BOYD MCDONALD
Concert Pianist | Fortepianist | Composer
Boyd McDonald
Boyd McDonald studied piano and composition with some of the most legendary music teachers of the 20th century, including Nadia Boulanger, Darius Milhaud, John Cage and Stefan Wolpe. Boulanger described McDonald as “…a very fine artist, gifted, cultured, showing intelligence, economy and sensibility.” He made his New York debut in 1963 winning the Leschetizky Town Hall Debut Prize.
An active composer and chamber musician throughout his career, he was a member of the highly successful Beckett and McDonald Piano Duo in the 1960s and later cofounded Classical Trio with the celebrated Jeanne Lamon and Christina Mahler. He has appeared as a guest soloist at major concert halls such as Wigmore Hall , the Town Hall and Alice Tully Hall and been widely praised in the North American and European press throughout his professional career.
In recent years, McDonald has devoted his energies to historical and avant-garde performances on the fortepiano. His discography spans four decades, including recordings of Sir Lennox Berkeley’s Concerto for two pianos with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and a definitive recording of Beethoven’s complete works for cello and Fortepiano with Cellist Paul Pulford.
Wendy Wagler (Flute)
Ben Bolt-Martin (Cello)
Boyd McDonald (Piano)
Active ensemble
Paul Pulford (Cello)
Boyd McDonald (Pianoforte)
Circa 2000s
Jeanne Lamon (Baroque Violin)
Christina Mahler (Baroque Cello)
Boyd McDonald (Pianoforte)
Circa 1980s and 1990s
Garth Beckett (Piano)
Boyd McDonald (Piano)
Circa 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s
Ludwig van Beethoven
Das Gesamtwerk
Paul Pulford | Cello
Boyd McDonald | Pianoforte
© EBS 1996
Sir Lennox Berkeley
Piano Concerto for 2 Pianos
Beckett & McDonald Duo
London Philharmonic Orchestra
© 1974 Lyrita Recorded Edition
Johannes Brahms
Piano Miniatures
Boyd McDonald on a Johann Baptist Streicher Fortepiano (1851)
© 2013 Doremi
Brahms Cello Sonatas & Songs with Cello
Anne-Marie Donovan | Mezzo Soprano
Boyd McDonald | Fortepiano
Paul Pulford | Cello
© 2001 Doremi
Bellows & Brass …and Boyd
Guy Few | Piano & Trumpet
Joseph Petric | Accordion
Alain Trudel | Trombone
Boyd McDonald | Piano
© 2001 Centrediscs
Joyner’s Dream
The Kingsfold Suite
Sylvia Tyson | Songs and Lyrics
Terry McKenna | Arrangements
Boyd McDonald on century Yacht piano
© 2011 Outside Music
A Victorian Romance
Music for the English Concertina
Joseph Petric | Accordion
Boyd McDonald | Pianoforte
© 2011
Mildred’s Thoughts
Words by Gertrude Stein
Music by Peter Hatch
Performed by Numus
© Artifact Music 1995
An Artist’s Neighbourhood
Wellington Winds
© CHM 2002
Willem Moolenbeek
Songs without Words
Willem Moolenbeek | Baritone Sax
Boyd McDonald | Piano
© 2011
After studying with Nadia Boulanger for 3 years in Paris during the early 60s, McDonald returned to Canada. Since then, he has been a prolific composer, writing for orchestra, chamber groups, choir, voice and band.
His works have been performed widely around the globe and heard on French, Swiss, English, German and Canadian national radio networks. His composition “Three for two” has been performed over a hundred times, including at the Barge Concerts in New York, Guelph Spring Festival, Winnipeg New Music Festival, Orford Concerts and recorded by Bellows & Brass.
Boyd McDonald’s complete works can be borrowed from the Wilfred Laurier Music Library and purchased from the Canadian Music Centre.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM IN THE PRESS
“In what is certainly the major period instrument release of Beethoven chamber music in many a year, Pulford and McDonald have completely blown the competition out of the water – there is simply no need to consider any other version, despite the many big-name cellists who have recorded this music.”
– Continuo Magazine review of Beethoven:
The Complete works for Cello and Piano
“Boyd McDonald made a debut as a pianist and composer at Town Hall yesterday afternoon and he wore both hats admirably.”
The New York Times
“We have nothing but praise for this Canadian pianist for the strength of his sound musicianship. ”
Cri de la France, Paris
“A pianist of marked accomplishment and scope; his approach is assured and his interpretations show true musicianship.”
Daily Telegraph, Manchester
“The Canadian pianist Boyd McDonald did well to make Copland’s sonata the centre-piece of his recital. It is one of the most rewarding of contemporary sonatas and he dealt capably with its stark dissonances and nervous brittle rhythms”
Daily Telegraph, London
“A performer whose quality of resonance is charming and who possesses a musical touch.”
Les Arts, Paris
“Works of two North American composers gave an attraction of newness to his program. The interpreter, through his virtuosity and musical sensitivity made them a pleasure to listen to.”
Guide du Concert, Paris
