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Photo: Roderik Kučavík

Victor Julien-Laferrière: a career in high gear

By Justin Bernard on 3 October 2019 Chamber Music, Strings

Victor Julien-Laferrière is an artist much in demand. In September the young French cellist toured Normandy with the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Rouen, giving a series of concerts that included Haydn’s Concerto in D. He has also played with the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse, performing Variations on a Rococo Theme by Tchaikovsky. Winner of the first prize in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels in 2017 – the first edition devoted to the cello – Julien-Laferrière has also appeared in some of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls. In early October he will be the guest of the Concertgebouw…

Song of a Nation: The Untold Story Of Canada’s National Anthem

By Vasyl Pawlowsky on 2 October 2019 Canadian Music

While growing up in the 1970s I assumed that O Canada was our nation’s official anthem. Many others were similarly mistaken. Song of a Nation: The Untold Story of Canada’s National Anthem, by Robert Harris, tells the true story. It is a wonderfully written biography, history and tale that will resonate and tug at one’s heartstrings while revealing fascinating details of Canadian history. Canadians and lovers of music will appreciate it deeply. The biography is of a man who “left home at twelve, worked as a blackface minstrel travelling throughout the United States, fought in the American Civil War, was wounded at the…

Photo: courtesy

Nicole Linaksita: Winner of the Stepping Stone

By Charlotte Paillas on 2 October 2019 Classical, Music Competition, Piano

Like many young seekers of competition glory, Nicole Linaksita is fond of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The Vancouverite won the $10,000 first prize in the Stepping Stone division of the Canimex Canadian Music Competition last June in Calgary with a less famous score: Moritz Moszkowski’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in E Major Op. 59. The gala performance was with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra under its resident conductor, Karl Hirzer. “I wanted to enjoy the experience and to show people why I love the piece so much,” she says. “Being more relaxed helped things naturally happen rather than having every…

Photo: Brent Calis

Lara Deutsch: Eyes on the Prize

By Arthur Kaptainis on 2 October 2019 Classical Music, Music Competition, Winds

The timing was not perfect. Lara Deutsch had strep throat. But the flutist was instructed in no uncertain terms to appear as requested for a meeting at such-and-such an hour and in such-and-such place in Montreal. “I was told that it couldn’t be at any other time,” Deutsch said from her home in Ottawa. “And I was told that I really had to be there.” The appointment was worth keeping. On her arrival Deutsch learned that she was the 2019–20 winner of the Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer, a prize valued at $125,000 that includes $50,000 in cash, a series of…

Lang Lang Plays Goldberg Variations with Festival Bach Montréal

By Newswire on 2 October 2019 Newswire, Piano

After Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and Washington, Lang Lang will play at the Maison symphonique for the Montréal Bach Festival, performing Bach’s iconic Goldberg Variations. Lang Lang is a leading figure in classical music today – as a pianist, educator and philanthropist he has become one of the world’s most influential and committed ambassadors for the arts in the 21st century. Equally happy playing for billions of people at the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Beijing or just for a few hundred children in public schools, he is a master of communicating through music. Returning after a career-threatening injury,which kept him…

Photo : Annette Woloshen

Orchestre classique de Montréal: New Name for a Classic Ensemble

By Michael Schulman on 1 October 2019 Chamber Music, Classical Music, Orchestral

Why did it take so long to change the name? This is my first question for Boris Brott, artistic director of what is now called the Orchestre classique de Montréal. “Well, it was a hard decision and a matter of finding the right name,” the conductor says in what he calls his Toronto office – the Library Bar of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. “Whatever we considered didn’t seem to fit until one day, our accountant said, ‘Why not call it Orchestre classique de Montréal’ and everybody said, ‘Wow, that’s the right name!’ Even unilingual anglophones will understand it!” Boris…

Photo: courtoisie de l'artiste

Trio Dell’Aria: Louis Spohr and more

By Justin Bernard on 1 October 2019 Art Song, Canadian Music, Chamber Music

Soprano Kripa Nageshwar, pianist Ruta Vaivade and clarinetist Michael Westwood always had an individual passion for chamber music. The same passion drew them together and binds them today. Their adventure as the Trio Dell’Aria took off at Toronto’s Westwood Concert Series in 2014, where they gave their first public performance. They went on exploring Baroque to contemporary music, as well as jazz, folksong and chanson. “With Ruta, we finally found our match, Kripa and I,” Michael says. “It’s now the perfect trio.” Ruta adds: “Plus, now that we get more and more chances to perform, I think there are new…

Jessye Norman, Soprano, 1945-2019

By La Scena Musicale Team on 30 September 2019 Art Song, Education, Opera, Vocal

Jessye Norman, one of the world’s most admired vocalists, died in New York on Sept. 30 at the age of 74. According to a statement issued by her family, the cause was septic shock and multi-organ failure resulting from complications of a spinal cord injury the American soprano sustained in 2015. “We are so proud of Jessye’s musical achievements and the inspiration that she provided to audiences around the world that will continue to be a source of joy,” the statement reads. “We are equally proud of her humanitarian endeavors addressing matters such as hunger, homelessness, youth development, and arts…

Photo : Marco Borggreve

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts his first Puccini opera at the Met: Turandot

By Newswire on 26 September 2019 Orchestral

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts his first Puccini opera at the Met: Turandot, starring Christine Goerke, which opens October 3 Franco Zeffirelli’s iconic production also stars Yusif Eyvazov and Riccardo Massi as Calàf, Eleonora Buratto as Liù, and James Morris as Timur. The performance on October 6 inaugurates the Met’s new series of Sunday matinee performances. Turandot will be transmitted live to movie theaters around the world on Saturday, October 12, as part of The Met: Live in HD series. Later performances in the spring will star Nina Stemme in the title role New York,…

2020 Cliburn Amateur Jury Announced

By Newswire on 24 September 2019 Classical Music, Music Competition

The Eighth Cliburn International Amateur Competition is only 8 months away! The best non-professional pianists from around the globe arrive in Fort Worth for three riveting rounds of Competition, May 24–30, 2020, including a stunning conclusion with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and conductor Damon Gupton at Bass Performance Hall! JURY ANNOUNCED! Last week the Cliburn announced the remainder of the Jury for the Eighth Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition. Ralph Votapek, gold medalist of the First Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1962, will serve as jury chairman. Mr. Votapek will be joined by an international jury that shares his passion for…

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