On Sunday, April 13, Calgary will make history as Les Amateurs Virtuoses takes the Jack Singer Concert Hall stage for its North American debut! Conducted by Rolf Bertsch, six internationally acclaimed amateur pianists will join The Civic to perform virtuosic concertos by Mozart, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and more! This special performance celebrates the remarkable artistry that musicians can achieve while pursuing careers outside of music.
Les Amateurs Virtuoses is a Paris-based traveling piano festival that brings some of the most highly skilled and talented amateur pianists to the stages of renowned concert halls around the world. This unique partnership with the Calgary Civic Symphony is a natural fit. Both organizations thrive on the dedication and talent of musicians who come from diverse professional backgrounds and a shared philosophy: that music belongs to everyone, and incredible artistry can be achieved by individuals from all walks of life. Just as the Civic is an orchestra of highly skilled volunteers - doctors, lawyers, professors, and engineers fill the ranks of the 80+ member volunteer orchestra, Les Amateurs Virtuoses highlights pianists that have achieved international acclaim as musicians alongside their professional careers.
Masanori Murakami (Japan) - Performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1
Masanori Murakami, a Tokyo-based Clinical Manager, holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from Ritsumeikan University. He gained international recognition after winning the 2007 International Piano Competition for Great Amateurs in Paris. Since then, he has performed on renowned stages worldwide, becoming a Cliburn Amateur finalist in 2022.
Lachlin McKinnon (Canada) - Performing Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos (mvts 2 & 3) with Thomas Yu.
Lachlin McKinnon grew up in Calgary, studying philosophy and political science at Trinity College, University of Toronto before earning a law degree from the University of Calgary. Winner of the Honens Pro-Am in 2003, and the Honens Am All-Stars in 2019, Lachlin trained with legendary pianists Anton Kuerti and Menahem Pressler and even served as pianist-in-residence at Rideau Hall.
Julien Kurtz (France) - Performing Liszt’s Hungarian Fantasy
A sociologist and anthropologist by training, Julien is an agrégé in Economic and Social Sciences, a discipline he taught in high school before co-founding the international piano festival “Les Amateurs Virtuoses!” in 2007. Now the festival’s general and artistic director, Julien has been a finalist in several international competitions for piano enthusiasts, and regularly performs solo, with orchestra, or in chamber ensembles around the world.
Paul Anthony Romero (USA) - Performing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 (mvt III)
A composer of symphonic music for video games, as well as film, t.v., and documentaries, Paul has won several first prizes in international piano competitions for major amateurs including the Van Cliburn competition. Now based in Los Angeles, he has performed in the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall and the Berlin Philharmonie.
Christopher Shih (USA) - Performing Mozart’s Concerto for two pianos in E-flat major, K.365 (mvmt I) with Thomas Yu
A medical gastroenterologist, Christopher Shih has distinguished himself as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra and performed at the Aspen and Banff Music Festivals. Christopher has won first prize at three amateur piano competitions, as well as being chosen as the press and audience favourite at the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
Thomas Yu (Canada) Performing Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major (mvts II & III)
Calgary’s own Thomas Yu is a world-class amateur pianist and a full-time periodontist. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, BBC Hoddinott Hall, and Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, among other prestigious venues. A multiple-time winner of international amateur competitions, Thomas has also been recognized as one of the University of Saskatchewan’s 100 most influential alumni.
Don’t miss your chance to witness six extraordinary pianists take the stage with the Calgary Civic Symphony. Save your seat today!
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Written by Jennette Miller