trumpet – Debut Atlantic

Buzz Brass

Debut Atlantic — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 17:39:16 +0000

Sylvain Lapointe – founder/trumpet

Frédéric Gagnon – trumpet

Angelica Tombs – French horn

Blaise Margail – trombone

Sylvain Arseneau – bass trombone

The Canadian quintet Buzz Brass has been travelling the world and captivating classical music lovers since 2002. Whether alone or with guest musicians, Buzz Brass’s highly original performances consistently make a strong impression. The ensemble has given over 1,950 concerts for more than 500,000 music lovers across North America, Europe, and China. Over the years, Buzz Brass has earned numerous awards and honours—including Canada’s OPUS, ADISQ, and Trille Or prizes—in recognition of the quality and renown of its performances. With its innovative programs, acclaimed recordings, unique repertoire and broad appeal, the group has become one of Canada’s most reputable brass quintets. Recent projects include partnerships with recognized Canadian symphony orchestras such as those in Quebec, Winnipeg, and Sherbrooke, as well as with Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. The quintet has eight albums to its credit and continues working on new repertoire to record.

FAMOUS INSPIRATIONS CONCERT DESCRIPTION

Buzz Brass invites you on a vibrant journey through some of the most inspiring works ever composed. With original and inventive arrangements, the ensemble breathes new life into timeless masterpieces by Debussy, Dvořák, Satie, Bach, Liszt, and many others.

From the spiritual exuberance of Bach to the nostalgic colours of Dvořák’s America, through the contemplative poetry of Satie’s Gymnopédies and the flamboyant virtuosity of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody, each piece unveils a new facet when experienced through the warm tones of the brass quintet.

This program also shines a spotlight on outstanding Canadian composers like Hugo Bégin and Morley Calvert, offering unexpected discoveries and a nod to popular culture with the originality of Brass in Time. A true musical odyssey by Enrico O. Dastous, this piece bridges four centuries of music—from Renaissance works to contemporary cinematic worlds—showcasing the richness and diversity of the brass art form.

Every moment is designed to surprise, delight, and move listeners of all ages. Come and experience the power, emotion, and expressiveness of these masterpieces brought to life by Buzz Brass.

Photo credit to Michel Bérard

Depuis ses débuts à l’automne 2002, l’ensemble montréalais Buzz Cuivres s’est donné pour mission de faire reconnaître toute la richesse expressive du quintette de cuivres. Cette formation demeure souvent méconnue, voire injustement négligée, le public associant spontanément les cuivres davantage aux fanfares, à la musique militaire ou aux formations jazz et pop qu’aux raffinements de la musique de chambre. Pour transcender ces perceptions, l’ensemble propose à un vaste auditoire trois volets distincts : grand public, jeune public et symphonique. Grâce à ses propositions artistiques originales mêlant rigueur et divertissement, Buzz Cuivres ne laisse personne indifférent.

Avec plus de 2 000 représentations à son actif, l’ensemble a conquis plus de 500 000 mélomanes en Amérique du Nord, en Europe et en Chine. Son approche unique de la musique de chambre pour cuivres s’enrichit de collaborations avec des artistes invités au piano, à l’orgue, à la harpe et aux percussions, conférant à ses prestations un caractère énergique et joyeux particulièrement apprécié. L’ensemble élargit également son rayonnement grâce à ses productions symphoniques, collaborant avec des orchestres reconnus, tels ceux de Sherbrooke, de Québec, d’Edmonton ou du Centre national des Arts d’Ottawa.

La qualité exceptionnelle des prestations de Buzz Cuivres se reflète dans les nombreux prix et distinctions reçus au fil des ans : nominations ADISQ 2024 et 2010, Prix OPUS 2022, 2017 et 2014, Prix Trille Or 2015, Prix de la rédaction du Journal Three Weeks Edinburgh 2015. Cette reconnaissance critique s’accompagne d’un remarquable succès discographique, avec huit albums salués par la critique internationale, dont le récent Héritage (ATMA Classique, 2024).

