About
David Jalbert is a Canadian concert pianist and professor at the University of Ottawa.
David Jalbert, born on November 3, 1977, in Rimouski, Quebec, is a distinguished Canadian pianist renowned for his warm, elegant style and diverse repertoire. He began playing the piano at the age of four, encouraged by his father, and pursued formal studies at the Conservatoire de musique de Rimouski under Pauline Charron. He later earned his bachelor's degree from the Conservatoire de musique du Québec in 1997. Continuing his education, Jalbert obtained a Master's degree in performance from the Université de Montréal in 1999, studying with Marc Durand, and was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal for his academic achievements. He further honed his skills with Artist Diplomas from the Glenn Gould School in Toronto and the Juilliard School in New York, where he studied under esteemed instructors such as André Laplante, Leon Fleisher, John Perry, and Jerome Lowenthal. Jalbert's career gained significant momentum after winning first prize at the 1997 OSM Competition, leading to numerous performances with major Canadian orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Internationally, he has performed with the National Symphony of Ireland and the Bielefelder Philharmoniker. As a soloist, he has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Skitch Henderson, and Bramwell Tovey. An accomplished chamber musician, Jalbert is a member of Triple Forte, a piano trio formed in 2003 with violinist Jasper Wood and cellist Denise Djokic. He has also collaborated with artists like Nicola Benedetti, Joel Quarrington, and Yegor Dyachkov. His discography includes acclaimed solo recordings such as the complete Fauré Nocturnes, Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues Opus 87, and Bach's Goldberg Variations. His recording of Shostakovich's Preludes and Fugues earned him an Opus Award and a Juno nomination. Throughout his career, Jalbert has received numerous accolades, including six Opus Awards and four Juno Award nominations. In 2007, he was honored with the prestigious Virginia Parker Prize by the Canada Council for the Arts. He has been recognized by the CBC as one of the 15 best Canadian pianists of all time. Beyond performance, Jalbert is dedicated to education, serving as a Full Professor and Head of the Piano Sector at the University of Ottawa and as a faculty member at the Orford Music Academy.Jalbert's extensive repertoire spans from Bach and Brahms to Stravinsky and Ligeti, reflecting his versatility and deep musical insight. His performances are celebrated for their confidence, sensitivity, and rich tonal color, establishing him as a leading figure in the classical music world.