Ager conducts tribute concert
By Alicia Wachon
A capacity crowd was on hand at the Canadian War Museum on the evening of April 9 — the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge — to hear Canadian composer Andrew Ager’s direction of his commemorative “musical masterpiece,” The Unknown Soldier.
In honour of the troops who showed courage and dedication throughout the famous April 1917 battle, numerous exhibitions and ceremonies took place in Canada and France. Vimy — A Commemoration in Words and Music was hosted by CBC Ottawa’s Lucy van Oldenbarneveld and also featured an address by Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge is widely viewed as one of Canada’s most important military accomplishments, though historians are divided about its significance in defeating Germany in the First World War. Nevertheless, the mythology around the battle has been important in defining Canadian identity.
Emerging from their maze of trenches, caked in dried mud and worn down from exhaustion, Canadian troops helped to capture the ridge that other Allied forces had failed to conquer.
Though they didn’t know at the time, the Canadian soldiers’ efforts would lead to great recognition for their country on the international stage.
Ager’s original composition for the museum performance featured the baritone soloist Gary Dahl and a full orchestra. Ager has performed his acclaimed Symphony No. 2 at other Vimy commemoration events prior to this one.
On the 90th anniversary of the battle, a performance was held at St. Matthew’s Church with the Seventeen Voyces, an ensemble of Ottawa singers directed by Kevin Reeves, as well as at St. James Cathedral in Toronto a few days after Remembrance Day 2014.
In an article written by Musical Toronto in 2014, Ager said that part of his interest in war developed from his grandfather’s contributions in both the First and Second World War.
The Unknown Soldier is dedicated to Ager’s grandfather, who fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge and was a guard at a German prisoner of war camp.
Ager is known for compositions created to capture the “national voice” of his country, according to his official website.
To complement Ager’s piece, guests also heard readings from letters written by soldiers during the First World War, allowing audience members the opportunity to reflect on the conflict and placing them on the battlefield among the battered soldiers who fought for the nation.
The museum has already opened special exhibitions that honour the anniversary, including Vimy Beyond the Battle, which was unveiled April 6 and runs until Nov. 12. Curators also added new content, such as interactive components and audio clips, to the battle’s current section in the First World War gallery.