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“Ensemble Vivant is chamber music at its evocative best!”

THE WHOLE NOTE, MARCH 2020

Ensemble-Vivant-Palm-Court-Encores-CD-Cover

On the heels of the release of Trio Vivant’s debut CD Palm Court Pleasures, recorded on the Fanfare Label, Pro Arte/Intersound re-released this much-loved, internationally acclaimed recording as part of Pro Arte’s THE GRAND SALON Series. This was indeed an honour, and to be invited to record Palm Court Encores, the follow-up to Palm Court Pleasures for Pro Arte’s The Grand Salon Series, was very exciting for our audiences and for the group.  Both Palm Court Pleasures and Palm Court Encores were best sellers and were chosen by the Columbia Record Club to join their selective roster of acclaimed recordings.

The power-house trio of pianist Catherine Wilson, violinist Marie Bérard, and cellist Amanda Forsyth is exceptional. This tour de force ensemble brilliantly captures the stylistic diversity of these beautiful classics that were arranged exclusively for the group by some of the greatest composers and arrangers of our time.

Recorded at Humbercrest United Church in Toronto on 2 very cold afternoons in January 1991, the trio performed 2 takes of each piece in between the intermittent loud creaking of pipes, an expected occurrence during the winter months due to the heating system at this old Toronto church that was built in 1912.

In 2008 Opening Day Entertainment Group (ODEG) signed Ensemble Vivant as Opening Day Recording Artists and repackaged the group’s entire back catalogue of recordings.

Palm Court Encores

$15.00

PLAY LIST

  1. Allegro, Joseph Hector Fioco3
  2. Sheep May Safely Graze, J. S. Bach3
  3. Ethiopia, Joseph Lamb2
  4. Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2, Frederic Chopin1
  5. All the Things You Are, Jerome Kern1
  6. Country Gardens, Percy Grainger2
  7. Song For Pat, Catherine Wilson2
  8. Czardas, Vittorio Monti3
  9. Solace, A Mexican Serenade, Scott Joplin2
  10. Au Fond du Temple Saint, from The Pearl Fishers, Georges Bizet1
  11. Slavonic Dance Op. 72, No. 2, Anton Dvorak
  12. Jalousie, Jacob Gade2
  13. Minuet Op. 11, No. 5, Luigi Boccherini2
  14. Romance, Claude Debussy (arr. K. Rissland)1
  15. Pineapple Rag, Scott Joplin2
  16. Memory from Cats, Andrew Lloyd Weber2
  1. arranged for Ensemble Vivant by Rick Wilkins, C.M.
  2. arr. for Ensemble Vivant by John Arpin
  3. arr. for Ensemble Vivant by John Burke

Musicians

Catherine Wilson, Piano/Artistic Director

Marie Bérard, violin

Amanda Forsyth

Catherine Wilson Review, Burlington Standard Press

…pianist Catherine Wilson, the pride of Canada…

Burlington Standard Press

Vermont, USA

Rick Wilkins CD Review, Rick Wilkins, C.M.

This is the highest-level chamber music making. No matter the genre, there is magic in Ensemble Vivant’s music-making

Rick Wilkins, C.M.

musician, composer, arranger

Rick Wilkins CD Review

Palm Court Pleasures CD Review, Music Magazine

Here is the perfect light chamber music album … a little of everything to suit any taste … a wonderfully talented ensemble that performs with a warmth and flow that betrays an exceptional closeness … truly these players are more than just in-tune with each other … the overall effect is joyous and compelling.

Music Magazine, Canada

Ragtime Review, William Albright

Catherine Wilson’s Ragtime playing is second to none…virtuoso technique and beautiful touch with the right feel and grove combined with a rich musical imagination.

William Albright

American Ragtime composer, pianist

Palm Court Pleasures CD Review, CBC Radio

Palm Court Pleasures with Catherine Wilson’s Trio Vivant… flawless… beyond flawless… it’s miraculous… it’s just perfect!

Bob Kerr, CBC Radio, Off the Record

Palm Court Pleasures CD Review, Toronto Star

This vastly entertaining album makes listening awfully easy.

William Littler

Toronto Star

Ensemble Vivant Review, Fredericton Daily Gleaner

The greatest selling point of the ensemble was the players’ masterful interpretative style. Whether playing a lyrical ballad, a spirited rag, or a sensuous tango, Ensemble Vivant captured the appropriate style instantly. The sense of ensemble was likewise impeccable, with entrances, articulations and dynamics mirrored precisely … an overwhelming success. The trio was equally at home with traditional classics and original compositions.

Fredericton Daily Gleaner

New Brunswick, Canada

Ensemble Vivant Review

Palm Court Pleasures CD Review, CBC Radio

… desert island favourites …

Bob Kerr, CBC Radio

Ensemble Vivant Review, The WholeNote

Ensemble Vivant… this is chamber music at its evocative best!

The WholeNote Magazine

Ensemble Vivant Review, David Bullard

…Thanks again for a great performance and wonderful program…molti bravi to Ensemble Vivant… please have Ensemble Vivant return very soon!

David Bullard, Director

de Blasiis CMS at the Hyde

NY, U.S.A.

Catherine Wilson Review, Neville Bowman

Led by a remarkable pianist, Catherine Wilson, Ensemble Vivant boasts a collection of musicians whose abilities and qualifications are second to none… a diversity of beautifully played music and sound (with vibes… Don Thompson, O.C.) from Bach to Piazzolla to Widor… wonderful interpretations… highlight of the Kelowna Community Concert Association series. I had the pleasure of spending time with the group after the concert and they are a fun, humble and inspiring group of musicians… such tremendous mutual talent and respect within the ensemble… Merci Ensemble Vivant!

Neville Bowman

musician, composer for B.C. Arts

Catherine Wilson Review

More Ensemble Vivant Recordings

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