Donald Whitton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Donald Whitton

Background information
Born 1922
Flag of Canada Toronto, Canada
Genre(s) Classical, Jazz, Rock
Occupation(s) Cellist, teacher
Instrument(s) Violoncello, Viola da Gamba
Years active 1941-present
Associated acts Lighthouse

Donald Richard "Don" Whitton (b. 1922) is an Canadian concert cellist, recording musician, and teacher, with a professional career in music spanning over 50 years.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Whitton was born in Toronto, Canada in 1922. From a young age he started the cello, and showed an aptitude for music. He continued to study until World War II was declared, and like other young Canadian men, he enlisted for the army. He was stationed in England for most of his time, but was allocated to France near the end of the war. After he safely returned home, he resumed his cello career.

Cornelius Ysselstyn, a famed Canadian cellist at the time, accepted Donald as a student[1]. Donald once again showed great promiss, he went on in the next five years to study with many great cellists, including the genious cellist-editor Leonard Rose. Whitton auditioned for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) in 1948[2], and was awarded principal's assistant the following year. While in Toronto he also joined the CBC Radio Orchestra, and several other small music groups. In 1960[3] Donald quit the TSO, but remained in the CBC radio orchestra. For the next 8 years Whitton remained in Toronto, recording with various artists, and playing in dozens of chamber groups, as well as joining the group Lighthouse. In 1970 Donald heard about the newly created National Arts Centre Orchestra, in Ottawa, Canada, and that it was in need of musicians. Donald, without hesitation, left both Lighthouse, and the CBC radio orchestra to audition for the NACO, four hours north-east of Toronto to Ottawa. He landed the top spot as the founding principal cellist of the NACO. During this period Donald took up teaching, and taught some of Canada's current cellists, the most notoble of these being; Julian Armour, and Jan Järvlepp [4]. In 1984 he was a tone judge for the Violin society of America's international competition[5]. After retiring from the NACO, he continued to teach, and contribute to the Ottawa arts scene.

A CBC reviewer of the performing arts wrote about Whitton:

“ Solo cello, Jeehoon Kim, captured the tone, nuance and expressive beauty of the Andante’s opening theme, with skill and artistry that reminded me of Don Whitton’s equally convincing renditions during his prime years leading the cellos of the National Arts Centre Orchestra.[6] ”

- James Wegg

[edit] Lighthouse

From 1969 to 1970, Whitton performed with the Canadian rock group Lighthouse, alongside fellow Canadian Howard Shore in the string/brass section. He was one of the original members of the group, but when he had to leave for Ottawa, he had to leave Lighthouse as well. Paul Hoffert, the co-founder of Lighthouse, who had the idea for the string/brass section, was disappointed that Don had to leave.

“ Because of the high calibre of a lot of our people and their great demand, there was a tendency to have personnel changes. Our original cellist, Don Whitton, is now principal cellist with the National Arts Orchestra, and Freddy Stone, one of the trumpeters on our first album, is now playing lead trumpet with Duke Ellington. So it's kind of sad when you lose great musicians like them, but you move on.[7] ”

- Paul Hoffert

[edit] Playing style

Whitton was known for his diversity of styles of playing. He could easily switch from classical to baroque, and many other styles, even including rock and jazz. He was an excellent ripieno musician, but also had the skill of a virtuoso for solo performances. He led his section with direction, and was a strong leader.[8]

[edit] Recording and radio

[edit] Recording

Whitton frequented the recording studio with various artists, both classical, and non-classical. He compiled 7 jazz recordings between 1967 and 1969[9], with various artists. He recorded with Glenn Gould, on his version of several Bach Brandenburg concertos. In 1973 he played with the Ron Collier orchestra on Duke Ellington's album "Collages". Whitton was also the member of several music groups which recorded music including: The Jack Groob Trio and the Jack Groob String Quartet, the Toronto Baroque Ensemble (1958-1963), and the Pack Quartet.

[edit] Radio

During Donald's tenure in both of his major orchestras; the National Arts Center Orchestra, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, he was being broadcast nationwide on a regular basis. Also while he was a member of the CBC Radio Orchestra, he would perform on radio weekly. He would also occasionally perform for a radio jingle.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cello
  2. ^ MusicSack / Music Sack
  3. ^ MusicSack / Music Sack
  4. ^ Jan Järvlepp
  5. ^ The Violin Society of America
  6. ^ Radio Reviews: CBC Symphony Hall - Calgary Philharmonic, December 1, 2002
  7. ^ Lighthouse - Paul Hoffert Interview
  8. ^ Radio Reviews: CBC Symphony Hall - Calgary Philharmonic, December 1, 2002
  9. ^ The JAZZ Discography - by Tom Lord

[edit] Further reading