biographical info
Alex Pauk, composer, conductor, educator, entrepreneur, had much to do with revitalizing Canadian orchestral musical life for composers by founding Esprit Orchestra in 1983. Through building and sustaining its high calibre performances, commissioning programme, innovative programming, recordings, education and outreach initiatives, Pauk has made Esprit a major force for developing and promoting Canadian music at home and abroad. As a conductor he attains performances of the highest caliber on stage and in recordings. He was named Musician of the Year (1999) by peers at the Toronto Musicians’ Association. Pauk’s commissioning, performance and promotion of Canadian music is central to his work with Esprit. The introduction to Canada of significant compositions from abroad is also an important aspect of his activity. CBC Records compact discs of Canadian music are an important set in the overall catalogue of CDs in Canada and his work with performing arts filmmaker Larry Weinstein of Rhombus Media have set new standards in the genre. Pauk has been a leader in taking new music out of the concert hall and to people in their communities with performances in alternative locations such as the CN Tower and night clubs, art galleries and the outdoors.
Alex Pauk has a very wide range of experience as a composer with works for every kind of performing ensemble, the theatre as well as dance companies. He has composed more than sixty works and has both composed for and conducted CBC Vancouver Orchestra, New Music Concerts, Vancouver New Music, Québec Symphony, Hannaford Street Silver Band and the Toronto Symphony. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize.