2008-2009
Download 2008-2009 Brochure [PDF ~2MB]
TOUR #1
Les Boréades de Montréal
Les Boréades de Montréal
Francis Colpron, recorders and Baroque flute
Hélène Plouffe, Baroque violin
Mélisande Corriveau, Baroque cello and viola da gamba
Eric Milnes, harpsichord
Founded by Francis Colpron in 1991, Les Boréades de Montréal focuses on early music. The ensemble has chosen an interpretative approach in keeping with the spirit of the Baroque era, by adhering to the rules of performance practice of the past and playing on period instruments. Critics and audiences alike in Canada and abroad have been unanimous in hailing the group’s energy and spontaneity as well as its theatrical, expressive and elegant playing, indicative of a unique flair for Baroque aesthetics.
Each year, Les Boréades gives a series of concerts at Montréal’s historic Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel with international guest artists, many of whom have been picked up and broadcast by the national broadcasting corporation. The group has received many grants from the Québec and Canada governments and has toured extensively in Canada and abroad, taking part in several renowned festivals. The musicians also performed at the Frick Collection of New-York, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Salle Gaveau in Paris, Vancouver Festival, Musikfest Bremen and at the Alter Musik Regensburg.
Les Boréades won the Prix Opus for best performance of the 1998-1999 season, bestowed by the Conseil québécois de la musique in December 1999, and the same prize a year later for best recording of the year in early and classical music. The ensemble boasts fifteen recordings on the Atma Classique label featuring renowned artists such as Hervé Niquet, Skip Sempé, Manfredo Kraemer, Alex Weimann, Eric Milnes and Karina Gauvin. In 2006, Hyver, with Karina Gauvin, has been nominated as Juno’s best Classical album of the year: Vocal or Choral performance and has been also nominated for an award at the ADISQ gala. Purcell, recording with Karina Gauvin, has been nominated as Juno’s best Classical album of the year: Vocal or Choral performance.
Recordings
Baroque : Sonates virtuoses du XVIIe siècle || Noëls français du XVIIIe siècle aux instruments || Private Musick || Théâtre musical || Telemann : Suite & concertos || Beatles Baroque, volumes I et II || In stilo moderno || Super Flumina Babylonis || Acis and Galatea || KammerMusik II Hyver, Karina Gauvin, soprano II Purcell, Karina Gauvin, soprano || Beatles Baroque, volume III. All recordings on the ATMA label
Film
Le Maestro Errant, romanced biography of George Frideric Handel, 11th episode of the series entitled Musique de chambre, Cine Qua None Film
Where does the name “Les Boréades” come from?
The Boreads (Les Boréades in French) were Zetes and Calais, the winged sons of the god of the north wind, Boreas. Their father was the son of Eos (goddess of the dawn) and of Astraeus. The brothers were Titans, beings who, in Greek mythology, personify the elemental forces of nature. Zetes, the more spirited of the two, was associated with quests. Calais, the temperamental one, personified the turquoise sea.
• • •
Tour Concert Performance Schedule
Thursday, September 25/08 Biggar, SK
Presented by Biggar & District Arts Council in Majestic Theatre
Friday, September 26/08 Rosthern, SK
Presented by Station Arts Centre in Rosthern Mennonite Church
Saturday, September 27/08 Regina, SK
Presented by Regina Musical Club in Riddell Centre Theatre
Friday, November 7/08 Winnipeg, MB
Masterclass/workshop presented by Winnipeg Early Music
Saturday, November 8/08 Winnipeg, MB
Presented by Virtuosi Concerts in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, U of Winnipeg
Sunday, November 9/08 Winkler, MB
Presented by Southern Manitoba Concerts in Winkler Bergthaler Church
Sunday, January 18/09 Lacombe, AB
Presented by Canadian University College in CUC Auditorium
Monday, January 19/09 Spruce Grove, AB
Presented by Horizon Stage in Horizon Stage
Tuesday, January 20/09 Saskatoon, SK
Presented by In Performance Concert Series, Department of Music, University of Saskatchewan in Convocation Hall, University of Saskatchewan
Performance dates and venues are subject to change.
Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.
Download Les Boréades de Montréal Programme [PDF ~0.5MB]
Download Les Boréades de Montréal Poster [PDF ~0.5MB]
TOUR #2
Allen Harrington, saxophone and David Moroz, piano
Allen Harrington, saxophone
Allen Harrington and David Moroz
Canada’s leading young saxophonist, Allen Harrington, teaches saxophone, bassoon, and chamber music at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Music. As “an extremely fluid player of superb artistry” (Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal), Allen has amazed and delighted audiences with his “honest sound, …radio-active resonance,” (Halifax Chronicle Herald) “considerable virtuosity,” “mellifluous tone,” (Winnipeg Free Press) “fluid and delicate legato, clear phrasing, great agility, and excellent sense of rhythm” (Le Soleil, Québec City). A native of Saskatoon, he received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Saskatchewan where he studied with Marvin Eckroth. He holds a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he was a student of Dr. Fred Hemke.
As an active soloist, recitalist, adjudicator, chamber and orchestral musician, Allen maintains a busy schedule outside of his University teaching career. Recent solo engagements include performances with l’Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonie (Belgium), Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, and the Saskatchewan Chamber Orchestra. Last season he made his solo debut with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. He is also a featured soloist on the Saskatoon Symphony’s recent CD “Passionscape.”
This season Allen will be touring western Canada with pianist David Moroz for Prairie Debut, doing a recital on the Groundswell new music series in Winnipeg, performing at the 15th World Saxophone Congress in Bangkok Thailand, and premiering a concerto for wind controller and orchestra as a part of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s New Music Festival.
Allen has had great success at music competitions at the national and international level. He won the Grand Award of the National Music Festival of Canada in 1999, making him only the second saxophonist ever to accomplish that feat. In 2000, he placed first in woodwinds at the Canadian Music Competition finals, and first in chamber music at the National Music Festival. In 2004, he was awarded the Grand Prize at the international Stepping Stone Competition. More recently, in 2006 he became the first Canadian and only the second North American ever to reach the final round of the International Adolphe Sax Competition in Dinant, Belgium. He finished in fourth place from a field of 144 of the finest saxophonists in the world under the age of 31, at this largest and most prestigious saxophone competition in the world.
As a bassoonist, Allen was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 1998. He has played bassoon and contrabassoon with the Saskatoon and Regina Symphony Orchestras, and is currently a regular extra with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He plays second bassoon for the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and is a busy freelancer with other groups in and around Winnipeg.
With his duo partner Laura Loewen (piano) he has performed at the last two World Saxophone Congresses (Minneapolis 2003, and Ljubljana, Slovenia 2006), and the last three North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conferences. In the 06/07 season they completed a two week recital tour through Atlantic Canada for the Debut Atlantic series. In December 2007 they toured western Canada and recorded their first CD at the Banff Centre of the Arts featuring Canadian works for saxophone and piano. They are committed to thoroughly exploring the existing saxophone/piano repertoire while actively commissioning new works.
• • •
David Moroz, piano
A graduate of the Juilliard School, Winnipeg-born pianist David Moroz enjoys a career as one of Canada’s most versatile artists. As a soloist he has performed in every major Canadian city, and as a collaborative artist he appears regularly in recital with Canada’s most distinguished musicians. Twice nominated for Manitoba’s Artist of the Year, he is a frequent guest of CBC Radio and is a veteran performer at Canada’s most important music festivals.
David Moroz was awarded a Doctor of Music degree from the University of Montréal, and holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the celebrated Juilliard School in New York City. He has been Artistic Director of The Winnipeg Chamber Music Society since 1987, and served as Assistant Program Director for Music & Sound at The Banff Centre from 1995-99. A gifted and dedicated teacher, he was appointed to the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Music in 1999, where he is Chair of the Piano Department, and teaches piano, piano repertoire and chamber music. In 2000, he was invited to serve as Coordinator of the Piano Department at The Morningside Music Bridge at Mount Royal College in Calgary.
