Le Vivier | Premiers and Celebrations for Stick&Bow’s Fifth Anniversary

by Elena Mandolini

The atmosphere was festive last night at La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines. The Stick&Bow ensemble, an atypical duo made up of Krystina Marcoux on marimba and Juan Sebastian Delgado on cello, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. In front of an enthusiastic audience, the two performers clearly wanted to indulge themselves by offering a program consisting almost entirely of new works. Almost all the composers were present for the first public performance of their works.

The timbre of the cello and marimba are a perfect match, and the hall at La Chapelle was just right for this kind of concert. The intimate atmosphere made the audience feel close to the performers, and there were no volume problems. The scenography of the concert was also commendable. The stage was sometimes bathed in half-light, sometimes illuminated by lamps suspended from the ceiling. These elements helped to create different moods, both mysterious and lively, adding a new dimension to each piece.

In fact, this was the concept of the concert: to mobilize several senses. Upon entering the concert hall, each audience member received a small bag containing various snacks to enjoy during the concert. A sometimes distracting feature during the speeches between pieces, but appreciated nonetheless. It really felt like a birthday party!

Musically, the duo showed us the full extent of their talent. The pieces required the use of several playing techniques, on both marimba and cello. The instruments were really used to their full potential, and the impression was given that these were two solo instruments, so demanding and intense were the scores. The audience was treated to a sonic journey that took them from introspective, soaring pieces to jazz-sounding works, to pieces full of intensity and fire. The pieces were interspersed with anecdotes from the ensemble’s first five years.

Stick&Bow’s anniversary gift to us was exciting, moving and impressive. The two performers clearly enjoy sharing these works with us, and the pleasure is contagious. For Stick&Bow, the adventure is just beginning!

For the Vivier’s full programme, click HERE.

Latest 360 Content

Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn

Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn

Brainwasher – At Least It Beats an Actor

Brainwasher – At Least It Beats an Actor

Nicholas Daniel – Complete Works for Oboe by Madeleine Dring

Nicholas Daniel – Complete Works for Oboe by Madeleine Dring

Christine Tassan; Marie-Véronique Bourque – Bruissement boréal

Christine Tassan; Marie-Véronique Bourque – Bruissement boréal

Lanaudière Festival | Metropolitan Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin/Marc-André Hamelin: When Nature Drives the Concert

Lanaudière Festival | Metropolitan Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin/Marc-André Hamelin: When Nature Drives the Concert

Festival de Lanaudière | Sol Gabetta : Queen of the cello meets les Violons du Roy

Festival de Lanaudière | Sol Gabetta : Queen of the cello meets les Violons du Roy

The “rodas de samba” That Never End

The “rodas de samba” That Never End

Friday night at the Dômesicle – All night long with Jump Source

Friday night at the Dômesicle – All night long with Jump Source

Éli Doyon et la Tempête – Attraper le ciel avant qu’il tombe

Éli Doyon et la Tempête – Attraper le ciel avant qu’il tombe

Barbara Hannigan; Katia et Marielle Labèque – Electric Fields

Barbara Hannigan; Katia et Marielle Labèque – Electric Fields

Fire, Fungi, and Family Fun: The ShazamFest XX Experience

Fire, Fungi, and Family Fun: The ShazamFest XX Experience

Festival de Lanaudière | Kent Nagano: The eternal, and always welcome, return

Festival de Lanaudière | Kent Nagano: The eternal, and always welcome, return

Tyler, the Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS

Tyler, the Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS

Off Piknic with Gorgon City, Dennis Ferrer, Riordan, and Linska

Off Piknic with Gorgon City, Dennis Ferrer, Riordan, and Linska

Jeff Bridges – Slow Magic, 1977-1978

Jeff Bridges – Slow Magic, 1977-1978

Piknic Electronik | DJ Fuckoff Turns Up The Heat for Pep Rally

Piknic Electronik | DJ Fuckoff Turns Up The Heat for Pep Rally

Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves

Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal

Ruby Creek – Forget Me Not

Ruby Creek – Forget Me Not

Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Ross Lee Finney : Landscapes Remembered

Ross Lee Finney : Landscapes Remembered

Lanaudière Festival | The Sparkle of Strauss, Schumann, and Brahms in Joliette

Lanaudière Festival | The Sparkle of Strauss, Schumann, and Brahms in Joliette

Wet Leg – moisturizer

Wet Leg – moisturizer

Sister Ray – Believer

Sister Ray – Believer

Subscribe to our newsletter