S’appuyant sur un répertoire unique alliant œuvres originales pour cuivres et transcriptions audacieuses, Buzz Cuivres figure aujourd’hui parmi les quintettes de cuivres les plus réputés du Canada. L’ensemble continue d’enrichir le paysage musical, démontrant que les cuivres ont toute leur place dans l’univers de la musique de chambre.

CÉLÈBRES INSPIRATIONS DESCRIPTION DU CONCERT

Buzz Cuivres vous invite à un voyage vibrant à travers certaines des œuvres les plus inspirantes du répertoire. Grâce à des arrangements originaux et inventifs, l’ensemble insuffle une nouvelle vie à des chefs-d’œuvre intemporels signés Debussy, Dvořák, Satie, Bach, Liszt et bien d’autres.

De l’exubérance spirituelle de Bach aux couleurs nostalgiques de l’Amérique de Dvořák, en passant par la poésie contemplative des Gymnopédies de Satie et la virtuosité flamboyante de la Rhapsodie hongroise de Liszt, chaque pièce dévoile une facette nouvelle à travers les couleurs chaleureuses du quintette de cuivres.

Ce programme met également en lumière d’excellents compositeurs canadiens, comme Hugo Bégin et Morley Calvert, proposant des découvertes inattendues ainsi qu’un clin d’œil à la culture populaire à travers l’originalité de Brass in Time. Véritable odyssée musicale signée Enrico O. Dastous, cette pièce fait dialoguer quatre siècles de musique, de la Renaissance aux univers cinématographiques contemporains, révélant toute la richesse et la diversité de l’art des cuivres.

Chaque moment est conçu pour surprendre, ravir et émouvoir les auditeurs de tous âges. Venez découvrir toute la puissance, l’émotion et l’expressivité de ces chefs-d’œuvre magnifiés par Buzz Cuivres.

True North Brass

Debut Atlantic — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:51:34 +0000

True North Brass

For over twenty years, the True North Brass has been a prominent fixture on the landscape of brass chamber music. In 2018, True North Brass reemerged onto the Canadian and international concert stage with new membership and a new orchestral sound and repertoire, reestablishing itself as one of the world’s finest brass ensembles.

This new membership, representing some of our Canada’s most prominent orchestral brass players, will carry on the True North Brass tradition, equally at home in recital, in music education, or collaborating with symphony orchestras, and emphasizing great Canadian composers and arrangers, while infusing a more traditionally classical colour into their repertoire. Highlights of their 2019 season included recitals at the Waterside and Prince Edward County Festivals, and a recital and teaching residency with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.

Karen Donnelly was unanimously appointed Principal Trumpet of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada in October 1999, following three successful seasons (1996-1999) as Acting Principal Trumpet and continues to enjoy each year with this wonderful ensemble.

Prior to the NACO, Karen was a freelancer in Montreal, where she performed with most ensembles in the area including the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Karen held the position of Principal Trumpet with Orchestra London (Canada) from 1994-1996. Ms. Donnelly has been guest Principal Trumpet with the Toronto Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Les Violons du Roi, Calgary Philharmonic, Vancouver Symphony, and currently enjoys playing Associate Principal Trumpet with the Sun Valley Music Festival Orchestra.

Karen has been featured soloist with NAC Orchestra, Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra, Kingston Symphony, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra London, McGill Symphony Orchestra, Hannaford Silver Street Band, Maple Leaf Brass Band, Parkdale Orchestra, University of Regina Wind Ensemble.

Karen has given master classes and workshops in Europe, Sweden, Mexico, China, United States, United Kingdom and Canada from coast to coast.  As well, she is a coach for Canada’s National Youth Orchestra. Ms. Donnelly joined the teaching staff at the University of Ottawa in 2002, and since 2009, Karen has been assisting with the “Orkidstra” program, the local ‘El Systema’ inspired program.

