News

Ensemble Vivant 2012 Concerts

Saturday, March 17, 8:00 pm


St. James Anglican Church, 6025 Old Church Road, Caledon East, Ontario
 Tickets $30 (adults) / $15 (student 16 yrs or under) 
presented by Caledon Chamber Concerts
 For information: 905-880-2445

Tues. March 27, 12:00 pm  

Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre Series
 Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street W., Toronto.
 Free Concert Series presented by the Canadian Opera Company

Wed. March 28, 7:30 pm 


Imperial Oil Centre for the Performing Arts, 168 N. Christina St., Sarnia, Ontario. (Ensemble Vivant with Dave Young, bass)
 Presented by Sarnia Concert Association
 Tickets $30 / Students $17 – Info: 519-344-7469.

Friday, March 30, 8:00 pm


Aeolian Performing Arts Centre, 795 Dundas St., London, ON
 (Ensemble Vivant with Dave Young, bass)
 Presented by Sunfest World Music & Jazz Concerts
 Tickets $30 Advance / $35 Door (plus applicable service charges) Info:  Info: 519.672.7950  www.aeolianhall.ca

Sat. April 14, 8:00 pm

Glenn Gould Theatre, Toronto, Ontario
. (Ensemble Vivant with Dave Young, bass) 
Tickets $48 (plus applicable service charges)
Info: 519.672.7950

Rave Reviews for Homage to Piazzolla

Catherine Wilson – pianist/artistic director Ensemble Vivant

These are the latest reviews for EV’s new disc.

“…wonderful playing.” – Rick Wilkins, C.M., musician, composer, arranger

“This is a truly beautiful CD.” – Don Thompson, O.C., musician, composer

“…destined to become a classic.” – Julien Labro, accordionist, bandoneonist, composer, arranger

“To my heart, your rendition of ‘Oblivion’ is the most touching I have ever heard: Bravo!” – Francois Paré, Radio-Classique, Montréal

“…pianist Catherine Wilson and her ensemble create a flavour of esoterica that touches the romantic in everyone…let it suffice that just when one thinks it can’t get better, it does on the next track.” – Bill Watt, Lively Arts

“Ensemble Vivant is led by piano virtuoso Catherine Wilson, and features violinist Erica Beston, cellists Amy Laing and Sharon Prater, Dave Young on bass, with Dave Campion and Philip Seguin manning percussion. It all makes for an exciting and vibrant album that is a sure fire hit.” – Terrence London, Musical Heritage Society Magazine

“Toronto’s Ensemble Vivant does a fantastic job with the nuevo tango of Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla…these musicians capture the passion as well as the verve…the tango rhythm is there from beginning to end…careful layering for mood and tempo in Julien Labro’s arrangements…Wilson’s piano gives this music unerring drive and plenty of sparkle.” – John Terauds, Toronto Star

“Ensemble Vivant live up to their name with this lively, spirited and affecting production…flawlessly executed. Their heartbreakingly beautifulrendition of ‘Adios Nonino’ alone is reason enough to add this disc to the collection – but it’s hardly the only one.” – Chris Morgan, Scene, London, Ontario

Ensemble Vivant releases Piazzolla recording!

We are very excited to announce the release of Ensemble Vivant’s latest recording, Homage to Astor Piazzolla on the Opening Day Entertainment Group label.

Homage to Astor Piazzolla features 14 of the renowned Argentinean tango master’s compositions, creating a unique balance of some of his best known works, including Libertango and Fuga Y Misterio, and introducing stunningly beautiful unfamiliar works from Piazzolla’s vast repertoire. Arrangements for this recording were written exclusively for Ensemble Vivant by Piazzolla expert Julien Labro, with one by Canadian jazz great Rick Wilkins.

The CD was released in North America on April 5, 2011 and has garnered tremendous critical acclaim internationally.

“Toronto’s Ensemble Vivant does a fantastic job with the nuevo tango of Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla…these musicians capture the passion as well as the verve…the tango rhythm is there from beginning to end…careful layering for mood and tempo in Julien Labro’s arrangements…Wilson’s piano gives the music unerring drive and plenty of sparkle.” – John Terauds (Toronto Star)

For more reviews, please visit our Recording Reviews page.

Ensemble Vivant is comprised of musicians of the highest caliber. The wonderful performers featured on Homage to Astor Piazzolla are:
Catherine Wilson, piano
Erica Beston, violin
Amy Laing, cello
Sharon Prater, cello
David Young, bass
David Campion, percussion
Philip Seguin, percussion