Passing by the National Arts Centre one day before the thaw started, I wanted to take some photos of the sculpture honouring the great Canadian jazz musician Oscar Peterson. It's a popular photo stop- two other people were busy taking pics while I was doing the same. This sculpture is done by the artist Ruth Abernethy, who also did the John McCrae statue I showed you two days ago- one of two, as the other is in McCrae's hometown of Guelph, Ontario. The Peterson sculpture was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, and the NAC has a speaker on the wall above playing his music regularly. If you look closely in the background of the third and fifth shots, you might make out the National War Memorial as well. And have a look at this video for people interacting with Oscar.
It's beautifully done - the details are wonderful. I like this one very much, although I'd like to see him bundled up a little better against the cold!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice sculpture specialy in the snow!
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I wonder how many people sit on that bench and take selfies :).
ReplyDeleteI can see this is a very popular photo-op spot William, the extra space beside Oscar on the piano stool is just too tempting :)
ReplyDeleteLove this closeup. He looks cold. In need of a red scarf! :) Surely, that wouldn't be vandalism.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
so beautiful! I love it
ReplyDelete@Kay: I imagine he can take it!
ReplyDelete@Marianne: the artist did beautiful work.
@Lauren: many people do.
@Grace: it's irresistable!
@Janis: some might think so.
@Hilary: it is so lifelike!
did you mention, maybe i missed it? why the 1 finger on top of the hand? wonder what that mean? or if it means anything at all? ( :
ReplyDeleteWould be nice to sit there, in a month or so...
ReplyDeleteDo people sometimes try to play the piano?
Nice and it made me smile:)
ReplyDeleteWhen is winter over? You have had a LONG winter.
Looks like a fun place to take a photo.
ReplyDeleteJust one question: when does it stop snowing?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting and well deserved monument!
ReplyDelete@Beth: I assume that was probably a natural pose for him when he leaned back from the piano to speak or take in applause.
ReplyDelete@Karl: I've seen people stop by the keyboard like that, though I can assure you that the keys do not move.
@Gunn: it makes me smile too. Most of our ice and snow are gone- though not in places that get little direct sunlight.
@Janey: it certainly is.
@Norma: we can get snow well into April, so I'm not setting aside any cold weather gear for a few weeks.
@VP: He was a great musician. I'd argue the case that he was the best pianist of any genre that this country ever produced, though Glenn Gould fans might disagree.
His hands might be a little too cold to play! Thanks for this photo.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sculpture. I too would sit beside him and take a selfie too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your photos of our beloved Oscar Peterson statue. Here is a fun video you might like that features Oscar with his fans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAoTSVDPE-Q
ReplyDeleteMarnie Richardson (National Arts Centre employee)
He sits out there and smiles rain or shine!
ReplyDeleteOscar Peterson is a great Canadian treasure. I like your photo of the guy sitting beside Peterson.
ReplyDelete@Linda: you're most welcome!
ReplyDelete@Nancy: in a city with no shortage of statues, this is my favourite one.
@Marnie: thank you for the link! I've added the video into this post.
@Sharon: he does, yes. I've photographed him on occasion, and I'll have to do so again in the summer.
@Red: I have several of his albums. Oscar can always make a person feel better when they're down. I don't recall if I've photographed anyone with him before.
Schöne Skulptur im Video ist zu sehen das er oft Besuch hat.
ReplyDeleteGruß
Noke
ADORE Oscar P! Jazz great and personal fave!!! Great 'punchline' shot!
ReplyDeleteI would like a pic with him too. What a great musician.
ReplyDeleteMB
What a beautiful sculpture, William!
ReplyDeleteMarvelous sculpture, how neat to see it with all the snow around.
ReplyDeleteI think she also did the Glenn Gould sculpture in front of CBC here.
ReplyDeleteTough to play out in the snow! But great to be able to sit next to the great jazz man.
ReplyDeleteWonderful sculpture of this great musician. And you made a very nice series of it as well, the light and the contrasts are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love Oscar Peterson! Beautiful sculpture but his fingers must have been freezing! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe sculptor has captured a beautiful, smiling face. And love how the darkness of the sculpture is a wonderful contrast with the white of the snow.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great piece of work William and the surrounding snow really makes it leap out...
ReplyDelete@Noke: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Cloudia: thanks!
@MB: he was one of the greats.
@Linda: it certainly is that.
@Denise: I'll photograph it in the summer some time as well.
@RedPat: yes, that was another one of hers.
@Stefan: it certainly is.
@Jan: thank you!
@Ciel: possibly!
@Gemma: it really works well.
@Geoff: it does, yes.
Must be tough playing that curved keyboard. :-)
ReplyDeleteExcellent sculpture. I regret to say I do not recognize the name. That doesn't mean I have not heard him, it just means that I cannot remember any jazz music where he was featured.
ReplyDeleteThis is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea: having his music played as people admire his statue!
ReplyDeleteMany good photographic opportunities here. I especially like the hands photo.
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: hah!
ReplyDelete@Mari: if you love jazz, you'd love his work.
@Jackie: it really is. The artist did beautiful work on this one.
@Cheryl: it is. The music pipes out into the street and just lightens the day.
@Jack: I wanted that hands shot specifically.
Such talent!
ReplyDeleteHe was the best.
DeleteThat last one is funny.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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