Hallelujah! Canada’s favourite bard has been awarded the ninth Glenn Gould Prize. Leonard Cohen, the singer, poet, monk and beatnik genius has been awarded the prize which is presented biennially to a living luminary who has made a unique lifetime contribution that has enriched the human condition through the arts and manifests the values of innovation, inspiration and transformation.
The jury was unanimous in selecting Leonard Cohen as the Ninth Glenn Gould Prize laureate,“ said Jury Chair Paul Hoffert. ”His poetry and music transcend national boundaries and cultures by touching our common humanity.”
Cohen, whose literary and musical gifts have long been lauded as the best of a generation, has had slow-burning career that has reached an apex of late with awards, accolades and praise coming from all sides.
“I want to thank The Glenn Gould Foundation for their kindness. It is a great honour, sweetened by my love of the work of Glenn Gould, and our collective appreciation of his invigorating and enduring presence in the world of Music and Imagination,” stated Leonard Cohen.
Rising from the ashes and years of solitude as an ordained Buddhist monk, Cohen rekindled his career with a world tour that has fans new and old filling concert halls and arenas to see the poet master in action. Unfortunate financial circumstances initially forced the singer to hit the road once again but with the reception he received worldwide and Cohen seems spry and with a skip in his step and a passion in his voice that belies hi 76 Years.His 2008 tour lasted 2 years longer than intended and with a new album on the way Leonard Cohen doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Cohen’s career has spanned five decades.He was one of the originators of the 60’s peace movement playing The Isle of White and sharing bills with Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan.
More songwriter than singer Cohen has penned some of the centuries best loved songs including Suzanne, Hallelujah and Bird on a Wire. His songs have been covered by over 150 artists including Sting, Bono and Willie Nelson.
His collections of poetry, include Let Us Compare Mythologies (1956) and Flowers for Hitler. His novels include The Favourite Game (1963) and Beautiful Losers (1966)
The jury was unanimous in selecting Leonard Cohen as the Ninth Glenn Gould Prize laureate,“ said Jury Chair Paul Hoffert. ”His poetry and music transcend national boundaries and cultures by touching our common humanity.”
Cohen, whose literary and musical gifts have long been lauded as the best of a generation, has had slow-burning career that has reached an apex of late with awards, accolades and praise coming from all sides.
“I want to thank The Glenn Gould Foundation for their kindness. It is a great honour, sweetened by my love of the work of Glenn Gould, and our collective appreciation of his invigorating and enduring presence in the world of Music and Imagination,” stated Leonard Cohen.
Rising from the ashes and years of solitude as an ordained Buddhist monk, Cohen rekindled his career with a world tour that has fans new and old filling concert halls and arenas to see the poet master in action. Unfortunate financial circumstances initially forced the singer to hit the road once again but with the reception he received worldwide and Cohen seems spry and with a skip in his step and a passion in his voice that belies hi 76 Years.His 2008 tour lasted 2 years longer than intended and with a new album on the way Leonard Cohen doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Cohen’s career has spanned five decades.He was one of the originators of the 60’s peace movement playing The Isle of White and sharing bills with Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan.
More songwriter than singer Cohen has penned some of the centuries best loved songs including Suzanne, Hallelujah and Bird on a Wire. His songs have been covered by over 150 artists including Sting, Bono and Willie Nelson.
His collections of poetry, include Let Us Compare Mythologies (1956) and Flowers for Hitler. His novels include The Favourite Game (1963) and Beautiful Losers (1966)
