Official Website: www.ensemblevivant.com

Ensemble Vivant, the core of which is piano, violin and cello, has been performing to sold-out houses throughout North America and Europe and recording for over 15 years. Originally called Trio Vivant, the group evolved under the name Catherine Wilson and Friends. The recordings under that name reflected the group’s expansion from exclusively ‘Trio’ repertoire to include larger chamber works. The name Ensemble Vivant was created to capture the group’s origins and musical evolution.

Comprised of Catherine Wilson (piano), Erica Beston (violin), and Sharon Prater (cello), Ensemble Vivant’s quest is to discover and reveal unusual and rarely heard works from the classical repertoire as well as new versions of vastly diverse styles from jazz to musical theatre to Latin Dance. The core trio also works in a quartet format with renowned bassist Dave Young. There is also a septet format that includes trumpet, 2nd violin, viola, and bass, in addition to the core trio.

An Ensemble Vivant concert or recording can run the stylistic gamut from the genius of J.S. Bach to the powerful elegance of Debussy, to the syncopated rhythms of Gershwin and the jazzy tangos of Astor Piazzolla. The group also champions newly composed works, many of which have been written especially for Ensemble Vivant by noted composers such as John Burke, Srul Irving Glick, Rick Wilkins, Aldemaro Romero and Duilio Dobrin. No matter the genre, the repertoire that is chosen for the beautifully crafted programs is timeless and at the same time, new. Whether an old favourite or an intriguing discovery, each piece displays the Ensemble’s radiant energy and attention to detail.

Ensemble Vivant and Catherine Wilson were the chosen subjects for five performance videos created by acclaimed New York producer/director Peter Rosen. Filmed on location while on tour in Europe, the US and Canada, the videos air frequently on Classic Arts Showcase and on Bravo in both Canada and in the United States. Ensemble Vivant’s recordings, which can be heard on classical radio around the world, appear on many prestigious labels including RCA Red Seal, RCA Gold Seal, Fanfare, Pro Arte and DOREMI.

Ensemble Vivant’s most recent release, The Music of Leroy Anderson, appears on SPY Recordings. This exciting double CD compilation of Leroy Anderson’s music features the world premiere of seven of Anderson’s own arrangements for intimate chamber settings of his original compositions, as well as Anderson’s only Piano Concerto, which Catherine Wilson performs with members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the late Skitch Henderson.

Upcoming recording projects include an unusual melange of Early 20th Century French Repertoire featuring Claude Debussy’s Piano Trio in G Major, along with Camille Saint-Saens’ Septet in E-Flat Major, as well as charming music for Piano Trio by Charles Marie Widor. Also in the works is a two volume CD recording, The Music of Piazzolla and His Contemporaries.