Gary D. Cannon

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Musicologist

Musicology has been a passion in Cannon's life for almost as long as musical performance.  His particular area of interest is twentieth-century British music, especially the works of William Walton.  In 1997, he created the first Walton website, which remains the Internet's best resource for information on the composer.  (See www.williamwalton.net)  Cannon frequently receives inquiries from around the world, and has helped innumerable students and music enthusiasts to develop their love of Walton's music.  His doctoral dissertation, currently in progress at the University of Washington, deals with the Walton's early works and influences while a chorister and student at Oxford.

Cannon's studies in conducting have also had a secondary but unofficial emphasis in musicology, and several relevant papers are posted below.  In addition to the British Isles, music from Estonia and the Netherlands has been of great interest to Cannon.  He has also written program notes for various institutions in the Seattle area, including the Annas Bay Music Festival, the Northwest Mahler Festival, the University of Washington, the Kirkland Choral Society, and Choral Sounds Northwest.  While an undergraduate student, he assisted D. Kern Holomon in preparing his textbook Masterworks for publication by Prentice Hall.

Cannon is currently a member of the American Musicological Society and the North American British Music Studies Association.

WEBSITES

SELECTED PAPERS

  • "Brahms and Young Death: The Inspiration of Nänie", a study of the influences that led Brahms to compose Nänie.
  • "Thematic Treatment in The Empire Strikes Back", an analysis of John Williams's leitmotivic film score for the second Star Wars film.
  • "Aaron and Counterpoint: Popularity, Practicality, and Procedure", a study of Pietro Aaron's counterpoint treatise, Toscanello in musica.
  • "God, Beethoven, and Their Missa solemnis", discussing Beethoven's religious convictions as illustrated in that composition.

PROGRAM NOTES

  • "A Celebration of Kings" (Handel: Zadok the Priest; Duruflé: Messe 'Cum jubilo'; Honegger: King David), for the University of Washington Symphony Orchestra, Chorale and Chamber Singers, December 2002.
  • Walton: Portsmouth Point Overture, for the Northwest Mahler Festival, June 2002.
  • "Sacred Songs...", for St. Thomas More Catholic Church SpringFest, May 2002
  • "Italian Opera Showcase", for Choral Sounds Northwest, February 2002.
  • Duruflé: Requiem, Opus 9

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