Most recently, Karen spearheaded an exciting new initiative called the Canadian Women’s Brass Collective. This group of talented musicians presented concerts, master classes and lectures in Toronto during January 2019 over a five-day conference to great acclaim. During the COVID season, CWBC curated an extensive series of online sessions to support musicians to create healthy and effective practice strategies.

Tazmyn Eddy is the Principal Trumpet of l’Orchestre Symphonique de Sherbrooke (QC). He performs regularly with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre Metropolitain, les Grand Ballets Canadien de Montréal, CBC Radio Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and l’Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec among many others. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Orchestral Performance at the University of Victoria, BC, and his Graduate Artist’s Diploma (with distinction) from Le Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal. His principal teachers include Tom Shorthouse, Louis Ranger, Manon Lafrance, and Stéphane Beaulac.

Julie Fauteux, born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, joined the NAC Orchestra in 1999 as Associate Principal Horn. She studied at the Montreal Conservatory with James Somerville, where she finished with a “Premier Prix”. Immediately after the end of her studies, at age 21, she was appointed Principal Horn of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia in Spain, and later in the Real Filharmonica de Galicia, also as Principal Horn, where she remained until coming to Ottawa in 1999.

Julie has played with different orchestras as soloist, including l’Orchestre Symphonique de Sherbrooke, and the Real Filharmonica de Galicia, and won the First Prize in the brass category at the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec music competition. She was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada for three years. Julie’s orchestral career also included being invited in 1998 to play some concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Mariss Jansons.

Aside from orchestral playing, Julie also enjoys chamber music and teaching. She teaches horn at the Conservatoire de Musique de Gatineau and in Spain taught at the Academy of the “Real Filharmonica de Galicia”. She was a member of the faculty at the Banff Centre in the summer of 2006. She also takes part regularly in the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival.

David Pell, one of Canada’s most versatile brass instrumentalists, has been Bass Trombonist of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra since 2006, and Principal Trombonist of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra since 2002. David serves on the faculty of the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould Professional School. He is Artistic Director of the Hannaford Street Silver Band, and has been a member of the Winnipeg Symphony, the Victoria Symphony, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Touring Orchestra.

He has performed on trombone, bass trombone, bass trumpet and euphonium with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, with the Stockholm Chamber Brass and more. David appears as guest Bass Trombone on the recent Canadian Brass recording, Brahms on Brass, on the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s recording of Holst’s The Planets and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. He was featured as soloist in the Canadian Opera Company’s acclaimed Ring Cycle and has played on many jingles and soundtracks for film and television.

He has shared stages and recording studios with such varied musicians as Feist, Herbie Hancock, Andre Bocceli, Supertramp’s Roger Hodgeson, Broken Social Scene, Owen Pallet (Final Fantasy), Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Bolton, Sheena Easton, David Foster, Holly Cole, Kenny G and Dudley Moore and has played and toured North America with productions of Wicked, Showboat, Ragtime, Chicago, Urinetown, Phantom of the Opera, Annie Get Your Gun, My Fair Lady, Cats and Evita.

Sasha Johnson began his musical training at age 16, studying brass chamber music and tuba with Sam Pilafian at the Empire Brass Seminar of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Following his undergraduate studies in Toronto and New York, Sasha was the first Canadian tuba player to be accepted to Von Karajan Academy, the orchestra academy of the Berlin Philharmonic.

Having begun his professional career in Berlin, Sasha went on to perform with many other European orchestras including the Berlin Symphony, Berlin State Opera, Radio Orchestra Berlin, Orchestre Symphonique de Radio France, Orchestre de Paris, Ensemble Modern, and Orchestre National Bordeaux. He has performed in such music festivals and concert venues as the Lucerne Festival, Festival d’Aix en Provence, Concertgebouw, Wiener Konzerthaus, Theatre Champs-Elysées, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Salzburg Festival, and BBC Proms, under such eminent conductors as Claudio Abbado, James Levine, Pierre Boulez, Kent Nagano, Essa-Pekka Salonen, Charles Dutoit, Kurt Masur, and Seiji Ozawa.

