Ensemble Vivant is an outstanding group that is unique in a variety of interesting ways. They are world class performers with a rare artistry of exceptional depth, sensitivity and musicality; their highly imaginative original programming, which thrills audiences around the world, can not be heard anywhere else. Ensemble Vivant also possesses a magnetic and exciting stage presence combined with a warm intelligence that never fails to win the hearts of their audiences. Ensemble Vivant is one of our national treasures, who through their boundless artistic talents, have contributed endlessly and passionately to society, the musical arts and to Canadian culture on numerous levels. There is truly no classical group like them anywhere.

In 2008, we invite you to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the release of Ensemble Vivant’s first recording Palm Court Pleasures. William Littler of the Toronto Star praised this recording and the group glowingly. This hit Fanfare recording (subsequently re-released by Pro Arte) was chosen by the Columbia Record Club as its recording of choice for several consecutive seasons.

It is an unusual distinction for a world class classical ensemble to have an authentic flare and genuine affinity for the jazz idioms. Ensemble Vivant is that rarest of ensembles who holds that distinction. No matter the genre, Ensemble Vivant communicates the soul of the music they are performing, their interpretations being brilliant, heartfelt and passionate. Piazzolla expert, Julien Labro, has written arrangements of Piazzolla’s music exclusively for Ensemble Vivant based on their authentic approach to that genre. Jazz great, Rick Wilkins (of Order of Canada fame) has arranged music for Ensemble Vivant for many years. Equal praise and accolades follow the group for their passionate and exciting interpretations of music from the classical genre.

In 2008, Ensemble Vivant will honour the 100th Anniversary of Leroy Anderson’s birth. Celebrate with Ensemble Vivant, as they include on their 2008/09 concert programmes, music from their brilliant, highly acclaimed two disc compilation The Music of Leroy Anderson.

Upcoming New Recordings

Newly signed to Opening Day Records (distributed continent-wide by Universal), Ensemble Vivant will release a new recording of Audience Favourites in 2008 that will showcase the variety and eclecticism of the group’s repertoire. Scheduled additional CD releases are Post Romantic French Music which will feature Claude Debussy’s Trio in G Major; Camille Saint-Saens Septet in E Flat Major for piano, trumpet and string quintet; and the North American premiere of Charles Marie Widor’s Soirs d’Alsace. Following later will be the release of Ensemble Vivant’s Music of Piazzolla and His Contemporaries. Featured here will be many delightful but unknown Piazzolla masterpieces combined with some of the more known ones, and the world premiere of two works that were written in the Piazzolla genre especially for Ensemble Vivant by the two South American composers, Aldemaro Romero and Duilo Dobrin.

Canadian composer John Burke selected Ensemble Vivant to present the world premiere recording of his work Mysterium based on the group’s exceptional artistry. He maintains that it is not so much the art being expressed as the depth of the artist expressing it that makes the difference.

During the 2008/09 celebrate with Ensemble Vivant on the occasion of their 20th Recording Anniversary, and at the same time, enrich your audiences with this outstanding one-of-a-kind ensemble’s uniquely diverse, magical music making.

Ensemble Vivant: Core Trio: Catherine Wilson (piano, artistic director); Erica Beston (violin); Sharon Prater (cello)

Additional Musicians: Dave Young (bass); Norman Hathaway (violin); Jonathan Craig (viola); Philip Seguin (trumpet)

Catherine Wilson, Pianist/Artistic Director

Ensemble Vivant pianist and artistic director, Catherine Wilson, frequently appears as soloist in recital and with symphony orchestra. Her performance of Leroy Anderson’s Piano Concerto with the legendary Skitch Henderson and members of the Toronto Symphony was filmed by PBS and appears in the documentary on Anderson’s life, Once Upon a Sleigh Ride. This documentary continues to be broadcast continent-wide on PBS. Catherine’s debut at Carnegie Hall in April, 2005, where she was soloist with the New York Pops and Maestro Skitch Henderson, was a triumphant success.

Catherine 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. Catherine appears as a soloist and with Ensemble Vivant on several videos that were created by producer/director Peter Rosen.

Catherine 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. In addition to her performing and recording schedule, Catherine taught piano at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan for several years and is now on the part-time teaching faculty at York University in Toronto.

Erica Beston, Violin

Violinist Erica Beston comes from a family steeped in music, her musical life taking shape at a very early age. Born in London, Ontario, she studied with influencial teachers such as Gwen Thompson and David Zafer in Canada before moving to Europe where she continued her education at the Hochschule Hannover and finished at the Faculty of Arts in Maastrict, Holland.

She played with the Belgian Chamber Orchestra and NDR Radio Orchestra Hannover, and also performed in a variety of chamber music and solo concerts. Her heart being back home in Canada, she moved to Toronto and played with the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra. Erica is also in demand performing Broadway musicals and numerous other stylistically diverse engagements, and she is proud to be a member of Ensemble Vivant.

Sharon Prater, Cello

As a former member of the renowned Colorado Quartet, cellist Sharon Prater has performed on concert stages in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. Sharon earned her Masters of Music Degree at Juilliard where she was teaching assistant to Joel Krosnick of the Juilliard Quartet. She has taught at the New School of Music in Philadelphia and at the University of Toronto.

As frequent guest artist, Sharon has appeared with the Penderecki Quartet, the Garth Newel Players (USA), the Toronto Virtuosi, the Cassat Quartet and the Trio Belle Epoch. For the past several years she has been the principal cellist of the Toronto Philharmonic and a member of Ensemble Vivant.