Biography
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Years Active
1998 – present (26 years)
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Founded In
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Members
- Andrew Burashko (1998 – present)
- Andrew Downing
Hailed as "chamber's engaging new hope" (William Littler, Toronto Star), Art of Time Ensemble was formed in 1998 by pianist Andrew Burashko. It is a collective that comprises some of the most unsurpassed classical and jazz musicians in Canada.
Since its inception, Art of Time has steadily grown in reputation as an ensemble that undertakes and delivers programs that are at once thought provoking and compelling. Committed to finding new ways of blending classical music with other genres as well as other art forms, Art of Time has presented over twenty programs – each uniquely different in theme and content.
Over the years, Art of Time has collaborated and shared the stage with some of the most accomplished artists from the worlds of Canadian theatre and dance. In 2004, their collaboration with Volcano Theatre of German/Argentinean composer Mauricio Kagel's Variété led to five Dora Nominations, winning the award for Outstanding Music. This show was hailed as "a landmark interdisciplinary collaboration" by Tamara Bernstein of the National Post. They have also regularly collaborated with singer/songwriter Martin Tielli (of Rheostatics) and jazz chanteuse Melissa Stylianou. The 2006/07 season will see the return Martin of Martin Tielli as well as new collaborations with Sarah Slean, Hawksley Workman, Serena Ryder and many other musicians from the worlds of pop and jazz.
Art of Time Ensemble has performed throughout Canada and abroad. In 2001 Art of Time was invited to Finland, and in the spring 2006 they performed two of their programs in Moscow.
Art of Time's core members include: Erika Raum and Stephen Sitarski (concertmaster of the K-W Symphony) on violin; Steven Dann (soloist and former principal violist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Vancouver Symphony and the National Arts Centre orchestra) on viola;, Thomas Wiebe (soloist, member of the Duke Trio and Professor at the University of Western Ontario) on cello; Joel Quarrington (principal of the Toronto Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestra) on double bass; Andrew Burashko (pianist and artistic director), Phil Dwyer (renowned composer, arranger and saxophonist) on woodwinds; Rob Piltch (the great Canadian guitarist and former member of the Blood Sweat and Tears; and Jonathan Goldsmith (composer, arranger, producer and brilliant pianist).
Art of Time's debut album Live in Toronto is a compilation of live performances recorded over the years by CBC for broadcast. Taken from five different programs, the album presents a uniquely eclectic range of musical selections. From inimitable renditions of Jaques Brel and Arnold Schoenberg songs sung by Martin Tielli to the intensity of Schnittke and Gavin Bryars; to a haunting arrangement of Hank William's I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry sung by Melissa Stylianou; this album not only displays the breadth of the ensemble, but also caters to any individual with a love for and curiosity about music.
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