Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

August 18, 1949 in New York City, NY

Death

:

June 20, 2021 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Genre

:

Concerto

 

Jeanne Lamon is a renowned Canadian violinist and conductor, best known for her work as the music director of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Born on October 13, 1949, in New York City, Lamon grew up in a musical family and began playing the violin at the age of seven. She studied at the Juilliard School in New York and later at the Salzburg Mozarteum in Austria. Lamon's career as a professional musician began in the 1970s when she joined the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a chamber orchestra based in London, England. She played with the orchestra for several years, touring extensively and recording numerous albums. In 1981, Lamon moved to Canada and joined the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra as a violinist. Lamon quickly became an integral part of the Tafelmusik ensemble, known for her virtuosic playing and her ability to bring out the best in her fellow musicians. In 1987, she was appointed the orchestra's music director, a position she held for over three decades. Under Lamon's leadership, Tafelmusik became one of the world's leading period-instrument ensembles, known for its innovative programming and high-quality performances. One of the highlights of Lamon's tenure with Tafelmusik was the orchestra's 1991 tour of Europe, which included performances at some of the continent's most prestigious concert halls, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Musikverein in Vienna. The tour was a critical and commercial success, cementing Tafelmusik's reputation as one of the world's top baroque orchestras. Lamon's work with Tafelmusik has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2000, she was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to Canadian culture. She has also received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal and the Diamond Jubilee Medal, both awarded by the Canadian government for outstanding service to the country. In addition to her work with Tafelmusik, Lamon has also been a sought-after soloist and chamber musician. She has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. She has also collaborated with many of the world's top chamber musicians, including cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax. Lamon's discography is extensive, with over 50 recordings to her name. Many of these recordings have received critical acclaim and won awards, including several Juno Awards, Canada's top music prize. Some of her most notable recordings include the complete violin concertos of J.S. Bach, which she recorded with Tafelmusik, and a recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, which she recorded with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Lamon retired from her position as music director of Tafelmusik in 2017, after 30 years at the helm of the orchestra. Her final concert with the ensemble was a sold-out performance at Toronto's Koerner Hall, which was broadcast live on CBC Radio. In retirement, Lamon continues to perform and record, and she remains an active advocate for the arts in Canada. In conclusion, Jeanne Lamon is a highly accomplished and respected musician, known for her virtuosic playing and her leadership of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Her contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and her recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

More....