Long Bio
An impassioned pianist who infuses his performances with emotion, Godwin seems to embody every note he plays, and his sentiment resonates in his listeners. In 2022, he took first place at the OSM Competition (and received the prize for best interpretation of the imposed Canadian work). He also placed first in piano at the National Music Festival (2015), won the Glenn Gould School Concerto Competition (2019), and took second place at the PianoArts North American Competition in Milwaukee (2022).
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Godwin often returns to play with the very first ensemble to which he belonged – he grew up touring music with his parents and five siblings in the Friesen Family Band. The musical development he experienced during several Canadian tours and three album recordings was profound, and he began formal piano studies around age seven.
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His early start playing as a trio with his sister and brother paid off in the Rilian Trio with Daniel Dastoor and David Liam Roberts, which won first prize, audience prize and best performance of the commissioned work at the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition (2023).
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As a performer-composer, Godwin performed his own Prelude and Fugue in A Major in the Virée Classique summer festival in Montreal, which was broadcast by the CBC. His latest composition, Psalm 131 for Piano Trio, has been programmed in Canada and Europe.
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Godwin holds a bachelor’s degree and an Artist Diploma from The Glenn Gould School, where he studied with John O’Conor from 2016 to 2022, and master’s degree from the Université de Montréal, where he studied with Henry Kramer and Jean Saulnier.
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June 2024
Short Bio
Godwin Friesen plays piano by himself and with friends—he won the Concours OSM 2022, performing Prokofiev 3 with l'Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, and won the 2023 Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition with the Rilian Trio. In both competitions, he won best interpretation of the imposed contemporary piece. Godwin plays music by other people and music he creates himself—his own works for solo piano and ensemble are an important part of his recent and upcoming performances in North America and Europe. Godwin first discovered his love for the stage by singing and playing in the Friesen Family Band. He later studied with John O’Conor at The Glenn Gould School and with Henry Kramer and Jean Saulnier at l’Université de Montréal.
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June 2024
