Festival Classica | Valérie Milot : the harp, to infinity and beyond

I didn’t know what to expect from harpist Valérie Milot’s Nebulae concert when I turned up at Saint-Lambert church last night. In the end, I came away delighted.

More than just a concert, almost a conference on music and science, harpist Valérie Milot demonstrated talents not usually associated with her: that of a purveyor of astronomical knowledge and a seasoned lecturer with a touch of humour.

Set against a simple but effective backdrop (various globes illustrating the Sun, Earth and Moon, illuminated boards showing photos of scientists such as Carl Sagan, Galileo and Hubert Reeves, images of cosmological objects and historical paintings illustrating episodes from ancient myths), Milot alternated between 4 or 5 minute animations and interpretations of pieces for harp in a calm but constantly interesting and catchy rhythm.

The artist is clearly as passionate about science and history as she is about music, and she conveys this love through links based on general culture as well as her own tales of wonder at the beauty of the cosmos and of art.

For around 75 minutes, Valérie’s eyes, ears and above all her heart become shared places in a communion that is both intimate and ultra sincere. Nebulae (with the subtitle: A philosophical reflection on existence through an exploration of astronomical phenomena), presented with the support of the Festival Classica, had its premiere last Friday night. A tour will be launched this fall. I urge you not to miss it if it comes near you. I admit that I’m just as enamoured as she is of the subjects raised, and have the same natural wonder at the beauty of the Universe and the historical and mythical events that are abundantly evoked, so I am biased, but I’m convinced that even the most inattentive layman will be charmed by this enjoyable presentation.

It’s good for the soul, the heart and above all the brain. We need it so much these days.

Excerpt from Nebulae (with the authorisation of Valérie Milot) :