Reviews
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Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières: Jean-Claude’s inaugural concert as the new Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the OSTR:
“You never get a second chance to make a good first impression and maestro Jean-Claude Picard has magnificently seized his by undoubtedly conquering the public of Trois-Rivières.
One will also note the precision of the maestro’s work, which his musicians followed in the slightest nuances with magnificent complicity. The audience was obviously very sensitive to this energy and gave a heartfelt standing ovation at the end of each of the two parts of this exciting concert, which dramatically marked the arrival of Jean-Claude Picard at the helm of a dashing and vibrant OSTR.
The physical attitude of the musicians reflected an intense emotional involvement. This allowed the maestro to explore all sorts of nuances, especially in the Tchaikovsky, where the barely audible pizzicati of the third movement competed with the lyrical flights of the final movement.”
Le Nouvelliste, October 2019
Following Jean-Claude’s second visit to the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Le Soleil wrote:
“Jean-Claude Picard, who was not a first-time guest with the OSQ, combines all the essential qualities of a conductor: precision of gesture, analytical intelligence and eloquence of expression. In John Estacio’s Bootlegger’s Tarantella, which opened the concert, he did not do as those conductors who expedites the contemporary piece at the beginning of the concert before moving on to the serious stuff. The musician brought out well the multiple contrasts of this piece.
The evening also allowed the conductor and musicians to shine in Nielsen’s Symphonie No. 2 “Four Temperaments”, a first at the OSQ. In the first movement Picard takes the music in hand with a commitment that is undeniable from the beginning to the end. He adopts a rather broad tempo, more in the tradition of Leonard Bernstein than Herbert Blomstedt, two specialists of this repertoire on record. But the musician also plays it well in the slow movements, where he shows remarkable relaxation and a true sense of listening.
[In the Strauss Oboe Concerto, Picard] proves to be a high-class accompanist managing the many subtle tempo nuances in Strauss’ score sensitively.”
Le Soleil, December 2020
Conducting “The Scandal at Mayerling” with Scottish Ballet:
“Every single step, especially en pointe is intricately placed in perfect precision to each note of the lush, lyrical score by Franz Liszt. Jean-Claude Picard conducts the superb Scottish Ballet Orchestra with vivacious tempo and flowing fluidity.”
Edinburgh Guide, May 2022
Following Jean-Claude’s last concert at the helm of the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières, Le Nouvelliste wrote, in reaction to their interpretation of Nielsen’s Symphony No. 2:
“Under the spirited direction of Jean-Claude Picard, the OSTR navigated into the human soul with fervor and ease. The conductor seemed to take a keen pleasure in making the orchestra disappear at the end of some chapters in pianissimos that betrayed only but the most imperceptible vibrations in the air. A few moments later, to mark the accents of anger intended by Nielsen, the maestro gave the impression that his feet were losing contact with the ground. The orchestra reciprocated straight away.” – March 2023
Swami
Conducting the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières:
“Jean-Claude Picard expressed his trademark enthusiasm and we felt him to be in symbiosis with his musicians, who were very much on fire under his baton. The conductor obtained pianissimos that were barely audible, followed by very tight bursts. One felt that the orchestra was highly alert yet without altering its musicality.”
Le Nouvelliste, May 2022
Conducting “The Scandal at Mayerling” with Scottish Ballet:
“Franz Liszt’s lush but relentless score is just as demanding on the Scottish Ballet Orchestra as MacMillan’s choreography is on the dancers. They deliver it flawlessly under the baton of conductor Jean-Claude Picard.”
The Press and Journal, May 2022
Conducting “The Scandal at Mayerling” with Scottish Ballet:
“The music is by Liszt, tastefully orchestrated by Martin Yates and played heroically by the musicians of Scottish Ballet’s orchestra in repertoire that is a long way from their regular diet. Jean-Claude Picard, the company’s music director, shapes it with power and punch.”
Seen and Heard International, May 2022
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Season Concert – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
“Five stars? Oh yes; and then some. What a stonker of a concert the RSNO and assistant conductor Jean-Claude Picard turned out on Saturday. It took me back to square one; right back to where I started with my consuming passion for live music. You know something? On the rare occasions when you get a conductor and an orchestra locked in unity with a fabulous programme, and everybody delivering the goods at white heat, there is no sensation on God’s, or anyone else’s, earth quite like it. The whole experience was a life force.”
