Ian
Bernard
timpani
Ian Bernard, founding principal timpanist of the National Arts Centre
Orchestra, was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick, in 1946. After studies at
McGill University, he spent five years at the Quebec Conservatory under Louis
Charbonneau, graduating with the Premier Prix, Premier Nommé. Before joining
the NAC Orchestra in 1969, he played with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra,
the Société de Musique contemporaine du Québec, the McGill Chamber Orchestra,
and the CBC Orchestra of Montreal. He also toured Europe in 1969 with Les
Grands Ballets Canadiens as solo timpanist, and while there played with such
orchestras as La Suisse Romande, the Operhaus, Zurich, the Lisbon Radio Ensemble
and the Sadler's Wells Orchestra of London. In 1970, a performance of the
Bartók Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion featuring Mr. Bernard was televised
by the CBC and seen across Canada. In 1973, he performed the premiere of Gilles
Tremblay's Sifflement des vents, porteurs de l'amour for percussion and flute
for the "Aspects du Québec" concerts. This work was also performed for Les
Jeunesses Musicales at the annual summer festival in Mount Orford, and broadcast
by the CBC. In 1979, Mr. Bernard premiered Delta by Michael Colgrass, commissioned
for him by the NAC and subsequently performed at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Mr. Bernard's solo work with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and with NAC
chamber music ensembles has consistently been singled out for its virtuosity.
