ombú productions

photo: Yves Lacombe“Minna Re Shin enters the pantheon of great performers.” – Le Journal de Montréal

Winner of numerous prizes in national and international competitions, the Montreal-born pianist Minna Re Shin is an emerging star on the Canadian classical music scene. Critics have raved her performances as “intense,” “inspiring,” and “powerful.” Since her solo début at the age of ten with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, this versatile pianist has performed in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and China. In the words of the legendary Russian pianist Lazar Berman, “Minna Re Shin and her great talent.”

Images & Ballades is a collection of Canadian contemporary works that evoke the diverse cultural landscape of the country-the romanticism and sensuality of the East and the vastness and grandeur of the West Coast. The CD features the world premiere of the works by the Quebecois composer Alain Payette (1953- ) and the first commercial recording of Image terrestre by British Columbian composer Jean Coulthard (1908-2000). Images & Ballades is the 10th release of ombú productions, a young company that has already garnered rave reviews for other releases from hosts and producers of CBC as well as university, college, and community radio stations across Canada.

Reviews

“The second CD of the pianist Minna Re Shin, Images & Ballades groups together works written by two well-known Canadian composers, Jean Coulthard and Alain Payette, who have thus lent their pen to the pianist’s impeccable interpretation. Winner of numerous prizes, Shin executes perfectly and gives quite a particular stamp to the whole. The compositions are modern and allow to stray from common conventions. The melodic structures are simple and subtle. We recognize here the mark of a meticulous work.” – Paroles & Musique, Winter 2007

“Minna Re Shin has brought my Trois Ballades et Jeu de mains to this world, and she defends these works magnificently well. The intensity of her pianistic execution, her powerful personality, and, above all, her sensitivity make her an amazing performer.” – Alain Payette (1953- ), composer

“Minna Re Shin creates such a beautiful atmosphere in my music – a fine performance.” – Jean Coulthard (1908-2000), composer