Michael Pepa studied composition with Dr. Samuel Dolin at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto from which he graduated with an ARCT diploma. Having passed the necessary examinations in the Theory and Practice of Composition, he was admitted FELLOW (FTCL) of Trinity College of Music, London, England. He holds a Teacher’s diploma in the Art of Violin Playing (LTCL) from the same college. Mr. Pepa is also a graduate with a degree of Master of Arts in Music Education. 

As well as being the founder and artistic director of Les AMIS Concerts, he is the composer-in-residence of the Canadian Sinfonietta, a member of the Canadian League of Composers, SOCAN, and an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre. 



Mr. Pepa has composed over 70 works for solo instruments, chamber groups and orchestra. Most have been commissioned and broadcast here in Canada as well as U.S., Netherlands, France, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. His music has been performed by international groups such as the Filarmonica “Banatul” Timisoara, Romania; Hungarian Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble, Budapest; Utrecht’s Conservatorium Orchestra, Netherlands; SOUNDSTAGE CANADA at the Zagreb Biennale (’81) of Contemporary Music. His music has been performed many times in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Utrecht, Belgrade, Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest and Timisoara. Notable international artists such as Claire Bernard, Alexandra Gutu, Jovan Kolundzija, Nada Kolundzija, and Canadian artists Scott St. John, Martin Beaver, Barry Shiffman, Lynn Kuo and Rivka Golani have included Pepa’s works on their programs. St. Lawrence Quartet commissioned two of Pepa’s four quartets and in 1996 premiered Quartet No. 4 in Paris, France. 

In January 2003, Lynn Kuo gave the world premiere of Pepa’s Metamorphose I, a work for solo violin written for her. CBC Radio broadcast her performance. April 2003 marked the world premiere of its chamber orchestral version, Metamorphose II, with Lynn as soloist and Canadian Sinfonietta conducted by Tak-Ng Lai. In October 2003, Metamorphose II was performed by Miss Kuo and BRANDON CHAMBER PLAYERS in Brandon, Manitoba with the composer conducting. 

The Canadian Sinfonietta and world-renowned violist Rivka Golani commissioned Musical Offering for viola and strings. It was premiered on March 20, 2004 at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. Variations for Piano and Chamber Orchestra was commissioned by the Canadian Sinfonietta. It was premiered at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto on January 22, 2005 with pianist Angela Park for whom it was written. 

Metamorphose I continued to enjoy success. At its US premiere on April 25, 2004, LA violinist Claire-Jeanne Martin dazzled the audience to a standing ovation. Fantaisie bohémienne, was written for Miss Martin who premiered it in Toronto on January 23, 2005 with a subsequent performance in Los Angeles, on January 30, 2005. 



Michael Pepa's recent international activity was a tour of the Balkans in October and early November of 2005. He was a guest of The 37th Belgrade Music Festival - BEMUS - where his Waltz of The Mystic Bird (2005), a work for solo piano, received its premiere. The well-known Belgrade pianist Nada Kolundzija performed it. Canadian violinist Lynn Kuo performed Fantaisie bohémienne with Belgrade pianist Natalija Mladenovic on TRIBINA, XIV International Review of Composers, Belgrade, Serbia. The two performers included the work on a recital in Belgrade at which Miss Kuo also performed Métamorphose I for solo violin. The recital was repeated in Timisoara and Bucharest, Romania. The pianist on these occasions was Valentina Kohonicz from Romania. Canadian Ambassador F.D. Pillarella hosted the Bucharest concert. The final concert of the tour was in Pernik, Bulgaria, where Lynn Kuo performed with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Raitcho Christov, the orchestrated versions of Métamorphose I (Chorale Partita) and Fantaisie bohémienne. Nadja Christov was the pianist for this performance. Lynn Kuo's and Michael Pepa's tour was made possible by the grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. 

Pepa’s last work, Squamish, for violin and electroacoustic sounds (realized by Dennis Patrick), was premiered in June 2006 at the SoundaXis festival in Toronto. 



Touring through Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, the Les AMIS Ensemble, under the artistic direction of Michael Pepa, presented an all-Canadian programme to numerous European audiences to great success in April/May of 2007. 

