Orchestral - my/maSCENA

OSJM celebrates its second anniversary with Mahler’s Second Symphony

By Alexandre Amat on 24 March 2023 CD and Book Reviews, Classical Music, Orchestral

Founded in 1976 and directed since 1986 by Louis Lavigueur, the OSJM is known as one of Canada’s best young people’s orchestras. It comprises 72 musicians—ranging in age from 13 to 25—who have trained in music schools, conservatories and universities in Montreal and Quebec. It gives these young players a quality experience and musical training with the focus on symphonic repertoire. Entrance auditions are held each year, so new talent is constantly coming in, and young musicians are getting the chance to spend a year with the orchestra and play to its exacting standards. The OSJM is especially known for…

Review | TSO and Kerem Hasan, Youthful Energy

By Andrea Rush on 3 March 2023 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Toronto

This week’s program at the TSO bursts with the musical contemplation of youth– the composers and TSO guest conductor, Kerem Hasan. Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, op. 33a, were followed Missy Mazzoli’s Dark with Excessive Light, a contemporary Concerto for Contrabass and String Orchestra. Sparkling effervescence, Mozart’s Haffner Symphony opened the second half, followed by a return to more of Britten.c What you missed? Guest conductor Kerem Hasan exudes self-confidence onstage. He is the recipient of a Bachelor of Music degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and many prizes for his principal studies, piano and conducting. The TSO is well…

Review | TSO, Davis and Lortie Provide Wonderful Evening

By Andrea Rush on 24 February 2023 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Toronto

The style was casual elegance at Roy Thomson Hall last night, and the mood buoyant. Back from a multi-city tour through Ottawa, Montreal, New York and Chicago, the tireless TSO members were charged and ready for more stellar performances. This week’s program features Sir Andrew Davis, Conductor Laureate and Principal Conductor of the TSO from 1975-1988 and one of Canada’s foremost concert pianists, Louis Lortie. What you missed? As a pre-concert appetizer, Lortie spoke about and played Alban Berg’s Piano Sonata, Op. 1 (consisting of 1 movement). It was a teaser to the orchestral arrangement by Sir Andrew Davis that…

CD Review | Symphonie de la tempête de verglas (ATMA Classique, 2023)

By Zenith Wolfe on 18 February 2023 CD and Book Reviews, Orchestral, Quebec Music

Symphonie de la tempête de verglas Maxime Goulet, composer; Orchestre classique de Montréal ATMA Classique, 2023 Symphonie de la tempête de verglas, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of Quebec’s worst ice storm on record, is nothing short of sublime. The terrifying beauty of this natural disaster is brilliantly illustrated by the titular symphony’s first movement, with violin strings and thundering timpani galore signalling the approach of clouds, wind, and storm. People across Canada came together in this time of crisis, evidenced by the folksy woodwind tune that shines through the otherwise dramatic melodies. The length, intensity, and rhythmic progression of…

Jean Dupré avec Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Jean Dupré: Strategic Planner

By Wah Keung Chan on 16 February 2023 Arts Industry, Orchestral

After 10 years as CEO of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain (OM), Jean Dupré has retired, leaving the organization on a high: its budget has more than doubled to $7 million, staffing has grown from eight to 22 and musicians’ wages have almost doubled, its endowment fund is at $8.5 million and its reputation is recognized around the world. His strategic planning has paid off. When he took the job in 2012, Dupré’s first objective was to change the perception of the OM as the second orchestra in Montreal and to demonstrate that it’s of the same quality as the city’s other…

Photo: Tam Lan Truong

Newswire | Canadian Conductor Francis Choinière wins $125,000 (Mécénat Musica’s Prix Goyer 2023-2024)

By Newswire on 14 February 2023 Arts Industry, Newswire, Orchestral

Montreal, February 14, 2023 – Francis Choinière, choral conductor and artistic director of Orchestre Philharmonique et Choeur des Mélomanes, Orchestre FILMharmonique & Ensemble Classico Moderne is the winner of the $125,000 Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer 2023-2024 for Collaborative Emerging Artist. Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer is the biggest prize of its kind in Canada and one of the largest in the world for a collaborative emerging artist in classical music. Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer honoursJean-Pierre Goyer and his contributions to music, arts and culture in Montréal, Québec and Canada. Mr. Goyer was Chairman of the Conseil des arts de Montréal and Chairman of the Orchestre Métropolitain where he hired Yannick…

Ambur Braid as Salome (front) and Karita Mattila as Herodias (back) in the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Salome, 2023. Photo: Michael Cooper

Review | Canadian Opera Company’s Salome a Love-Hate Production

By Denise Lai on 6 February 2023 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Toronto

Richard Strauss’ Salome is a story of lust, obsession and unrequited love. Salome, step-daughter of King Herod, is the object of desire of both Herod and his army captain, Narraboth. Salome, however, only has eyes for Jochanaan (John the Baptist), who is being held prisoner by Herod. Jochanaan denounces the adulterous Herod and his wife Herodias, and spurns Salome’s advances. When Herod offers Salome anything she desires for a dance, she demands Jochanaan’s head on a silver platter. What you missed A sense of déjà vu hit me when the curtain lifted—the steeply raked stage bears an eerie semblance to…

Wed, Feb 1, 2023 -- Chicago Symphony Orchestra Riccardo Muti, Conductor 2023 Winter Tour Concert 1 in Toronto © Todd Rosenberg Photography 2023

Review | Fiery Mussorgsky Marks Chicago Symphony’s First Toronto Visit in a Century

By Joseph So on 3 February 2023 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Toronto

Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, Op. 62; Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op.93; Liadov: The Enchanted Lake, Op. 62; Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (Orch. Ravel). Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Riccardo Muti, conductor. Koerner Hall, Feb. 2, 2023. We are still in the early stages of the new year, and already Toronto has experienced what surely will count as a highlight of the 2023 musical season. I am talking about the visit earlier this week of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under its music director Riccardo Muti, for two performances at the acoustically superb Koerner Hall. This tour was Muti’s last as CSO’s…

Orchestre du Conservatoire conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni

By Alexandre Amat on 3 February 2023 Classical Music, Orchestral

Since the start of the new season in 2022, conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni has headed the Orchestre symphonique du Conservatoire de musique de Montréal as well as the orchestra conducting class. A graduate of the Conservatoire himself, he says he is struck by the quality and passion of the orchestra, despite its youth. He praises the enthusiasm, open-mindedness, will and energy that characterize these young musicians on the threshold of their professional careers. The orchestra is currently rehearsing for a benefit concert in support of the Fondation du Conservatoire, which offers grants to students to enable them to finance their studies…

Review | TSO: Tarmo Peltokoski and Jonathan Crow Memorable

By Andrea Rush on 2 February 2023 Classical Music, Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Toronto, Violin

It was a wintery night, and the program was particularly well suited for those who braved the storm warnings. The trek to Roy Thomson Hall to hear Shostakovich 5 & Crow Plays Brahms was well rewarded. Listeners voted with their feet and the thunderous multiple standing ovations for guest conductor Tarmo Peltokoski and violinist Jonathan Crow, the TSO’s beloved concertmaster. The selection of pieces and the performances were timely and memorable. What you missed? Protégé guest conductor Peltokoski has reportedly received almost as many prizes as his age, 22. His conducting is detailed, insightful and clear and according to his…

Browsing: Orchestral