Author: Ai Lynn Ang

Posted on by

Leaf Music, Frédéric Lambert and Chloé Dumoulin Present Nouveau lyrisme

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music, violist Frédéric Lambert and pianist Chloé Dumoulin announce the upcoming release of their new recording Nouveau Lyrisme (New Lyricism) (LM300) in digital format. This celebration of the ever-evolving Quebec music contemporary scene is an ode to inner landscapes, murmurs, and brilliant dialogues between viola and piano, with works composed between 1990 and 2025. 

The album opens with Trois poèmes by Jeanne Landry, a work rooted in the Western tonal tradition, flowing with expressive contrasts that mirror the upheavals of the 21st century. Next is Alain Payette’s Romance pour alto et piano, inspired by his time at Les Choralies in Vaison-la-Romaine. Michel Edward’s Sonate pour alto et piano, Op. 37, is a work exploring a lighter, more playful side of his typically serious compositional style. Alto-Neptune by Denis Gougeon, part of his Six thèmes solaires, offers a contemplative and mournful chant, an invitation to gaze into the universe with infinite tenderness. Alejandra Odgers’ Discusión unfolds as a fierce musical argument between viola and piano, shifting between tension and resolution. The album closes with Julie Thériault’s Nocturne boréal, a meditation on the human experience within vast northern landscapes—solitary, awe-inspiring, and deeply introspective.  

Photo credit: Brenden Friesen

Frédéric Lambert received a doctorate in viola performance at McGill University under the direction of Professor André Roy. During his studies, he became a founding member of the award-winning Lloyd Carr-Harris String Quartet. In 2007, Frédéric joined the Molinari Quartet, an ensemble devoted entirely to twentieth- and twenty-first-century string quartet repertoire. The group’s 2016 recording of the complete György Kurtág quartets received the prestigious Echo Klassik award and a Diapason d’Or. First viola of the Orchestre symphonique de Laval and Orchestre Métropolitain violist, Frédéric is regularly invited to appear with ensembles such as Les Violins du Roy, the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. He teaches at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University as well as the Université du Québec à Montréal. He previously released Iridescence on the Leaf Music label in 2023. 

Named one of CBC’s 30 top musicians under 30, pianist Chloé Dumoulin is recognized for her sensitive touch, refined sense of colour, and artistic depth. She holds a double master’s degree in solo and collaborative piano from the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, where she also specialized in chamber music. In 2023, she was awarded the Leverhulme Arts Scholarship to pursue an Artist Diploma at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London under Ronan O’Hora. Founder of the award-winning Quatuor Vatra, she has performed at the Montréal Chamber Music Festival, Maison symphonique, and Bourgie Hall. She has also appeared as a soloist with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and the Orchestre Métropolitain. Her performances span Canada, the U.S., Europe, and China, supported by numerous foundations.  

The album was recorded at Domaine Forget from January 6-8, 2025, with assistance from le Conseil des arts et de lettres du Québec. Listen to Nouveau Lyrisme on your favourite streaming platform.  

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nashville, Tennessee, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers from across North America. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada.  

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, N.-É.) Leaf Music, l’altiste Frédéric Lambert et la pianiste Chloé Dumoulin annoncent la sortie imminente de leur nouvel enregistrement intitulé Nouveau Lyrisme (LM300), qui paraîtra en format numérique. Cette célébration de la scène musicale contemporaine québécoise en constante évolution est une ode aux paysages intérieurs et un hommage à ces murmures et brillants dialogues entre alto et piano que nous livre le répertoire choisi, qui se situe entre 1990 et 2025. 

L’album débute avec Trois poèmes de Jeanne Landry, oeuvre ancrée dans la tradition tonale occidentale et débordante de contrastes expressifs qui reflètent les bouleversements du XXIe siècle. Elle est suivie de la Romance pour alto et piano d’Alain Payette, inspirée de son passage aux Choralies de Vaison-la-Romaine. La Sonate pour alto et piano, op. 37 de Michel Edward explore un côté plus léger et ludique du  style de ce compositeur habituellement grave. « Alto-Neptune » de Denis Gougeon, extrait de ses Six thèmes solaires, offre un chant méditatif et mélancolique, une invitation à contempler l’univers avec une infinie tendresse. Discusión d’Alejandra Odgers se déploie comme un débat musical acharné entre alto et piano, oscillant entre tension et résolution. L’album conclut avec Nocturne boréal de Julie Thériault, une méditation sur l’expérience humaine au cœur des vastes paysages nordiques – solitaire, grandiose et profondément introspective. 

Photo credit: Brenden Friesen

Frédéric Lambert a obtenu un doctorat en interprétation de l’alto à l’Université McGill sous la direction du professeur André Roy. Durant ses études, il est devenu membre fondateur du Quatuor à cordes Lloyd Carr-Harris, lauréat de nombreux prix. En 2007, Frédéric s’est joint au Quatuor Molinari, un ensemble entièrement consacré au répertoire du quatuor à cordes des XXe et XXIe siècles. L’enregistrement de l’intégrale des quatuors de György Kurtág, paru en 2016, a reçu le prestigieux prix Echo Klassik et un Diapason d’Or. Premier alto de l’Orchestre symphonique de Laval et altiste de l’Orchestre Métropolitain, Frédéric est régulièrement invité à se produire avec des ensembles tels que Les Violons du Roy, la Société de musique contemporaine du Québec et l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Il enseigne à l’École de musique Schulich de l’Université McGill ainsi qu’à l’Université du Québec à Montréal. Il a précédemment publié Iridescence sur étiquette Leaf Music en 2023. 

Photo credit: Brenden Friesen

Nommée au palmarès de la CBC parmi les « 30 meilleurs musiciens de moins de 30 ans », la pianiste Chloé Dumoulin est reconnue pour sa sensibilité, son sens raffiné des couleurs et sa profondeur artistique. Elle est titulaire d’une double maîtrise en piano solo et en piano d’accompagnement du Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, où elle s’est également spécialisée en musique de chambre. En 2023, elle a reçu la bourse Leverhulme Arts pour poursuivre un diplôme d’artiste à la Guildhall School of Music and Drama de Londres sous la direction de Ronan O’Hora. Fondatrice du Quatuor Vatra, ensemble primé, elle s’est produite au Festival de musique de chambre de Montréal, à la Maison symphonique et à la salle Bourgie. Elle s’est également produite en soliste avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal et l’Orchestre Métropolitain. Ses concerts se déroulent au Canada, aux États-Unis, en Europe et en Chine, avec le soutien de nombreuses fondations. 

L’album a été enregistré au Domaine Forget entre les 6 et 8 janvier 2025, avec le soutien du Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. Écoutez Nouveau Lyrisme sur votre plateforme de streaming préférée. 

Leaf Music est une étiquette indépendante, basée à Halifax, en Nouvelle-Écosse, ainsi qu’à Nashville, au Tennessee. Leaf Music produit et distribue des enregistrements de musique classique de haute qualité où figurent des artistes et compositeurs provenant de toute l’Amérique du Nord. Notre catalogue croissant de musiques solo et orchestrale et de musique de chambre est distribué par Naxos of America auprès des plus grands détaillants internationaux de musique et de fournisseurs de téléchargements et services de streaming. Leaf offre également des services professionnels de production audio et vidéo, de postproduction, ainsi que des services intégrés de marketing et de distribution musicale au Canada. 

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For more information/photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Peggy Walt,  peggy@leaf-music.ca 

(902) 422-5403 (office) or (902) 476-1096 (cell).

Stream/Download
Listen to Playlist
Classical Discovery Playlist
Listen to Playlist
About Fredéric Lambert
About Chloé Dumoulin

Posted on by

Leaf Music, Tim Brady, and Warhol Dervish String Quartet Present “The Possibility of a New Work for String Quartet.”

