Reviews
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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
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
“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
“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
Jean-Claude’s inaugural concert as the new Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières
“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
A debut with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia
“The Royal Ballet Sinfonia, under assured direction, brings Tchaikovsky’s score to life with warmth. The orchestra illuminates the familiar melodies without ever overwhelming the dancers; the balance is refined, detailed and emotionally exuberant.”
— EasternEye
“From the off, the first thrilling notes of the overture foreshadow the adventure that is to come, with Jean-Claude Picard leading the Royal Ballet Sinfonia through the iconic music with infectious enthusiasm.”
— Birmingham What’s On
“The spellbinding Royal Ballet Sinfonia orchestra, led by Jean-Claude Picard, played the ballet’s symphony with enthralling precision.”
— The Indiependent
With the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
“Five stars? Oh yes; and then some. What a stonker of a concert the RSNO and 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
Conducting Orff’s Carmina Burana with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
“You don’t get the impression that you’re just watching a dance event. Often, even, the eyes are drawn offstage: the impressive conductor Jean-Claude Picard delivers a captivating performance. The choirs on both sides of Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier elevate the already monumental music, the soloists perform flawlessly. The intensity of the encounter between the three ensembles is undeniable.”
— Sors-tu
“Canadian conductor Jean-Claude Picard gives it his all in this rendition of Carmina Burana. The result of the collaboration between the expressionist choreography, the well-directed orchestra, the sublime chorus and solo singers, and a simple but effective set has brought the audience an hour-long work of choral and orchestral genius.”
— Arts et Culture
With the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducting Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2
“A truly triumphant performance, 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
With the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducting Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique
“(…) 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
With the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducting Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 5
“Jean-Claude Picard at the helm ensured that this reading of the symphony seemed utterly natural and convincing.“
— The Nairnshire Telegraph
With Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and the Orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens
“The Orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens, conducted by Jean-Claude Picard, brings out the full emotional richness of Tchaikovsky’s score. Several passages — notably the Waltz of the Snowflakes and the final Grand Pas de Deux — achieve a remarkable balance between technical precision and expressive depth, offering the audience moments of genuine grace.”
— Sors-tu
“The Orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens, led by Quebec-born conductor Jean-Claude Picard, appeared to be in complete symbiosis with the dancers of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (…).”
— Babillard
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. One felt that the orchestra was highly alert yet without altering its musicality.”
— Le Nouvelliste
With the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivieres, conducting 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.”
— Le Nouvelliste
A debut with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
“Guest conductor Jean-Claude Picard expertly leads the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra through composer Claire Cowan’s brilliant score.”
— Winnipeg Free Press
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
With the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
“…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
A debut with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as Assistant Conductor, conducting a full season programme
“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
Conducting Prokofiev’s Cinderella with Scottish Ballet
“Jean-Claude Picard conducts a terrific performance: the orchestra sound is luscious, without loosing the score’s needle-sharp edges.”
— The Independent
“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
Conducting Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with Scottish Ballet
“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
“(…) 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.“
— Edinburgh Evening News