Martin Foster (1951-2019)
Peacefully and very much loved, Martin Foster died of cancer on August 26, 2019 in Stratford, Ontario. He will be greatly missed by his partner Susan Green, his daughter Jasmine, his brother Peter (Manon Therrien), his nieces and nephews (Gitanjali, Satya, Moksha and Surdas), Susan’s sister Julia Mustard (Alex Lowy, sons Andre and Benjamin), as well as countless friends, colleagues, and students.
Born in England, Martin graduated from the Montreal Conservatoire de musique in violin and received a post-graduate degree from the Julliard School in New York. In 1973 he played his debut at Carnegie Hall. In 1974 he co-founded the American String Quartet, which won the prestigious Coleman and Naumburg competitions in the same year.
In 1980 Martin returned to Canada as a member of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and gave many concerts as soloist with orchestra and recitalist. He has been concertmaster of the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, the Chamber Players of Toronto, and the McGill Chamber Orchestra.
Martin taught at the Julliard school (1976-80), Mannes College of Music, and the Montreal Conservatoire de musique (1981-1984). From 1982-2008, he was professor of violin in the Department of Music at the Université du Québec à Montréal, as well as music director and conductor of the UQAM Orchestra and the Atelier d’opéra.
Martin also composed music for television and film. He was the composer, conductor and violin soloist for the successful Quebec children’s film, “La mystérieuse mademoiselle C”.
In 2008 Martin and Susan moved to Stratford, where they enjoyed the beauty of the parks, the Avon River with its swans, and the Shakespeare plays at the Stratford Festival. Profound gratitude must be extended to family and friends for their support, and to the doctors and nurses in Stratford and at the London Regional Cancer Program for their compassion, professionalism and friendship.
Memorial donations may be made to London Health Sciences Center or the United Nations High Commission for Refugees through the W.G. Young Funeral Home, Stratford. 519-271-7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Martin Foster..
Décès pour la Ville:Stratford, Province: Ontario
Un grand musicien et une personne aux qualités humaines exceptionnelles…. Sincères condoléances Suzanne et toute votre famille xx
I’m so sorry to hear this. I loved this man and his incredible playing and leadership in so many ways. I am a different person now because of my contact with Martin. My sincere condolences to Susan and everyone else who loved him.
À Susan, à sa famille et à tous ses proches,
Mes plus sincères condoléances. Martin a été un collègue et ami fort apprécié, notamment à l’UQAM où j’ai eu le plaisir de le côtoyer pendant près de trente ans.. Avons mené plusieurs projets ensemble qu’il s’agisse de concerts, créations ou autres activités à caractère plus pédagogique. Il était un collaborateur de premier plan et, bien sûr, un violoniste de très grande envergure. Il nous manquera en tant que personne et aussi en tant qu’artiste…
André Lamarche
Compositeur
Professeur retraité
Dear Susan! Gary and I are so sorry to read this news. We are thinking of you and send our love.