Sasha is a faculty member at the Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School of Music, and instructor of tuba, low brass, and chamber music at McGill University and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. In January 2009, he was appointed Principal Tuba of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, where he continues today. Sasha was Acting Principal Tuba of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for their 2009/2010, has performed regularly with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, with whom he toured to Europe, Japan, and Carnegie Hall, and recently completed the 2019/20 season as Acting Principal Tuba of the Canadian Opera Company.

In 2015, with conductor and hornist James Sommerville, Sasha founded the Canadian National Brass Project. Their first self-titled recording was ranked among the CBC’s Top Classical Recordings of 2017, and their second recording Constellations was released in March 2020 on the Analekta label.

True North Brass

Depuis plus de vingt ans, True North Brass occupe une place de choix dans le monde de la musique de chambre pour cuivres. En 2018, True North Brass a refait surface sur la scène des concerts canadiens et internationaux avec de nouveaux membres et un nouveau son, ainsi qu’un nouveau répertoire orchestral, s’imposant à nouveau comme l’un des meilleurs ensembles de cuivres au monde.

Cette nouvelle composition de l’ensemble, qui représente certains de nos joueurs de cuivres d’orchestre les plus éminents du Canada, poursuivra la tradition True North Brass, aussi à l’aise en récital qu’en éducation musicale ou en collaboration avec des orchestres symphoniques, et mettant l’accent sur les grands compositeurs et arrangeurs canadiens, tout en insufflant une couleur plus traditionnellement classique à leur répertoire. Les faits saillants de leur saison 2019 comprenaient des récitals aux festivals Waterside et Prince Edward County, ainsi qu’un récital et une résidence d’enseignement avec l’Orchestre national des jeunes du Canada.

Karen Donnelly a été nommée à l’unanimité trompette solo de l’Orchestre du Centre national des Arts du Canada en octobre 1999, après trois saisons couronnées de succès (1996-1999) en tant que trompette solo par intérim, et elle est ravie de faire partie de ce merveilleux ensemble.

Avant de rejoindre l’OCNA, Karen était pigiste à Montréal, où elle s’est produite avec la plupart des ensembles de la région, dont l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Karen a occupé le poste de trompette solo avec Orchestra London (Canada) de 1994 à 1996. Mme Donnelly a été trompette solo invitée de l’Orchestre symphonique de Toronto, l’Orchestre symphonique de St. Louis, Les Violons du Roi, l’Orchestre philharmonique de Calgary et l’Orchestre symphonique de Vancouver. Elle est présentement trompette solo associée à l’Orchestre du festival Sun Valley Music.

Karen a été soliste avec l’Orchestre du CNA, l’Orchestre de chambre Thirteen Strings, l’Orchestre symphonique de Kingston, l’Orchestre symphonique de Saskatoon, Orchestra London, l’Orchestre symphonique de McGill, le Hannaford Silver Street Band, le Maple Leaf Brass Band, l’Orchestre Parkdale et l’ensemble à vent de l’Université de Regina.

Karen a donné des classes de maître et des ateliers en Europe, en Suède, au Mexique, en Chine, aux États-Unis, au Royaume-Uni, et au Canada, d’un océan à l’autre. Elle est également mentore pour l’Orchestre national des jeunes du Canada. Mme Donnelly s’est jointe au personnel enseignant de l’Université d’Ottawa en 2002 et, depuis 2009, elle participe au programme « Orkidstra », le programme local inspiré de « El Systema ».

Plus récemment, Karen a été le fer de lance d’une nouvelle initiative passionnante appelée Canadian Women’s Brass Collective. Ce groupe de musiciennes talentueuses a présenté des concerts, des classes de maître et des conférences à Toronto en janvier 2019 au cours d’une conférence de cinq jours qui a été très applaudie. Pendant la saison de la COVID, la CWBC a organisé une vaste série de sessions en ligne pour aider les musiciennes à créer des stratégies de pratique saines et efficaces.

