Sunday, July 18, 2021

Oscar

 One morning a few days ago I stopped by to pay a visit to Oscar.


Standing outside the National Arts Centre downtown, this sculpture of Oscar Peterson was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth in 2010. It is done by the Canadian sculptor Ruth Abernethy, and is amazingly life like in how it captures the Canadian jazz musician. In my mind, he is one of the greatest musicians of jazz, and the greatest Canadian musician this country ever produced. He was a gift to the world.


The sculpture finds Oscar sitting at a piano, emerging from the wall, smiling as if taking in the applause of his audience after just finishing playing. The expression is warm and true to life. There's enough room on the bench to sit with him. Speakers mounted on the wall above play his music throughout the day and into the night.


Oscar looks great. The rogue beside him is, well, a complete scoundrel.

42 comments:

  1. Ha ha. Still a number of great photos of the sculpture.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really do wonder how we did not learn of this man at school?
    I love to browse through - read (!) all the blogs and learn the real stuff!
    Really. Why not add 5 minutes at the and of a lesson in school and tell something like this?!
    I don´t get it.
    Well, maybe I´m too old and back then it was not this easy to find these infos?
    Wish I could be a teacher now (but not with the kids that have no respect these days).

    ReplyDelete
  3. He was a great musician without doubt, but to claim that he is the finest the country ever produced is a bit of a stretch for me. I would probably confer that honour on Glenn Gould.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice tribute, detail of his magic hands is my favourite.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ...Oscar is smiling, how about you???

    ReplyDelete
  6. Muy buena escultora, dedicada a una persona que se merece ese reconocimiento. Es un músico cuya fama se ha extendido a gran cantidad de países. La música es una de las artes de mi preferencia,

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a magnificent statue. Why so serious? Oscar's smile is infectious.

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Stefan: thank you.

    @Iris: certain things must be sought out.

    @David: it's a fair debate.

    @Jan: thank you.

    @John: quite so.

    @Tom: smiles and I don't see eye to eye.

    @Ventana: thanks.

    @Gemel: it is.

    ReplyDelete
  9. A great tribute to Oscar. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'll bet Oscar is a good listener.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes, I listened to Oscar Peterson and I should have listened to more of his music.

    ReplyDelete
  12. A great image, to show the art of music by depicting the musician through sculpture!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh now this really is a superb sculpture William, so much expression and details. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't heard Oscar's music but I will amend that ✨

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just love Oscar Peterson's jazz interpretations and have a couple of his CDs. I love that there is this beautifully done statue that salutes him.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oscar was an amazing musician ~ not sure about the 'scoundrel' ~ LOL ~

    Living in the moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well what do we got here?!!A nice sculpture!I have never heard of him sorry about that!Is it you that nice selfie!

    Looking good!

    Happy sunday to you:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's a wonderful sculpture and a nice tribute to a man of music. Love your selfies, great work!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I met him once and he was really nice!

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Marie: me too.

    @Sharon: indeed.

    @Magiceye: thanks.

    @Red: he was great.

    @Barbara: I agree.

    @Grace: it's wonderfully done.

    @Jeanie: it's a fine tribute.

    @Carol: a definite scoundrel.

    @Anita: yes, that's me.

    @Bill: thank you.

    @RedPat: no doubt.

    @Rosie: it is.

    ReplyDelete
  20. But the greatest monument to him is still his music.

    ReplyDelete
  21. A sculpture and a scoundrel----well well well. Loved to listen to his wonderful interpretations
    MB

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oscar Peterson Public School is just a few streets away from here.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful sculpture.
    I do like your selfies!

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  24. He has such a sweet face. Thank you for showing the sculpture so well. Who IS that scoundrel next to him? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ah ha, that's why there is room on the bench, you scoundrel.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oscar's statue is great. Since I like jazz, I'll have to listen to a recording. Nice to see you too!

    ReplyDelete
  27. you always make me smile when u do things like this ... a selfie ... wonder if it is called something else when u do like this? i love the bow tie and smile. ( ;

    ReplyDelete
  28. His music is on the playlist I listen to while writing. Enjoyed this post.

    ReplyDelete
  29. beautiful tribute. I love that they made place on the bench and LOVE that they incorporated the music. such a brilliant idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I assume the music turns off at some point, but I've never passed by at two in the morning.

      Delete