La Scena Musicale

Cellist Stéphane Tétreault performs English Gardens with the Orchestre Métropolitain.

From Paris: The Modigliani Quartet

The Arte Musica Foundation’s “Beyond the Louvre” series presents a group that has taken audiences by storm, winning three international competitions. Coming out of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, the Modigliani Quartet will perform a program of Mozart, Saint-Saëns and Ravel. Bourgie Hall, April 15, 7:30 pm. www.bourgiehall.ca

- Renée Banville

Nézet-Séguin and Tétreault On Stage in Montreal

The program English Gardens on April 17 at the Maison Symphonique features Stéphane Tétreault, artist in residence at the Orchestre Métropolitain, performing the Elgar Cello Concerto under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Seguin. The program will be repeated on tour in April: Rivière-des-Prairies (16), Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (19), Verdun (21), and Pierrefonds (23).www.orchestremetropolitain.com- Renée Banville

Love Songs at Fondation Arte Musica

Based around the theme “Consonance and Dissonance”, Canadian composer Ana Sokolović presents her opera for solo voice, Love Songs, performed by soprano Kristin Hoff. April 17, Bourgie Hall. www.bourgiehall.ca- Claudie Provencher

Julie Boulianne with Orchestre Lyrique de Montréal

The Orchestre lyrique de Montreal, directed by Ben Kepes and Simon Rivard, concludes its inaugural season with a French program featuring mezzo Julie Boulianne performing Ravel’s Shéhérazadeand Chausson’s Poems de l’armour et de la mer, op. 19. The evening will end with Paul Dukas’s C major Symphony to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth. April 18, Salle Claude-Champagne. www.orchestrelyriquedemontreal.org- Wah Keung Chan

Piano Trio at Pro Musica

Known for her inspired performances of great contemporary works, pianist Louise Bessette joins cellist Yegor Dyachkov and clarinetist Simon Aldrich, who won an Opus Prize for “Discovery of the Year”. Works by Bruch, Muczynski and Brahms. Dominica Series, Bourgie Hall. April 19, 3:30 pm. www.promusica.qc.ca
- Renée Banville

En Route with the Molinari Quartet

As part of its En route series, the Molinari Quartet presents three masterworks: Murray Schafer’s Quartet no. 12, written especially for them; Shostakovich’s Quartet no. 4; and the famous Quartet in G minor by Debussy. With the support of the Montreal Arts Counsel, ten concerts will be presented throughout the Montreal area. In April: Maison de la culture Plateau-Mont-Royal (19) and Auditorium Le Prévost (24). In May: Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur (14). quatuormolinari.qc.ca- Renée Banville

Le Quatuor Modigliani se produit à la Salle Bourgie

De Paris : le Quatuor Modigliani

La série Hors les murs de la Fondation Arte Musica présente une formation qui a été révélée au public en remportant trois premiers prix dans des concours internationaux. Issu du Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris, le Quatuor Modigliani a mis au programme Mozart, Saint-Saëns et Ravel. Salle Bourgie, 15 avril, 19 h 30. www.sallebourgie.ca- Renée Banville

Nézet-Séguin et Tétreault sur scène à Montréal

Le programme Jardins anglais du 17 avril à la Maison symphonique présente l'artiste en résidence à l'Orchestre Métropolitain, Stéphane Tétreault, qui interprète le Concerto pour violoncelle d'Elgar, sous la direction de Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Repris en tournée en avril : Rivière-des-Prairies (16), Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (19), Verdun (21), Pierrefonds (23). www.orchestremetropolitain.com- Renée Banville

Fondation Arte Musica

Sous le thème « cordes et discorde », la compositrice canadienne Ana Sokolović présentera son opéra pour voix seule, Love Songs, qui sera par la suite interprété par la soprano Kristin Hoff. 17 avril, salle Bourgie. www.sallebourgie.ca

- Claudie Provencher

Julie Boulianne avec l’Orchestre Lyrique de Montréal

L’Orchestre Lyrique de Montréal, dirigé par Ben Kepes et Simon Rivard, conclut sa saison inaugurale avec un programme français mettant en vedette la mezzo Julie Boulianne interprétant Shéhérazade de Ravel et le Poème de l’amour et de la mer, op. 19 de Chausson. La soirée se terminera avec la Symphonie en ut majeur de Paul Dukas afin de célébrer le 150^e anniversaire de la naissance du compositeur. Le 18 avril à la salle Claude-Champagne. www.orchestrelyriquedemontreal.org - Wah Keung Chan