Tazmyn Eddy est trompette solo de l’Orchestre symphonique de Sherbrooke (Québec). Il se produit régulièrement avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, l’Orchestre métropolitain, les Grands Ballets canadiens de Montréal, l’Orchestre radiophonique de la CBC, l’Orchestre du Centre national des Arts et l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec, entre autres. Il a obtenu son baccalauréat en interprétation orchestrale à l’Université de Victoria, en Colombie-Britannique, et son diplôme d’artiste (avec distinction) au Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. Tom Shorthouse, Louis Ranger, Manon Lafrance et Stéphane Beaulac ont été ses principaux professeurs.

Julie Fauteux, née à Sherbrooke, Québec, s’est jointe à l’Orchestre du CNA en 1999 à titre de cor solo associé. Elle a étudié au Conservatoire de Montréal avec James Somerville, où elle a terminé ses études avec un « Premier Prix ». Immédiatement après la fin de ses études, à l’âge de 21 ans, elle a été nommée cor principal de l’Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia en Espagne, puis de la Real Filharmonica de Galicia, également en tant que cor principal, où elle est restée jusqu’à son arrivée à Ottawa en 1999.

Julie a joué avec différents orchestres en tant que soliste, dont l’Orchestre symphonique de Sherbrooke et la Real Filharmonica de Galicia, et a remporté le premier prix dans la catégorie des cuivres au concours de musique de l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec. Elle a également été membre de l’Orchestre national des jeunes du Canada pendant trois ans. Au cours de sa carrière orchestrale, Julie a également été invitée en 1998 à donner quelques concerts avec l’Orchestre philharmonique de Berlin sous la direction de Mariss Jansons.

En plus de faire partie d’orchestres, Julie aime aussi la musique de chambre et l’enseignement. Elle enseigne le cor au Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau et a enseigné en Espagne à l’Académie de la « Real Filharmonica de Galicia ». Elle a fait partie du corps professoral du Banff Centre à l’été 2006. Elle participe aussi régulièrement au Festival de musique de chambre d’Ottawa.

David Pell, l’un des instrumentistes de cuivre les plus polyvalents du Canada, est trombone basse de l’Orchestre du Ballet national du Canada depuis 2006 et trombone principal de l’Orchestre philharmonique de Hamilton depuis 2002. David est membre du corps professoral de l’Université de Toronto et de la Glenn Gould Professional School du Royal Conservatory of Music. Il est directeur artistique de la Hannaford Street Silver Band et a été membre de l’Orchestre symphonique de Winnipeg, de l’Orchestre symphonique de Victoria et du Royal Winnipeg Ballet Touring Orchestra.

Il a joué le trombone basse, le trombone, la trompette basse et l’euphonium avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Toronto, la Compagnie d’opéra canadienne, l’Orchestre du Centre national des Arts, l’Orchestre philharmonique de Calgary, l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, le Stockholm Chamber Brass, etc. David est invité comme trombone basse sur le récent enregistrement du Canadian Brass, « Brahms on Brass », sur l’enregistrement de l’Orchestre symphonique de Toronto des Planètes de Holst et du Sacre du printemps de Stravinsky. Il a été soliste dans l’acclamée Tétralogie de L’Anneau du Nibelung de la Compagnie nationale d’opéra du Canada et a joué dans de nombreuses ritournelles publicitaires et bandes sonores pour le cinéma et la télévision.

Il a partagé des scènes et des studios d’enregistrement avec des musiciens aussi variés que Feist, Herbie Hancock, Andrea Bocelli, Roger Hodgeson de Supertramp, Broken Social Scene, Owen Pallet (Final Fantasy), Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Bolton, Sheena Easton, David Foster, Holly Cole, Kenny G et Dudley Moore, et a joué et effectué des tournées en Amérique du Nord avec les productions de Wicked, Showboat, Ragtime, Chicago, Urinetown, Phantom of the Opera, Annie Get Your Gun, My Fair Lady, Cats et Evita.

