Christine Azad

Christine Azad, Swiss and Canadian citizen played her harpsichord as recently as a couple of months ago, even after several years with dementia. Christine is lovingly remembered by her sister, Claire-Anne (Pierre);her nephew and nieces, Alexandre, Suzanne, Lydiane; daughters by marriage, Catherine, Martine and Audrey; grand-daughter by marriage, Semira; and grand-children by marriage, Vadim and Anya. Christine was pre-deceased by her husband, Jamil Azad, after over 50 years together. She was born in Payerne, Vaud state, Switzerland to parents Clemence Duc-Crisinel and Constant-Andre Duc, on March 27, 1951. 

After teaching in Switzerland, Christine moved to Canada to be with Jamil in Calgary. They travelled the world together, and shared a common passion for playing music together, as well as golf and tennis. Christine journaled about the ‘immensity and diversity of nature’, and the animals they encountered, including ’two Canadian geese that return every spring to land and squabble on the roof of my building… a very good place to live.’

Christine became an early music specialist in Harpsichord, Gamba and chamber music, and contributed significantly to Calgary’s musical life. Christine co-founded the Calgary Bach Festival Society in 1988 (still thriving today), with Susan Lyle, producing 4 concerts per year for 25 years, honouring the music of J.S. Bach. Of particular note in the year 2000 was the first ‘Bach International Festival’, a co-production with the Calgary Organ Foundation, to recognize the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death, the yearly Bach Marathon, and the annual gathering at ’Neel’s Barn’. Christine, universally considered an incredible music mentor, played in many events, several chamber groups, and introduced Calgary music lovers, school and private students to Baroque music and instruments. 

Love of family, friends, music and nature were the central pillars of Christine’s life. Christine’s journals are philosophical and thoughtful, including frequent quotations from great philosophers, including one from Plato, “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and charm and gaeity to life.”