He appears regularly in recital with his wife, the outstanding Canadian violinist Gwen Hoebig, and has been a member of the Hoebig/Moroz Trio since 1979, where he has performed much of the significant music written for piano trio. He has performed for the Governor General of Canada, and in 2002 was a featured soloist in a Celebratory Concert marking the Golden Jubilee of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, which was performed in her presence and telecast live across Canada. In the 2003-2004 season he gave a highly successful tour of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta for Prairie Debut with violinist Erika Raum.
David Moroz made his debut in Shanghai in the summer of 2006, performing a recital with the acclaimed American cellist Lynn Harrell and the Dvorak quintet with the Shanghai String Quartet. Most recently he appeared in recital with the renowned Taiwanese-American violinist Cho-Liang Lin, and last season made his debut with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, performing as solo pianist in Alexander Scriabine’s legendary score Prometheus.
“Brilliant and expertly controlled playing.” The Gazette (Montreal)
“David Moroz is a superlative player.” The Free Press (Winnipeg)
• • •
Tour Concert Performance Schedule
Friday, October 24/08 Pinawa, MB
Presented by Eastern MB Concert Association in Pinawa Community Centre
Saturday, November 8/08 Rosthern, SK
Presented by Station Arts Centre in Rosthern Mennonite Church
Sunday, November 9/08 Estevan, SK
Presented by Estevan Arts Council in St. Paul’s United Church
Monday, November 10/08 Melfort, SK
Presented by Melfort Arts Council in Melfort Northeast Leisure Centre
Tuesday, Nov 12/08 Thompson, MB
Presented by City of Thompson in Letkeman Theatre, R.C. Parker Collegiate
Sunday, January 25/09
Presented by Southern Manitoba Concerts in Altona Bergthaler Church
Saturday, February 21/09 Winnipeg, MB
Presented by Virtuosi Concerts in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, U of Winnipeg
Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.
Download Harrington & Moroz Poster [PDF ~0.7MB]
TOUR #3
Bellows & Brass
Bellows & Brass
Bellows & Brass is a trio comprised of three of Canada’s most successful soloists: Guy Few (trumpet, piano), Joseph Petric (accordion) and Eric Vaillancourt (trombone).
A powerful and engaging ensemble, Bellows and Brass have performed for series and festivals including Community Concerts USA, Debut Atlantic Encore, Chappelle de Bon Pasteur, Festival of the Sound, and The Winnipeg Contemporary Music Festival. Individually these three artists have been invited to perform as concerto soloists throughout North America including the Orchestra of Saint Lukes, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. A concerto written for the trio by Boyd McDonald was debuted with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 2006.
Bellows and Brass make music that is challenging, pleasing and above all-fun. Their concerts have been described as “vividly emotional … passionate … a revelation.”
GLOBE AND MAIL “buoyant showmanship ”
AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE “… superb … eye popping playing ”
THE RECORD, Kitchener-Waterloo “splendid … ”
PETERBOROUGH EXAMINER “… astounding…their engaging sense of humour appealed to all…
Bellows & Brass is represented by Richard Paul Concert Artists, Toronto ON
• • •
Tour Concert Performance Schedule
Saturday, January 17/09 Winnipeg, MB
Presented by Virtuosi Concerts in Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, U of Winnipeg
Saturday, January 24/09 Regina, SK
Presented by Regina Musical Club in Riddell Centre Theatre
Sunday, January 25/09 Melville, SK
Presented by Melville Arts Council in Melville Community Works Theatre
Monday, January 26/09 Yorkton, SK
Presented by Yorkton Arts Council in Anne Portnuff Theatre, Yorkton Regional Highschool
Wednesday, January 28/09 Shaunavon, SK
Presented by Shaunavon Arts Council in Shaunavon Public School
Thursday, January 29/09 Lloydminster, SK
Presented by Lloydminster Allied Arts in Vic Juba Community Theatre, Lakeland College
Saturday, January 31/09 Tisdale, SK
Presented by Tisdale Arts Council in Maurice Taylor Performing Arts Theatre
Saturday, February 7/09 Whitehorse, Yukon
Presented by Whitehorse Concerts in Yukon Arts Centre
Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.
