JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, or have done, in the arts, what would you say?
BORIS BROTT: A builder of orchestras in England (Royal Northern Sinfonia) Wales (BBC National Orchestra of Wales) Canada (Regina, CBC Winnipeg, KW Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, McGill Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia,) USA New West Symphony Los Angeles.
Winner of Gold Medal Mitropoulos International Conductors Competition 1968
Assistant Conductor to Leonard Bernstein.
Principal Conductor Royal Ballet, Covent Garden.
Assistant Conductor Toronto Symphony.
Significant guest conducting symphony and opera in Mexico, Canada, Israel, Scandinavia, Italy, France, USA and Canada.
Principal Guest Conductor Petruzzelli Théâtre Bari, Italy.
A devotion to education: Written and presented over 50 original scripts introducing classical music to young audiences significantly as Principal Youth and Family Conductor of the National Arts Center Orchestra of Canada
Founder of Brott Festival (31 years) & National Academy Orchestra of Canada (30 years)
Significant career as Motivational Speaker for 28 years to present for Fortune 500 corporations.
JS: What important beliefs do you express in or through your work?
BB: Connecting mind and spirit through music – positive reinforcement.
JS: Name two people, living or dead, whom you admire a great deal and tell us why for each one.
BB: Leonard Bernstein: An intellectual and musical genius. He made a significant impact on my life inspiring my musical and written language.
Alexander Brott (my father): Instilled a creative work ethic in me and created the foundation of my musical language.
JS: How have you changed since you began to do creative work?
BB: Listen better, react better to those around me, positively reinforce rather than dictate.
JS: What are your biggest challenges as a creative person?
BB: Faith to stare down the blank piece of paper.
Accepting my failures and using them as a springboard to continued activities.
JS: Please describe at least one major turning point in your life.
BB: Winning NY position & meeting Bernstein
Losing all my work in midlife, attending Law School, rebuilding my life and career.
My marriage to Ardyth
Webster (41 years ago) Her faith and inspiration changed and continues to positively change my life.
The birth and raising of our 3 children Alexandra, David and Benjamin and now being a grandfather to Isabella, Everett and Jonah with a fourth about to arrive!
JS: What are the hardest things for an outsider to understand about what you do?
BB: Understanding what the alchemy of conducting is all about.
JS: How and why did you begin to do creative work in the first place?
BB: Parental influence – Mother Lotte a great musical entrepreneur as well as consummate cellist. Grew up in one room with my parents until 7. No other option but to be a musician.
JS: What haven’t you attempted as yet that you would like to do and please tell us why?
BB: Practice law as well as music. – not the time since possibly too old at 74 to start a new law firm – but not out of the question!
JS: What are your most meaningful achievements?
BB: The professional development of orchestras in Britain, USA and Canada to the point where they made a musical difference in the world.
JS: What advice would you give a young person who would like to do what you do?
BB: Be super prepared – be ready when luck meets you. Be courageous and humble.
JS: Of what value are critics?
BB: Public critics often have personal agendas and their own audiences. So much depends on how responsible they are to the continuity of the art form.
With the diminution of daily newspapers. The positions in all but the largest papers have been made redundant.
The important critics are your colleagues and those closest to you who REALLY care about making you better.
JS: What do you ask of your audience?
BB: Let yourself be carried away. Enjoy, be inspired. « Technical knowledge « is of little importance.
JS: What specifically would you change about what goes on in the world and the arts?
BB: Generally, « caring » about the sanctity of life, about the importance of creativity.
JS: If you could relive one experience from your creative life, what would it be and why would you do so?
BB: Too busy living in the moment.
JS: Tell us what it feels like to be a figure who is presented somehow in the media. What effect does this presence have on you?
BB: You have to consistently remind yourself not to take your reflection too seriously. YOU have the inner standards to measure your accomplishments.
JS: Name two places you would like to visit, one you haven’t been to and one to experience again and briefly tell us why.
BB: China – fascinating country. Musically a giant but NOT in their own music, rather in European music. A real paradox I’d like to experience firsthand.
Italy – love the amazing opera theatres, the warm living people, the gelato and the pasta!
JS: Please tell us about one or more projects that you have been working on, are preparing, or have recently completed. Why do they matter to you and why should they matter to us?
The programming of my two current responsibilities – Brott Music Festival www.brottmusic.com
Experience the fabulous energetic National Academy Orchestra – you will be blown away.
The same goes for the intimate McGill Chamber Orchestra Www.orchestre.ca
JS: Let’s talk about the state of the arts in today’s society, including the forms in which you work. What specifically gives you hope and what specifically do you find depressing?
BB: I am ever challenged and enthused by the potential.
Reminds me of two shoe salesmen sent to remote central Africa to sell footwear.
First Salesman texted back
« Hopeless situation – they go around barefoot »
Second Salesman:
« Fabulous marketing opportunity – they haven’t discovered shoes yet! »
I’m number 2
20.Finally, what do you yourself find to be the most intriguing and/or surprising thing about you?
BB: I’m intrigued that people care – It inspires me to strive to do better always!