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Artist Spotlight

Pianist Minna Re Shin presents a new album “Sonate Tableaux”

In collaboration with ombú productions and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, Gallery Gora of Montreal welcomes on June 15th the Canadian pianist Minna Re Shin who will publicly present her most recent multidisciplinary project based on the four-movement work for piano solo by Canadian composer Alain Payette, Sonate Tableaux, which serves as the inspiration for the recording of a digital album and video.

Indulge in the live performance of this dynamic pianist and feel the intense passion and musical poetry that will come to life under her deft fingers. Enjoy the public presentation of the music video which has recently garnered recognition, honours, and distinctions on the international scene, including the Best Classical Music Video Award at the 5th Music Film Festival (Buenos Aires), the Jury Diamond Award for Best Short Music Video at the March 2022 edition of the Europe Film Festival U.K., and the Judge’s Choice Award for Music Video at the 2022 Winter session of the World Premiere Film Awards (Los Angeles). Marvel at the multidisciplinary collaboration among the Canadian female artists who have join forces for the first time in this creative interpretation coloured by the interplay of different art forms (music, painting, dance, and theatre).

With your presence, you will support the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation in its continuous role in raising awareness and funding for cutting-edge research, groundbreaking innovation, and patient-support programs, and offering hope to breast cancer fighters, survivors, caregivers, and communities.

To purchase tickets for the benefit launch concert event on June 15th, please visit https://pianist-minna-re-shin-launch-concert-june-2022.eventbrite.ca.

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The digital album will be available online via CD Baby; please visit www.minnareshin.com/discography/ for updates and direct links to CD Baby for purchase.

Women: Source of Inspiration for the Project

Sonate Tableaux, featuring the musical performance by Minna Re Shin, embraces the theme of beauty, the dynamics of the female body and its movement quality, the empowerment of women, and their role in the art world. Through the prism of her solo piano performance, painter Natalija Jeremic, ballet dancer Catherine Toupin, and mime artist Laurence Castonguay Emery present their interpretations of the Canadian pianist’s rendition of the composer’s work, permitting other women’s voices to be heard through the different art forms featured in the original and multifaceted presentation. The visual musical rendition of the neo-romantic composition interweaves with the imaginative interplay of cinematic applications inspired by the music and the artwork associated with the four movements or “tableaux” of Payette’s piano œuvre.

Minna Re Shin: Pianist and Performing Artist

Winner of numerous prizes in national and international competitions, the Montreal-born pianist of Asian heritage Minna Re Shin has graced the classical music stage with her virtuoso technique, mature artistry, stage personality, and rare sensitivity. This versatile artist has won enthusiasm for her performances of diverse repertoire, including new, lesser familiar works by lesser-known composers who are under-represented on the Canadian and world stage. Here at home and overseas, critics and audiences alike have raved about her performances as “intense,” “inspiring,” and “powerful.” In the words of the legendary Russian pianist Lazar Berman, “Minna Re Shin and her great talent.”

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Since her solo début at the age of ten with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, this dynamic artist has performed in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia and has received high praise as recitalist, as chamber pianist, and as soloist in concerts with major orchestras, such as the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Montreal Chamber Orchestra, and the chamber orchestra I Musici de Montréal, and with distinguished conductors like Charles Dutoit, Marc David, and Jacques Lacombe. She has played in many concert series and festivals, including the prestigious International Haydn Festival in Eisenstadt where she made her Austrian début.

Minna Re Shin has also been lauded as a recording artist. Her début CD devoted to Haydn piano sonatas on the ombú productions label has been released to great critical acclaim. Le Journal de Montréal hailed her as a “great performer with great sensitivity and intelligence.” Following the success of this recording, Shin has embarked on a multi-recording project with ombú. Her second solo album, Images & Ballades, which features works by the Canadian composers Alain Payette and Jean Coulthard, was applauded by Paroles et Musique: “the pianist’s interpretation is impeccable; it was as if these two composers had lent her their pen.” Her most recent music album Sonate Tableaux celebrates the world premiere performance of this unknown work, and the complementary performance video marks her début as producer.

For a preview of the video Sonate Tableaux, please visit
www.minnareshin.com/video


To listen to the album Sonate Tableaux, please visit
www.minnareshin.com/media/sonate-tableaux


www.minnareshin.com

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Artist Spotlight

GMG_Grizz brings melodic rap and undeniable attitude on latest release “Something Slight”

GMG_Grizz

GMG_Grizz is here with “Something Slight,” officially released as “Something Slight Freestyle,” a rap record built on confidence, personal ambition and lyrical self-assurance. The St. Louis artist’s track, embraces the familiar brag-track approach, but gives it an interesting musical direction through its melodic rap delivery. The title itself is indicative of the mindset going into the release, showing the artist’s ability to spit dope flows and bars as just something natural, not some Herculean effort.

The flowing piano movement and the bouncing rhythm is what makes this freestyle worth revisiting. These elements make the record sound familiar but still keep the arrangement catchy and accessible. GMG_Grizz’s direction is more toward confidence and individuality, someone who is comfortable with his work ethic and the lifestyle he portrays. The melodic approach also gives the track a different personality than a straight rap performance, allowing its rhythm to carry much of the appeal.

“Something Slight” is a tantalising taste of where GMG_Grizz is heading musically. There’s room for him to explore this sound further, but the piano and rhythmic bounce provide a foundation for keeping the track interesting. A confident freestyle with a personality that you can recognise and re-play value.

Connect with GMG_Grizz on Spotify || Soundcloud

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Artist Spotlight

François Marius pushes romantic excitement into a dancefloor celebration with “La Loco”

François Marius

François Marius arrives with a jolt of Latin Pop energy with “La Loco,” a dance-friendly track about attraction, romantic excitement and the fun madness of falling for someone. “LA Loco” is an immediate invitation to dance, with its catchy guitars, groovy bassline and spirited vocals giving it a friendly musical personality. Its approach is refreshingly simple, with the aim of having a good time rather than complicate the experience unnecessarily.

The song becomes even more interesting when Bérénice is on board, because the chemistry between the two performers is palpable. Their vocal call and response is a playful give and take, reflecting the thrill of two people being attracted to each other. It makes the romantic theme feel conversational, turning the performance into a musical chase instead of a one-sided declaration.

The acoustic elements also merge with the modern Latin beats, defining the danceable orientation of the track. “La Loco” is ultimately about enjoying the thrill that comes with attraction and letting yourself get carried away by the moment. Its constant call to swing along adds another layer of infectious energy. François Marius and Bérénice are a feel good collaboration that combines romance, rhythm and movement into an appealing Latin Pop package.

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Connect with François Marius on Spotify

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