classique / musique de chambre / période romantique

Virée classique de l’OSM | Virtuosity, Elegance and Listening from Fauré to Chausson

by Alexandre Villemaire

The PAN M 360 team is very present at the Virée classique, presented by the OSM. In the field, at free activities and indoor concerts, Alain Brunet, Alexis Desrosiers-Michaud and Alexandre Villemaire report on what they’ve seen and heard at events presented in Montreal until August 18.

After performing Saint-Saëns’ Concerto No. 5 with the OSM, pianist Cédric Tiberghien returned to the stage for a second concert. As Marianne Dugal, associate concertmaster of the OSM, explained, the performer deserves a medal for his stamina, given the complexity and virtuosity of the two works, especially Ernest Chausson’s Concert op. 21, which is of titanic pianistic proportions. The central work of this concert, programmed in the intimate Cinquième salle, is distinguished by its unusual instrumentation: piano, violin and string quartet. Halfway between a chamber music piece and a concerto, the form does not appear disproportionate or disparate to the ear, so fine is Chausson’s writing, giving pride of place to each of the players.

What is equally striking and captivating is the musical language deployed by the composer. Borrowing as much from French aesthetics as from Wagnerian language, the work is astonishingly organic, with movements featuring folk themes and dramatic chromaticism. In the purest spirit of a Wagner work, we’re on the edge of our seats to see – and hear – where the harmony is going. Tiberghien again stands out for his clear, precise playing, refined, energetic fingering and attentive listening to his playing partners, Dugal, (concertmaster), Alexander Read and Richard Zheng (violins), Victor Fournelle-Blain (viola) and Anna Burden (cello), who all gave solid performances.

The work was preceded by Debussy’s Sonate pour violoncelle et piano and Fauré’s Élégie, performed by Anna Burden with great elegance and intensity. The only slight drawback was that the balance of the amplified microphones was not equal according to the area occupied by the string players on stage, so that in the solo passages, the sound of Marianne Dugal and Anna Burden seemed muffled at times.

Publicité panam

classique / Moyen-Orient / Levant / Maghreb

Virée classique 2024 | OSM and Constantinople: Colourful Dialogues, a Conversation To Be Continued

by Alexandre Villemaire

The PAN M 360 team is very present at the Virée classique, presented by the OSM. In the field, at free activities and indoor concerts, Alain Brunet, Alexis Desrosiers-Michaud and Alexandre Villemaire report on what they’ve seen and heard at events presented in Montreal until August 18.

On paper, it was a premiere like no other. For the first time in its history, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal welcomed a traditional music ensemble to the Maison symphonique for a joint concert. And not just any ensemble: Constantinople, a well-known and well-established presence on the Montreal and Quebec musical scene. The choice of Constantinople was an obvious one, since the ensemble’s identity and practice are, as its artistic director Kiya Tabassian reminds us, dialogue and cross-fertilization between musical universes. A vision also shared by Rafael Payare.

If we can say that there was indeed a dialogue, the concert we were treated to showed that the conversation, for its part, deserved to gain in depth. While we expected to hear and see interaction between the orchestra and Constantinople’s musicians, we were treated to a question-and-answer exchange in which Constantinople’s virtuoso interventions of Dimitrie Cantemir’s pieces were interspersed with excerpts from Grieg’s Peer Gynt suite, played with fervor and mastery by the OSM. Peer Gynt makes sense thematically, the eponymous character of Ibsen’s fairy tale embodying the figure of the traveler who, in the course of his tale, settles for a time in North Africa. Unfortunately, the interplay with the music, particularly in the “Anitra Dance” and the “Arabian Dance”, seemed more like a pastiche than an organic element.

Publicité panam

Virée classique 2024 – The Symphony of the Virée: Not So Amateurs After All

by Alexis Desrosiers-Michaud

Now a tradition, the Symphonie de la Virée is a concert bringing together amateur musicians of all ages who have been selected in advance. Rafael Payare leads the ensemble for the last work on the program.

This event is living proof that professionals do not have a monopoly on good musical product and that with a lot of passion and a little work, we can achieve a frankly convincing result. Let’s look beyond individual errors and small imbalances to look at the whole thing as a whole. It’s not because they are amateurs that they can’t make great music.

There is a cohesion that holds in this ensemble. Conductor Adam Johnson breathes a contagious energy. We feel the work of listening done in rehearsal; the violin and oboe solos have enough space for lyricism and expression. The sound is homogeneous and the dynamics are respected to the letter, as much in terms of nuances, phrasing and articulation.

