Claudel-Canimex Quartet
Jeanne de Chantal Marcil, cello
Since their début in 1989, the Quatuor Claudel-Canimex has been warmly received by the public and praised by the critics. Their repertory ranges from baroque to contemporary, and in every program, their technical precision is matched by the spirit and warmth of their playing. The ensemble is made up of four women who share the same dedication to music, “each one shows mastery of her instrument and a high degree of musicality and intelligence.” (Barbara Scott, The Examiner Peterborough). They have been playing together since girl-hood, and their ensemble work is remarkable for its cohesion, depth and emotion.
The ensemble is named for sculptor Camille Claudel, in honour of her artistic contribution and her role as a woman artist. The Quatuor Claudel particularly enjoys performing the works of women composers, and tries to include at least one in each of their programs. In the past, they have commissioned works from many composers and the likes of Thea Musgrave, Sophia Gubaidulina, Linda Bouchard, Kelly-Marie Murphy and Joanna Bruzdowicz.
Then, the Canimex word was appended in recognition of the generosity of the Canimex Group, that lent in 2005, the quartet four instruments by the famous French stringed violin maker Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume (1798-1875) and bows. The perfectly matched sound of these extraordinary instruments as well as the ensemble's refined blend through years of playing together enables the quartet to achieve a rare musical cohesion.
For years, the Quatuor Claudel-Canimex has been recognized as one of the best of its kind, performing annually in Montreal, and of late its reputation has been growing nationally and globally. The ensemble participated in various television programs on CBC, PBS and Bravo. Active on the Canadian scene, the ensemble was invited by many prestigious festivals including, the Festival de Lanaudière, the Montreal Chamber Music Festival, the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, the Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound, Ontario, and the Scotia Festival of Music in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Quatuor Claudel-Canimex's discography includes Dvorák's works ; the complete works of Prokofiev for string quartet ; pieces by Canadian Andrew MacDonald ; Mendelssohn's string quartets ; complete works of Georges Delerue as well as Coups de Cœur a selection of favourites gleaned from a tireless and passionate exploration of the repertoire.The CD , Lueurs, with Jazz Faction ensemble was released in 2011 and Love Blows as the Wind Blows on ATMA Classique is available since marsch 2015. In 2015 the Claudel-Canimex Quartet will record Theodore Dubois’s two quartets on Disques XXI.
The Quatuor Claudel-Canimex takes a keen interest in the contemporary classical repertoire and regularly premieres and performs works by many Canadian composers.