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music, composer Tim Brady and the Warhol Dervish String Quartet announce the upcoming release of their new recording The Possibility of a New Work for String Quartet (LM293) in digital format. 

Composer Tim Brady and the enigmatic Montreal-based Warhol Dervish String Quartet present Tim Brady: String Quartet Nos. 3- 5 – The Possibility of a New Work for String Quartet. Stemming from Brady’s compositional challenge—”so many string quartets have been written, there’s literally nothing left to do with the medium”—these works push the boundaries of the genre, treating composition not as a written score but as an ever-evolving process of music making.   

The album opens with Quartet No. 3, an instruction-based score that invites performers to “compose” their own quartet. Quartet No. 4 unfolds as a slow, meditative work, marked by its sparseness, transparency, and expansive melodic line. Next, Quartet No. 5 is a five-movement piece that challenges the musicians’ rhythmic agility and ensemble acuity, bringing the album to a dynamic close.   

Founded in 2007, the Warhol Dervish (Facebook Page) brings together some of Canada’s most innovative musicians. Known for their adventurous programming, they have performed at major festivals, including the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, and Festival International de Lanaudière. Their projects span a wide musical spectrum, from Morton Feldman’s Piano Quintet to collaborations with Lukas Ligeti and Sarah Pagé. Recent highlights include a national tour with Basia Bulat, a five-concert Beethoven series exploring the last five Beethoven string quartets (The Late Quartets), and a Maisons de la culture tour exploring Yiddish music with Socalled. The members are Alexander Read (violin), Chloé Chabanole (violin), Pemi Paull (viola), and Jean-Christophe Lizotte (cello). 

Composer and guitarist Tim Brady has pushed musical boundaries, seamlessly blending classical, jazz, and rock influences. A virtuosic electric guitarist and prolific composer, he has toured internationally as a soloist and with his groups Bradyworks and Instruments of Happiness. His works span operas, symphonies, and concertos, with commissions from major orchestras, including the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Symphony Nova Scotia. A recipient of multiple Opus Prizes and a JUNO nominee, his recordings have earned critical acclaim, including praise from The New York Times. His music, defined by rhythmic intensity and bold textures, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.  

The album was recorded in St. Augustin Church in Montreal from February 4 – 7, 2023, with assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts. Listen on your favourite streaming platforms. 

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nashville, Tennessee, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers from across North America. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada. 

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For more information/photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Peggy Walt,  peggy@leaf-music.ca 

(902) 422-5403 (office) or (902) 476-1096 (cell).

Stream/Download
Listen to Playlist
Warhol Dervish

Posted on by

Leaf Music Distributes New Album from Anders Muskens – Vogler: Travel Souvenirs for Keyboard

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS)Leaf Music announces the distribution of a new recording from early music specialist Anders Muskens, being released in digital format on April 18.

Travel Souvenirs for Keyboard – Georg Joseph Vogler features compositions by German composer Georg Joseph Vogler (1749 – 1814), performed on original instruments. Muskens recorded on a Square Pianoforte by Longman & Broderip (John Geib), London 1788 (restored by Paul Kobald in 2018), and a Grand pianoforte by John Broadwood & Songs, London, 1806 (restored by Paul Kobald in 2022). He tuned and tempered the instruments (both from his own collection), using the method described by Vogler himself in 1807.

The album celebrates Carl Theodor’s Jubilee Year (2024). Vogler was a key Kappelmeister in Theodor’s court. Many pieces were published during Vogler’s tenure in Sweden.

Vogler’s wanderlust inspired many of the pieces he composed, and he was well-regarded for his intricate, complex variation sets for keyboard, which he often improvised in dazzling public concerts on organ and fortepiano. The new recording includes a work from 1798 (Pieces de clavecin) and Variations sur l’Air de Marlborough from 1791. Georg Joseph, known as Abt or Abbé Vogler, never spent more than a few months in one place; he was always travelling, literally crisscrossing Europe, and even venturing to the Arctic Circle and North Africa. His fascination with folk melodies can be heard woven into his harmonic and structural innovations for keyboard.

