|
The French-born Canadian organist, Jean-Willy Kunz, studied with Louis Robilliard and Mireille Lagacé, as well as at McGill University, where he earned a doctorate with John Grew. He has been a prize-winner at a number of organ competitions, including the Canadian International Organ Competition, where in 2011 he won third prize and the Richard-Bradshaw Audience Prize. He currently studies for MBA at HEC Montréal (2016-2018)
Jean-Willy Kunz is the first organist in residence of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) (since 2013). In addition to playing both with the orchestra and in recital, he sees to the development and showcasing of the OSM's Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique installed at Maison symphonique de Montréal.
His discography includes many recordings which reflect the broad range of his musical influences: organ and orchestra with the OSM; "André Gagnon Baroque" for harpsichord and symphony orchestra; traditional music of the Balkans for saxophones and organ; two masses by Théodore Dubois for chorus and organ; 20th-century French music for harpsichord, flute and clarinet; Québec song with Pierre Lapointe; Baroque music with Ensemble Caprice; Christmas music with Marie-Josée Lord; the original score for a number of short films. He has co-written a book on German organist Helmut Walcha (Do Bentzinger, 2004) as well as an article entitled "L'orgue et le regard de l'écoute" (Presses de
l'Université de Montréal, 2014).
In September 2015, Jean-Willy Kunz was appointed organ professor at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He currently lives in Montreal, Quebec. |
