Ensemble Vivant - Classical Potpourri (2025)

The making of this recording evolved organically through popular demand and support from many. One demand was that I record more solo piano selections, including of much-loved classical favourites in the repertoire. The solo piano and ensemble pieces for this recording were largely chosen by stalwart fans of mine and of Ensemble Vivant. Although it wasn’t possible to include all of the many requests received, we strove to include a balanced program that reflects many of the diverse styles that we love to play.

As I was asked repeatedly to play more music by Frederic Chopin, I included both his much-loved gorgeous Etude in E Major, Op. 10. No. 3 and his spell-binding Berceuse, Op. 57 in D Flat Major, both for solo piano. With the group’s love of performing music from the baroque era, this recording opens with Preludium, from Cantata BWV 29 by J.S. Bach. Tango is another tradition for Ensemble Vivant, and Leroy Anderson’s Blue Tango, a suggestion by our producer and arranger, jazz great Rick Wilkins, a big champion of Ensemble Vivant’s music-making, made it onto the program. The world-premiere of my piece Knollwood Place was also by popular demand. And so it goes, one piece after the other, all beautiful classic repertoire.

June, 1995 was reported to be the hottest June in well over a decade. Humbercrest United Church in Toronto had been my group’s regular recording venue, starting with our debut CD Palm Court Pleasures, followed by Palm Court Encores, Christmas Tidings and The Romantics. With record high temperatures and humidex, recording in an un-air-conditioned environment in such crippling heat was near-impossible. One complete take after another was how it flowed, and you’ll hear the birds accompanying me on my performance of Chopin’s Berceuse.

Five pieces from this recording were realized in beautiful film created by New York’s award-winning videographer Peter Rosen as part of an educational music series. These videos have received frequent play over the years on Classic Arts Showcase and PBS.

Included is my solo performance of Chopin’s Berceuse, (with birds singing); my original composition Knollwood Place, arr for piano trio; Gershwin’s Prelude No. 3 for solo piano; Bach’s Preludium, arr for piano trio; and Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag , arr for the quintet of piano, violin, viola, cello and bass. All arrangements were written by Rick Wilkins, C.M.