Prolific early music specialist Anders Muskens has had other recordings distributed by Leaf Music, including Beethoven: Waldstein & Appassionata Sonatas and Army of Generals Volume II: Carl Theodor’s Court Orchestra in Mannheim 1742-1778. Muskens is a Canadian fortepianist, harpsichordist, conductor, and musicologist whose work focuses on the revival of eighteenth-and early nineteenth-century performance traditions, equally active in Europe and North America. He completed a Masters in Fortepiano at the Royal Conservatoire of the Hague under Dr. Bart van Oort and Petra Somlai, with Fabio Bonizzoni and Patrick Ayrton for harpsichord. He is represented as a performer by the Sonus Agency for Early Music and is the founder of the ensemble Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester, an international initiative to revive the music of the Mannheim School in the second half of the eighteenth century.

The new album was produced with support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Forschungszentrum HOF/MUSIK/STADT, and was recorded at the Pfleghofsaal at the Musicology Institute of the University of Tubingen

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nashville, Tennessee, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers from across North America. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada.
Stream/Download
Piano Playlist
The Leaf Albums

Posted on by

Leaf Music and Bela String Quartet present their latest EP 

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music and Bela String Quartet announce the March 28 release of their new EP (LM2047). 

Sharing with its release title, Bela String Quartet presents a collection of Nordic folk melodies reimagined through the lens of classical and folk traditions. Inspired by the Danish String Quartet’s celebrated collections Wood Works and Last Leaf, this EP captures the joy, camaraderie, and timeless beauty of traditional Nordic tunes. They recorded three beloved arrangements by the Danish String Quartet: Waltz after Lasse in Lyby, Stædelil, and Sønderho Bridal Trilogy, Pt. 2 at the St. George’s Round Church, a National Historic Site built in 1812.

From left to right: Catherine Little (cello), Anna Wedlock (violin), Carrie VanSlyke (viola), Anthony Rissesco (violin) 

For over a decade, the Bela String Quartet has delighted audiences across Canada’s East Coast. They blend their diverse musical backgrounds to create heartfelt and refined performances. 

Anna Wedlock is a fiddler and violinist. She’s collaborated with many pop and folk artists, including India Gailey, Cassie Josephine, and The Big Country Ramblers. As the leader of the Bela String Quartet, Anna has arranged and performed work with Terra Spencer, Jenn Grant, and Gianna Lauren. She lives in Halifax with her partner and dog.  

Anthony Rissesco is a versatile violin player and teacher who tours regularly with award-winning singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant and with roots-rock band Pogey. As a member of the neo-traditional trio Papilio, Anthony has garnered ECMA and Nova Scotia Music Awards nominations. He is also a member of the popular Halifax band The Gig Dogs. Anthony has played with Symphony Nova Scotia, Anne Murray, and Peggy Seeger. 

Carrie VanSlyke is a classical violist who has performed worldwide, from the Sydney Opera House to Aspen and Banff Music Festivals. A regular with Symphony Nova Scotia since 2014, she has collaborated with Rod Stewart, Nelly Furtado, and Weezer. She relocated to Nashville after over a decade in Nova Scotia. Carrie holds Viola Performance degrees from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and McGill University. 

Nova Scotia-born cellist Catherine Little is dedicated to bridging classical music with diverse audiences. She has performed with Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia. As part of Trio KLM, she engages her audiences by performing arrangements of classical greats, as well as well-loved pop and rock. Catherine’s discography includes two albums with pianist Gregory Myra – the 2022 Nova Scotia Music Award-winning “Taking Five” (2021) and “Light & Dark” (2024). Catherine holds an Honours Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University (2007) and a Master’s in Music Performance from the Université de Montréal (2010). 

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nashville, Tennessee, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers across North America. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada. 

