Repeatedly honoured for her exceptional artistry and sensitive musicality, virtuoso pianist and recording artist Catherine Wilson is one of this generation’s most interesting and innovative classical instrumentalists. She has won the hearts of fans and critics alike with inspired, soulful interpretations. Her renditions of Chopin (described as “exquisite” by the Toronto Star) have been compared to the great Artur Rubenstein. Ms. Wilson made her triumphant debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Friday, April 1, 2005 at the invitation of Maestro Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops where she performed the Leroy Anderson Piano Concerto. In the audience for the concert were Mrs. Leroy Anderson and her two sons, as well as the famed actor Richard Dreyfuss.

As a soloist and as pianist and artistic director of Ensemble Vivant, Catherine has been performing to sold-out houses and recording for over 15 years. Ensemble Vivant, the core of which is piano, violin and cello, brings to their performances a youthful exuberance combined with a warm intelligence and depth of understanding that transcends the written notes. The group dazzles with the unique variety of styles that is their trademark. Since its inception, Ensemble Vivant’s mission has been to research and to perform unusual and rarely heard works from the classical repertoire as well as vastly different styles from musical theatre to Latin Dance. A concert or recording can run the stylistic gamut from the genius of Bach to the poetic beauty of Chopin, from the elegant delicacy of Debussy to the syncopated rhythms of Gershwin, and from the sensuous tangos of Piazzolla to newly composed works. John Burke, Srul Irving Glick, Rick Wilkins, Duilio Dobrin, and Aldemaro Romero have all written works for Catherine Wilson and Ensemble Vivant.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Catherine Wilson has forged her career from a passionate dedication to music and her audience. Ms. Wilson (solo and with Ensemble Vivant) was the subject of five performance videos created by acclaimed New York City producer/director Peter Rosen. Filmed on location while on tour in Europe, the US and Canada, the videos air frequently on Classic Arts Showcase and on Bravo in both Canada and in the United States. Wilson’s and Ensemble Vivant’s many recordings are available on such prestigious labels as RCA Red Seal, RCA Gold Seal, Fanfare, Pro Arte and DOREMI.

Catherine with Skitch Henderson, Carnegie Hall

Wilson’s double CD compilation The Music of Leroy Anderson was recently released on SPY Recordings (a division of Aureole Classics). This exciting release features the world premiere recording of seven of Anderson’s own arrangements for intimate chamber settings of his original orchestral compositions, as well as Anderson’s only Piano Concerto, which Catherine Wilson was invited to record with celebrated conductor Skitch Henderson and members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Filmed by PBS, the third movement of this performance of the Concerto is featured in the documentary on Anderson’s life, Once Upon a Sleigh Ride, which continues to be broadcast continent wide. The balance of the repertoire features intimate solo piano and chamber settings written for Catherine Wilson and Ensemble Vivant by Canadian composer/arranger Rick Wilkins.

Upcoming recording projects include a mélange of little known French repertoire featuring Claude Debussy’s Piano Trio in G, and Camille Saint-Saens’ Septet in E-flat Major, along with music by Charles Marie Widor. Also in the works is a two-volume CD set of works by Piazzolla and His Contemporaries, on which Ensemble Vivant will perform with well-known bass virtuoso Dave Young.

Catherine Wilson received her Master’s in Piano Performance Degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she was a scholarship student of renowned pedagogue and performer, Thoedore Lettvin. She has performed for many heads of state, including Queen Elizabeth ll. As a composer, Ms Wilson has written for many CBC Radio productions and Ensemble Vivant Recordings.

As well as having held the position of Adjunct Assistant Professor of Piano at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, Catherine is also on the part-time faculty at York University in Toronto.