Sasha Johnson a commencé sa formation musicale à l’âge de 16 ans, en étudiant la musique de chambre pour cuivres et le tuba avec Sam Pilafian à l’Empire Brass Seminar du Tanglewood Institute de l’Université de Boston. Après ses études de premier cycle à Toronto et à New York, Sasha a été le premier tubiste canadien à être accepté à l’Académie Von Karajan, l’académie d’orchestre de l’Orchestre philharmonique de Berlin.

Après avoir commencé sa carrière professionnelle à Berlin, Sasha s’est produit avec de nombreux autres orchestres européens, notamment l’Orchestre symphonique de Berlin, l’Opéra d’État de Berlin, l’Orchestre de la radio de Berlin, l’Orchestre symphonique de Radio France, l’Orchestre de Paris, l’Ensemble Modern et l’Orchestre national de Bordeaux. Il s’est produit dans des festivals de musique et des salles de concert tels que le Festival de Lucerne, le Festival d’Aix en Provence, le Concertgebouw, le Wiener Konzerthaus, le Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, le Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, le Festival de Salzbourg et les BBC Proms, sous la direction de chefs d’orchestre aussi éminents que Claudio Abbado, James Levine, Pierre Boulez, Kent Nagano, Essa-Pekka Salonen, Charles Dutoit, Kurt Masur et Seiji Ozawa.

Sasha est membre du corps professoral à la Glenn Gould School of Music du Royal Conservatory, et instructeur de tuba, de cuivres graves et de musique de chambre à l’Université McGill et pour l’Orchestre national des jeunes du Canada. En janvier 2009, il a été nommé tuba principal de l’Orchestre du Ballet national du Canada, poste qu’il occupe encore aujourd’hui. Sasha a été tuba principal par intérim de l’Orchestre symphonique de Toronto pour la saison 2009-2010, s’est produit régulièrement avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, avec lequel il a effectué une tournée en Europe, au Japon et au Carnegie Hall, et a récemment terminé la saison 2019-2020 en tant que tuba principal par intérim de la Compagnie d’opéra canadienne.

En 2015, avec le chef d’orchestre et corniste James Sommerville, Sasha a fondé le Projet national des cuivres du Canada. Leur premier enregistrement éponyme a été classé parmi les meilleurs enregistrements classiques de 2017 de la CBC, et leur deuxième enregistrement Constellations est sorti en mars 2020 sous l’étiquette Analekta.

Merkelo & Salov

Debut Atlantic — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 12:22:03 +0000

Paul Merkelo, trumpet

Renowned as one of the finest trumpet players of his generation, Paul Merkelo is recognized for his “unusual lyrical gifts’’ (Gramophone) as well as his “pure technical prowess’’ (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle). Principal trumpet with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra since 1995, Merkelo is regularly praised by the Montreal press as “a spectacular soloist… a most impressive master of his instrument’’ (Montreal Gazette), and a “great virtuoso” and “dazzling’’ (La Presse). He has been featured frequently with the OSM, including tours to South America and the Lincoln Center in New York, along with several world premiere works. Most recently, he has released a solo recording with Maestro Kent Nagano and the OSM entitled French Trumpet Concertos, which was a 2016 Juno Award nominee for Classical Album of the Year.

In 1998, he made his New York debut at Lincoln Center with the New World Symphony Orchestra and Michael Tilson Thomas, performing the U.S. orchestral premiere of Carmen Fantasie by Franz Waxman. Merkelo was appointed Canadian musical ambassador to China in 1999 for the inauguration of the Montreal Park in Shanghai, and he performed as soloist with the Shanghai Broadcast Orchestra in a national telecast. He has been featured with orchestras and in recital throughout the United States, Canada, Russia, China, Australia, Japan, Portugal, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, France and Thailand. He has worked with conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Charles Dutoit, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Sir Georg Solti and Valery Gergiev. Merkelo’s first solo recording, A Simple Song, was ranked #1 in Quebec’s classical
recording chart in 2000 and in 2004, Analekta released a highly praised second CD, Baroque Transcriptions, which was nominated by the ADISQ for “Best Classical Album of the Year”.