-30- 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For more information/photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Peggy Walt,   

peggy@leaf-music.ca 

(902) 422-5403 (office) or (902) 476-1096 (cell). 

Listen Now
Folk Playlist
Classical Discovery Playlist
Discovery Playlist

Posted on by

Leaf Music, Angel Wang and Phoenix Rising Present Phoenix Rising

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music, violinist Angel Wang and the Phoenix Orchestra announce the March 14 release of their new recording Phoenix Rising (LM299) on both digital and physical CDs.

Phoenix Rising, featuring violinist Angel Wang with the Phoenix Orchestra conducted by Claudio Vena, presents a cornucopia of Chinese and Western classical music that transcends borders. The album includes the beloved Butterfly Lovers Concerto by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, a 2023-commissioned work by Alice Ping Yee Ho (Phoenix Rising), plus traditional Chinese songs like Jasmine Flower and Galloping Horses, arranged by Claudio Vena, offering a captivating blend of contemporary and traditional music.

Phoenix Orchestra was founded by Angel Wang to perform Western and Chinese classical music of all eras including contemporary works, and was invited to perform at the prestigious Meet in Beijing International Arts Festival. Its purpose is to foster a deeper appreciation of both cultures through live and digital performances.

The album’s closing piece, Phoenix Rising, by Canadian Alice Ping Yee Ho, is a single-movement tone poem for solo violin and orchestra, encapsulating the timeless idea of the phoenix rising from its ashes, symbolizing hope and rebirth.

Angel Wang

Angel Wang has established herself as a violinist of exceptional ability in both Canada and China, where she was a member of the Tianjin Orchestra and where she toured with her chamber group, Angel’s Trio. Her multimedia concerts have sold out in Toronto and Beijing, and she’s appeared in concert with celebrities such as international piano star Richard Clayderman. She is also a faculty member of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and guest professor at the Wulanchabu Conservatory in China.

Italian-born Canadian Claudio Vena is a Gemini Award-winning composer, conductor, producer and musician who writes for film, television and stage, as well as scores for the Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage and The Shaw Festival. He has been music Director and Conductor of the Academy Chamber Orchestra and of the original Toronto production of Miss Saigon. He co-founded the group Quartetto Gelato, which released three CDs, including two nominated for JUNO Awards.

The album was recorded by Pouya Hamidi in Toronto in November of 2024, with assistance from the Ontario Arts Council, the National Bank of Canada, and the Jackman Foundation.

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nashville, Tennessee, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers across Canada and USA. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For more information/photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Peggy Walt,  peggy@leaf-music.ca 

(902) 422-5403 (office) or (902) 476-1096 (cell).

Listen Here
Angel Wang
About Angel Wang
Concerto Playlist
Posted on by

Leaf Music and Allison Ernst present Ravel: Sonatine

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music and Allison Ernst announce the March 7 release of her new EP, Ravel: Sonatine (LM2048), a technically demanding three-movement piano work just twelve minutes long.

Dr. Allison Ernst is a dedicated and passionate performer and teacher. Her work as a pianist has taken her all over the United States, performing solo, chamber, and concerto works. She has also competed in the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition and the Bay Area Piano Competition. An avid leader within music education, she serves as the Newsletter Editor for Tennessee Music Teachers Association, Treasurer for the Nashville Area Music Teachers Association, and as an adjudicator for piano festivals around Nashville. She is the owner and founder of Dr. Allison’s Piano Studio, previously known as Aunt Ali’s Music Studio. She also held a position as Adjunct Professor of Music for three academic years at Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee. 

Allison’s commitment to serving the community through musical performances has inspired her to create two projects, which include The Riverside Arts Walk Concert Series and The Mission Inn Concert Series. She continues to perform free events through her newest community outreach program, The Music City House Concert Series. Creating a greater sense of community through the power of music remains central to her ideals in all the roles that she plays. As a scholar, she plans to publish her latest research entitled, “Playing with Time: Understanding and Notating Tempo Rubato,” in the next issue of the academic journal Historical Performance Practices.

