Blog - Deborah Grimmett

I am delighted to have received funding from Canada Council for the Arts and FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) towards my debut solo album, Lineage. This is a project which is very dear to my heart, and has been over a year in the making.

My debut solo album will feature works by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi, Irish composer Rhoda Coghill, Johannes Brahms, Claude Debussy, and Ottorino Respighi. I feel honoured to have a wonderful team in producer David Jaeger, and recording engineer Dennis Patterson for this project. Check back for updates as the recording process gets underway. Be sure to follow me on Facebook as well, where I tend to post more frequently with photos, news, and behind the scenes action! In addition, I will soon be announcing a release date for the album, as well as information about an album launch concert!

Meanwhile, I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank the Canada Council for the Arts and FACTOR for their support!

Practicing toward debut album in NYC apartment

Today, I’m sharing moments from my recent set of solo recitals in the United Kingdom and Canada. I had the pleasure of taking my programme, entitled Lineage, on tour to Winnipeg, Toronto, Manchester, and Belfast (as well as a private house concert in New York City into the mix), which was supported in part thanks for the Canada Council for the Arts. The programme included works by Debussy, Rhoda Coghill, Ligeti, Brahms, Resphighi, and Iman Habibi, and explored the way in which pre-existing music inspired and influenced composers of various stylistic periods. Each of these compositions mean a great deal to me, and taking them on the road to new cities and new audiences only served to strengthen this feeling all the more. I look forward to making a recording of many of these works in the coming months. Stay tuned! I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Canada Council for the Arts for their help in funding my travels for these recitals. These have already been posted most of these photographs on my Facebook page, so please join me there to receive more timely updates! BELFAST, Northern Ireland, UK Presented by Music at McQuiston. I loved playing at this beautiful venue in Belfast, for a concert series which has such a wonderful and warm following of people. MANCHESTER, England, UK It was a treat to perform a recital on the Bösendorfer piano of the polymathic composer, Anthony Burgess, at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, which is a wonderfully intimate venue. TORONTO, Ontario, Canada It is always a treat to travel to the city of one of my Alma Mater (University of Toronto), especially to the wonderful Ernest Balmer Studio in the Distillery District. I was honoured to be the first pianist to perform a whole solo recital on the space’s newly acquired Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano.

Warming up on the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand at the Ernest Balmer studio, in Toronto

Introducing the pieces to the audience at solo recital in Toronto ON

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada It was my first time visiting the city of Winnipeg (and the province of Manitoba for that matter!), and I loved the laid-back vibe of the city. I was lucky enough to be able to reconnect with old friends, and hear a Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concert while I was in town, and I had a wonderful time performing at Fort Garry United Church! I don’t have any photos from the actual recital, but here are a couple warm up photos.

With special thanks to:

On Sunday, August 19 2018, I am thrilled to be playing a solo recital in Belfast, Northern Ireland, presented by Music at McQuiston. Music at McQuiston is a wonderful concert series held at McQuiston Church Belfast. Belfast is the city in which my mother was born and raised, so I am especially excited to be travelling there to perform. Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018 Time: 3:00 PM Venue: McQuiston Church Belfast 83 Castlereagh Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Admission: Free! Donations gratefully accepted. Reserve your seat here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lineage-deborah-grimmett-piano-recital-in-belfast-tickets-48401721853 Music at McQuiston presents Deborah Grimmett solo piano recital August 19 2018 Press Release: BELFAST, Northern Ireland, July 27 2018 — New York City based Canadian-British pianist, Deborah Grimmett, is performing multiple solo piano recitals across Canada and the United Kingdom. On Sunday, August 19, 2018, Music at McQuiston presents Ms. Deborah Grimmett in a full solo piano recital at McQuiston Memorial Presbyterian Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Entitled Lineage, the concert programme explores the ways in which pre-existing music inspired and influenced composers of various stylistic periods. The repertoire includes works by Brahms, Debussy, Respighi, Ligeti, Irish composer Rhoda Coghill, and Iranian-Canadian composer, Iman Habibi. Described as “electric and absolutely breathtaking,” (CiTR radio), and “a true tour de force” (Musetta Stone), pianist Deborah Grimmett’s performances have been heard throughout North America and Europe in major concert halls such as the Orpheum Theater, and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (Canada), Auditorium Santa Croce (Italy), Norges Musikkhøgskole (Norway), Espace Carpeaux (France), Ganz Hall, and Sherman Clay Steinway Hall (US). She has appeared in concert with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Camerata, Dexter Orchestra, and NOVO Ensemble, among others. Ms. Grimmetts performances and interviews have been broadcast on CiTR, Classic 107, and South Carolina Public radios. She is well-known for her collaborations with composer-pianist Iman Habibi. In 2010, the couple formed a piano duo, Piano Pinnacle, which has won several international prizes including the First Prize at the United States International Duo Piano Competition, and the Second Prize and Audience Choice Awards at Northwest International Piano Ensemble Competition. Admission is Free. Donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, visit: DeborahGrimmett.com

