Montreal articles, news, reviews
The OCM continues its 84th season by offering a taste of Argentina with the tango opera María de Buenos Aires, by the renowned composer Astor Piazzolla.
Canadian ensembles like Toronto Symphony Orchestra are feeling a wave of generosity this week after an influx of legacy donations, and Decca Records signs Yunchan Lim.
Montreal, October 17, 2023 – Bourgie Hall of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) presents the Ligeti Festival on Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5, 2023, to mark the 100th anniversary of the celebrated Hungarian composer György Ligeti’s birth. The guest of honour will be the outstanding French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard. Four events are planned for the Festival. On Saturday, November 4 at 2:30 p.m., musicologist Benjamin Levy, a professor at the University of California (Santa Barbara) and specialist on Ligeti, will present a lecture (in English and French) discussing the complex cultural phenomena that influenced the life…
On Sunday afternoon, October 15, 2023, a packed Maison Symphonique welcomed Mathias Maute’s Ensemble Caprice in “Vivaldi’s Gloria”: a concert celebrating the reputable baroque ensemble’s 35 years. The ensemble collaborated with the Ensemble ArtChoral and members of the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra (JBO), Israel’s first baroque orchestra. Maute shared the podium with Maestro David Shermer, conductor and founder of the JBO, who played continuo on harpsichord and pump organ. Maestro Maute presented and welcomed his guests, and thanked the members of the JBO, performing despite distressing international circumstances. The concert opened with the performance of a text by poet, author, songwriter,…
Montreal, October 16, 2023 – From Friday, November 3 to Sunday, November 5, enjoy a unique experience where pianists’ virtuosity reaches new heights with compositions created for this instrument of infinite possibilities! This must-attend event presents 8 recitals featuring the finest pianists in contemporary music, from both here and abroad: Moritz Ernst (Germany), Viktor Lazarov, Philippe Prud’homme, Erik Bertsch (Italy), Pamela Reimer, Daniel Áñez and Brigitte Poulin. At the heart of the programme is Sandeep Bhagwati’s Music of Crossings, a cycle of 36 short pieces presented in three recitals performed by internationally renowned pianist Moritz Ernst. The other 5 recitals…
Prof. Sandeep Bhagwati is being honoured this year by the SMCQ, with their prestigious Série Hommage. Every two years, the leading Quebec organization chooses to honour one composer by featuring their work in over 200 concerts and events nationwide. The composer’s formidable intellect is evident, based on his numerous pursuits and artistic projects which span the course of an impressive and highly successful career. Born in Mumbai, educated in Austria, Germany and France, Bhagwati writes operas, orchestral and ensemble compositions and chamber music, creates multimedia concert installations, and composes what he calls comprovisations: compositions with integrated improvisations. But who exactly…
Montreal, October 6, 2023 – The Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM) is delighted to unveil the names of the eight outstanding members who will compose the international jury for Piano 2024, taking place from May 5 to 16, 2024. The First Round and Semifinal will be held at Salle Bourgie, and the Final will take place at the Maison symphonique on May 15 and 16, with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal under the direction of Guest Conductor Xian Zhang. The internationally renowned jury members will bring a unique and invaluable expertise to our com-petition, attracting candidates of the highest…
Welcome to La Scena Musicale’s weekly Highlights, a roundup of classical music news from Canada and beyond. With the reveal of a new Métis opera, the impending release of a Canadian actor’s first French album, and the inaugural Sphere concert in Las Vegas, musical innovation is in the air this October! Recent and Upcoming Shows The Canadian Opera Company has opened their 2023-2024 season with Fidelio. It’s the first time the COC has performed this opera in 15 years and they did not disappoint, says critic Denise Lai. Vancouver Bach Choir will unveil their new season (Stir) with works by…
Université de Montréal student Godwin Friesen was pleasantly surprised at the awards ceremony for the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal’s Barbara Bronfman Prize. When the announcer revealed that Friesen was the first-prize winner, he said his “mouth dropped open.” This pianist’s genuine reaction stemmed from equally humble beginnings. Friesen grew up in an extremely musical household and was even part of a family band. From a young age, he was taught that music is about community, something he believes to this day. Indeed, he seeks “to be someone whose musical performances impact many people, inspiring change and hope.” A storyteller at…
Since woodwind quintet Pentaèdre created its Carte blanche series for each musician in 2017, the oboe has not yet been put in the spotlight. But that’s about to change. Oboist Élise Poulin, who joined Pentaèdre in 2019, will finally have the opportunity to present a complete concert. “I’m delighted that Pentaèdre has given me the opportunity to explore chamber music repertoire for oboe in such depth for this Carte blanche concert. It’s quite rare to present concerts featuring the oboe and English horn! I’m very happy to introduce these more obscure instruments to the public.” She has invited some Orchestre…