The world premiere of Michael Pepa’s Katajjaq, written specifically for the Les AMIS Ensemble (Lynn Kuo, violin; Lori Freedman, clarinet(s); Rachel Mercer, cello; Joseph Macerollo, accordion; Marianna Humetska, piano) to perform on tour, was officially presented at the Music Biennale Zagreb Festival in Croatia. Katajjaq, which means “throat-singing” in Inuit, is a quintessentially Canadian work, featuring icy depictions of the harsh Canadian North inspired by Michael’s visit to Nunavut. 

The tour also featured: MUTATIONS for cello and strings – Rachel Mercer with ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA of Bulgaria, conducted by Raitcho Christov (Pernik, Sofia); Squamish – Violinist Lynn Kuo (Belgrade); Moldovenesca – Lynn Kuo, violin; Lori Freedman, clarinet; Marianna Humetska, piano (Bucharest); Moldovenesca and Fantaisie bohemienne – Lynn Kuo, violin and Marianna Humetska, piano (Budapest). 



INVOCATION II, commissioned by the CANADIAN SINFONIETTA for cellist Winona Zelenka, was premiered on May 12, 2007 at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. Ms Zelenka has commissioned a new work for cello and percussion from Pepa for her upcoming recording project.



"Add brass, trumpets and trombones to the stage, and the highlight of the concert appears: the world premiere of Michael Pepa’s “ISOMORPHE II” for mezzo-soprano, violin, accordion, and ensemble (2008). The soloists are outstanding. Lynn Kuo’s violin is dramatic, both rousing and melancholy: Joseph Macerollo’s accordion blends beautifully into the depths of the ensemble, engaging the richly textured brass and percussion parts. The brooding tension and explosions of violence that are developed in this innovative and exciting piece of music are lulled towards the end by the crying from the heart quality of mezzo-soprano Katarzyna Sadej’s warm prayerful tones."

In April 2009, Michael Pepa embarked on a tour of Eastern Europe with the Penderecki String Quartet and Les AMIS Ensemble. The focal point of the tour was, once again, Music Biennale Zagreb. Pernik and Sofia, Bulgaria; Belgrade, Serbia; Timisoara, Romania and Budapest, Hungary, were also included on the tour. Pepa’s Squamish, Rhapsodie des Danses Populaires, String Quartet No. 4, ISOMORPHE, and Fantaisie bohemienne were given successful performance. The TOUR was generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and the SOCAN FOUNDATION.

Michael Pepa’s future projects include a Duo for Violin and Cello, Duo Piano piece, Quartet for 2 Violas, Cello, Bass, which is commissioned by violist Rivka Golani, and a Violin Concerto for the Filarmonica Banatul Timisoara and violinist Gabriel Popa.

Michael Pepa was born in Timisoara, Romania. He came to Canada with his parents in 1953.



PEPA – Works & Performances
AR = Archival Recording
BR = Recorded for Broadcast
* = Premiere

(list in progress)

               
Sonata for Solo Violin (1979) - Dur. C. 10:50 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
DATE PERFORMED   
March 15, 1985
LOCATION           
Vancouver, CBC Young Performers Competition
PERFORMERS       
Scitt St, John (Winner – Best performance of a Canadian work)       
                                               
Sonata for Solo Violin (1979) - Dur. C. 10:50 min.
INSTRUMENTATION   
DATE PERFORMED   
March 13, 1985
LOCATION           
Courtis Institute, Philadelphia
PERFORMERS       
Scott St. John           

Sonata for Solo Violin (1979) - Dur. C. 10:50 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
DATE PERFORMED   
January 20, 1985 *
LOCATION           
STLC, Toronto
PERFORMERS       
Scott St. John       
Commissioned by the Ontario Arts Council for Eugene Kash
AR

INVOCATION (1984) - Dur. C. 10:15 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
Vla, Hp       
DATE PERFORMED
December 10, 1984 *
LOCATION
STLC, Toronto
PERFORMERS         
Rivka Golani, Vla; Judy Lomen, Hp

Sonata for Solo Viola (1981) - Dur. C. 6:30 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
DATE PERFORMED
March 15, 1984   
LOCATION
Paviljon “Cvijeta Zuzoric”, Belgrade, Yugoslavia           
PERFORMERS       
Rivka Golani
Commissioned by the 9th International Viola Congress       
                               