Originally from Kalispell, Montana, Allison received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Historical Performance Practices from Claremont Graduate University, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from California Baptist University, and a Bachelor of Arts-Music from Seattle University. Her primary teachers include Jenny Soonjin Kim, Tina Kouratachvili, and Kay Lund.  When not practicing or teaching piano, Allison loves to travel, swim, and cook new recipes with her husband.

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers from across Canada. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For more information/photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Peggy Walt,  peggy@leaf-music.ca 

(902) 422-5403 (office) or (902) 476-1096 (cell).

About Allison
Listen Here
Playlist Here

Posted on by

Leaf Music Distributes Drew Jurecka & Maurice Ravel: String Quartet

“Captivating…breathtaking tour de force… The Venuti String Quartet plays with joie de vivre!” – The Whole Note

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music and the Venuti String Quartet announce the distribution of their new recording Drew Jurecka & Maurice Ravel: String Quartets (VSQ202401).

Drew Jurecka & Maurice Ravel: String Quartets celebrates Ravel’s 150th birthday but begins with member and co-founder Drew Jurecka’s string quartet, a composition that explores and blends classical and jazz influences. This is followed by Ravel’s only string quartet in F Major, composed during this student years at the Paris Conservatory. The album concludes with The Spider, a collaborative piece at breakneck speed by Jurecka and Jay Danley, paying tribute to Carl Stalling, who wrote music for Looney Toons and Merry Melodies cartoons.

The Venuti String Quartet brings together four of the most in-demand musicians in Toronto’s vibrant music scene (Rebekah Wolkstein and Drew Jurecka, violins; Shannon Knights, viola and Amahl Arulanandam, cello), hailing from esteemed Toronto ensembles including the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Payadora Ensemble, Schmaltz & Pepper and VC2. Founded with genre-flexibility in mind, the group is equally at home in recording studios or onstage playing alongside a range of artists in almost any genre (e.g. Alessia Cara, Laila Biali, Jill Barber and her recent release, Encore, Donovan Woods) as they are performing the great classics and original compositions and arrangements. In concert, the Quartet enjoys pairing nonclassical music with works of the great composers, as they have done with their debut album, combining the original composition of Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and composer Drew Jurecka with one of his great inspirations, the beautiful and dynamic Quartet by Maurice Ravel.

Drew Jurecka’s string quartet was completed over a ten-year period from 2010-2020. An accomplished jazz and classical violinist, Jurecka’s composition explores his diverse musical experiences through the rich vocabulary of the string quartet. Each movement takes its inspiration from a different style of music, seen through the lens of classic string quartet form and composition, including impressionism, jazz improvision and tango techniques. In 1903, Maurice Ravel composed his only string quartet at the age of 28; the work is considered one of the greatest masterworks of the string quartet repertoire.

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nashville, Tennessee, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers from across Canada. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For more information/photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Peggy Walt,  peggy@leaf-music.ca 

(902) 422-5403 (office) or (902) 476-1096 (cell).

Listen Here
Click Here

Posted on by

Leaf Music Distributes Unbroken: Music from Ukraine

“Music should show how fragile our civilization is with all its power.” – Valentin Silvestrov, composer.

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music and Ukrainian Canadian violinist Viktoria Grynenko announce the February 28 distribution of the new recording Unbroken:  Music from Ukraine (VG2025).

Unbroken:  Music from Ukraine features works for violin by contemporary Ukrainian composers, including Zoltan Almashi, Boris Loginov, Valentin Silvestrov and Oleg Bezborodko, with a piece by Ukrainian Canadian Anna Pidgorna rounding out the new album. Other musicians on the recording are Roger Admiral (piano), Fabiola Amorim (viola), Amy Nicholson (cello), Vladimir Rufino (violin) and Guillaume Tardif (violin).