As Payare takes the reins for the opening of the opera Nabucco, he proves what a great conductor he is and raises the bar. Like Johnson before him, he makes no compromises on anything. He pushes the audacity to take the coda at breakneck speed and the musicians respond.

In the future, don’t hesitate to go to the concert of the neighbor who plays in the Monday night band. There is a good chance that, for a handful of dollars, you will have a good time.

Publicité panam

classique

Virée classique de l’OSM | A Requiem of Contrasts

by Alexis Desrosiers-Michaud

The PAN M 360 team is very present at the Virée classique, presented by the OSM. Alain Brunet, Alexis Desrosiers-Michaud and Alexandre Villemaire report on what they saw and heard at the concerts presented in Montreal until August 18.

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and its choir were in top form for the first concert of the Virée classique weekend, in Guiseppe Verdi’s Requiem.

What’s striking from the outset is the respect and accuracy of the nuances, as indicated in the score; the “very soft” indications are almost imperceptible, and the “very loud” ones shatter the ceiling, to the point of literally vibrating the plexiglass on stage. On the other hand, when singing piano, consonants must be exaggerated, and both soloists and chorus lose the first consonants of words. Conversely, the consonants at the end of words are more sonorous.

The four soloists, including the tenor, Oreste Cosimo (forgotten in the program), sing not with the score in hand, but placed on a lectern. In this way, they can “play” their text. Mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb stands out in this respect, detaching herself from the score to interact with her counterparts, or staring at the audience to convey emotion.

The chorus is solid, fair and balanced. It sings loud enough to take its place in the din of the Dies Irae and the Tuba Mirum. In the Sanctus, however, the orchestra and choir are on two different levels. The orchestra is loud and festive, while the choir is restrained and angelic. This part, with 8 voices, should stand out more to perceive the various entries and avoid being swallowed up.

Photo credit: Antoine Saito

Publicité panam

classique

L’OSM présente Bal d’une nuit d’été ÉCLATÉ – DUO à la Maison symphonique

by Rédaction PAN M 360

L’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal a le plaisir de vous convier à son événement-bénéfice annuel majeur, Le Bal d’une nuit d’été, qui se tiendra le jeudi 6 juin 2024 à la Maison symphonique de Montréal. Cette soirée prestigieuse, placée sous la présidence d’honneur de Monsieur Éric Martel, président et directeur général de Bombardier, vous réserve une expérience inoubliable.

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is pleased to invite you to its major annual benefit event, Le Bal d’une nuit d’été, to be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at the Maison symphonique de Montréal. This prestigious evening, under the honorary presidency of Mr. Éric Martel, President and CEO of Bombardier, promises an unforgettable experience.

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Ce contenu provient de l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal et est adapté par PAN M 360

classique

La majestueuse Symphonie avec orgue de Saint-Saëns à la Maison symphonique

by Rédaction PAN M 360

L’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal clôturera avec brio sa 90e saison lors d’une soirée magistrale où quatre organistes de renom se partageront les claviers du Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique. Shin-Young Lee brillera dans la Toccata festiva de Barber et Isabelle Demers déploiera tout son talent dans la Symphonie concertante de Jongen. Jean-Willy Kunz créera une pièce avec orchestre du compositeur québécois Denis Gougeon tandis qu’Olivier Latry se joindra à l’OSM dans la Symphonie n^o 3 de Saint-Saëns, un des fleurons du répertoire.

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal brings its 90th season to a brilliant close with a masterful evening featuring four renowned organists sharing the keyboards of the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique. Shin-Young Lee will shine in Barber’s Toccata festiva, and Isabelle Demers will display all her talent in Jongen’s Symphonie concertante. Jean-Willy Kunz will premiere a piece with orchestra by Quebec composer Denis Gougeon, while Olivier Latry joins the OSM in Saint-Saëns’ Symphonie no 3, one of the jewels in the crown of the repertoire.

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Ce contenu provient de l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal et est adapté par PAN M 360

classique / Country

L’OSM salue les 55 ans de carrière de Patrick Norman à la Maison symphonique

by Rédaction PAN M 360

L’OSM, sous la direction du chef d’orchestre Jean-Marie Zeitouni, accueillera sur scène pour un dernier tour de piste Patrick Norman afin de clore 55 ans d’une prodigieuse carrière. Il offrira au public un palmarès de ses plus grands succès, orchestrés par Hugo Bégin. Soyez des nôtres pour cette soirée exceptionnelle rendant hommage à un artiste qui a grandement contribué au rayonnement de la musique country.

