The greatest story never told, this formidable and gorgeously written biography documents the amazing and controversial short life of Calixa Lavallee--the composer of "O Canada"--and the tumult of 19th-century North America.
ROBERT HARRIS is a long-time music journalist, writer, teacher, and broadcaster. From 2000-2008, he was the host and producer of I Hear Music, a weekly show presented on CBC Radio 2. He is the author of two books, What to Listen for in Mozart, and What to Listen for in Beethoven. He is the classical music critic for The Globe and Mail.
Praise for Song of a Nation Shortlisted for the 2019 Vine
Award for History
"[Song of a Nation] is a well-written, well-researched
account of the successes and travails of Lavallee's life and of the
genesis and evolution of O Canada." --Winnipeg Free
Press "Song of a Nation is a bravura performance with
all the dramatic elements of Grand Opera--war, patriotism, loyalty,
ambition, family, politics, and enchantment. Robert Harris explains
how we became our national song. It makes you want to stand up and
sing." --Michael Enright, host of CBC's The Sunday Edition
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