‘The Hockey Sweater’ gets an orchestral adaptation from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Most of us can remember reading Canadian author Roch Carrier's beloved children's story, "The Hockey Sweater," in elementary school.
Today the classic tale of one Quebec boy's horror upon receiving a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater -- instead of the Montreal Canadiens sweater he wanted -- has been given a live orchestral revamp.
Composed by Dora Award winner Abigail Richardson, Carrier could not be happier with the result, telling The Canadian Press, "She did a wonderful adaptation."
He added, "It's not (just) sport or bombastic music — it's subtle, it's a lot of variety, it's entertaining. There is a lot of humour, there is nostalgia, there is a bit of folklore, allusions."
"This is more than a piece about sports," Richardson told CBC News. "Its about a little boy's hopes and dreams and how all of that comes crashing down."
The stage rendition of "The Hockey Sweater," which features Carrier's personal narration, was co-commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. The production will have its world premiere in Toronto on May 12.
Published in 1979, Carrier's story has touched generations of Canadians and even appears in an excerpt on our five-dollar bill. In 1980, the classic children's tale was made into a short film by the National Film Board of Canada. You can also listen to a preview of Richardson's beautiful score by heading here.
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