Viktoria Grynenko describes the recording (which she produced) as her “reaction to the full-scale war in Ukraine,” and a way to “amplify Ukrainian voices for audiences around the world.” The works are about resilience and the generosity of the Ukrainian spirit. Pidgorna’s score is presented visually inscribed on an antique door with a jagged hole created by a hatchet, in turn inspiring the dramatic conception of the piece and some of the musical gestures. Almashi’s Duo for Two Violins, No.1 is melodious and expressive, a sincere and passionate plea for the end of the war, while Loginov’s sleep during insomnia depicts the shock of February 2022. Silvestrov’s Melodies of the Moments, Cycle I quietly echoes memories of formerly peaceful lives and finally, Bezborodko’s victorious Concert Fantasy on Cossack Beyond the Danube recalls the perseverance of the Ukrainian people.

Viktoria Grynenko is a Ukrainian-born, multifaceted artist based in Edmonton. In addition to violin performance, she focuses on research and educational projects involving rarely performed works for violin. Giving back to her community, she has taught with El Sistema programs across Canada for over a decade. She is currently co-chair for Arts Habitat Edmonton and was a founder of Job Hub Ukraine, a platform assisting Ukrainian refugees with their job searches in Canada. She obtained a D. Mus. from the University of Alberta, exploring relationships between violin and dance performance in her thesis. She previously obtained a Master of Music degree from the University of Ottawa, where her studies were funded by the prestigious KUN scholarship. Her debut album Violin in Movement showcased works related to ballet and dance. She studied with Liudmyla Skorokhod and Leonid Shukhman in Ukraine, and with Oleg Pokhanovski, Yehonatan Berick and Guillaume Tardif in Canada. In this recording, Viktoria performs on a Hermann Janzen violin with a bow by Herbert Wanka.

Unbroken:  Music from Ukraine was recorded in April and May of 2024 at the Edmonton Alberta Convocation Hall, University of Alberta, and was produced with assistance from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Listen to Unbroken on your favourite streaming platform.  For more information, please visit: https://viktoriagrynenko.com.

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nashville, Tennessee, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers from across Canada. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For more information/photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Peggy Walt,  peggy@leaf-music.ca 

(902) 422-5403 (office) or (902) 476-1096 (cell).

Stream Here
Listen to Playlist
Listen to Playlist

Posted on by

Leaf Music and Leaf Music Distribution Celebrates 17 Nominations for the 2025 East Coast Music Awards

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music and Leaf Music Distribution are proud to announce that their releases have received an impressive 17 nominations at the 2025 East Coast Music Awards. The nominees were officially unveiled today, marking another outstanding year for the Leaf Music label.

This exciting announcement comes on the heels of Leaf Music’s recent success at the 2025 JUNO Awards, where the label received five nominations. With recognition from both the JUNOs and ECMAs this year, Leaf Music continues to celebrate and support the exceptional achievements of its artists.

Dedicated to showcasing outstanding Canadian artists and composers, Leaf Music is thrilled to see its artists honoured at the ECMA nominations announcement. The East Coast Music Awards, a highlight of East Coast Music Week, will take place in St. John’s, NL,from May 7–11, 2025.

The Leaf Music nominees are:

African Canadian Artist of the Year | Artiste afro-canadienne ou afro-canadien de l’année

  • Measha Brueggergosman-Lee “Zombie”

Classical Release of the Year | Sortie classique de l’année

  • Measha Brueggergosman-Lee “Blizzard”
  • SHHH!! Ensemble “Causes, 1.1 Negative Energy”

Electronic Release of the Year | Sortie électronique de l’année

  • SHHH!! Ensemble “Causes, 1.1 Negative Energy

Indigenous Artist of the Year | Artiste autochtone de l’année

  • Deantha Edmunds “Angmalukisaa: IV. Rings 4 (Arr. for Voice & String Orchestra by Robert Carli)”

Instrumental Release of the Year | Sortie instrumentale de l’année

  • Mark Fewer “The Simple Life (Arr. for Violin & String Orchestra by Andrew Downing)”

