Bourgie Hall presents

Musicians of the OSM

The Quartet for the end of time: Praise and the Abyss

In tribute to Olivier Messiaen who died thirty years ago today, April 27, the Musicians of the OSM offer one of his major works, Quartet for the End of Time, inspired by The Apocalypse of John, composed in 1941 whilst he was a prisoner of war in Germany.

Presented in collaboration with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

Artists
Andrew Wan, violin

Andrew Wan was named concertmaster of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal in 2008. As soloist, he has performed worldwide under conductors such as Vengerov, Petrenko, Labadie, Rizzi, Oundjian, Stern, and DePreist and has appeared in recitals with artists such as the Juilliard String Quartet, Repin, Hamelin, Trifonov, Pressler, Widmann, Ax, Ehnes, and Shaham.

Mr. Wan graduated from the Juilliard School with three degrees and is currently Assistant Professor of Violin at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, Artistic Director of the OSM Chamber Soloists, Artistic Director of the Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival, and was Artistic Partner of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for the 2017 – 2018 season. He frequently serves as guest concertmaster for the major orchestras of Houston, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, Toronto, and the National Arts Centre, and is a regular performer and faculty member at the Seattle Chamber Music, La Jolla Summerfest, St. Prex, Orford Musique, and Colorado College festivals.

Todd Cope, clarinet

Todd Cope was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal in 2013. He was previously a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida.

As a concerto soloist, he has been featured with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Music Academy of the West, and the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, among others. In addition, he has performed with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and has held fellowships at the Aspen and Eastern music festivals, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Music Academy of the West, and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. 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 certifi cate at the Colburn School, where he was a student of Yehuda Gilad.

Brian Manker, cello

Principal Cello of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 1999, Brian Manker enjoys a diverse and varied musical career as a performer and a teacher. In addition to being a frequent concerto soloist with the OSM, Mr. Manker is also a member of the Juno and Opus award winning New Orford String Quartet.

Currently a faculty member of McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, Mr. Manker launched the Beethoven Project and founded the Adorno Quartet in 2007, the purpose of which is to perform all of Beethoven’s quartets in their proper context: the private salon. In 2010, he recorded the complete Bach Cello Suites.

Philip Chiu, piano

More than a summation of technical and musical abilities, pianist Philip Chiu has become one of Canada’s leading musicians through his infectious love of music and his passion for communication and collaboration. Lauded for the brilliance, colour and sensitivity of his playing, he is particularly noted for his ability to connect with audiences on and off-stage.

“… a pianist-painter who turns every musical idea into a beautiful array of colors.”– La Presse

“Pianist Philip Chiu played with striking precision and subtle poetry.” – The Gazette (Montréal)

Jennifer Swartz, harp

Harpist Jennifer Swartz is passionate about pushing the boundaries of her instrument and spreading her love for harp and music through teaching. She holds two of the most distinguished positions in her field in Canada, first as principal harp for the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM), then as head of the Harp Program at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University.

Jennifer Swartz’s early career began with harp lessons at the age of eight. By age eleven, she had obtained a full scholarship to study with Judy Loman, former Principal Harp of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She also graduated from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, and while still a student at McGill University, she was appointed principal harp with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, where she remained for a year before becoming principal harp of the OSM.

Program
Geoffrey GORDON Jeux de création, for solo harp
MESSIAEN Quatuor pour la fin du temps (Quartet for the End of Time)

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 6:30pm
To purchase your tickets visit: www.mbam.qc.ca/en/bourgie-hall/