On Friday, August 17 2018, I will be making my United Kingdom debut presenting a solo recital in Manchester, England, at the Engine House at International Anthony Burgess Foundation. The Bösendorfer grand piano housed at the Engine House belonged to the late English poet and composer, Anthony Burgess. Date: Friday, August 17, 2018 Time: 8:00 PM Venue: Engine House at International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester M1 5BY United Kingdom Admission: £10 online (link for tickets below); £12 at the door Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lineage-deborah-grimmett-piano-recital-in-manchester-uk-tickets-48402364776 Press Release: MANCHESTER, England, July 27, 2018 — New York City based Canadian-British pianist, Deborah Grimmett, is performing multiple solo piano recitals across Canada and the United Kingdom. On Friday, August 17, 2018, she will be presenting her UK debut performance, a full solo piano recital at The Engine House at The International Anthony Burgess Foundation in Manchester, UK. Entitled Lineage, the concert programme explores the ways in which pre-existing music inspired and influenced composers of various stylistic periods. The repertoire includes works by Brahms, Debussy, Respighi, Ligeti, Irish composer Rhoda Coghill, and Iranian-Canadian composer, Iman Habibi. Described as “electric and absolutely breathtaking,” (CiTR radio), and “a true tour de force” (Musetta Stone), pianist Deborah Grimmett’s performances have been heard throughout North America and Europe in major concert halls such as the Orpheum Theater, and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (Canada), Auditorium Santa Croce (Italy), Norges Musikkhøgskole (Norway), Espace Carpeaux (France), Ganz Hall, and Sherman Clay Steinway Hall (US). She has appeared in concert with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Camerata, Dexter Orchestra, and NOVO Ensemble, among others. Ms. Grimmetts performances and interviews have been broadcast on CiTR, Classic 107, and South Carolina Public radios. She is well-known for her collaborations with composer-pianist Iman Habibi. In 2010, the couple formed a piano duo, Piano Pinnacle, which has won several international prizes including the First Prize at the United States International Duo Piano Competition, and the Second Prize and Audience Choice Awards at Northwest International Piano Ensemble Competition. Tickets are £12 at the door. For more information, visit: DeborahGrimmett.com

I am pleased to announce dates for upcoming United Kingdom recitals, as part of the Canada-UK tour of my concert programme entitled Lineage. On Friday, August 17, 2018, I will make my UK debut in Manchester at the Engine House in the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, on the fabulous Bösendorfer piano that Anthony Burgess himself owned. The following Sunday, August 19, I will be in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to perform at McQuiston Memorial Presbyterian Church. This recital is presented by Music at McQuiston, a wonderful concert series which McQuiston Church hosts.

McQuiston Church Belfast N.I.

Engine House at Charlton Mill, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester, England

On May 25, 2018 I will be presenting a solo piano recital in Toronto ON, as part of my multiple city recital tour, Lineage. I’m thrilled to be returning Toronto, a city in which I lived during my grad school years, and I can hardly wait to make friends with the lovely Bösendorfer at The Ernest Balmer Studio! For tickets, visit: https://deborahgrimmetttoronto.brownpapertickets.com/ TORONTO, ON New York City based Canadian-British pianist, Deborah Grimmett, is performing multiple solo piano recitals across Canada and the United Kingdom. On Friday, May 25, 2018, she will be the first pianist to present a full solo piano recital on the $225,000 Imperial Bösendorfer piano housed at The Ernest Balmer Studio in Toronto’s Distillery District. Entitled Lineage, the concert programme explores the ways in which pre-existing music inspired and influenced composers of various stylistic periods. The repertoire includes works by Brahms, Debussy, Respighi, Ligeti, Irish composer Rhoda Coghill, and Iranian-Canadian composer, Iman Habibi.

