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‘ Arômes de jazz’ new album by Marc-André Pépin in Peaceful Radio Show 1550

17 July 2023 Artists

Arômes de jazz, the seventh album by the talented pianist and composer,
Marc-André Pépin, will be released on March 3rd. Mr. Pépin explores new musical horizons by injecting
modern rhythms into a new orchestral suite that includes almost no piano.
Although his previous albums were essentially for piano, Arômes de jazz consists of an orchestral suite of
nine original compositions that blend in tango, bossa-nova and other modern rhythms.
“I got the idea a few years ago, when I discovered Danzón No 2, composed for symphony orchestra, by
Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez,’ explained Mr. Pépin. “The original take on classical music was a
revelation. Arômes de jazz similarly builds on the classical concepts, but blends in modern rhythms,
harmonies and sounds.”
Its first track, Romancero, released on January 27th, generated enthusiastic reaction.
Nine compositions make up Arômes de jazz:
• When the Cat’s Away: The mystery-laden arrangement launches a series of dances
• Romancero: A romantic and intense tango
• Emergence: Inspired by bossa-nova rhythms, the melody waxes and wanes, then waxes and wanes
again before fully imposing itself
• So Fragile: Just like our existence, it holds on by a thread
• Farniente: A type of bolero with four beats (instead of three) that takes advantages of a sweet idleness
• Melodrama: A waltz oscillating from slow to fast that depicts life’s highs and lows.
• Carrousel: A fun, sunny day at the amusement park
• Overtime: A slightly destabilising five-beat dance
• Pavane for a Nice End of Day: The day is so beautiful that I never want it to end.
The recording was a long-distance collaboration with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, known for its quality
work, notably in film. The experienced Serge Lacasse oversaw the mixing and mastering in Québec. “It
was a huge project that required tremendous effort and focus,” the artist said proudly. “I’m very happy with
the results.”
Arômes de jazz will be available in stores, on popular online sites, and at marcandrepepin.com.

Marc-André Pépin biography
Marc-André Pépin was born in Beauce, Québec, Canada. He began playing piano at the age of 8 and has
been composing ever since. He has one foot firmly planted in the world of music and the other in science.
He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Université Laval in Québec City, while
at the same time studying composition under Alain Gagnon. He also received a Bachelor’s degree in
music from Université de Montréal, where he studied under André Prévost and Serge Garant.
• In 2008, he released Songs Without Words, his first CD, a collection of twelve original compositions.
The album was played on radio stations across Canada and the world. The CD’s success landed him
his first recital in 2009 at Québec’s Centre d’Art La Chapelle which was dedicated entirely to his
music.
• At the end of 2010, he launched a second CD entitled Rendez-Vous.
• January 2011, concert at Grand Théâtre de Québec (Croissant-Musique series).
• Autumn 2011, the album Rendez-Vous received a nomination in the « Best instrumental album of
the year » category at the ADISQ gala.
• In 2012, concerts at Centre d’Art La Chapelle in Québec city and at Centre culturel MarieFitzbach in Saint-Georges.
• October 2013, launch of a third album entitled Variable Skies.
• March 2014, concert at Centre d’Art La Chapelle in Québec city.
• As a member of the American collective « Enlightened Piano Radio » he participated in the concert
« Enlightened Piano Radio Awards Ceremony and Concert » at Carnegie Hall in New York city in
October 2015.
• September 2016, publication of a score book Album for Youth containing twelve new pieces for
piano. The book is dedicated to piano teachers.
• At the end of 2017, recording of a fourth album entitled Tempus Fugit released in February 2018.
The album was also nominated in the « Best instrumental album of the year » category at the
ADISQ gala 2018.
• In November 2018, a Christmas album entitled Silent Nights was released containing 16 variations
for piano of the famous melody composed by Franz Xaver Gruber.
• In September 2019, he participated in the concert « Enlightened Piano Radio Awards Ceremony and
Concert » at Place des Arts in Montreal.
• In 2020, during the break imposed by the pandemic, he finished composing and recording a new
album entitled Hibernation, kind of metaphor for what we experienced during this period.
• In 2023, an original Orchestral Suite entitled Arômes de jazz will be released on CD. It was recorded
with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra.
His influences stem mainly from classical music and range from Bach to Schoenberg. He also loves music
of contemporary composers such as André Gagnon, Michel Legrand, Ennio Morricone and Ludovico
Einaudi.
Appreciation of his music
In Canada, his music is heard regularly on Radio-Classique and on Stingray channels. It has also been
heard in United States, Europe and Australia. The compositions of the first three scores books are among
the choices of the piano repertoire at the Preparatory School of Music at Laval University in Québec
city

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