Please check for additional concerts and numerous workshops and masterclasses information which will be added to this tour itinerary by January 1/09.
Collaborative Tour Project – The Banff Centre and Prairie Debut
The Banff Centre brings Chopin, Vivaldi to Alberta
Presented as part of the Alberta Autumn Tour 2008
Download Banff Tour Poster [PDF ~0.1 MB]
This fall, alumni musicians of The Banff Centre will bring a program of classical music to towns throughout the province.
In an inaugural partnership between the classical music touring organization Prairie Debut and The Banff Centre, locally presented by the Alberta community presenters, the tour will host emerging Canadian artists for informal concerts at venues across the province. The select 12-piece chamber ensemble will present a program that includes Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and an arrangement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1, with soloist Yuval Fichman.
“For 75 years The Banff Centre has been a home for artistic creativity,” says Barry Shiffman, director of music programs at the Centre. “This fall, we share the riches of some of our most talented young alumni in concerts across Alberta. These musicians bring an energy and enthusiasm to their art that is inspiring to witness. Mark your calendars – this tour should not be missed.”
A graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, soloist Yuval Fichman has performed with all of the major orchestras in Canada, including a role as guest soloist with the Montreal Symphony on its 50th anniversary European tour, and with the Vancouver Symphony on a tour of Japan. He has performed at venues around the world, including the Kennedy Centre in Washington, London’s Wigmore Hall, and the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto.
Prairie Debut is an inter-provincial touring network with a mandate to create opportunities for the presentation of professional classical and world music in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
“The history of Prairie Debut has been the promotion and celebration of Canadian artists and their artistic creation,” says Lynne Bailey, executive director of Prairie Debut. “The Banff Centre exemplifies this value and in their 75-year history, has continued to develop artists, both Canadian and international, of the highest artistic calibre. Prairie Debut is honoured to collaborate with The Banff Centre on this 75th Anniversary Alberta tour.”
Tour Performance Schedule
Thursday, September 25/08 – Okotoks, AB
Full Length Concert presented by the Town of Okotoks in the Rotary Performing Arts Centre Hall
2 school shows in the Okotoks Elementary and Highschool
Saturday, September 27/08 – Spruce Grove, AB
Full Length Concert presented by Horizon Stage in St. Augustine’s Parkland Anglican Church
Sunday, September 28/08 – Edson, AB
Presented by Chautaqua Edson Art Council in the Red Brick Cultural Centre
1 School show in Red Brick Cultural Centre on Monday, September 29/09
Tuesday, September 30/08 – Spruce Grove, AB
2 School shows presented by Horizon Stage in Greystone Middle School
Wednesday, October 1/08 – Fort Saskatchewan, AB
2 School Shows Presented by City of Fort Saskatchewan in Shell Theatre, Dow Centennial Centre
Thursday, October 2/08 – Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Full Length Concert presented by City of Fort Saskatchewan in Shell Theatre, Dow Centennial Centre
Saturday, October 4/08 – Fort McMurray, AB
Full Length Concert presented by Keyano Theatre in Keyano Theatre
Monday, October 6/08 – Fort McMurray, AB
2 School Shows presented by Keyano Theatre in Keyano Theatre
Wednesday, October 8/08 – Lloydminster, AB
2 School Shows presented by Vic Juba Community Theatre in Vic Juba Community Theatre
Thursday, Oct 9/08 – Lloydminster, SB
1 School Show presented by Vic Juba Community Theatre in Vic Juba Community Theatre
Friday, Oct 10/08 – Lloydminster, SB
Full length concert presented by Vic Juba Community Theatre in Vic Juba Community Theatre
View the September 12, 2008 News Release.