Maison symphonique de Montréal presents

Beethoven’s Supreme Septet

Bringing together strings, woodwinds, and brass in an atypical ensemble formation for his time, Beethoven’s Septet gives all players an opportunity to shine through individualized writing. Composed with “taste and imagination” according to a contemporary critic, the work was so overwhelmingly successful from its premiere that it succeeded in exasperating its composer! (Re) discover this light-hearted piece, recorded by the OSM Chamber Soloists in 2018.

Artists
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

Andrew Wan, violin

Andrew Wan was named Concertmaster of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) in 2008. As a soloist, he has performed throughout the world under the direction such conductors as Vengerov, Petrenko, Labadie, Rizzi, Oundjian, Stern, and DePreist. Mr. Wan holds three degrees from the Juilliard School and is currently Assistant Professor of Violin at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, Artistic Director of the OSM Chamber Soloists, and Artistic Partner of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Andrew Wan plays a Michel’Angelo Bergonzi violin (1744), on generous loan from the David Sela collection.

Victor de Almeida, viola

Recently appointed Principal Viola of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Brazilian-American Victor de Almeida served as Principal Viola of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra during the orchestra’s 2018-2019 season. A double prizewinner at the 2008 Primrose International Viola Competition, Victor de Almeida has enjoyed a busy career as a Los Angeles-based musician in the Hollywood film and television industry, playing in over 500 major motion pictures and television shows. A prodigy, Victor de Almeida began his career as a soloist with the Recife (Brazil) Philharmonic at the age of 15. A passionate advocate for the instrument, Victor de Almeida continues his mission to inspire the world to know and recognize the beautiful sound of the viola as a solo instrument.

Brian Manker, cello

Principal Cello of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 1999, Brian Manker leads a diverse musical career as a performer and pedagogue. Besides giving frequent solo concerto performances with the OSM, Mr. Manker is a member of the Opus and Juno Award-winning New Orford String Quartet. Currently a Professor at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, Brian launched the Beethoven Project and founded the Adorno Quartet in 2007, whose objective is to perform all Beethoven’s quartets in their original setting: a private salon. Brian Manker plays a cello built in Venice c. 1728–1730 by Pietro Guarneri with a bow crafted c. 1850 by Joseph René Lafleur.

Ali Kian Yazdanfar, double bass

Ali Kian Yazdanfar maintains an active career not only as principal double bass of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, but also as a soloist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. After a physics degree from the Johns Hopkins University, he won his first audition to become a member of the Houston Symphony. He went on to win his next auditions for the National Symphony in Washington, D.C., the San Francisco Symphony and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, where he currently plays. Currently an Assistant Professor at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, he is often invited to give masterclasses worldwide and is actively interested in applying the problem solving methods he used in his physics training to the challenges of bass playing, and has presented several seminars along these lines to audiences worldwide.

Todd Cope, clarinet

Todd Cope was appointed Principal Clarinet of the OSM in 2013. He was previously a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. He graduated from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati where he studied with Richie Hawley. Todd Cope also completed a professional studies certificate at the Colburn School, where he was a student of Yehuda Gilad. Todd Cope is currently on the faculty at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, and is an exclusive performing artist for Buffet Crampon.

Stéphane Lévesque, bassoon

Born in Montreal, Stéphane Lévesque has held the position of Principal Bassoon with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 1998. He has also held principal positions with Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Saito Kinen Orchestra in Japan. Mr. Lévesque has appeared as a soloist on several occasions with the OSM as well as with ensembles including the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the New World Symphony, Les Violons du Roy, and the U.S. Army Orchestra.  Stéphane Lévesque graduated from the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and obtained a master’s degree from the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Rodolfo Masella, Stephen Maxym and Frank Morelli.

Denys Derome, horn

Denys Derome is associate principal horn with the OSM. He studied horn at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montreal and with John Zirbel at McGill University. He won first prizes at the National Music Festival (1996) and the OSM (1996). As a soloist, he has performed with the Victoria Symphony, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. Mr. Derome teaches horn at McGill University.

Program
Beethoven, Septet in E-flat major, op. 20 (40 min.)

WEBCAST
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 – 7 pm
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For more information visit: www.osm.ca/en/all-concerts