Hamilton mayor salutes Boris Brott as ‘a giant for promoting and building’ the city

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger offered words of condolence to memorialize the city’s “beloved maestro, Boris Brott” late on Tuesday night.

Hours earlier on April 5, the renowned composer died from his injuries after being struck by a suspected hit-and-run driver in downtown Hamilton.

Eisenberger praised Brott as a creative force who performed in front of the elite, but also “brought music to the people” from all walks of life in Hamilton. The mayor also noted that the 78-year-old Brott had been planning a benefit concert to aid Ukrainians affected from the current war with Russia.

The mayor’s statement reads:

“I join all Hamiltonians and everyone in the international music and arts community in grief, shock, and sadness on the news of the tragic and senseless death of our beloved maestro, Boris Brott.

“Boris was not only a giant in the classical music world, he was also a giant for promoting and building Hamilton and his efforts over decades helped lift our community to new heights.

“As an Officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Order of Ontario, the founder of orchestras and the world-renowned Brott Music Festival, Boris led performances before royalty and the Pope and was sought after by prestigious music institutions all over the world.

“But above all Boris was a Hamiltonian and a man of the people through and through. Who can forget when he brought classical music directly to the working people of Hamilton with an orchestral performance in the Dofasco steel making plant? He also brought thousands of school children to his annual concert with performances planned just for them. He literally brought music to the people.

“Boris brought to Hamilton a sense of style and sophistication like no other and has mentored so much talent.

“Boris loved and was committed to Hamilton and its people, and we loved him back even more. It was this mutual love that led to Boris being voted as one of the greatest Hamiltonians of all time.

“Throughout the pandemic lockdowns, when music became more important than ever, Boris continued to bring music to the people, producing online concerts for the public. Even recently, his drive to combine community service and his talent led Boris to plan a benefit concert to aid Ukrainians suffering from the current war with Russia.

“Boris leaves a legacy of musical excellence and humanitarianism that is unmatched. It is a void for Hamilton that cannot be ever filled. Such a tragic loss!

“Our deepest condolences go out to Boris’ wife, Ardyth Webster Brott, their children and the numerous friends and colleagues he amassed over the years.”

A driver was arrested on Tuesday, apparently in connection with the fatal collision. Three Hamilton Police Service officers were also injured.

Because there was an injury to the driver, the Ontario Special Investigation Units (SIU) has invoked its mandate and HPS is not allowed to make further comment on the case.

The SIU says it “is focused on the interaction between police and the vehicle driver, and not on the collision that had occurred earlier that morning.”

(Cover photo via Instagram/@brottmusicfestival.)