Ellen Ballon was a Canadian classical pianist who was born on September 6, 1898, in Montreal, Quebec. She was the daughter of a prominent businessman and philanthropist, and her family was well-connected in Montreal's social and cultural circles. From a young age, Ballon showed a natural talent for music, and she began taking piano lessons at the age of four. Ballon's early musical education was guided by her mother, who was a trained pianist herself. She studied with several prominent teachers in Montreal, including Alfred La Liberté and Alexis Contant. At the age of 12, Ballon made her public debut as a pianist, performing a Mozart concerto with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. In 1915, Ballon traveled to New York City to study with Rafael Joseffy, a renowned pianist and teacher. She spent several years studying with Joseffy, honing her technique and developing her musical style. During this time, she also began performing regularly in New York and other cities in the United States. In 1922, Ballon made her European debut, performing in London and Paris. She quickly gained a reputation as a talented and dynamic pianist, and she was praised for her virtuosity and musicality. Over the next several years, Ballon continued to tour extensively throughout Europe and North America, performing with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. One of Ballon's most notable performances took place in 1928, when she performed the world premiere of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Rachmaninoff himself was in attendance, and he was reportedly impressed with Ballon's interpretation of his work. The performance was a major success, and it helped to establish Ballon as one of the leading pianists of her time. Throughout her career, Ballon was known for her commitment to promoting Canadian music and composers. She frequently included works by Canadian composers in her recitals and recordings, and she was a strong advocate for the development of a Canadian classical music scene. In 1947, she founded the Canadian Concert Association, which aimed to promote and support Canadian musicians and composers. Ballon received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1936, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to music. She was also awarded the Canadian Centennial Medal in 1967, and she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1978. Ballon continued to perform and teach throughout her life, and she remained an important figure in the Canadian classical music scene until her death in 1969. Her legacy as a performer, teacher, and advocate for Canadian music continues to be celebrated today.

More....