Vancouver Centre’s 14th annual Halloween concert. An event not to be missed! Check back in September for more info.
Expanding the Possibilities of Organ Repertoire: Transcription, improvisation, jazz and non-classical music.
The French-born Canadian organist, Jean-Willy Kunz, studied with Louis Robilliard and Mireille Lagacé, as well as at McGill University, where he earned a doctorate with John Grew. He has been a prize-winner at a number of organ competitions, including the Canadian International Organ Competition, where in 2011 he won third prize and the Richard-Bradshaw Audience Prize. He currently studies for MBA at HEC Montréal (2016-2018)
Jean-Willy Kunz is the first organist in residence of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) (since 2013). In addition to playing both with the orchestra and in recital, he sees to the development and showcasing of the OSM’s Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique installed at Maison symphonique de Montréal.
His discography includes many recordings which reflect the broad range of his musical influences: organ and orchestra with the OSM; “André Gagnon Baroque” for harpsichord and symphony orchestra; traditional music of the Balkans for saxophones and organ; two masses by Théodore Dubois for chorus and organ; 20th-century French music for harpsichord, flute and clarinet; Québec song with Pierre Lapointe; Baroque music with Ensemble Caprice; Christmas music with Marie-Josée Lord; the original score for a number of short films. He has co-written a book on German organist Helmut Walcha (Do Bentzinger, 2004) as well as an article entitled “L’orgue et le regard de l’écoute” (Presses de l’Université de Montréal, 2014).
In September 2015, Jean-Willy Kunz was appointed organ professor at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He currently lives in Montreal, Quebec.
A co-production by Holy Rosary Cathedral and the RCCO Travelling Clinician Programme. Programme TBA, more info later this summer. Will include Kunz’s own transcription of Saint-Saëns’ “Carnaval des animaux”.
The French-born Canadian organist, Jean-Willy Kunz, studied with Louis Robilliard and Mireille Lagacé, as well as at McGill University, where he earned a doctorate with John Grew. He has been a prize-winner at a number of organ competitions, including the Canadian International Organ Competition, where in 2011 he won third prize and the Richard-Bradshaw Audience Prize. He currently studies for MBA at HEC Montréal (2016-2018)
Jean-Willy Kunz is the first organist in residence of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) (since 2013). In addition to playing both with the orchestra and in recital, he sees to the development and showcasing of the OSM’s Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique installed at Maison symphonique de Montréal.
His discography includes many recordings which reflect the broad range of his musical influences: organ and orchestra with the OSM; “André Gagnon Baroque” for harpsichord and symphony orchestra; traditional music of the Balkans for saxophones and organ; two masses by Théodore Dubois for chorus and organ; 20th-century French music for harpsichord, flute and clarinet; Québec song with Pierre Lapointe; Baroque music with Ensemble Caprice; Christmas music with Marie-Josée Lord; the original score for a number of short films. He has co-written a book on German organist Helmut Walcha (Do Bentzinger, 2004) as well as an article entitled “L’orgue et le regard de l’écoute” (Presses de l’Université de Montréal, 2014).
In September 2015, Jean-Willy Kunz was appointed organ professor at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He currently lives in Montreal, Quebec.
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Performed by the Cathedral’s own musicians: organist Denis Bédard and the Cathedral Choir, assistant organist Catherine Walsh and the Holy Rosary Women’s Choir, the Contemporary Choir with director Chito Lacsina, and the Spanish Mass Choir.
Duets and solos performed by Holy Rosary Cathedral’s organist and music director Denis Bédard, and guest organist Rachel Alflatt. Programme to follow.
Denis Bédard has been organist and music director at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver since 2001. He has given recitals across Canada, in the United States, in France and in Brazil and pursues an international career as a composer. His compositions include chamber music, orchestral and vocal music and many organ works. He has received commissions from Radio-Canada, the CBC, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, the RCCO, the RSCM, Monaco Cathedral, and various professional ensembles and musicians in North America and Europe. His works are performed throughout North America and Europe, as well as in Asia, South Africa, Australia and South America, and many have been recorded on CD. His music, essentially tonal and melodic, is characterized by a concern for formal clarity and immediate communication with as vast a public as possible.
Rachel Alflatt has given concerts throughout the province of Quebec, as well as in Ontario, New Brunswick, and British Columbia. She has also performed with the West Coast Symphony, the New Westminster Symphony, the Vancouver Philharmonic, and the Okanagan Symphony, and has recorded for the CBC’s French network, Radio-Canada FM. She is organist and music director at Queen’s Avenue United Church and is active an an organ teacher.
