John Fodi

Fodi, John

John Fodi. Composer, b Nagyteval, Hungary, 22 Mar 1944, d Toronto 2 Nov 2009, naturalized Canadian 1961; B MUS (Toronto) 1970, M MUS (Toronto) 1972, MLS (Toronto) 1990. The family emigrated to Canada in 1951. Fodi studied in Hamilton in 1964 with Lorne Betts (theory), at the University of Toronto 1966-70 with John Beckwith and John Weinzweig (composition) and Gustav Ciamaga (electronic music), and at McGill University 1970-1 with István Anhalt (composition). He was a founder and director 1967-70 of the Contemporary Music Group at the University of Toronto and a founder in 1971 of ARRAY, under whose auspices many of his works have been performed. At McGill University he was co-founder with Mickey Cohen of the New Music Society.

After composing during his teens over 40 works reflecting the influence in turn of Johann Strauss, Mozart, and the baroque tradition, Fodi began in 1963 a body of work in which most compositions are based on serial technique. Those prior to 1972 reflect a particular interest in texture. In the mid-1970s he began to use a form of parody incorporating in his compositions subtle references to pre-existing works or styles; and in the late 1970s he began drawing on the forms and devices of ethnic sources. His catalogue had reached Opus 99 by 2008.

Symparanekromenoi was premiered 25 Jul 1974 by the TS under Alexander Brott, Concerto for Viola and Two Wind Ensembles represented Canada at the 1973 meeting of the ISCM, Dragon Day was performed by the CBC Vancouver (Chamber) Orchestra, Concerto a Quattro for String Quartet is dedicated to the Orford String Quartet and was performed by the Purcell String Quartet at the 1976 meeting of the ISCM in Boston, String Quartet No 6 "Aus tiefer Not," was premiered by the Purcell String Quartet in 1985, and Sonata, Opus 67, "Double Wind Quintet" was premiered by the Nepean Symphony Orchestra in 1989.

Fodi joined the staff of the Edward Johnson Music Library at the University of Toronto in 1974, became supervisor of the recordings section in 1981, and retired as Head of the library's Sniderman Recordings Archive in 2007. He is an associate of the Canadian Music Centre.

Selected Compositions

Orchestra
Symparanekromenoi, Opus 25. 1969-71. Orch. Ms

Dragon Day for Chamber Orchestra, Opus 46. 1976, rev 1978. Ms

Concerto Grosso, Opus 74. 1984. Keybd, string. Ms

Kootenay, Opus 76. 1986. Chamb orch. Ms

Chamber

Concerto for Viola and Two Wind Ensembles, Opus 35. 1972. Ms

Elements, Opus 38 "for melody instrument(s)." 1973. 1-5 instr. Ms

Concerto a Quattro. 1973. Str quartet. Ms

The Littoral Cumulus Buildup, Opus 41. 1974. Ww quintet, viola, bass. Ms

Iz ist in der Werlt Wol Schin, Opus 45. 1975. V, viola. Ms

Partimento, Opus 48 "Here the Forsaken Virgin Rests..." 1976. Fl (piccolo, alto fl), oboe (english horn), violoncello, piano (harps, rock organ), percussion. Ms

Patrem Omnipotentem, Opus 51. 1977. Fl, trombone, viola, violoncello, piano, percussion. Ms

String Quartet No 6, Opus 64 "Aus tiefer Not." 1981. 1 Times 4 1982

Sonata, Opus 60 "Cor Vigilans." 1979. Bsn, violoncello. Ms

Sonata, Opus 67 'Double Wind Quintet'. 1983. Ms

Down Endless Lanes Where Cherries Flower. 1984. Fl. 1 Times 4

Rhapsody, Opus 71. 1985. B clarinet, piano. Ms

Also works for various solo and instr groupings, some published by 1 Times 4

Also works for keybd; Divisions II (1980) for harp, piano; and choral works including Three Nocturnes (1986) for SATB