Strings - my/maSCENA

Vincent Bélanger and Pure Cello

By Olivier Gentil on 1 June 2017 Interviews, Strings

“Classical music is a music of details. The more we advance in our musical learning, the more we become a looking glass, and this, to eventually learn how to forget.” Vincent Bélanger’s album Pure Cello is above all else a vision. It questions the essence of music, surpassing the borders of a musical culture too often standardized, even imprisoned by a restricted mindset. “I wanted each work to be unique,” the musician states. “If it’s done honestly, if it’s done well and the details are there, people will like it. Do it with honesty. And present your work to the…

Marina Thibeault, Photo: Matthew Perrin

Marina Thibeault: 21st-Century Viola Ambassador

By Kiersten van Vliet on 1 June 2017 Interviews, Strings

“It’s 2017!” is the new benchmark expression of disapproval for antiquated modes of thinking and doing, and we need only to look at the success of Marina Thibeault’s debut album Toquade to recognize that the viola has a voice autonomous from its petite counterpart and that henceforth all viola jokes must be met with exclamations of the date rather than laughter. They’re just not relevant anymore,” says Thibeault. “They’re like the embarrassing jokes that your uncle tells.” Reaching the top four Classical albums on iTunes on the day of its release, Toquade is but the cherry on the top of…

Marina Thibeault: Toquade (ATMA)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 1 June 2017 CD and Book Reviews, Contemporary, Romantic, Strings

Toquade Marina Thibeault, viola; Janelle Fung, piano ATMA 2017. ACD2 2759, 66 min 58 s. With the first recording of her career, violist Marina Thibeault strikes a balance between spirited and sentimental, tradition and innovation, accessibility and abstraction, leaving us with a clear and compelling understanding of the breadth of both the repertoire and the instrument itself. Thibeault has a sensitive but firm touch, painting long lines in which sounds become ideas. The disc opens with the Valse sentimentale from Tchaikovsky’s Six Pieces Op. 51. The transcription of the piece, originally written for piano, highlights the thematic binaries – the…

Review – Vincent Bélanger: Pure Cello (Audio Note Music)

By Olivier Gentil on 1 June 2017 CD and Book Reviews, Strings

Pure Cello Vincent Bélanger Audio Note Music Available on CD, as well as on vinyl (45 RPM) for maximum resolution, this solo cello album will delight music lovers as much for its sound quality and for the originality of its recording technique as for its original program. We find notable works by Cassado, J.S. Bach, and Reger as well as, as a flagship offering, etudes 5 to 8 from the Elite Etüden by F.W. Grützmacher (recorded here for the first time). As a result, the repertoire is varied and well balanced. The register and the colors of the cello are…

Alice Lee

Violinist Takes $8,000 Top Prize in The Shean Strings Competition

By Newswire on 21 May 2017 Newswire, Strings

Edmonton, AB – On Saturday, May 20, 2017 — after two days of amazing and very high calibre competition — violinist Alice Lee (17 years old), originally from Victoria, BC, and currently studying and living in Toronto, ON, was awarded the $8,000 top prize in The Shean Strings Competition. She has also won the opportunity to play with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at a future date. Ms. Lee was one of 6 finalists chosen from the 20 submitted entries to compete in The 2017 Shean Strings Competition on May 19 and 20 in Edmonton, AB. The complete results of The…

Rolston String Quartet, Photo: Tianxiao Zhang

Rolston String Quartet Named YSM’s New Fellowship Quartet-In-Residence

By Newswire on 17 May 2017 Canadian Music, Newswire, Strings

The Rolston String Quartet ’16Norfolk has been named the new fellowship quartet-in-residence at the Yale School of Music. The group, whose previous residencies include the Yale Summer School of Music/Norfolk Chamber Music Festival in the summer of 2016, will begin their tenure at YSM this fall. While at Yale, the quartet will work closely with the Brentano String Quartet — YSM’s quartet-in-residence — perform recitals, and participate in education-outreach programs. “The Rolston String Quartet is very eager to come to New Haven as the Yale School of Music’s fellowship quartet-in-residence,” the group said in a statement. “We are incredibly optimistic about the possibilities for…

The 2017 Shean Strings Competition Backgrounder : 6 Finalists Compete for $8,000 Top Prize

By Newswire on 26 April 2017 Arts Industry, Newswire, Piano, Strings, Violin

Edmonton, AB – On Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, 2017, six string players from across Canada will take to the stage of Muttart Hall at the Alberta College Campus of MacEwan University (10050 MacDonald Drive, Edmonton) as they vie for the $8,000 top prize in The Shean Strings Competition and the opportunity to play with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at a later date. The competition will see the competitors perform their String Recital Programs on Friday, May 19 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM and 6:30 – 9:30 PM, and perform their String Concertos on Saturday, May 20 from…

2017 Orford Music Festival : Programming Unveiled

By Newswire on 23 April 2017 Arts Industry, Canadian Music, Newswire, Orchestral, Piano, Scena Jazz, Violin

Orford, April 20, 2017. – Orford Music is proud to present the 2017 edition of its international Festival, Wonny Song’s second as artistic director. More than 70 events will take place throughout the summer, with Canadian artists figuring prominently as Canada celebrates the 150th anniversary of Confederation. “This summer promises to be a spectacular season, with some 20 performances in the Great Concerts series, and something for every taste. I am firmly committed to making classical music accessible to everyone and, with this in mind, we are creating opportunities to meet and discuss with the artists, as well as question-answer sessions…

Le Festival de Lanaudière : 40th Anniversary ! July 1 to August 6, 2017

By Newswire on 21 April 2017 Arts Industry, Newswire, Orchestral, Piano, Strings

Joliette, April 18, 2017 – For its 40th anniversary season, which runs from July 1 to August 6, le Festival de Lanaudière invites music lovers to join in the celebration at outstanding concerts and special events held in the magical environment of the Amphithéâtre Fernand-Lindsay, at historic churches in the Lanaudière region, and at the Joliette’s Salle Rolland-Brunelle. Many of most illustrious musicians of international renown will be on hand to join in the 40th anniversary celebration. THE PARTY BEGINS: GRAND OPENING CONCERT WITH PIANIST ALAIN LEFÈVRE, THE OSM AND KENT NAGANO The Festival’s 40th anniversary season begins on Saturday,…

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity announces annual Banff Centre International String Quartet Festival

By Newswire on 21 April 2017 Arts Industry, Newswire, Orchestral, Strings, Violin

Banff Centre International String Quartet Festival September 1 – 3, 2017 Festival Packages and Passports on sale Wednesday, April 19 at 12 noon Individual tickets on sale Wednesday, May 3 at 12 noon Banff Centre Box Office: 403.762.6301 or 1.800.413.8368 BANFF, AB, April 19, 2017 – The spirit of the Banff International String Quartet Competition returns to Banff this summer with the inaugural Banff Centre International String Quartet Festival – a three-day festival designed to showcase the finest in international classical music to audiences through a completely immersive experience. Led by Banff International String Quartet Competition director Barry Shiffman, the…

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