Location: Ernest Balmer Studio (9 Trinity Road #316) Toronto, ON Time: Friday, May 25, 2018, 8pm Tickets: Adults: $20 – Students/Seniors: $10

For tickets, visit: https://deborahgrimmetttoronto.brownpapertickets.com/ and at the door. For more information: www.DeborahGrimmett.com

I am thrilled to announce the first recital of my upcoming Canada/UK tour which will take place in Winnipeg, MB on May 13th 2018. See below for the press release.

Tickets may be purchased online here: https://deborahgrimmettwinnipeg.brownpapertickets.com/

Lineage: A Piano Recital New York City based Canadian-British pianist, Deborah Grimmett, is performing multiple solo piano recitals across Canada and the UK, starting with a concert on Sunday, May 13, 2018, 4 PM at Fort Garry United Church (800 Point Road, Winnipeg, MB). Entitled Lineage, the programme explores the ways in which pre-existing music inspired and influenced composers of various stylistic periods. The repertoire includes works by Brahms, Debussy, Respighi, Ligeti, Irish composer Rhoda Coghill, and Iranian-Canadian composer, Iman Habibi. Described as electric and absolutely breathtaking, (CiTR radio), and a true tour de force (Musetta Stone), pianist Deborah Grimmetts performances have been heard throughout North America and Europe in major concert halls such as the Orpheum Theater, and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (Canada), Auditorium Santa Croce (Italy), Norges Musikkhøgskole (Norway), Espace Carpeaux (France), Ganz Hall, and Sherman Clay Steinway Hall (US). She has appeared in concert with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Camerata, Dexter Orchestra, and NOVO Ensemble, among others. Ms. Grimmetts performances and interviews have been broadcast on CiTR and South Carolina Public radios. She is well-known for her collaborations with composer-pianist Iman Habibi. In 2010, the couple formed a piano duo, Piano Pinnacle, which has won several international prizes including the First Prize at the United States International Duo Piano Competition, and the Second Prize and Audience Choice Awards at Northwest International Piano Ensemble Competition. For more information: www.DeborahGrimmett.com

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I have uploaded several new videos to Youtube recently, including some live solo performances, as well as performances with Iman Habibi of my piano duo ensemble Piano Pinnacle in a collaboration with the Ann Arbor Camerata orchestra. Please have a listen! And don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel to be updated on new videos and recordings as they become available.

This coming Sunday, my piano duo ensemble, Piano Pinnacle, is pleased to be joining the musicians of the Ann Arbor Camerata to perform the world premiere of Iman Habibi‘s Amesha Spenta, for two pianos and orchestra, as well as Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. This concert will be led by conductors Victor Huls and Jotaro Nakano. Admission is free! Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 1:00 pm Britton Recital Hall, 1100 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor, MI.

This coming March, I am very excited to be making my debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, along with my partner, Iman Habibi (Piano Pinnacle). We will be performing as soloists in Camille Saint-Saëns’ ever-popular Carnival of the Animals, under the baton of the esteemed Maestro Bramwell Tovey. Saint-Saëns wrote Carnival of the Animals in 1886, but purposely withheld the work from publication during his lifetime (with the exception of the famous Swan movement), fearing it would ruin his reputation as a serious musician and composer. In a letter to his publisher at the time, he admitted that he should be working on his Third Symphony, but that Carnival of the Animals was “such fun” (“…mais c’est si amusant!”). Subtitled a Grand Zoological Fantasy, the work is comprised of 14 movements, each representing a different animal. The result is a composition that is brimming with energy, humour, and catchy melodies. It is little wonder that once the work was published, it quickly became one of Saint Saëns’ best known and most loved compositions. The concert will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at 2:00 pm, in the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, BC. Children are encouraged to attend, although people of all ages are sure to enjoy it! For more information, and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/16KIDS04/ Orpheum Theatre: 601 Smithe St Vancouver, BC V6B 3L4, Canada

Deborah Grimmett

Debut Album for Solo Piano

Photos from Solo Recitals in United Kingdom and Canada

Solo Recital in Belfast, Northern Ireland Presented by Music at McQuiston

Solo Recital in Manchester, England

Announcing UK Recital Tour Dates – August 2018

Recital in Toronto on May 25 2018

Announcing Upcoming Recital Tour: Lineage

New Recordings Available

Performance with Ann Arbor Camerata

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Debut