The OSM, under the direction of conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni, will welcome Patrick Norman to the stage for a final performance to close a prodigious 55-year career. He’ll treat the audience to a rundown of his greatest hits, orchestrated by Hugo Bégin. Join us for this exceptional evening of tribute to an artist who has greatly contributed to the development of country music.

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Ce contenu provient de l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal et est adapté par PAN M 360.

classique

Gala de la Terre : Symphonie alpestre à la Maison symphonique

by Rédaction PAN M 360

L’Orchestre de l’Agora présentera le Gala de la Terre le 12 juin prochain à 20h à la Maison symphonique autour de la Symphonie alpestre de Strauss, sous la direction du chef Nicolas Ellis. La dernière édition ayant été récompensée par le Prix Opus de l’événement musical de l’année, l’Orchestre de l’Agora promet ainsi une nouvelle soirée musicale unique visant à sensibiliser les publics aux enjeux environnementaux, en soutenant les efforts d’organismes locaux dédiés à la protection de notre planète : le GREMM, WWF Canada et Sierra Club Canada.

La soirée débutera avec une création de la compositrice Claudie Bertounesque qui fusionnera l’orchestre, 75 choristes des Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, électro-acoustique ainsi que des chants de bélugas recueillis près de Tadoussac grâce aux hydrophones du Groupe de recherche et d’éducation sur les mammifères marins (GREMM). La poète innue et ambassadrice de l’événement Natasha Kanapé Fontaine récitera également ses propres poèmes spécialement écrits pour le Gala de la Terre. L’Orchestre accueillera la soprano innue Elisabeth St-Gelais, récemment nommée Révélation Classique Radio-Canada et lauréate du prestigieux Prix d’Europe 2023, dans les magnifiques Wesendonck Lieder de Wagner. Plus de 100 musiciens seront sur scène pour la Symphonie alpestre de Strauss, une œuvre emblématique qui évoque la beauté de la nature et des Alpes tout en abordant des thèmes universels liés au cycle de la vie ainsi qu’à la beauté et à la fragilité de notre planète.

Lors de la dernière édition 2022 du Gala de la Terre bâtie autour de la 3e symphonie de Mahler, l’Orchestre avait rassemblé 200 musiciens et choristes sur scène, et 255 000 $ avaient été remis aux trois organismes bénéficiaires : UNICEF Canada, Conservation de la nature Canada et Sierra Club Canada, notamment grâce à l’appui de partenaires et donateurs qui sont de retour cette année encore, dont Canimex et Age of Union.

The Orchestre de l’Agora will present the Gala de la Terre on June 12 at 8pm at the Maison symphonique, featuring Strauss’s Alpine Symphony under the direction of conductor Nicolas Ellis. With last year’s edition winning the Opus Prize for Musical Event of the Year, the Orchestre de l’Agora promises another unique musical evening to raise public awareness of environmental issues, by supporting the efforts of local organizations dedicated to protecting our planet: GREMM, WWF Canada and Sierra Club Canada.

The evening will open with a creation by composer Claudie Bertounesque, fusing the orchestra, 75 choristers from the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, electro-acoustic music and beluga songs collected near Tadoussac using hydrophones from the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM). Innu poet and event ambassador Natasha Kanapé Fontaine will also recite her own poems, specially written for the Gala de la Terre. The Orchestra will welcome Innu soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais, recently named Révélation Classique Radio-Canada and winner of the prestigious Prix d’Europe 2023, in Wagner’s magnificent Wesendonck Lieder. Over 100 musicians will be on stage for Strauss’s Alpine Symphony, an emblematic work that evokes the beauty of nature and the Alps, while touching on universal themes linked to the cycle of life and the beauty and fragility of our planet.

At the last Earth Gala 2022, built around Mahler’s 3rd Symphony, the Orchestra brought together 200 musicians and choristers on stage, and $255,000 was donated to the three beneficiary organizations: UNICEF Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada and Sierra Club Canada, thanks in particular to the support of partners and donors who are back again this year, including Canimex and Age of Union.

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Ce contenu provient de l’Orchestre de l’Agora et est adapté par PAN M 360.

Jazz

Festival International de Jazz: TD Special Events

by Rédaction PAN M 360

The Festival International de Jazz is back to Montreal for a 44th edition!

The “TD Special Events” series presented by TD Bank offers themed jazz events during the festival.

SCHEDULE :

Pink Martini – Thursday, July 4, 2024 and Friday, July 5, 2024 (7:30pm)

TO BUY YOUR TICKET, CLICK HERE!

