Classical music has made a dramatic comeback in the world of functions and events. Once regarded as “highbrow,” classical music is now appreciated for what it really always has been – good music which is entertaining, relaxing, and full of beauty and charm.
Whether in the foreground or background, light classical music is a perfect companion to special events. Some of the most popular classical music ensembles include: violin and cello duo; flute and cello duo; string quartet; flute, violin, cello trio; solo classical guitar; oboe, violin and cello trio; flute and classical guitar; solo piano; singers and Rhapsody Quintet (violin, piano, cello, bass, clarinet).
Classical musicians are highly trained professionals with many years of performing experience. Many of the performers represented by Walt Music are members of Symphony Nova Scotia, the only Canadian professional symphony orchestra east of Quebec. The musicians are as comfortable and experienced in wedding repertoire as they are in concert pieces.
Classical music is usually performed without amplification in a concert setting but can be amplified depending on the nature of your event. Singers and choral ensembles can join in for all or part of your function. Salon music (waltz, tango, e.g.) is also available for dancing.
Barbara Pritchard lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she works as a freelance pianist. Her solo career is focused on the interpretation of music from the 20th and 21st centuries. She has released three critically acclaimed solo CDs and has won recognition for her commitment to Canadian music.
Blue Engine String Quarter | Ensemble
The Blue Engine String Quartet was formed in 1997 as the core ensemble of the Nova Scotia chamber music series, Blue Engine Music, a registered not-for-profit society. The quartet players are also members of Symphony Nova Scotia.
From classical roots, the Quartet has expanded its horizons to perform innovative works that draw a wide-ranging audience to some of the East Coast’s most interesting chamber music programs.
Canadian-born Dale Kavanagh is one of the classical guitar world’s most gifted interpreters. Between 1986 and 1988 Ms. Kavanagh was a top prize winner in Spain’s Segovia Competition, Italy’s Gargnano Competition, Switzerland’s Neuchatel Competition and First and Special Prize winner in Finland’s Scandinavian International Guitar Competition.
Dominic Desautels has been the principal clarinetist at Symphony Nova Scotia in Canada since 2012. He has quickly earned acclaim and recognition since his debut as soloist at age 21 with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Known for his singing approach to clarinet playing, Dominic is the winner of several competitions and awards in Canada, including Radio-Canada’s Auditions Jeunes Artistes, and the concerto competitions of the Université de Montréal and Orchestre de la Francophonie.
The Halifax Chronicle-Herald has described guitarist Douglas Reach as “one of the finest talents in the country” and enthusiastic audiences throughout North America readily agree.
Douglas Reach has performed across Canada and the United States as both soloist and in chamber music settings. His performances have been heard regularly on CBC radio and television.
Karen Rokos has given numerous solo and ensemble concerts each year in New England and Canada, specializing in 20th century music, opera and ballet. She is now Harpist with Symphony Nova Scotia, the Maine State Ballet Orchestra, Symphony By the Sea and is substitute Principal Harp for the Boston Ballet Orchestra.
Originally from Montréal and working in the Maritimes since 1980, Michel Cardin has gained international recognition as a teacher, performer, musicologist and producer. He is currently full professor of guitar and lute at the Department of Music of the University of Moncton (Canada), with a PhD equivalence status, and has made 12 compact discs of solo Baroque lute music.
The combination of flute and harp has captivated listeners for centuries. Bringing together two of the most ancient instruments, flutist Patricia Creighton and harpist Karen Rokos formed Nova Brilliante to be able to create soundscapes for listeners that would not only be very pleasing and provocative, but also healing.
Both artists have fully professional and long-standing orchestral and chamber careers.
Described as a flutist with a lovely tone, a fine sense of phrasing and natural musicality, Patricia Creighton is currently Principal Flutist with Symphony Nova Scotia, a position she has held for 20 years.
Her extensive repertoire spans from Baroque to modern in solo, concerto, chamber and orchestral literature. Patricia has been featured with the Vancouver Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Scotia Festival Orchestra.
Concert pianist Peter Allen has continually delighted audiences with his power and poetry as a pianist, composer, teacher and conductor. With two solo CD’s to his credit, Peter has a new one in the works including the Brahms Handel Variations and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. He is currently Professor of Piano at Dalhousie University’s Department of Music. As a pianist, he is often heard on CBC regional and national radio.
For more than 20 years Nova Scotia’s Rhapsody Quintet has thrilled and delighted audiences with its sparkling renditions of a wide range of music, including light classical, salon, musical theatre, jazz, tango, klezmer, movie music and more.
Through their performances and recordings they have reached out across Canada and the world, performed for royalty, worked with school children and helped to raise funds for many deserving causes.
Shimon Walt is one of the founding members of Symphony Nova Scotia and served as its Assistant Principal Cellist for over 45 years. Since his arrival to Nova Scotia in 1976 he has been an integral part of the province’s musical life. Whether on concert stages, in solo recitals or in chamber music concerts, or teaching in the classrooms of Dalhousie University, he is totally dedicated to the art of music.
A native of Germany, Sibylle Marquardt moved to Canada in 1997. An active chamber and orchestral player in Canada and Europe, she is also recognized for her teaching.
She has performed in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Japan, Italy, former Czechoslovakia and France, as well as for Radio Canada, the BR Munich and TV and movie productions.
Suzanne Lemieux has been guest artist with Scotia Festival of Music, Ottawa’s Thirteen Strings, the National Arts Centre’s Debut Series, and performs regularly at the Indian River Festival and the New Brunswick Summer Music Festival.
More recently she has been guest principal oboe with the Montreal Symphony, the Singapore Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony. Suzanne is delighted to perform as both a soloist and also in chamber music formation.
Before Vladimir Nester – a professional musician for more than 20 years – made Canada his new home, he mastered both guitar and composition in Russia. Prize winner of a notable international classical guitar copmetition, he graduated from Rostov State Conservatory and toured across Europe with The Bis Band, and also as a soloist.
Vladimir has appeared on award-winning records and TV and radio stations, including the CBC.