February 21, 2027 :

Martin Karliček, piano :

Martin Karlíček’s piano playing has been described as “inspiring, rich, sensitive, stylistically taut and arresting, precise, crisp, brilliantly controlled, wonderfully colourful and always imaginative.” He performs, teaches and lectures regularly in the Czech Republic, Germany, Canada, U.S.A. and Japan.

Aside from establishing his reputation as a dynamic promoter of Czech music, Mr. Karlíček’s large solo and chamber music repertoire includes works from all periods. One of his projects was a CD of complete works for piano as well as works for cello and piano by Canadian composer Andrew Yin Svoboda. He also recorded piano works by Leoš Janáček, Bedřich Smetana, Bohuslav Martinů, Sergei Prokofiev and Franz Liszt among others.

Martin Karlíček studied at the Academy of Music in Prague (B.Mus., M.Mus.), Utrecht Academy of the Arts in Holland and at McGill University in Montreal in Canada (M.Mus., D.Mus.). Presently, he is teaching piano and chamber music at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University.

Pierre-Alain Bouvrette, cello (quatuormolinari.qc.ca) :

A graduate of the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal in 1995, where he was awarded First Prize with unanimous distinction, Pierre-Alain Bouvrette continued his studies in the United States on a full scholarship at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, earning a Master’s degree in Performance and Literature. He later completed an Artist Diploma at the Longy School of Music in Boston. Since 2008, he has been a member of the Molinari Quartet, an ensemble devoted to the major string quartet repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Quartet’s work has been widely acclaimed, garnering numerous Prix Opus, as well as a nomination at the International Classical Music Awards for their complete recording of Sofia Gubaidulina’s string quartets. In 2017, the ensemble received the ECHO Klassik Award for its interpretation of the complete quartets by György Kurtág. Pierre-Alain Bouvrette has also performed with renowned ensembles such as Les Violons du Roy and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. His work with the Molinari Quartet has brought him to major festivals across Europe, Asia, Central America, and North America, actively contributing to the international promotion of Québécois and Canadian string quartet repertoire. 

Christine Carter, clarinet (christine-carter.com) :

Known for her visionary interdisciplinary projects, clarinetist Christine Carter has built an international career as a captivating chamber musician, teaching artist, and scholar. She is the clarinetist of the critically acclaimed Iris Trio, cofounder of the inter-arts Looking Glass Ensemble with dance artist Shannon Litzenberger, and regularly collaborates with Duo Concertante,  with whom she has released two albums on Marquis Classics. She has performed across the globe, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House, and has been praised for her “striking expression” (Bremen Wester Kurier), “seductive tone and effortless fluidity” (The Clarinet), and “golden legato” (Fanfare Magazine). She has also performed extensively as an orchestral musician, including engagements with the New World  Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, Montréal Symphony Orchestra, and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music, is an Associate Professor of Music at Memorial University in St. John’s and was recently inducted into the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. Christine is a Buffet Crampon Artist.