Friday performance by world-class musicians

The free performance at The University of Western Ontario on Nov. 7 will be held at 12:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

 

“He is in the upper echelon of players,” said Sasha Gorbasew, a member of Orchestra London who studied with Hackleman. “His flexibilty in terms of styles and groups makes him very comfortable playing in an orchestra, doing a solo work or playing in a brass quintet.”

Hackleman has been principal horn player for several major North American orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony under the baton of Charles Dutoit and the National Symphony Orchestra in the United States, and has recorded and performed solo works with many more. He was a member of Canadian Brass and Empire Brass.

His performance career is complemented by an equally stellar teaching reputation. He has been on the faculty of the University of Maryland, Boston University, and the University of British Columbia and is a frequent guest at the Banff Centre in Alberta.

“To have someone of that stature here, offering a concert and masterclass free is very special,” said Gorbasew. “We don’t get many brass players of that stature. He is in the upper echelon of players and the sheer excitement of hearing someone like that is stunning.

Also Friday, world-renowned pianist Michel Fournier will perform at 8 p.m. in von Kuster Hall.

 

Fournier has a reputation for having an ability to play many styles and genres of music from different time periods. He is particularly praised for his French music, which he will perform at Western.

 

He performed with the acclaimed group Quartango, which presents the best-loved classic tangos to tango nuevo and Piazzolla, and explores other genres from jazz and ragtime to waltzes and Celtic jigs in its own inimitable style. Fournier has a doctorate in performance and shares his love of music with students through masterclasses and recitals.