CONCERT
THURSDAY 14.05.2015 7.30pm
SALLE JEANNE-DE-VALOIS
BARACHOIS SUMMER MUSIC CELEBRATION!!!
Let's celebrate together the 35th season of the Barachois Summer Music concert series!
An exceptionnal concert bringing together a fine roster of musicians from the Maritimes will be given, including the Concerto for two pianos in C minor BWV 1062 by J.S. Bach and the all-round favorite "Carnaval des animaux" by Camille Saint-Saëns.
With Françoise Enguehard narration - Pierre-André Doucet piano - Julien LeBlanc piano - Isabelle Fournier violin - Catherine Gagné violin - Susan Sayle viola - Benjamin Marmen cello - Max Kasper doublebass - Jack Chen flute - Nicolas Tremblay clarinet - Michel Deschênes percussion.
Program:
- Concerto for two pianos in C minor BWV 1062 J.S. BACH
- Overture on Hebrew Themes, op. 34 for piano, SERGEI PROKOFIEV
clarinet and strings
- Scaramouche for two pianos DARIUS MILHAUD
- Eclogue, op. 10 for piano and strings GERALD FINZI
- Carnaval des animaux for two pianos and chamber CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS
orchestra
Date Thursday, May 14 2015, 7.30 pm
Venue Salle Jeanne-de-Valois, Pavillon A-119
Place Université de Moncton, 68 rue Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur
Ticketing Université de Moncton, B-150, tel: 506-858 4554
Price 25$ adults, 10$ students, free for 18 years old and younger
Participants
Françoise Enguehard - narration
Françoise Enguehard was born on the French islands of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon and has lived in Newfoundland for the past forty years. She is a writer, whose latest novel “The Islands of Doctor Thomas” won Radio-Canada’s Prix des Lecteurs and the Antonine Mailler Acadie-Vie Prize in 2010 . She was President of La Société Nationale de l’Acadie from 2006 to 2012 and remains involved in the Francophone community of the Atlantic provinces. She is presently coordinating the celebrations marking the two hundredth anniversary of her native islands’ return to France.
Pierre-André Doucet - piano
Julien LeBlanc - piano
Praised for his sincere and colourful playing as well as for his modern and fascinating writing, pianist and author Pierre-André Doucet is rapidly establishing himself as one of Canada’s most captivating young artists.
Mr Doucet is presently a doctoral candidate at l’Université de Montréal, where he studies under Maneli Pirzadeh. He has also benefited from masterclasses with some of the world’s leading artists at the Music Academy of the West, Songfest and Tanglewood (United States) and the Franz-Schubert-Institut (Austria).
In addition to having been declared the Discovery of the Year at the most recent Éloizes Gala, Pierre-André Doucet was also recently featured on CBC Radio’s list of 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30.
Canadian pianist, Julien LeBlanc, dazzles with virtuosity and appealing enthusiasm. He is recognized for his great musical sensitivity and his ability to communicate the essence of the music. Based in Montreal, he is active on the Canadian musical scene equally as soloist, chamber music pianist and accompanist. Since 2012, he shares the artistic direction of Barachois Summer Music concert series and he can be heard on the stage of the Barachois Historical Church frequently.
Recently, he was critically acclaimed for his musical direction of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, presented by the “Against the Grain Theatre” in Toronto, and for his masterly interpretation of the work at the piano.
Winner of the Knigge Piano Competition (2013), Mr. Doucet has also been awarded top prizes for his performances of contemporary works, namely at the Ibiza International Piano Competition (2013) and the Prix d’Europe (2014).
“Guest music director Julien LeBlanc contributes fine piano accompaniment, playing with splendid feeling and authenticity, translucent, almost weightless in placid moments, orchestrally evocative in stormy, unbridled scenes. Pelléas et Mélisande’s five distinct mini-symphonic interludes are grippingly rendered. LeBlanc, a specialist in French repertoire is an artist of sweeping dimensions. Debussy, a pianist of no small accomplishment himself, would unquestionably agree.” (Opera Going Toronto)
In 2002, Julien LeBlanc was awarded the Emerging Artist of the Year prize by the Arts Foundation of New Brunswick. Following his debut at the National Arts Centre (Ottawa) in 2003, he undertook a series of concerts including touring Canada with violinist Marc Djokic for Debut Atlantic and Jeunesses Musicales.
His concerts are broadcasted regularly on Espace Musique and CBC. He has received numerous grants from the Canada Council and the Province of New Brunswick.
Isabelle Fournier - violin
Canadian violinist Isabelle Fournier keeps very busy as Orchestral Musician, Chamber Musician, Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, and, more recently, as Music Director. She has performed extensively throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Her performances are frequently heard on CBC Radio and radio-canada.
