Oskar Morawetz was attending a concert one evening. He had an extra ticket for
the concert, and was asking at the box office if they could offer the ticket to
someone. Overhearing this exchange, a young pianist, Ruth Shipman, asked if she
might have the ticket. Thus began their courtship.
The service
Oskar Morawetz and Ruth Spafford Shipman were married on June 7, 1958 at Bloor
Street United Church in Toronto.
Ruth Shipman was from London,
Ontario. Her family belonged to the United Church of Canada. Although Morawetz'
family was Jewish, the wedding, hosted by the parents of the bride, was a church
wedding.
The wedding was officiated by Rev. Ernest Howse and Rev. Alexander MacMillan.
Rev. MacMillan was the father of Sir Ernest MacMillan, who was dean of the
Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, and who conducted the
premičres of Morawetz' Carnival Overture and Keep Us Free.
Rev. Alexander MacMillan and Sir Ernest MacMillan
Signing the Registry
Ernesto Vinci and Sir Ernest MacMillan
During the signing of the registry, Ernesto Vinci sang accompanied by Sir Ernest MacMillan. Dr. Vinci sang Dvorak's God is My
Shepherd.
It is interesting that more than 20 years later, Morawetz transcribed this song for choir as part of his Five
Biblical Songs.
Leaving the Church
Morawetz' sister-in-law Cathleen, and children Pegeen, Lida, John and Nancy.
Morawetz' sister Sonja Sinclair,
husband Ric, and children Helen, Michael and Tony.
Frida and Richard Morawetz
Formal Photos
The wedding party: Bill Shipman, Mary Kay Simpkinson, John Morawetz, Ruth Shipman, Oskar Morawetz,
Herbert Morawetz, Ms. Kirchken, Bob Binnie, Beverly Scully, Victor Dibello
The bride's family:
Bill, Ruth, Warde
and Norman Shipman
The parents:
Richard Morawetz, Warde Shipman,
Frida Morawetz, Norman Shipman
parents of bride,
Ruth and Oskar,
parents of groom.
Reception
The parents of Warde Shipman were strictly
religious and never touched a drop of alcohol. Therefore, by their
insistence the wedding reception was an alcohol-free event!
Left to right: Lois Marshall, Sir Ernest MacMillan, Oskar Morawetz, Ruth Shipman.
As well as family members, many musician friends of Morawetz attended the
wedding. Among the wedding guests were:
Sir Ernest MacMillan, Lois Marshall, Ernesto Vinci, Heinz Unger,
Albert Prat, Elie Spivak, Albert Guerrero, Ezra Schabas, Boyd Neil, Glenn Gould, Boris
Berlin, Hyman Goodman, James Milligan, Bailey Bird and Jan Rubes.
Interestingly, the wedding occurred on a very hot, June day. Yet Glenn Gould,
in what became very characteristic of his mannerism, attended wearing gloves and a scarf.
Ruth and Oskar (center) with Morawetz nieces and nephews: back: Sonja, Peter, Michael, John middle: Pegeen, Lida front: Helen, Virginia, Tony, Nancy, Sylvia
Frida and Richard (middle row) with children and their spouses: back: Oskar, John, Ric, Herbert front: Sonja, Ruth, Cathleen, Maureen
Wedding movie
A wedding videographer recorded 8mm film of the service and the reception.
This movie is a compilation of some of the photos and the 8mm film taken at the wedding. The end of the movie shows the guest book.