INVOCATION (1984) - Dur. C. 10:15 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
Vla, 2 Woodwing Quintets, Cimbalom, Pn, 1 Perc, Strings – 4-4-3-2-1   
DATE PERFORMED
March 11, 1984    *
LOCATION
Hilton Concerts, Budapest, Hungary           
PERFORMERS       
Rivka Golani, Vla; Hungarian Chamber Ensemble; Voltr Ivonoffski, Conductor           
- AR

OKTO ECHOI (1983) - Dur. C. 13 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
Vl, Vc, Pn, Guitar       
DATE PERFORMED
February 19, 1984   
LOCATION
RCM, Toronto           
PERFORMERS       
Trio Da Capo: Terry Holowach, Vl; Edward Hays, Vc; Andrew Markow, Pn; Tim Phalen, Guitar

Telemanna (1982) - Dur. C. 13:30 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
Vl, Pn       
DATE PERFORMED
February 18, 1984   
LOCATION
Zeneakademia, Kisterem, Hungary           
PERFORMERS       
Vera Gyarmati, Vl; Szelecsenyi Norbert, Pn
       
Telemanna (1983) - Dur. C. 13:30 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
Solo Vl, Fl, Cl, Bn, 2 Trps, 2 Hns, Trb, Tb, Perc, Hp, Pn   
DATE PERFORMED   
LOCATION           
PERFORMERS       
           
Speos (1982) - Dur. C. 21:00 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
Vc & Tape       
DATE PERFORMED
November 12, 1983 *   
LOCATION
Mercer Gallery, Toronto           
PERFORMERS       
Dick Armin, Vc

Telemanna (1982) - Dur. C. 13:30 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
Vl, Pn       
DATE PERFORMED
November 11, 1983   
LOCATION
STLC, Toronto           
PERFORMERS       
Jovan Kolundzija, Vl; Helena Bowkun, Pn           
- RB, CJRT-FM                                 

Telemanna (1982) - Dur. C. 13:30 min.               
INSTRUMENTATION
Vl, Pn       
DATE PERFORMED
November 6, 1983   
LOCATION
Pollack Hall, Montreal           
PERFORMERS       
Jovan Kolundzija, Vl; Helena Bowkun, Pn       

OKTO ECHOI (1983) - Dur. C. 13:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vl, Vc, Guit, Pn
DATE PERFORMED       
July 16, 1983 *
LOCATION           
RCM, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
Trio Da Capo: Terry Holowach, Vl; Edward Hays, Vc;
Andrew Markow, Pn; William Beauvais, Guitar
- AR               

Telemanna (1982) - Dur. C. 13:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vn, Pn
DATE PERFORMED       
July 15, 1983
LOCATION           
Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia
PERFORMERS           
Jovan Kolundzija, Vl; Nada Kolundzija, Pn

Telemanna (1982) - Dur. C. 13:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vn, Pn
DATE PERFORMED       
June 20, 1983
LOCATION           
Keszthely, Hungary
PERFORMERS           
Gyarmati Vera, Vl; Szelecsenyi Norbert, Pn

Telemanna (1982) - Dur. C. 13:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vn, Pn
DATE PERFORMED       
May 16, 1983
LOCATION           
Stari Becej, Yugoslavia
PERFORMERS           
Jovan Kolundzija, Vl; Nada Kolundzija, Pn

Telemanna (1982) - Dur. C. 13:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vn, Pn
DATE PERFORMED       
May 10, 1983 & May 14, 1983
LOCATION           
Kolarcev Narodni Univerzitet, Concert Hall, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
PERFORMERS           
Jovan Kolundzija, Vl; Nada Kolundzija, Pn

SPEOS (1982) - Dur. C. 21 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Hn, Pn, 1 Perc, String Trio, 2 Tapes
DATE PERFORMED   
LOCATION           
PERFORMERS       

Telemanna (1982) - Dur. C. 13:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vn, Pn
DATE PERFORMED       
October 20, 1982 *
LOCATION           
RCM, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
Jovan Kolundzija, Vl; Nada Kolundzija, Pn
- AR

Danses Concertantes No. 1 (1981) - Dur. C. 5:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vl, Pn
DATE PERFORMED   
LOCATION           
PERFORMERS       