Chamber Music is her passion. She has been a Guest Artist at many Music Festivals, including: the Aldeburgh Music Festival, UK; the Cambridge University International Chamber Music Series, UK; the prestigious music seminars held at Prussia Cove, Corn- wall, UK; the Aspen Music Festival, USA; the Banff Centre for the Arts; Scotia Festival, Indian River Music Festival; New Brunswick Music Festival; festival international de musique de chamber de le Baie des Chaleures;
Festival Acadien, Caraquet, N.B.; and as Artist in Residence at the Music Room, in Halifax.
Isabelle also enjoys a very successful orchestral career. She has worked with world famous orchestras such as the English Chamber Orchestra; the Academy of St. Martin- in-the-Fields; the City of London Sinfonia; the Britten Sinfonia; the Northern Sinfonia; the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra; and Symphony Nova Scotia. She is also frequently invited to work as Concertmaster with differing orchestras; such as, most recently, with the McGill Chamber Orchestra, the Festival de Lanaudiere Orchestra, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra. She currently is principal 2nd violon with Symphony Nova Scotia.
Catherine Gagné - violin
Born in the province of Quebec in the Outaouais region, violinist and music lover Catherine Gagné knows how to share her passions. She began her musical studies at the age of 6 and went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in performance from Indiana University in Bloomington. As part of her degree, Catherine has had the opportunity to teach for the String Academy at the Jacob’s School of Music, under the supervision of renowned professor Mimi Zweig. Enriched from her experience, she founded the ARCO program at the ÉMOI school of music in Gatineau. In 2008, she also founded the Orchestre Symphonique des Jeunes de l’Outaouais. Between 2010 and 2014, Catherine Gagné has taught violin and conducted the String Ensemble at the Conservatoire de Musique in Gatineau.
For 22 years, the love of teaching and playing the violin, in private or groups, has taken a huge place in the career of this talented musician. “It’s a tremendous source of joy, discovery and challenges!”. Since September 2014, inspired by this great passion, she joined Sistema New Brunswick as a Teaching Artist. She is a member of the Mélilot Quartett, and plays regularly with SymphonyNew Brunswick, Tutta Musica Ensemble and other musical ensembles.
Susan Sayle - viola
A violist in Symphony Nova Scotia since 1986, Susan Sayle was appointed Principal Viola in 1994. In demand as a chamber musician, she has performed with the Dalhousie Chamber Players, the St. Cecilia Concert Series, the Indian River Festival, at Concerts aux Isle du Bic, OK Quoi?, Shattering the Silence, the New Brunswick Summer Music Festival, and many times as soloist with Symphony Nova Scotia. She has also adjudicated at music festivals in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and PEI. Frequently heard on CBC Radio, Susan can also be heard on many recordings and film scores. She spends her summers in Charlottetown, PEI playing with the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra.
Benjamin Marmen - cello
Mooring in Halifax in 2010 to enroll at Dalhousie University, Benjamin Marmen and his cello have since sought to become dynamic contributors to the city’s musical life.
A small-town boy out of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB, Benjamin began cello lessons at age seven with Sonja Adams in Saint John. Throughout high school he performed with Symphony New Brunswick as a substitute, with the Early Music Studio in SJ, and also with provincial and national youth orchestras.
In summer programs such as Le Domaine Forget, Scotia Festival, and the National Arts Centre’s prestigious Young Artist Program, Benjamin has received instruction from acclaimed cellists such as Lynn Harrell, Philippe Muller, Hans Jørgen Jensen, Denise Djokic, Paul Marleyn, Blair Lofgren, and Thomas Wiebe.
However, his most cherished mentorship has come from Shimon Walt, under whom Benjamin recently completed his Bachelor of Music.
During his studies, Benjamin produced himself on stage with various ensembles –Scotia Festival’s “Chamber Players,” his sixteen-stringed clique known as Quartet LaCorde, and Symphony Nova Scotia, recently awarded the position of section cello. He also performed as a soloist with two of the local orchestras, Chebucto Symphony Orchestra and Nova Sinfonia, and was programmed as a soloist with SNS as one of the winners of the NS Youth Orchestra’s 2014 Concerto Competition. Benjamin has performed throughout Nova Scotia, notably as a guest artist in Mahone Bay’s Music at Three Churches, in Tatamagouche in Bonnyman House Tearoom’s concert series, as well as in New Brunswick as part of the Musique à l’église historique de Barachois.