“(…) one of the most exciting performances (of anything) I’ve heard in concert.”
“A glorious night, with conductor and musicians working to the hilt, and the music pouring off the page into vibrant life (…).”
“The concert conducted by Jean-Claude Picard offered a glorious evening.”
The Herald, February 2015
Scottish Ballet receives great critical acclaim at the Edinburgh International Festival, performing the world premiere of “The Crucible”. This was Jean-Claude’s official debut as the Company’s new Chief Conductor.
★★★★★, “A triumph for the company” – The Herald.
★★★★★ – The Scotsman
★★★★★ – The List
★★★★★ – The Stage
★★★★ – The Guardian
August 2019
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, Montreal
“And the magnificent music of Sergei Prokofiev was interpreted with passion and finesse by the Orchestre des Grands Ballets, conducted by Jean-Claude Picard.”
Bible Urbaine, 26 March 2022
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Eden Court, Inverness
“… a truly triumphant performance [Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2], whose beautifully paced conclusion proved utterly satisfying… Picard’s expansive reading of the piece was both moving and magnificent… much of the impact of the performance came from his intelligent reading of Sibelius’ score… a well-planned and flamboyantly executed programme.”
The Nairnshire Telegraph, October 2015
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Season Concert – Music Hall, Aberdeen
“(…) a triumphant night. The charismatic Canadian didn’t just keep the orchestra on its toes, but was up on his toes more often than not as he threw himself into the three works. (…) Conducting with elegance and precision, Picard was magnificent in Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique”. (…) Picard brought out all the emotion and anguish of the symphony. (…) the applause must have shaken the venue to its foundations.”
The Press and Journal, March 2016
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Season Concert – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
“…Picard’s visible attention to balance, and physical command of the orchestra’s dynamics made for a pretty much perfect partnership. That precision control from the podium was evident throughout the programme in what was a very good night for the orchestra’s associate conductor.”
The Herald, February 2016
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Season Concert – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
“This was more than a good concert: it was a real bit of class, in production and performance. (…) he is already clearly a man with a strong sense of fluidity, dynamism and style. He’s definitely got something. (…) And he knows something about accompanying singers, too (…)”
The Herald, February 2014
Scottish Ballet, Prokofiev’s Cinderella – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
“Jean-Claude Picard conducts a terrific performance: the orchestra sound is luscious, without loosing the score’s needle-sharp edges.”
The Independent, December 2015
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra – Symphony Hall, Birmingham
“(…) a triumph. Jean-Claude Picard conducts the impressive CBSO energetically and enthusiastically. (…) their playing is faultless and stirring, even moving (…) today’s concert ticks all the boxes.
The Reviews Hub, February 2016
Royal Scottish National Orchestra – Eden Court, Inverness
“(…) Jean-Claude Picard at the helm ensured that this reading of the symphony [Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 5] seemed utterly natural and convincing.“
The Nairnshire Telegraph, April 2014
Scottish Ballet, Prokofiev’s Cinderella, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
“There is a delicate strength here (…) also echoed in a lilting and uplifting delivery of the score under the baton of Jean-Claude Picard.”
The Stage, December 2015
Royal Scottish National Orchestra – New Auditorium, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
“… a resounding success. The RSNO musicians played out of their skins. The sound was downright phenomenal.”
The Herald, October 2015
Royal Scottish National Orchestra – Eden Court, Inverness
“While much of the dance music in the evening’s programme might be regarded as slight, playing it as well and with as much passion (…) is an achievement. Mons. Picard’s fine conducting and witty linking made for a very special success.“
The Nairnshire Telegraph, January 2015
Scottish Ballet, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
“The orchestra, too, play very impressively, and Jean-Claude Picard draws out the colours of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful score in a way that, at times, is even more magical than what is unfolding on stage.“
Seen and Heard International, December 2014
Scottish Ballet, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
“(…) and the orchestra conducted last night by Jean-Claude Picard never fails to deliver from the delicate playfulness of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the soaring finale.“