Previously, he was Principal Trumpet with the Rochester Philharmonic and the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra and gained early orchestral experience as an extra with the New York Philharmonic and Pittsburgh Symphony. Merkelo is a faculty member at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara and at McGill University in Montreal. He is on the board of directors for the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (Canada), and is the founder of the Paul Merkelo Scholarship helping young Canadian musicians. He will be recording the Haydn, Hummel and Mozart concerti with the Oxford Philharmonic in 2018.

Paul Merkelo is a Yamaha artist.

Serhiy Salov, piano

Serhiy Salov is recognized as an outstanding pianist, whose playing is both energetic and imbued with sensitivity. He is known for his remarkable technique and exacting rigour and virtuosity, qualities that unwaveringly serve the poetry inherent in the music. Public enthusiasm and critical acclaim have amply confirmed his prominent status on the international music scene as a soloist and chamber musician. In addition, Serhiy Salov has achieved distinction for his piano transcriptions of symphonic works such as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Debussy’s Nocturnes, Mussorgsky’s Night on a Bald Mountain, and many others.

After initially learning music in Ukraine, Salov pursued his studies in London, obtaining a Master’s degree from the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, followed by a Doctor of Music degree from the Université de Montréal. His gifts extend far beyond the mastery of piano technique: the disciplines of improvisation, musicology, and the study of languages complement his training and enable him to deploy a highly expressive individual approach.

A superlative concert performer, Serhiy Salov has collaborated with renowned conductors and numerous orchestras around the world. He is regularly featured at the foremost international music festivals, and has been awarded many prizes in competitions worldwide.

– VISIT MERKELO & SALOV’S EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT PAGE TO LEARN MORE –

Maritime Brass Quintet

Debut Atlantic — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 18:53:51 +0000

CLICK TO GET TO KNOW MBQ: Press, Engagement Videos & More!

TOUR DATES: July 1, 2015 – May 31, 2016 (Ensemble in Residence)

BIOGRAPHY:

The Maritime Brass Quintet (MBQ) brings the highest caliber chamber music to concert halls, churches, festivals and schools across the Maritimes and beyond. The group is comprised of five of Canada’s finest brass players: Curtis Dietz and Richard Simoneau (trumpet), Gina Patterson (horn), Eric Mathis (trombone) and Bob Nicholson (tuba & bass trombone). MBQ members have studied throughout North America and performed or held positions with many of the world’s leading ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony, Toronto Symphony, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Honolulu Symphony and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra. They also have experience playing in numerous smaller groups and ensembles, including Foothills Brass, Northumberland Brass, Honolulu Brass Quintet, the Jive Kings and the Canadian Brass. All MBQ members are dedicated educators as well as players, and are committed to working with brass players of all ages. Since forming in 2011, Maritime Brass Quintet has been gaining recognition as a leading brass ensemble in Canada and internationally.

Curtis Dietz, trumpet

In addition to performing with Maritime Brass Quintet, trumpeter Curtis Dietz is now in his sixteenth season with Symphony Nova Scotia. A native of Hanover, Ontario, he is a graduate of the University of Montreal and also studied at University of Toronto, The Royal Conservatory of Music, and the Banff Centre. Curtis has made orchestral appearances with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, I Musici de Montreal, L’Orchestre Metropolitain and the Canadian Opera Company orchestra. In 2005 he was featured as lead trumpet in Neptune Theatre’s production of Chicago. He is currently on the faculty of the Acadia University School of Music.