Evocation (1981) Dur. C. 16:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vc or Db, Tape & 1 Perc.
DATE PERFORMED   
LOCATION           
PERFORMERS       

Sonata for Solo Viola (1981) – Dur. C. 6:30 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
DATE PERFORMED       
November 20, 1981
LOCATION           
Filarmonica Banatul Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
PERFORMERS           
Eva Bloch
Commissioned by the 9th International Viola Congress

Sonata for Solo Viola (1981) – Dur. C. 6:30 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
DATE PERFORMED       
June 13, 1981 *
LOCATION           
F of M, University of Toronto, 9th International Viola Congress
PERFORMERS           
Ulrich von Wrochem
- AR
Commissioned by the 9th International Viola Congrss

MOCKINGBIRD (1981) – Dur. C. 23:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
2 Dancers (M/F), Mezzo-Soprano, Fl, Hn, Acc, Guit, Hp, live electr, Vl, Vla, Vc, 1 Perc.
DATE PERFORMED       
May 26, 1981
LOCATION           
Filarmonica Banatul Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
PERFORMERS           
SOUNDSTAGE CANADA ’81; Robert Aitkin, Conductor
Commissioned by SOUNDSTAGE CANADA, funded by OAC & LAIDLAW FOUNDATION

MOCKINGBIRD (1981) – Dur. C. 23:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
2 Dancers (M/F), Mezzo-Soprano, Fl, Hn, Acc, Guit, Hp, live electr, Vl, Vla, Vc, 1 Perc.
DATE PERFORMED       
May 23, 1981
LOCATION           
Varosmarty Szinhaz, Szekesfehervari, Hungary
PERFORMERS           
SOUNDSTAGE CANADA ’81; Robert Aitkin, Conductor
Commissioned by SOUNDSTAGE CANADA, funded by OAC & LAIDLAW FOUNDATION

MOCKINGBIRD (1981) – Dur. C. 23:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
2 Dancers (M/F), Mezzo-Soprano, Fl, Hn, Acc, Guit, Hp, live electr, Vl, Vla, Vc, 1 Perc.
DATE PERFORMED       
May 19, 1981
LOCATION           
RTB, Muzicki Atelje Belgrade, Yugoslavia
PERFORMERS           
- BR, RTB Muzicki Atelje
SOUNDSTAGE CANADA ’81; Robert Aitkin, Conductor
Commissioned by SOUNDSTAGE CANADA, funded by OAC & LAIDLAW FOUNDATION

MOCKINGBIRD (1981) – Dur. C. 23:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
2 Dancers (M/F), Mezzo-Soprano, Fl, Hn, Acc, Guit, Hp, live electr, Vl, Vla, Vc, 1 Perc.
DATE PERFORMED       
May 18, 1981
LOCATION           
Kolarcev Narodni Univerzitet, Concert Hall, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
PERFORMERS           
SOUNDSTAGE CANADA ’81; Robert Aitkin, Conductor
Commissioned by SOUNDSTAGE CANADA, funded by OAC & LAIDLAW FOUNDATION

MOCKINGBIRD (1981) – Dur. C. 23:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
2 Dancers (M/F), Mezzo-Soprano, Fl, Hn, Acc, Guit, Hp, live electr, Vl, Vla, Vc, 1 Perc.
DATE PERFORMED       
May 13, 1981
LOCATION           
Music Biennale Zagreb, Yugoslavia
PERFORMERS           
SOUNDSTAGE CANADA ’81; Robert Aitkin, Conductor
- BR, CBC-TV - SPECTRUM
Commissioned by SOUNDSTAGE CANADA, funded by OAC & LAIDLAW FOUNDATION

MOCKINGBIRD (1981) – Dur. C. 23:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
2 Dancers (M/F), Mezzo-Soprano, Fl, Hn, Acc, Guit, Hp, live electr, Vl, Vla, Vc, 1 Perc.
DATE PERFORMED       
May 3, 1981 *
LOCATION           
COMUS STUDIO, Toronto Dance Theatre
PERFORMERS           
SOUNDSTAGE CANADA ’81; Robert Aitkin, Conductor
- AR   
Commissioned by SOUNDSTAGE CANADA, funded by OAC & LAIDLAW FOUNDATION

Simple Suite for Strings (1979) – Dur. C. 6:30 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
April 2, 1981
LOCATION           
Contemporary Showcase, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
St. Andrews J. H. S. Strings; William McMillan, Conductor

