If artists are often the catalysts for surpassing oneself, spectators can be inspired by them. Currently touring in Quebec, the recital « Un piano pour Noël » is slowly but surely making its way, featuring a piano, its musical director and arranger Stéphane Aubin, 14 hand-picked musicians, including violins, violas, cellos and double bass, as well as one of the great voices of the moment in Europe, Vladimir Korneev.
Stephane Aubin
Stéphane Aubin is particularly known for his arrangements of André Gagnon’s « Four Seasons », which earned him an award in 2019. In 2023, a symphonic recital featuring singer Kathleen Fortin was also a great success with the composer’s most beautiful music.
The impressive career of this music professor at UQAM is a testament to his exceptional talent as a pianist and arranger, which is magnificently revealed in his recital « Un piano pour Noël » during which he covers La ronde des bergers and Neiges by André Gagnon.
Then, not only does he sublimate classic Christmas hymns like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” but he also brilliantly reinterprets treasures from the Quebec repertoire such as “Marie-Noël” by Charlebois, “Mon pays” and “La danse à St-Dilon” by Vigneault (original arrangements: André Gagnon), among others. Interspersed with anecdotes, he pays a vibrant tribute to this beloved child of Quebec, who passed away on December 3, 2020.
Sometimes accompanist of Charles Aznavour and soprano Marie-Josée Lord, then musical director and pianist in the musical theatre version entitled « Belles-Sœurs », this summit meeting offers us the opportunity to discover the talent of Georgian baritone Vladimir Korneev, who seems to have succumbed to the charm of Quebec, finding similarities to his native country there…
Vladimir Korneev
Earlier this year, Vladimir Korneev, with his powerful masculine voice, presented “La Vie en Piaf” at the Cinquième salle of Place des Arts. Last year, he teamed up with Patrick Bruel, Mario Pelchat and Marie-Josée Lord in “Parapapam.” And here he is, arm in arm with Ginette Reno, performing a duet of “Le Bon côté du ciel” on the popular TVA show, “Ça finit bien la semaine.”
In « Un piano pour Noël », the thirty-year-old is nothing short of exceptional. Not only does he have an ease in changing registers during the same song, but he puts his whole body into it by performing this light and discreet movement of vocal projection. His passion is palpable as he stretches his arms out again and again towards the audience. In fact, we remain stunned by a talent and vocal mastery of this magnitude.
This international artist will transform « Je reviens chez nous » by Jean-Pierre Ferland into a sympathetic bossa nova. He will fire all the wood with the essential and difficult « Minuit, Chrétiens ». With the musical ear that he has, it is not surprising that he learned French so quickly.
But in addition to this majestic voice, Vladimir Kornéev exudes a certain natural charisma. The cameras love him. If he plays Tsar Alexander Romanov in « The Empress » on Netflix, it is because he has an air of nobility that does not lie. His high cheekbones, his square jaw, his deep eyes, this straight nose, this mop of hair: for the spectator, he is a magnet thanks to his voice and his typical natural beauty, but also during the recital for his relaxed, very endearing and humorous side.
“A Piano for Christmas” is a sweet gift to give yourself at Christmas during this tour which extends throughout Quebec until December 22.
Photo credit: Karl André
