EN

A virtuoso with a warm, elegant Style and a wide-ranging repertoire, pianist David Jalbert has established himself among the elite of his generation of classical musicians: “Jalbert’s piano playing is remarkable for its sweep, confidence, sensitivity, power and color, what more can we ask?” (Fanfare). Named by the CBC among the 15 best Canadian pianists of all time, Mr. Jalbert performs regularly as a soloist and recitalist in Canada and across the globe.

His solo recordings – of the Goldberg Variations, the Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues, of American, French and Russian piano music – have all garnered international praise in venues ranging from Gramophone to France-Culture. An accomplished chamber musician, he has collaborated with artists such as Nicola Benedetti, Joel Quarrington, Wonny Song and Yegor Dyachkov and is a member of Triple Forte (along with violinist Jasper Wood and cellist Denise Djokic). As a soloist, he has also performed with major orchestras and conductors Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Skitch Henderson, Christoph Campestrini, Bramwell Tovey and many more. A national and international prize-winner, David Jalbert has won six Opus Awards, was nominated four times for “Classical Album of the Year” at the Juno Awards and was the 2007 laureate of the prestigious Virginia Parker Prize of the Canada Council for the Arts. He holds degrees from the Juilliard School, the Glenn Gould School, Université de Montréal and Conservatoire de Musique du Québec, and is now a Professor of Piano and the Head of the Piano Sector at the University of Ottawa, as well as a faculty member at the Orford Music Academy.

FR

Virtuose élégant et chaleureux au répertoire éclectique, David Jalbert s’est taillé une place de choix parmi les pianistes de sa génération : « À compter d’aujourd’hui, il faut ajouter le nom de David Jalbert au panthéon de nos grands interprètes » (Georges Nicholson, l’Actualité). Nommé par la CBC comme l’un des 15 meilleurs pianistes canadiens de tous les temps, M. Jalbert se produit régulièrement avec orchestre ou en récital à-travers le monde, et ses enregistrements ont été universellement acclamés par la critique.

Son intégrale des Nocturnes de Fauré a été sélectionnée comme la version moderne de référence par le jury de La Tribune des critiques de disques de France-Culture, et ses enregistrements des Préludes et Fugues de Chostakovitch, des Variations Goldberg de Bach et de musique russe et américaine ont tous connu des succès similaires. Comme soliste, il s’est produit entre autres aux côtés de Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Skitch Henderson et Mario Bernardi; chambriste accompli, il a collaboré avec des artistes tels que Nicola Benedetti, Rachel Barton-Pine, Yegor Dyachkov et Joel Quarrington en plus de Triple Forte, le trio qu’il forme avec Jasper Wood au violon et Denise Djokic au violoncelle. David Jalbert a été lauréat de plusieurs concours nationaux et internationaux, a remporté six prix Opus et a été quatre fois finaliste aux prix Juno, en plus d’être le lauréat 2007 du prestigieux prix Virginia Parker du Conseil des Arts du Canada. Il est diplômé de Juilliard, de l’Université de Montréal, de la Glenn Gould School et du Conservatoire du Québec, et est maintenant professeur titulaire et chef du secteur piano à l’Université d’Ottawa.

Music Director Michael Newnham is best known for his intense and inspiring conducting style, based on a deep knowledge of the score and informed by a strong interest in languages, cultures and history. A born communicator, his open and direct contact with musicians and audiences creates performances full of expression and energy.

Along with his duties at the PSO, he is also presently (since 2018) Music Director of Orchestra Toronto. During his tenure as Music Director of Symphony New Brunswick (2009-2018), Newnham was instrumental in bringing that orchestra to new artistic heights and raising its profile on the national level.

In addition to his performances in his native Canada, Newnham has also appeared at the helm of many orchestras and opera companies throughout Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Italy, and South Korea.

Endowed with a special passion and gift for working with young musicians, Michael was the founding conductor of the Kawartha Youth Orchestra and has been a faculty member at Music at Port Milford for several years. His involvement in educating young musicians is not limited to Canada; he spent two years as a guest professor and orchestra conductor at Taegu-Hyosung University in South Korea.

Originally from Hamilton, Newnham is a graduate of the conducting class of prof. Bogusław Madey at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Poland. He also studied at the Indiana University School of Music and at the University of Toronto.

He is a recipient of several awards, including the “Order of Merit” from the Republic of Poland, the “Best Conductor” Award from the East Slovakian State Opera, and the Turzanski Award for his services in promoting Polish music and culture in Canada.

Before taking up the baton, Newnham began his musical career as a trombonist, playing with the Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphonies, as well as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. He currently lives in Peterborough with his wife, cellist Zuzanna. He is an avid reader, proud father to two daughters and a passionate home barista.

Our Music Director has assembled some recommendations for those who would like to have a taste of the programmed works ahead of time:

Spotify playlist link

Please note that the Balfour is NOT the work that will be performed, but an introduction to the composer's style.