Richard Simoneau, trumpet

Trumpeter Richard was born in Quebec City, and pursued his studies at the Quebec and then Montreal Conservatories. Following his graduation, he won a one-year contract to play third and assistant principal trumpet with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The next year he played principal trumpet with the Hamilton Philharmonic and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, before moving to his current position of principal trumpet with Symphony Nova Scotia in 1996. Richard has been heard on many occasions as soloist with Symphony Nova Scotia and with the Maritime Brass Quintet. Many of his performances have been recorded and broadcast nationally by the CBC. Richard has been on faculties of Acadia University in Wolfville and Universite de Moncton. He also acts as artist in residence at the Scotia Festival of Music in Halifax.

Gina Patterson, horn

Gina returned to Nova Scotia after seven years with Canada’s renowned Canadian Opera Company Orchestra where she played on many acclaimed productions and recordings. An experienced chamber musician, Gina has rehearsed with the Canadian Brass and performed on the live national broadcast of the Schubertian Celebration at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. She has played with I Musici de Montreal, performed at the New Brunswick and Indian River Chamber Music Festivals, and was a finalist at the CIBC National Music Festival. Gina has performed with orchestras across Canada, including Symphony Nova Scotia, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Newfoundland Symphony, and the Charlottetown Festival

Eric Mathis, trombone

Eric Mathis brings a variety of performance experience to the Maritime Brass Quintet. Associate Principal Trombonist of the Honolulu Symphony, Eric has performed with a number of orchestras including Royal Winnipeg Ballet Orchestra, Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also held positions in Northumberland Brass, Millar Brass Ensemble and Honolulu Brass Quintet. Now performing regularly with Symphony Nova Scotia and the PEI Trombone Mafia, Eric also gives regular recitals in Canada and the United States. He has also been featured with Richard Simoneau and Symphony Nova Scotia A dedicated educator, Eric teaches trombone at Dalhousie University and is a coach with the Nova ScotiaYouth Orchestra. While in Honolulu, he taught at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. Eric received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University.

Bob Nicholson, tuba & bass trombone

Winner of two East Coast music awards with the Jive Kings, Bob Nicholson is enjoying a varied and successful career. He recently completed three years as tubaist with the Foothills Brass Quintet, performed for five years with The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto and for fourteen summers in the orchestra of Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival and is now pleased to be playing tuba and bass trombone with Maritime Brass Quintet. As an orchestral musician, he has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, CBC Toronto Jazz Orchestra and the National Ballet Orchestra among others. Theatre work ‘in the pit’ includes Toronto productions of Beauty and the Beast, Showboat, Crazy for You, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and numerous productions at the Charlottetown Festival. Bob studied at the University of PEI, the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the University of Toronto and at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California. In addition to performing with MBQ, Bob currently teaches at Acadia University and Nova Scotia Community College.

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Jens Lindemann

Debut Atlantic — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 00:59:00 +0000

Arraymusic

Debut Atlantic — Thu, 02 Jan 1997 17:39:52 +0000

Michael J. Baker, conductor
Henry Kucharzyk, piano
Roberto Occhipinti, double bass
Marc Sabat, violin/bass violin
Richard Sacks, percussion
John Thompson, percussion
Michael White, trumpet

Millenium

Debut Atlantic — Mon, 09 Jan 1995 01:24:33 +0000

Guy Few, piano/trumpet
John Friesen, cello
Douglas McNabney, viola
Shauna Rolston, cello
Scott St. John, violin

Guy Few

Debut Atlantic — Sun, 07 Jan 1990 23:44:41 +0000

A Touch of Brass

Debut Atlantic — Fri, 10 Jan 1986 01:27:52 +0000

website: http://www.touchofbrass.net/

Edward Bach, trumpet
Robert McLeod, trombone
Chris Robertson, trumpet
David Sabourin, tuba
Duncan Shaw, horn

Aeolos Brass Quintet

Debut Atlantic — Sat, 02 Jan 1982 17:19:04 +0000

Paul Hawkshaw, trombone
Gregory Irvine, tuba
John Kargut, trumpet
Jean Letarte, horn
Donald Schultz, trumpet