On Sunday, March 15ᵗʰ at 4:30 PM, at St. Thomas' Anglican Church in Belleville, cellist Dominique Beauséjour-Ostiguy will present two beloved solo cello suites by Johann Sebastian Bach, and will be joined by organists Matthieu Latreille and Francine Nguyen-Savaria to present romantic works for cello and organ. “Cello and organ is such a beautiful combination,” says Matthieu. “The timbers blend so well... it is the perfect combination!”

A laureate of the prestigious “Prix d'Europe” competition—and the recipient of the prize the competition was named after—Beauséjour-Ostiguy was recognized as one of the “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30” of CBC Music in 2018. (Several musicians invited for “Music at St. Thomas’” have been rated as such.) He is also a founding member of the Andara Quartet, “Trio de l’Île” and recently joined the well-known “Trio Hochelaga.” He plays on a David Tecchler cello dated 1704, with a Pierre Simon bow dated 1855, graciously loaned to him by sponsoring company Canimex Inc. from Drummondville, Quebec.

Presenting romantic works for cello and organ is an ambitious project, as the repertoire is rare, but not inexistant. The challenge will be expanded by the fact that the aesthetics of St. Thomas' Gabriel Kney organ are resolutely neo-baroque. The organists are however keen to present romantic works nonetheless. “We could limit ourselves, but we won't,” says Francine. “Organists have always adapted various works to several instruments. The organ at St. Thomas' is versatile and string instruments sound so wonderfully in the church. The romantic repertoire is worth discovering.”

Admission is by donation.

Trombonist Jean-Mathieu Royer and organists Matthieu Latreille and Francine Nguyen-Savaria will present a trombone and organ concert at St. Thomas' Anglican Church in Belleville, on Sunday, February 16ᵗʰ at 4:30 PM. 

A musician since his childhood, Jean-Mathieu Royer graduated with honours from the Montreal Conservatoire of Music, obtaining his Master's degree in 2016. He has played in a variety of music ensembles throughout the greater Montreal area, be it classical, jazz or popular. He also participated in the recording of numerous discs as a trombonist, one of them being recorded live during a festival in Germany in 2009, which was broadcasted on German cultural radio. Jean-Mathieu is currently part of various groups as a musician and arranger, including the ska francophone group “Les Happycuriens,” which he joined in 2012. His versatility on the trombone makes him a complete instrumentalist.

The musicians will present a selection of pieces from the baroque era to the modern era. They are also excited to showcase the beauty of the trombone as a classical solo instrument. Often used in brass quintets and orchestras, or jazz and pop bands, the trombone is seldom featured as a solo instrument, and even lesser so in classical music. While trumpet and organ is a popular combination, the lesser known trombone also pairs well with the pipe organ. There are some masterpieces composed for this combination. “It is a beautiful combination,” says Francine. “The trombone has deeper tones than the trumpet, obviously, so while the trumpet is more flamboyant, the character of the combination with the trombone is more solemn. It has a deep, wide sound. It is beautiful.”

Admission is by donation.