classique

OM Beethoven Marathon, Evening 1

by Martial Jean-Baptiste

You have to be in top form to attend the Beethoven Marathon by prodigious conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and his accomplices in the Orchestre Métropolitain. The maestro has subjected his troops to training worthy of top athletes: 12 rehearsals, 4 dress rehearsals, all in a very short space of time. The complete symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven are presented as part of the25th anniversary of the link between YNS and the Orchestre Métropolitain.

In 2022, Deutsche Gramophone released a recording of the same complete works conducted by YNS with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. On Thursday evening at the Maison Symphonique, the maestro surpassed this interpretation. From the very first notes, one could already feel a difference, and it was undoubtedly the presence of the conquered audience that raised the game.

The first work on the program, Symphony No. 2, revealed Beethoven’s genius and the mastery of Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the OM musicians. The fourth movement (Allegro Molto) once again demonstrated the musician’s flexibility. For me, No.2 remains one of the German composer’s finest signatures.

After the 20-minute intermission, we were treated to an original composition by Montrealer Nicolas Ryan with the piece Eroi(s)ca, which served as a bridge between Symphonie n°2 and n°3.

Another highlight of the evening was Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s performance of Symphony No. 3 called Eroica, Op. 55 , in E-flat major. This performance provided an opportunity to contemplate Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s talent and the complicity he has developed over the past 25 years with the musicians of the Orchestre Métropolitain.

The marathon continues tonight with Beethoven’s Third and Seventh Symphonies. Hurry up, put on your running shoes and warm up before attending this second evening.

Photo Credit: François Goupil

Latest 360 Content

Suoni: The Spiritual Quest, The End in Transcendence

Suoni: The Spiritual Quest, The End in Transcendence

FIJM | Thundercat, A Feline on The Loose

FIJM | Thundercat, A Feline on The Loose

FIJM | Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston Exposed

FIJM | Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston Exposed

FIJM | Branford Marsalis Among Four MF’s Playin’ Tunes… Live!

FIJM | Branford Marsalis Among Four MF’s Playin’ Tunes… Live!

FIJM | About Derrick Hodge’s Idea of the Color of Noize

FIJM | About Derrick Hodge’s Idea of the Color of Noize

FIJM | Queen of Afrobeats, Ayra confirms her status as a Global… Starr

FIJM | Queen of Afrobeats, Ayra confirms her status as a Global… Starr

FIJM | Black Jazz by Marquis Hill

FIJM | Black Jazz by Marquis Hill

Festival de Lanaudière | Leonardo Garcia Alarcon/Monteverdi’s Coronation of Poppea: being marketwise

Festival de Lanaudière | Leonardo Garcia Alarcon/Monteverdi’s Coronation of Poppea: being marketwise

FIJM | Nate Smith and his Supremely Talented Quartet

FIJM | Nate Smith and his Supremely Talented Quartet

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | Tyrane Mondeny Presents Her Mandingo Soul

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | Tyrane Mondeny Presents Her Mandingo Soul

FIJM | Nai Palm? Creature of Exception! Hawa B? Future Star!

FIJM | Nai Palm? Creature of Exception! Hawa B? Future Star!

FIJM 2025 | Funky funky, Trombone Shorty

FIJM 2025 | Funky funky, Trombone Shorty

FIJM | Nubya Garcia Becomes a Star in MTL

FIJM | Nubya Garcia Becomes a Star in MTL

FIJM 2025 | Symphonic Avishai Cohen: Bewitching magic

FIJM 2025 | Symphonic Avishai Cohen: Bewitching magic

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Phantom Island

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Phantom Island

Common Holly – Anything glass

Common Holly – Anything glass

FIJM I Hanorah Sets the TD Stage Ablaze with Soulful R&B

FIJM I Hanorah Sets the TD Stage Ablaze with Soulful R&B

FIJM | Jeff Goldblum: Storyteller, Comedian and Pianist

FIJM | Jeff Goldblum: Storyteller, Comedian and Pianist

FIJM I Still Taking Us There, Mavis Staples Electrifies Montreal JazzFest

FIJM I Still Taking Us There, Mavis Staples Electrifies Montreal JazzFest

FIJM | Gabriella Olivo, Musical Journey in Three Languages

FIJM | Gabriella Olivo, Musical Journey in Three Languages

FIJM | Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp – Ventre Unique

FIJM | Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp – Ventre Unique

Fantastic Negrito – Son of A Broken Man

Fantastic Negrito – Son of A Broken Man

Cumbia, Chaos, and Resistance: Empanadas Illegales Bring the Heat to Montreal Jazz Fest

Cumbia, Chaos, and Resistance: Empanadas Illegales Bring the Heat to Montreal Jazz Fest

Turnstile – Never Enough

Turnstile – Never Enough

Subscribe to our newsletter