George M. Brewer et le milieu culturel anglophone montréalais, 1900-1950

A biography of Montrealer George Mackenzie Brewer (1889-1947), organist, pianist, teacher, composer, lecturer and sometimes theatre producer. The authors open this study of Brewer by examining his training and his career path in the context of the cultural institutions of English Montreal at the beginning of the twentieth century. They then examine his career as a musician: first and foremost as a professional organist, but also as an accompanist in vocal and instrumental ensembles. A second career which he led in parallel as a public lecturer and radio host on the history of music is also examined, both in terms of content as well as for what it tells us about institutions in the arts sector like the Pen & Pencil Club, the Arts Club, The Saint-James Literary Society and the masonic lodges of Montreal. Later in his life he embarked upon a third career as founder and director of Everyman Players, a theatre troupe specialized in medieval theatre. The authors also outline Brewer's association with French Montreal's musical milieu, collaborating with Wilfrid Pelletier and teaching at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec. A final chapter is devoted to situating his thought in relation to three important issues of the day: science and religion, Protestantism and social reform, and musical modernism.

Québec, QC

Septentrion

2020

252p.

fr

978-2-89791-200-0