Clemens Merkel

  • Freiburg im Breisgau (Baden-Württemberg, Germany), 1968
  • Performer (violin)

Clemens Merkel’s unconventional sound defines a new sensibility in contemporary music, through its intimate purity of tone, its settled understanding of microtonal or unconventional harmonic language, and its unhurried sensitivity. He is well known for innovative interpretations of Bach and John Cage, and is sought after by composers worldwide as an inspiration for new repertoire. His diverse collaborators range from the Wandelweiser collective to Montréal’s Musique Actuelle community, and from emerging experimentalists to today’s most revered composers.

For over a decade, Merkel’s unusual sound has fused with that of the Quatuor Bozzini, considered one of the world’s leading string quartets. Together they have mentored an entire generation of creators through the Composer’s Kitchen; have released numerous critically acclaimed albums on their collection qb label; undertake multiple tours annually to be featured at festivals worldwide; and maintain a profound impact on the music scene across Canada and Europe in particular. They nourish Montréal audiences with unusual self-produced events that bridge worlds and cross boundaries of style, generation and culture.

Following an early career in Europe, where he contributed to the continent’s leading ensembles, Merkel has made Montréal his home since 2000. He supports and advocates for new music in Québec and in Canada, and is regularly sought after as speaker, curator and adviser. His presence is felt in academia as well, through articles written for the Revue Circuit, and through his teaching at Concordia University. He’s a passionate chef and lives in Montréal’s Portuguese neighborhood together with his wife Isabelle Bozzini and children Félix and Béatrice.

Events

Live pictures

  • In the back: Jean Derome, Isaiah Ceccarelli, Danielle Palardy Roger, Joane Hétu; in front: Clemens Merkel, Stéphanie Bozzini, Kim Myhr, Isabelle Bozzini, Alissa Cheung [Photograph: Céline Côté, Montréal (Québec), April 23, 2015]
  • In rehearsal, from left to right: Clemens Merkel, Jean Derome, Stéphanie Bozzini, Isaiah Ceccarelli, Danielle Palardy Roger, Isabelle Bozzini, Joane Hétu, Alissa Cheung [Photograph: Céline Côté, Montréal (Québec), April 23, 2015]
  • From left to right: Clemens Merkel, Jean Derome, Stéphanie Bozzini, Isaiah Ceccarelli, Kim Myhr, Danielle Palardy Roger, Isabelle Bozzini, Joane Hétu, Alissa Cheung [Photograph: Céline Côté, Montréal (Québec), April 23, 2015]
  • Ensemble SuperMusique (ESM); Bozzini Quartet et Kim Myhr; left to right: Clemens Merkel; Jean Derome; Stéphanie Bozzini; Isaiah Ceccarelli; Kim Myhr; Danielle Palardy Roger; Isabelle Bozzini; Joane Hétu; Alissa Cheung [Photograph: Céline Côté, Montréal (Québec), April 23, 2015]
  • Ensemble SuperMusique (ESM); Bozzini Quartet and Kim Myhr; back: Jean Derome; Isaiah Ceccarelli; Danielle Palardy Roger; Joane Hétu, front: Clemens Merkel; Stéphanie Bozzini; Kim Myhr; Isabelle Bozzini; Alissa Cheung [Photograph: Céline Côté, Montréal (Québec), April 23, 2015]
  • In concert in Montréal, the Ensemble SuperMusique (ESM) and the Bozzini Quartet. Left to right: Clemens Merkel; Scott Thomson; Danielle Palardy Roger; Ulrike Stortz; Jean Derome; Stéphanie Bozzini; Joane Hétu; Pierre Tanguay; Isabelle Bozzini and Martin Tétreault (outside the frame) [Photograph: Céline Côté, Montréal (Québec), June 15, 2014]
  • Ensemble SuperMusique (ESM) (left to right in front:Émilie Girard-Charest; Pierre-Yves Martel; Clemens Merkel; Charity Chan; in back: Marie-Chantal Leclair; Corinne René; Jean Derome; Alexandre St-Onge; Jean René; Jean-Marc Bouchard; Philippe Lauzier; direction: Joane Hétu) [Photograph: Élisabeth Alice Coutu, Montréal (Québec), November 10, 2012]
  • Bozzini Quartet performing the third movement of Le mensonge et l’identité by Jean Derome andJoane Hétu [Photograph: Bruno Massenet, Montréal (Québec), February 21, 2010]
  • Bozzini Quartet performing the third movement of Le mensonge et l’identité by Jean Derome andJoane Hétu [Photograph: Bruno Massenet, Montréal (Québec), February 21, 2010]
  • Bozzini Quartet performing the third movement of Le mensonge et l’identité by Jean Derome andJoane Hétu [Photograph: Bruno Massenet, Montréal (Québec), February 21, 2010]
  • Bozzini Quartet performing the second movement of Le mensonge et l’identité by Jean Derome andJoane Hétu [Photograph: Bruno Massenet, Montréal (Québec), February 21, 2010]
  • Bozzini Quartet performing the second movement of Le mensonge et l’identité by Jean Derome andJoane Hétu [Photograph: Bruno Massenet, Montréal (Québec), February 21, 2010]