Thursdays, April 2 and 9, 2009 from
12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Montreal, March 23, 2009
– To close the season in style, pianist
Christian Parent and organist Pierre
Grandmaison, two artists at the height of their career,
will perform on the program of LES MÉLODÎNES in April.
The series is co-produced by the Société
Pro Musica and Place des
Arts.
Thursday, April 2 from
12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the Piano nobile of Place des
Arts
The Belgian-born pianist
Christian Parent trained at the Conservatoire Royal de
Musique in his native city of Liège. He was soon winning
prizes and distinctions at competitions throughout Europe. After
immigrating to Canada, Parent perfected his art with Irving Heller.
Critics and public alike have praised his spontaneous style and
astonishing virtuosity, which combine to give his performances a
unique flavour. Recording is also a major part of Christian
Parent’s career: as the owner of his own studio, he is able
to record his interpretations of masterworks for the piano, as well
as his own compositions. Christian Parent teaches piano at the
Université de Montréal’s faculty of music and
at the Collège Vincent-d’Indy; he also gives master
classes at various institutions and serves on the juries of
numerous competitions. In this concert on April 2, he will perform
works by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Medtner and Rachmaninov.
Thursday, April 9 from
12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the Piano nobile of Place des
Arts
Pierre Grandmaison began his studies as a pianist
before turning to the organ. Awarded a grant by the Quebec
government, he studied in Paris for two years. On his return from
France, he gave organ recitals throughout Quebec and in 1973 was
named the regular organist at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.
In 1977, he had the honour of inaugurating the restored
Casavant organ at Mont St-Hilaire, one of the builder’s first
instruments. An eminent specialist in sacred music, he teaches at
the Grand Séminaire de Montréal and performs at major
religious events at such churches as Notre-Dame in Paris and St.
Peter’s in Rome. As a composer, he has written several
masses, as well as the oratorio Plénitude et
Résonances, created in 2005 for the 100th anniversary
of the founding of St. Joseph’s Oratory. On this Holy
Thursday before Easter, he is a presenting a program combining the
sacred and the beautiful.
A production of the Société
Pro Musica in collaboration with Place des
Arts.
Admission: $8 (taxes included) – Bring your lunch!
Reservations: Place des Arts box office 514-842-2112 /
1-866-842-2112 / laplacedesarts.com
– 30 –
Source:
Des
Lauriers
Communications
Adrian Gonzalez : (514) 999-5272 /
adriangonzalez@sympatico.ca
