Roy Thomson Hall's 13th Annual Free Noon Hour Choir & Organ Concerts: featuring Frédéric Champion, organ on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12 Noon

Roy Thomson Hall’s 13th Annual Free Noon Hour Choir & Organ Concerts
Frédéric Champion, organ
Solo Recital by the First Prize Winner of the Canadian International Organ Competition
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - 12 Noon / Roy Thomson Hall / Toronto
FREE Admission - Call 416-872-4255 for further information
For reservations of 20 or more, call 416-593-4822, Ext.225
Concert suitable for ages 6 and up - www.roythomson.com

Toronto, ON, October 16, 2009 - French organist Frédéric Champion launches Roy Thomson Hall’s 13th Annual Free Noon Hour Choir & Organ Series with a solo recital of organ masterworks on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12 Noon. The event is the first of four FREE noon hour concerts during the 2009-2010 season that celebrate the artistry of outstanding organists and choral ensembles, and spotlights Roy Thomson Hall’s magnificent Gabriel Kney Pipe Organ, one of the largest mechanical action instruments in Canada.

Frédéric Champion won the top prize at the inaugural Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC), held in Montreal in October 2008. The first prize included a three-year career management contract with Karen McFarlane Artists, a CD recording with ATMA Classique, which will be released in October 2009, and a $30,000 cash award. He was also voted the audience favourite to win the $5,000 Richard Bradshaw Audience Prize. The competition attracted 60 applications from 17 countries; and following a pre-selection round, 16 competitors from 11 countries were chosen to participate. Mr. Champion’s Roy Thomson Hall solo recital is part of his debut North American tour as the initial ambassador of this prestigious new triennial competition. Organist John Grew is the Artistic Director of the CIOC.

A native of Lyon, France, Frédéric Champion has won a string of top prizes at major international organ competitions, including First Prize at the Minoru Yoshida Tokyo Competition; the Bach Prize at the Leipzig Bach Competition; First Prize at the International Competition Gottfried Silbermann; and First Prize at the International Competition Musica Antiqua in Bruges. He has performed regularly as a solo organist and with orchestras and choirs, appearing in concerts in France, Germany, Russia, Portugal and Japan. Mr. Champion is acclaimed for his exceptional talent at improvisation.

Frédéric Champion’s Recital Program at Roy Thomson Hall Nov. 10, 2009 at 12 Noon
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) - Prelude in E-flat major “St. Anne”
Jean-Baptiste LULLY (1632-1687) - Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (excerpts)
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) - Sonata 6 in D-minor
Charles-Marie WIDOR (1844-1937) - Allegro Vivace from Symphony No. 5
Frédéric CHAMPION (1976 -) - Improvisation

Roy Thomson Hall’s Choir & Organ Concerts are generously supported by Edwards Charitable Foundation

Roy Thomson Hall’s 2009-2010 Free Noon Hour Choir & Organ Concerts (Call 416-872-4255):
- Tues Nov 10/09 12 Noon: Frédéric Champion - Solo Organ Recital
- Tues Dec 15/09: Victoria Scholars & The Sr. Choir of St. Michael’s Choir School - A Christmas Celebration
- Thurs Mar 25/10: Elora Festival Singers - Celebrating the Music of J.S. Bach
- Wed April 7/10: The Choirs of Viva! Youth Singers of Toronto - Youthful Treasures