Rhapsodie des Danses Populaires (1976) – Dur. C. 6:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
March 5, 1981 *
LOCATION           
Timisoara, Romania
PERFORMERS           
Filarmonica Banatul Timisoara; Remus Georgescu, Conductor
- BR, Broadcast by Radio Timisoara

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Solo Cello & String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
March 5, 1981
LOCATION           
Timisoara, Romania
PERFORMERS           
Alexandra Gutu, Vc; Filarmonica Banatul Timisoara; Remus Georgescu, Conductor
- BR, Broadcast by Radio Timisoara

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Solo Cello & String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
April 27, 1980
LOCATION           
Budapest, Hungary
PERFORMERS           
Alan Stellings, Vc; Corelli Chamber Ensemble; Istvan Ella, Conductor

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Solo Cello & String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
April 26, 1980
LOCATION           
Hotvon, Hungary
PERFORMERS           
Alan Stellings, Vc; Corelli Chamber Ensemble; Istvan Ella, Conductor

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Solo Cello & String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
April 25, 1980
LOCATION           
Liszt Academy, Budapest, Hungary
PERFORMERS           
Alan Stellings, Vc (solo cello part)

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Solo Cello & String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
April 20, 1980
LOCATION           
Academy of Music, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
PERFORMERS           
Alan Stellings, Vc (solo cello part)

Simple Suite for Strings (1979) – Dur. C. 6:30 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
November 10, 1079 *
LOCATION           
O.M.E.A Conference, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
North York Student Strings; Baird Knechtel, Conductor

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Solo Cello & String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
May 23, 1979
LOCATION           
Utrecht Conservatory, Utrecht, Holland
PERFORMERS           
Alan Stellings, Vc; Utrecht Conservatory String Orchestra; Melvin Margolis, Conductor

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vc, Pn
DATE PERFORMED       
May 7, 1979
LOCATION           
Trinity United Church, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
Alexandra Gutu, Vc; Brian Willson, Pn

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Vc, Pn
DATE PERFORMED       
May 23, 1978
LOCATION           
RCM, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
Alan Stellings, Vc; Larysa Kuzmenko, Pn
- AR

MUTATIONS (1977) – Dur. C. 20:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Solo Cello & String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
October 16, 1977 *
LOCATION           
RCM, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
Alan Stellings, Vc; North York Teachers, String Orchestra; Eugene Kash, Conductor
- AR
Commissioned by North York Teachers with funding by Ontario Arts Council

Variations & Fugue (1977) – Dur. C. 6:30 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
May 1, 1977 *
LOCATION           
RCM, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
North York Teachers, String Orchestra; Eugene Kash, Conductor

OLYMPIAN ODE (1975) – Dur. C. 8:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
Brass Quintet
DATE PERFORMED   
LOCATION           
PERFORMERS       
       
Rhapsodie des Danses Populaires ((1975) – Dur. C. 10:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
2-2-2-2-1,4-2-3-1, 4 perc., strings
DATE PERFORMED   
LOCATION           
PERFORMERS       

Dances of Pirot “KOLO” (1975) – Dur. C. 10:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
2-2-2-2-1,4-2-3-1, 4 perc., strings
DATE PERFORMED   
LOCATION           
PERFORMERS       

String Quartet No. 1 “NEKUIA” (1974) – Dur. C. 16 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
DATE PERFORMED       
April 16, 1974
LOCATION           
U of T, HART HOUSE
PERFORMERS           
Yoon Chang, Vl; Janet Krause, Vl; Robert Harris, Vla; Genevieve Larue, Vc

String Quartet No. 1 “NEKUIA” (1974) – Dur. C. 16 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
DATE PERFORMED       
February 16, 1974
LOCATION           
Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
PERFORMERS           
Yoon Chang, Vl; Janet Krause, Vl; Robert Harris, Vla; Genevieve Larue, Vc

IMPRESSIONS (1972) – Dur. C. 7:00 min.
INSTRUMENTATION       
String Orchestra
DATE PERFORMED       
MAY 29, 1972 *
LOCATION           
RCM, Toronto
PERFORMERS           
North York Philharmonic; Voltr Ivonoffski, Conductor
- AR