Jazz Release of the Year | Sortie jazz de l’année s’il

  • Measha Brueggergosman-Lee “Zombie”

Vocal Release of the Year | Sortie vocale de l’année

  • Chœur Louisbourg “L’appel”

Content Creator of the Year | Créatrice ou créateur de l’année

  • Kristan Toczko

Producer of the Year | Réalisatrice ou réalisateur de l’année

  • Jeremy VanSlyke
LM296 Alikeness Front Cover
LM291 Cover

Leaf Music is equally proud of the Leaf Music Distribution artists and releases that have garnered ECMA nominations.

Fusion Release of the Year | Sortie multi-genre de l’année

  • Ian Foster “Gossamer”

Instrumental Release of the Year | Sortie instrumentale de l’année

  • Symphony Nova Scotia “Piano Concerto in One Movement: Andantino – Allegretto”

Solo Artist of the Year | Artiste solo de l’année

  • Ian Foster “Gossamer”

Vocal Release of the Year | Sortie vocale de l’année

  • Measha Brueggergosman-Lee “Pur ti miro”
  • Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus “Maybe ”

Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year | People’s Choice – Entertainer of the Year

  • Ian Foster

Innovator of the Year | Innovatrice ou innovateur de l’année

  • Ian Foster

Leaf Music extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees and expresses gratitude to the artists, composers, and performers whose dedication and creativity have led to this recognition. These nominations underscore the vibrancy and excellence of Canada’s classical music communities.

Posted on by

Leaf Music, Adam Cicchillitti, Steve Cowan and collectif9

(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music and virtuoso guitar duo Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan announce the February 14 release of their new recording Re/String (LM298). Re/String features six new concertos commissioned for two guitars and strings, recorded with Montreal ensemble collectif9. The six composers include Canadians Amy Brandon, Kelly-Marie Murphy, Patrick Roux, Bekah Simms and Harry Stayflakis, alongside British composer Stephen Goss. These pieces were premiered in Ottawa in March of 2022 with Thirteen Strings under conductor Kevin Mallon.

The pieces are stylistically diverse, with some referencing the guitar’s roots in rock and metal, while others explore alternate tunings and innovative textures between the guitar and bowed strings. The music is virtuosic, mysterious, unsettling, and hauntingly beautiful.

Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan

Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan have set a benchmark in the guitar world with their award-winning recordings, orchestral commissions and competition performances. In addition to active international solo careers, the duo regularly tours North America, playing programs of original arrangements and new Canadian commissions. They won second (2023) and third (2021) prize at the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America’s International Ensemble Competition, arguably the world’s most important guitar competition. The ensemble’s discography includes three albums, including multiple prize nominations and the Classical Recording of the Year at the 2021 East Coast Music Awards.    

Known for its innovative programming and unique approach to chamber music, Montreal string nonet collectif9 has performed extensively across North America, Europe, and Asia. The ensemble is dedicated to the exploration of new repertoire and new artistic partnerships with composers, video artists, poets, lighting designers, and other inspired collaborators, creating multidisciplinary projects that come to life in acoustic or amplified settings. Collectif9 has released four albums and produced a series of film-concerts. The group has received two JUNO nominations for its recordings, among other awards and recognitions. 

Re/String was recorded in St. Augustin, Quebec, in September of 2024, and produced with assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. Listen to Re/String on your favourite streaming platform. 

Leaf Music is an independent recording label based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nashville, Tennessee, making and distributing high-quality classical music recordings by artists and composers from across Canada. Our growing catalogue of solo, orchestral, and chamber music is distributed by Naxos of America to the world’s most important music retailers, download providers, and streaming services. Leaf is also a provider of professional audio and video production, post-production services and integrated music marketing and distribution in Canada.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For more information/photos or to arrange interviews, please contact Peggy Walt,  peggy@leaf-music.ca 

(902) 422-5403 (office) or (902) 476-1096 (cell).

Stream Here
Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan
Read More