Away from the classical stage, Benjamin has taken part in a variety of musical ventures, such as taking to the stage with Natalie MacMaster and her band at the 2013 ECMAs, as well as performing and recording with various local artists, such as guitarist Maxim Cormier, winner of a 2013 NS Music Award, and the popular singer-songwriter Mo Kenney. He has played on film soundtracks by local composers Blain Morris and Josh Cruddas, as well as in a short film by Halifax director Dillon Garland.
Through his interest in new music and improvisation, and thanks to suddenlyLISTEN and Upstream Music Association, he was involved in improvised concerts by Montreal’s Musique Actuelle, played in workshops with composers and improvisers such as Danielle Palardy Roger, Jean Derome, and Joëlle Léandre, and has also appeared as a soloist in Halifax’ Open Waters Festival.
Benjamin plays a German violoncello made by Jacobus Staininger in 1779, which has graciously been loaned to him by Katharina Kieser and her family.
Max Kasper - doublebass
Principal Bassist of Symphony Nova Scotia since 1986, Max has appeared as a soloist with the orchestra on several occasions. As well as performing in many solo recitals over the years, he also loves playing chamber music and has formed the “Gatto Dolce Duo” with cellist Colin Matthews. They recorded and released their CD: “Duets for Cello and Bass” in the Spring of 2008. Max has a keen interest in Period music; he plays in Halifax with Rejouissance and Tempest baroque ensembles, and is an extra player with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.
Now pursuing a second career as a bow maker, Max has the unique distinction of playing on a bass and bows he has made himself. He lives in Halifax with his love, Esther Ricketts, and their two cats: Murray and Finnegan. In his spare time he likes to watch TV, read, sleep and feed the cats.
With a tremendous love for chamber music, Jack now performs regularly with Fifth Wind (fifthwind.org), the Conundrum Duo and the Jollimore Trio. In addition to performing and teaching, Jack is the artistic director of Inner Space Concerts (innerspaceconcerts.ca), Martime’s newest house concert series! Jack will be heard in recitals, concerts, and give masterclasses during the 2014-2015 season throughout the Maritime Provinces.
Having shared the stage and camera with artists such as Amy Grant, Michael Giacchino, Bobby McFerrin, Sir James Galway, Patrick Gallois and Doc Severinsen, flutist Jack Chen has appeared in PBS television music specials and toured with Tim Janis, Finnouala Gill, EMI vocalists Giorgia Fumanti, Ryland Angel and “Siren.” Having earned his graduate degree in flute and early music performance from Indiana University, Jack has studied with flutists Jeanne
Baxtresser, William Bennet, Robert Dick, Patrick Gallois, Sarah Jackson, Bart Kuijken, Robert Langevin, Emmanuel Pahud, and jazz legend, David Baker.
An instructor of Flute and Flute Methods at Acadia University, Jack has also taught and given masterclasses at Mt. Allison University and Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Jack Chen - flute
Nicolas Tremblay - clarinet
Born in the Eastern Townships, Nicolas Tremblay was at age 18 a member and later principal clarinet of the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra. He studied at McGill University with Emilio Iacurto (MSO) and completed his Bachelor’s degree at Sherbrooke University with André Moisan (MSO). He obtained his Masters degree at Indiana University, and received two bursaries while studying with renowned Canadian soloist James Campbell. Nicolas has performed in Canada and the US and recorded for the CBC and Radio-Canada. He has performed with the Camerata Ensemble, the Estrie Chamber Orchestra, the Chicoutimi Symphony, the McGill Symphony, the Ottawa Symphony and the National Arts Center Orchestra. An avid chamber music performer, he was a founding member and host of the Prism chamber ensemble series.
Nicolas taught the clarinet at Carleton University and was musical and artistic director of the Outaouais youth symphony Orchestra. He is presently a Teaching Artist for Sistema NB and coordinator of the Tutta Musica ensemble, and is an active professional musician in the Maritimes.
Michel Deschênes - percussion
M. Ed. B. Mus. in Performance, Percussion teacher at Université de Moncton, Michel Deschênes is the founding member of the percussion quartet Amerythme formed in 1989. Born in Caraquet New Brunswick, has done numerous recordings and tours across Canada, France, Belgium and Morocco. Michel is the latest recipient of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra’s Lieutenant Governor’s Award. He has been heard and seen frequently on television for CBC (East Coast Music Awards television show), Radio-Canada and TV5. He has played on all the major scenes across the country like the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Canada Day in Ottawa and the Festival d’été de Québec just to name a few. Michel is the leader of “ The Escola de Samba Acadia ” A group of percussionists who plays Brasilian style Street Samba available for parades, or special events.
One of Michel’s latest project is a trio called Sambucca with Sally Wright (flute) and Steven Peacock (guitar).