Neil Martinez is a Canadian pianist, organist, clarinettist
and improviser. He has appeared as a
soloist and collaborative artist praised for his thoughtful interpretations,
exquisite touch, and outstanding technique.
His versatility as a musician is evidenced by diverse credits
ranging from recitals, chamber music, choral music, church music,
accompaniment, music theatre, multidisciplinary work, teaching, research, score
engraving and recording. He has appeared
as a pianist in Orff’s Carmina Burana under the direction of Lisette Canton. As well, he has performed on stage at
Yonge-Dundas Square as part of the New
Music Marathon. Additionally, Neil
has appeared at Arraymusic,
Tranzac, and The Music Gallery
as member of Diapason, an ensemble dedicated to improvisation and new
music.
Neil has studied with concert pianists Alma Petchersky,
Antonin Kubalek, and Christina Petrowska Quilico. Furthermore, he studied organ
with Karen Rymal, piano accompanying with Raisa Nakhmanovich, piano literature
and pedagogy with Cecilia Ignatieff, chamber music with Kim Chow-Morris, and
conducting with Alan Gasser. Neil also
studied clarinet with Enrico Galante, and has performed as a clarinetist in
numerous wind ensembles including the York University Wind Symphony. He has been a participant at numerous
masterclasses including organ improvisation with Rachel Laurin, and was an
invited participant to a piano and organ improvisation masterclass with Joachim
Segger.
In addition to performing the standard classical repertoire,
Neil is an enthusiastic supporter of New Music and Canadian composers, and has
been involved in the premiere performances of several Canadian
compositions. He also has a passion for
exploring obscure, neglected and unusual music and sharing in his
discoveries. Moreover, church music forms
a large part of Neil’s musical activities.
He has served as a church pianist, organist and musical director, all of
which contributed in shaping his diverse musicianship.
As an improviser, Neil has been highly commended for his
skill in the art. He continually
participates in a wide variety of projects and recordings, has been invited to
give workshops on improvisation, and is a member of the Association of
Improvising Musicians Toronto (AIMT).
Neil is interested in expanding the boundaries of traditional
performance and the possibilities of the instrument, and often employs extended
instrumental techniques. Praise for his
improvisations include “clarity of texture,” “use[s] the whole piano at once in
a wall of sound but all the registers of the piano are always very clear,”
“enviable coherency of development in the matter of phrase and chord,” and
being “highly creative and evocative.”
A need for documentation of his music led Neil to an
interest in the recording arts. He has
spent many hours in studio studying and practicing this craft, both as a
technician and musician. Recording is
especially important to Neil’s work in improvisation. He has also recognized the pedagogical merits
of recording, and employs it in his teaching.
On-location concert recording also forms a significant part of his
work. In addition to acting as a
recording technician in many of his own live performances, Neil has also
recorded for numerous professional musicians and ensembles. Several of his recordings have captured world
premieres of musical works.
Neil is an Honours BFA graduate of York University. He took up piano in childhood and quickly
progressed through the RCM grades to performing advanced level repertoire in a
matter of a few years with support from a musical family. Neil’s graduate school research focused on
the music and improvisations of Messiaen.
Neil has received numerous awards over the years including
those from festivals, competitions, and awards for academic excellence in achieving
the highest mark within a music grade level. While studying at York University
Neil won the Nancy Scoular Underhill Piano Award for exceptional promise and
ability in classical piano. Additionally, he is a two time recipient of the
Patricia and Robert Martin Award for outstanding achievement in adjudicated
performance, as well as a two time recipient of the Thomas W. Doherty Prize in
Piano for outstanding performance of a contemporary work for piano.
