opens Windows

12/15/2012

3 Comments

 
Picture
Stuart Hamilton's new autobiography.
Earlier this fall, I attended a double book-launch at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Centre. The two books on display were autobiographies, by Lotfi Mansouri and Stuart Hamilton.

I haven’t read Mansouri’s book yet – but I just finished Hamilton’s Opening Windows: Confessions of a Canadian Vocal Coach (published by Dundurn Press).

I got to know Hamilton a little bit when he agreed to be interviewed for my own recent book, Remembering Glenn Gould (see here). And now, having read Hamilton’s memoir, I can say that it displays the same characteristics as the man himself: modest – but also clever, charming, articulate and rich in content.


Like most autobiographies, Opening Windows begins with Hamilton’s birth (in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1929) and ends with summarizing reflections on his 83 years. In between, Hamilton offers a straightforward yet elegant account of his life: boyhood memories of Regina, his move to Toronto to further his music studies, his work as an accompanist and vocal coach, the creation of his Opera in Concert company, his broadcasting work with the CBC, and many other things.

Remarkably, Hamilton often downplays his pianistic skills. (There can’t be many pianists’ autobiographies that take such a humble tone!) Indeed, the book is peppered with such statements as “my musical abilities were not focused on the piano, per se.” Perhaps Hamilton’s self-deprecating nature is due to his frequent exposure to what he calls the “Prairie Lecture.” Family members would respond to his achievements with a warning that he should not get “a swelled head.”

What his musical abilities were focused on was the human voice. And this made him valuable to the musical community. He began coaching singers in Regina at the age of 14 – and after his move to Toronto he rose to become one of the city’s leading coach-accompanists.

Working with such singers as Lois Marshall, Maureen Forrester, Roxolana Roslak and many others placed him in an ideal situation to collect colourful experiences and anecdotes – and this book is full of them. For instance, there was the time when soprano Mary Morrison slapped him for playing too fast. Or the time when he threatened to have tenor Guillermo Silva-Marin killed if he didn’t learn his music. (On the subject of his personal life, Hamilton is rather circumspect. Rumour has it that there was a more audacious first draft of this book, but it did not see print.)

There are moments of international glory in these pages, such as Hamilton’s solo recitals in London and New York, and the time when he had to help José Carreras through a memory lapse on stage.

But mostly, Opening Windows is about the day-to-day life of a Toronto musician. And this, I think, is the book’s chief virtue. Hamilton lived through and actively participated in the growth of Canada’s vocal culture: from the 1940s to the present day, with professional opera companies and recital series in most cities, and an abundance of Canadian vocal talent.

Hamilton was a vital part of this development. His pride in his accomplishments shines through his cloak of humility – as well it should.

© Colin Eatock 2012
3 Comments
John link
1/8/2013 06:06:37 am

I have read Mansouri's book. I'm not sure whether it belongs in the fiction or the self-help section but I wouldn't shelve it under "biography".

Reply
free money book review kevin trudeau link
8/7/2013 07:53:05 pm

It is good to hear about the autobiographies of Lotfi Mansouri and Stuart Hamilton. These kinds of books and reads are really inspirational for everyone and thank you for giving the details regarding it. Good luck and keep sharing.

Reply
Christine McMullan link
8/26/2013 01:38:19 pm

A colleague phoned this past week to advise my husband & I of the imminant passing of Mr. Lotfi Mansouri. Has anyone had any further news?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Eatock Daily

    I'm a composer based in Toronto – and this is my classical music blog, Eatock Daily.

    When I first started blogging, Eatock Daily was a place to re-post the articles I wrote for Toronto’s Globe and Mail and National Post newspapers, the Houston Chronicle, the Kansas City Star and other publications.

    But now I have stepped back from professional music journalism, and I'm spending more time composing.

    These days, my blog posts are infrequent, and are mostly concerned with my own music. However, I do still occasionally post comments on musical topics, including works I've discovered, enjoyed, and wish to share with others.


    – CE

    Archives

    March 2022
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    September 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

    Index

    Click here for an alphabetical list of blog entries.

    RSS Feed

    Follow colineatock on Twitter
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.