The cellist    Repertoire with orchestra    Soaring Strings  
SLP   Audio and Video Excerpts
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The cellist

Le Choix - 25 juillet 2008 - Sonia Lortie
« Sébastien Lépine handled his cello gracefully and meticulously. Above all, he played the notes with precision and displayed unmitigated joy for his work.»

One of the lucky few in the world to play on a Stradivarius cello dating back to 1699 (courtesy of Canimex), Sébastien Lépine is a Canadian artist with a remarkable background. Over the course of his 10-year career, he has successfully carried out various projects and released several recordings, garnering high praise from critics and audiences alike. The cello virtuoso has also given numerous performances throughout Canada as well as in the United States, Mexico, and Italy. A distinguished soloist, chamber musician, and composer, Sébastien Lépine pursues his art with an authentic passion that transpires through every note. His impeccable technique and extraordinary musical sensitivity make him an inspiring artist to watch. In addition, he can be heard performing his own works (...on electric cello!) with the members of the progressive rock outfit SLP, of which he is the leader.

Clearly, what sets Sébastien Lépine apart is his strong desire to breathe new life into classical music. Mastering the many subtleties of his instrument, he never fails to ignite the stage with his breathtaking performances. An artist well worth seeing—and especially hearing!

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Repertoire wiht orchestra

"Sébastien Lépine received an ovation for his performance Saturday night." "...a magical moment where trifluvian cellist Sébastien Lépine took on the solo part..." Josiane Gagnon, Le Nouvelliste

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Soaring Strings

Le Choix - Sonia Lortie - July 2008
A most enjoyable performance. Soaring Strings definitely lives up to its name!

EnBeauce.com - Johanne Jacques - November 2007
The two passionate performers gave a moving and highly captivating show.

Cellist Sébastien Lépine and violinist Antoine Bareil offer an exciting trip off the beaten path of classical music. In a breathtakingly virtuosic concert titled Soaring Strings, the two sophisticated performers revisit works by some of the most prominent modern composers and surprise the audience with a few of their own compositions. Though they remain true to the strict format of a classical recital, Bareil and Lépine still manage to put on a highly entertaining show, adding a hint of humour, inventiveness and extravagance between pieces. While Bareil reveals the exquisite tones of a Vuillaume violin, Lépine, who has the exceptional fortune of playing on a Stradivarius cello—less than thirty remain in the world—offers those present the unique opportunity to hear the inimitable sounds of this legendary instrument (both instruments have been generously lent by Canimex).

For three years now, Bareil and Lépine have been seducing audiences throughout the country with their dizzying technical prowess and spirited performances, in addition to making a few noted appearances in Italy. Unanimously praised by critics, they also won the Prix des arts de la scène Louis-Philippe-Poisson for Soaring Strings, while their album Bareil- Lépine, Works for Violin and Cello was nominated for an Opus award in the category of “Best Classical, Romantic, Post-Romantic and Impressionistic Recording”.

Soaring Strings: a classical concert…in a class of its own!


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SLP

SLP: simply electrifying!

Sébastien Lépine has established a solid reputation in the realm of classical music, yet he is also a highly versatile artist, a musical renaissance man who never hesitates to venture out on the uncertain path of experimentation. SLP (for Sébastien Lépine Project) finds the cellist temporarily swapping his precious Stradivarius for an electric cello, backed by the stalwart musicianship of guitarist Martin Carbonneau, bassist Ian Peterson, and drummer Denis Marchand. Within this electric chamber ensemble, if one may so call it, he delivers his own jazz-infused progressive rock compositions, creating an eclectic, yet attractive amalgamation of sounds.

Inspired by the likes of King Crimson, Pat Metheny, and Gentle Giant, the former pupil of cello master Janos Starker explores the many facets of the electric cello through remarkably well-written works that brilliantly showcase the spectacular instrument. Featuring electric guitar, electric bass, and drums, the performance is as surprising as it is uniquely innovative.

Thus, with SLP, Lépine lets his fertile imagination run rampant, ever eager to cast the anchor of his creative mind into unexplored territory. May the audience sail along with him... and bon voyage!

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Audio and Video Excerpts




Trois-Rivières Symphony Orchestra and Sébastien Lépine: Crouching Tiher, Eternal Vow

Soaring Strings:
Haendel-Halvorsen, Passacaille pour violon et violoncelle

Romantic Sonatas:
Rachmaninoff, Sonata in G minor, Op. 19, 3e myt

SLP:
MySpace

Bareil-Lépine cd excerpts / Archambault

Québec Info Musique cd excerpts

Canadian Music Center cd excerpts / Sonate pour violoncelle et piano, Jean Coulthard

Interview of Sébastien Lépine made by CBC

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