UOTTAWA AT THE NAC - Éric Bouchard, piano & Justin Azerrad-Kendall, violin

Collaboration:

PROGRAM

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90

Maurice Ravel : Gaspard de la Nuit, M.55

Éric Bouchard, piano

–Intermission–

Henri Wienawski: Polonaise de concert, Op. 4

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35

with Frédéric Lacroix, piano

Johannes Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78

with Annie Chen, piano

Eugène Ysaÿe: Solo Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, “Ballade”, op. 27

Justin Azerrad-Kendall, violin

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Éric Bouchard, piano

Eric Bouchard is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa, where he is pursuing a triple major in piano performance under David Jalbert, French horn performance with Julie Fauteux, and composition with Kelly-Marie Murphy, John Armstrong, and Frédéric Lacroix.

In 2023, Eric was one of the winners of the University of Ottawa’s Concerto Competition, and thus performed the first movement of Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto with the university Orchestra. He is scheduled to perform the complete concerto with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra on January 25, 2025. As a French horn player, Eric has also showcased his talents at the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage concert series, performing one of his original compositions.

Eric has participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Louis Lortie, Stéphane Lemelin, André Laplante, Charles-Richard Hamelin, and Henry Kramer, further honing his craft under their guidance.

Eric has extensive orchestral experience, having performed with several ensembles, including the Orchestre Philharmonique du Pays de Fontainebleau (France), Orchestre de la Francophonie (Montreal), the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra, and the Ottawa Wind Ensemble.

As a composer, Eric has earned seven provincial and three national composition prizes, including the prestigious Helen Dahlstrom Award in 2020. His passion for music is deeply rooted in the Romantic and late-Romantic eras, and he draws inspiration from composers such as Richard Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Scriabin, and Brahms. He also enjoys exploring the works of lesser-known composers from these periods, such as Medtner, Hofmann, and Alkan.

Justin Azerrad-Kendall, violon

Justin Azerrad Kendall is a dynamic and athletic violinist known for his leadership in orchestral settings, dedication to chamber music, and intriguing interpretations of solo repertoire. He is also a teacher and a mentor with an emphasis on pedagogy and believes in fostering creativity through music education. As Concertmaster for both the uOttawa Symphony and Ottawa Pops Orchestra, he works hard to lead with a team-based mentality and cultivate a supportive environment with the groups he is a part of. Justin has emerged in the past year as a violinist who strives for excellence in all facets of performance, with achievements and experience that reflects a lot of the hard work and dedication put into honing his craft. Just in the past year, he’s performed in a masterclass with James Ehnes, earned a spot in NACO’s third annual international Mentorship Program, and was part of the winning group at uOttawa’s Chamber Music Competition and performed in a featured chamber recital on this very stage. Outside of music and performance, Justin enjoys training and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, going to the gym, playing with his dog, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Host or Publisher uOttawa - École de musique / School of Music