MONTREAL, May 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATMA Classique showcases the myriad talents of organist Jean-Willy Kunz in two new and contrasting releases: the solo album Jean-Willy Kunz au Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique, and Impressions, a jazz album featuring André Moisan on clarinets and saxophones, Hélène Lemay on trombone, Frédéric Alarie on double bass, and Paul Picard on percussion. Both albums will be available in stores and online on June 2, 2017.
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GRAND ORGUE PIERRE-BÉIQUE
Jean-Willy Kunz is the first organist in residence of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. In addition to playing with the orchestra and in recital, he oversees the development and showcasing of the OSM's Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique at Maison symphonique de Montréal. The instrument was designed and built for the OSM by the renowned organ builder Casavant, in collaboration with architects Diamond Schmitt + Ædifica.
DEBUT SOLO RECORDING
For his first solo recording, Kunz was naturally drawn to music by composers from his native France including Jehan Alain, Charles-Marie Widor, Marcel Dupré, and Louis Vierne, while a work by Québécois Maxime Goulet provides a contemporary flavor to the program. These are paired with the great Toccata and Fugue in D minor by J. S. Bach, and Kunz’s own transcription of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Le Carnaval des animaux, which he first performed in 2014 for the inauguration of the Pierre-Béique organ.
IMPRESSIONS
The organ as it’s never been heard before! Jean-Willy Kunz has gathered a group of musician-friends from the realms of classical and contemporary music, pop and jazz. Named after John Coltrane’s landmark 1963 album, Impressions includes Eastern European dance music, klezmer, and jazz, with tracks ranging from Petite fleur by Sidney Bechet, to Frank Sinatra’s hit Fly Me to the Moon - all unified by the mighty Pierre-Béique organ. Featuring André Moisan on clarinets and saxophones, Hélène Lemay on trombone, Frédéric Alarie on double bass, and Paul Picard on percussion.
Jean-Willy Kunz in concert
June 14,15,16, and 17, 2017 with Pierre Lapointe at the Francofolies de Montréal, Maison symphonique de Montréal
July 5, 2017 with André Moisan, Hélène Lemay, Frédéric Alarie, and Camil Bélisle Festival de Jazz de Montréal, Maison symphonique de Montréal