Stéphane Lévesque began studying music in elementary school at École Le Plateau and continued his training at Joseph-François-Perrault High School. He remembers the moment he decided to become a musician, in grade 11. He went on to study in the classes of Rodolfo Masella, Stephen Maxym and Frank Morelli. One of his fondest memories dates back to 1994: his first concert at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York. Two years earlier, he had given his first performance with the OSM in a Vienna-themed concert under the direction of Georg Tintner.
Model of instrument: Heckel (Germany) built in 1996
Hometown: Montreal
Academic institutions attended: Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, Yale University
Prizes and scholarships: First Prize at the OSM Competition in 1994, First Prize at the OSQ (Orchestre symphonique de Québec) Competition in 1994, winner of the Yale Concerto Competition in 1995, winner of the New World Symphony’s concerto competition in 1997
Favourite composer: Shostakovich
Favourite works: Shostakovich’s symphonies nos. 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10, Richard Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony, Mozart’s “Gran Partita” Serenade
Recent recordings: Franz Schubert—Octet in F major and Beethoven & Strauss—Septet in E-flat major and Till Eulenspiegel with the OSM Chamber Soloists (Analekta)
Other interests: Teaching, travel, hiking
If you could play another instrument, you would choose …: Cello
If you hadn’t chosen to become a musician, you would be …: Working in the automotive field
Donner la note – Meet Stéphane Lévesque *In French only