This content comes from the official Festival International de Jazz de Montréal website and is adapted by PAN M 360.

Pop-Rock

Hommage aux Beatles – L’expérience Philharmonique à la Maison symphonique

by Rédaction PAN M 360

L’Institut du cancer de Montréal présente son 15^e Concert contre le Cancer, sous la présidence d’honneur d’Uniprix: Hommage aux Beatles, l’expérience philharmonique.

Cette soirée exceptionnelle, dédiée à la mémoire intemporelle des Beatles, sera magnifiée par l’expérience unique de l’Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec, dirigé par le maestro Alexandre Da Costa qui sera accompagné par des solistes de renom tels que Jonas Tomalty, Krystel Mongeau, Michael Girard et Lyxé.

Cet événement-bénéfice a pour objectif d’amasser des fonds pour la recherche en oncologie, afin de donner les moyens aux chercheurs de l’axe Cancer du CRCHUM d’aujourd’hui et de demain de vaincre le cancer.

The Institut du cancer de Montréal presents its ^15th Concert Against Cancer, under the honorary presidency of Uniprix: Hommage aux Beatles, l’expérience philharmonique.

This exceptional evening, dedicated to the timeless memory of the Beatles, will be magnified by the unique experience of the Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec, conducted by maestro Alexandre Da Costa and accompanied by renowned soloists such as Jonas Tomalty, Krystel Mongeau, Michael Girard and Lyxé.

The aim of this fundraising event is to raise funds for oncology research, to give researchers in the CRCHUM’s Cancer Axis today and tomorrow the means to beat cancer.

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Ce contenu provient de la Place des Arts et est adapté par PAN M 360.

classique

Le Double Concerto pour deux pianos de Glass à la Maison symphonique

by Rédaction PAN M 360

Sous la direction de Fabien Gabel, l’OSM recevra les pianistes Katia et Marielle Labèque. Pour elles, Glass a écrit son Double Concerto pour deux pianos, une œuvre au cours de laquelle les solistes et l’orchestre tissent un tapis sonore en constante mouvance. La sensualité mélodique de la Danse des sept voiles de R. Strauss et de La tragédie de Salomé de Schmitt apportera une touche d’exotisme à ce programme.

Conducted by Fabien Gabel, the OSM welcomes pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque. Glass wrote his Double Concerto for Two Pianos for them, a work in which soloists and orchestra weave a constantly shifting carpet of sound. The melodic sensuality of R. Strauss’s Dance of the Seven Veils and Schmitt’s The Tragedy of Salome will add an exotic touch to this program.

RAVEL, Le tombeau de Couperin, M. 68a (17 min)
GLASS, Double Concerto pour deux pianos(25 min)
_
R. STRAUSS, Salomé, op. 54, TrV 215 : « Danse des sept voiles » (9 min)*
SCHMITT, La tragédie de Salomé, poème symphonique, op. 50 (24 min)

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Ce contenu provient de la Place des Arts et est adapté par PAN M 360.

classique

Emily D’Angelo et le TSO à la Maison symphonique

by Rédaction PAN M 360

L’OSM a le plaisir d’accueillir le TSO et son chef Gustavo Gimeno dans un programme mettant à l’honneur la voix exceptionnelle de la mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo. Cette dernière interprètera enargeia, une suite de mélodies anciennes et contemporaines arrangées par Jarkko Riihimäki, puis elle créera la nouvelle pièce d’Alison Yun-Fei Jiang. La Symphonie n^o 1 de Brahms, une œuvre d’une grande intensité dramatique, mue par un puissant élan créateur, complètera ce programme.

The OSM is delighted to welcome the TSO and its conductor Gustavo Gimeno for a program featuring the exceptional voice of mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo. She will perform enargeia, a suite of ancient and contemporary melodies arranged by Jarkko Riihimäki, followed by the premiere of Alison Yun-Fei Jiang’s new piece. Brahms’ Symphony^No. 1, a work of great dramatic intensity, driven by a powerful creative impulse, completes the program.

BEETHOVEN, Coriolan, Ouverture, op. 62
Jarkko RIIHIMÄKI, enargeia, Suite basée sur des thèmes de von Bingen, Guðnadóttir, Mazzoli et Kirkland Snider – création nord-américaine
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BRAHMS, Symphonie n^o 1 en do mineur, op. 68 (45 min)

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Ce contenu provient de la Place des Arts et est adapté par PAN M 360.