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SMCQ Opens Soon
Through much of the pandemic, the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ) remained uncertain about the launch of its season. This will take place at Salle Pierre-Mercure on Sept. 27. In accordance with health measures, the headcount of the orchestra on stage and in rehearsals has been limited to 12. The program has been revised accordingly.
Listeners will hear two works by Galina Ustvolskaya, Dona Nobis Pacem (1971) and Dies Irae (1973), as well as Pohjiatuuli (1983) by Michel Longtin. This Quebec composer here pays homage to Sibelius by evoking northern landscapes. The concert is titled Vents nordiques… pour chasser la COVID-19 (“Nordic Winds … to chase away COVID-19”). Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. www.smcq.qc.ca
Le Vivier in Festive Mode
After a summer marked by activities in the Quartier des spectacles, Le Vivier greets autumn with a certain optimism. Of course, it has had to adapt, but adaptability is also the hallmark of large organizations. Following the opening event on Sept. 12, Le Vivier will present tributes to mark the 40th anniversary of the Productions SuperMusique (PSM), the 20th anniversary of the Quatuor Bozzini and the 10th anniversary of the Ensemble Paramirabo. Several events will share the theme of water, starting with the H2O Day and the concert series of the SuperMusique ensemble. Entitled The Source, the concert will have variations on the theme: The Tributaries, The Rapids and The River. For its part, the Quatuor Bozzini retraces the many works that have marked its journey. On Nov. 11 it will perform works by Michael Oesterle, Jennifer Walshe, Thomas Stiegler, Christopher Butterfield and Cassandra Miller, five composers who have written especially for this quartet. On Sept. 22, for its first concert of the season, the Ensemble Paramirabo collaborates with the musicians of Project iso, led by harpist Robin Best. Later in February, Jeffrey Stonehouse and his colleagues give the premiere of the male version of Voi (Rex) by Philippe Leroux and then, in March, a new work for two solo voices with Patrick Giguère’s ensemble.
Concerts at the CMC and Elsewhere
The Centre de musique canadienne has announced several concerts. Amongst these are a concert by Les Violons du Roy, with pianist Louise Bessette, focussing the work of Gilles Tremblay (Sept. 16), a tribute-concert to Jacques Hétu by the New Orford Quartet at Bourgie Hall (Sept. 16 and 17) and a virtual concert by pianist Jérôme Langlais, which also coincides with the (re)launch of his album Moon Melodies + L’envol du cheval blanc (Sept. 16). Finally, take note of a recital by Myriade (flute and piano) entitled Distance intime, in which works by several big names in contemporary music (Claude Vivier, François Morel, José Evangelista, Katia Makdissi-Warren and Jacques Hétu) will share the spotlight (Sept. 20).
Translation by Margaret Britt
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