“Boris was tragically killed earlier today when he was hit by a car in Hamilton,” the Orchester classique de Montréal (OCM) said in a statement Tuesday night. Police said they received a report of a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road on Mount Hamilton shortly after 10 p.m. Twenty minutes later, police said, a pedestrian was hit by the vehicle while parked in Park Avenue South on Markland Street, just south of downtown. The 78-year-old man, who has now been identified as Brot, was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he was later pronounced dead. Police claim that the driver fled after the accident, but was arrested a short distance away.
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Police followed the vehicle and tried to stop it, according to the provincial Special Investigation Unit (SIU), which is investigating the arrest. The suspicious vehicle then collided with several police vehicles, the SIU reported. Three police officers and the driver were injured during the arrest and taken to hospital, according to Hamilton police.
‘OUR FAVORITE MAESTRO’
Tributes began to flood on Tuesday afternoon, after Brot was identified as the victim who was fatally struck in the initial clash. “The entire OCM family is in a state of distrust,” the band said in a statement. “Boris Brott was the beating heart of the Orchester Classique de Montréal, a famous leader in the world of North American classical music and beyond, a mentor to countless young musicians and a very dear friend to so many.” “His sudden death thus leaves a deep void in our music community and a deep sadness in our personal lives.” In a statement late Tuesday, Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger expressed condolences to the Brot family and called him “our favorite conductor.” “Boris was not only a giant in the world of classical music, he was also a giant in promoting and building Hamilton and his efforts over the decades have helped elevate our community to new heights,” Eisenberger said in a statement. He noted that Brot was the founder of the Hamilton Brot Music Festival and was also an Officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Order of Ontario that had appeared for royal members and the Pope. A “Hamiltonian and a man of the people,” Eisenberger recalled once when the conductor brought classical music to the townspeople with an orchestral performance staged at the Dofasco steelworks. He recalled that Broth also used to bring thousands of children to school at his annual concert with shows just for them, and organized online concerts to keep his spirits up during the COVID-19 lockdown. . Most recently he was planning a beneficial concert for Ukrainians suffering from the Russian invasion. “Boris loved and was devoted to Hamilton and his people, and we loved him even more. “It was this mutual love that led Boris to be voted one of the best Hamiltonians of all time,” Eisenberger said. According to OCM, Brott leaves behind his wife, Ardyth, and three children, Ben, Alexandra and David.
I am devastated by the tragic loss of the visionary Canadian conductor, Boris Brot. From the Orchestra of the National Academy of Canada to the Brott Music Festival and beyond, he shared his love of music with #HamOnt and the world. I think of Ardith and the family as they mourn this loss. – Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) April 5, 2022 We are devastated to learn of the untimely death of conductor Boris Brott. His warmth as a person and his passion for music were an inspiration to all of us. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, his wife Ardith and his children. – Hamilton Music Collective (@HamMusicCollect) April 6, 2022
