Ensemble Vivant: Audience Favourites

Ensemble Vivante, Philip Seguin - Tumpet, Dave Young - Bass

Celebrating 20 years since the first release by her Ensemble Vivante – “Palm Court Pleasures” – pianist Catherine Wilson continues to bring her own brand of salon/chamber music to our city and to the world. On her most recent offering – Audience Favourites (Opening Day ODR 9348) - the other members of the core trio are violinist Erica Beston and cellist Sharon Prater, with notable contributions from guest artists David Young (bass) and Philip Seguin (trumpet) and string players Norman Hathaway and Jonathan Craig. The repertoire ranges from familiar light classics and opera tidbits to original compositions by Rick Wilkins, with stops along the way at arrangements of music by Piazzola, Gershwin and Charlie Chaplin. As the title suggests there are no surprises here, simply a solid compilation of bonbons which have proved to be audience pleasers. A highlight for me is the finale from Debussy’s all too rarely heard Trio in G minor. Concert note: Catherine Wilson and Ensemble Vivante perform on November 21 at Jane Mallett Theatre. Reviewed by David Olds. Reprinted from The Wholenote Magazine

Price: $22.98