Piano en trio à Pro Musica

Reconnue pour ses prestations inspirées des grandes œuvres de notre temps, la pianiste Louise Bessette se joint au violoncelliste Yegor Dyachkov et au clarinettiste Simon Aldrich, sélectionné pour un prix Opus « Découverte de l'année ». Œuvres de Bruch, Muczynski et Brahms. Série Dominica, salle Bourgie, 19 avril, 15 h 30. www.promusica.qc.ca- Renée Banville

En route avec le Quatuor Molinari

Dans sa série En route, le Quatuor Molinari propose trois chefs-d'œuvre : le Quatuor no 12, écrit par Murray Schafer spécialement pour eux, le Quatuor no 4 de Chostakovitch et le célèbre Quatuor en sol de Debussy. Avec l'appui du Conseil des arts de Montréal, 10 concerts seront présentés dans les arrondissements. En avril : Maison de la culture Plateau-Mont-Royal (19) et Auditorium Le Prévost (24). En mai : Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur (14). quatuormolinari.qc.ca- Renée Banville

Christianne Stotijn Superb in WMCT Lieder Recital

~ Joseph So

Tchaikovsky / Six Songs
Amid the Noise of the Ball
My Genius, my Angel, my Friend
If I had only known
Cradle Song
The Lights were being dimmed
The Sun has set

Shostakovich
Six Poems by Marina Tsvetayeva, Op. 143a

Korngold
Four Shakespeare Songs, Op. 31

Strauss
Standchen
Traum durch die Dammerung
Freundliche Vision
Schlechtes Wetter
Nachtgang
Zueignung

Encore: Strauss / Morgen

Christianne Stotijn, mezzo soprano
Julius Drake, piano
Walter Hall, April 16th 2015 1:30 pm

Christianne Stotijn (Photo: Stephan van Fleteran)

Who says the song recital is a dying art form? Judging by the marvelous Liederabend - albeit given in the afternoon - by Dutch mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn and her pianist Julius Drake, the reports of the death of the song recital have been greatly exaggerated, as Mark Twain would have said. To be sure, in our age of instant gratification, the attraction for anything that requires time and effort on the part of the audience is going to hold limited appeal. But if one is willing to invest the energy into learning about the background of a song and having read the text beforehand, the rewards can be plentiful. This is so true when you have a serious artist like Christianne Stotijn who's keen to help her audience to delve beneath the surface of a work, to unlock the secrets of word and music.

Mezzo Christianne Stotijn and pianist Julius Drake (Photo: Joseph So)

One of the very few truly superb recitalists in front of the public today, mezzo Stotijn offers a beautiful voice with consummate musical intelligence and exemplary communicative power in her recitals. Having experienced her artistry on two previous occasions in Germany, I was looking forward to her first appearance here in Toronto, under the auspices of Women's Musical Club of Toronto. And I was not disappointed. Walter Hall was nearly full, thanks to the very loyal followers of WMCT, and the knowledgeable audience was extremely well behaved, never interrupting a song with premature applause, and always quiet and attentive, a few inevitable coughs notwithstanding. She is currently on a recital tour with Julius Drake, one of the absolute top collaborative pianists in the world today. They played the same program in a very well received recital last weekend at Pollock Hall on the campus of McGill University.

Stotijn opened with a group of six quite familiar Tchaikovsky songs. Very well chosen songs, with a nice mix of soft versus dramatic selections. Her voice, a "true mezzo" to begin with, seems to have darkened the last few years, its soft-grained, warm colours with a built-in melancholic quality is ideal in these brooding Russian songs. There's a plaintive quality to her vocal production, particularly in middle voice. In soft passages, she often attacks a phrase quietly, with caressing tone, and little vibrato which she adds on later in the sustained line. In the climactic phrases and sung in fortissimo, the lively vibrato kicks in and it makes a powerful dramatic statement, such as the last sung, The Sun has Set.

This was followed by a group of unfamiliar songs by Dmitri Shostakovich, set to text by Marina Tsvetayeva, a woman who was Shostakovich's muse. Stotijn went into a detailed explanation of the background of their relationship, complete with the political backdrop that explains the genesis of these songs. To be honest, these are difficult songs for the audience (and I am sure for the singer as well) given the angularity of the musical idiom of a modernist like Shostakovich. Snippets of it remind me of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk! I would have to re-listen and study the text in order to really get everything out of these works.

Autographing CDs (Photo: Joseph So)

Following an intermission she sang a group of four songs by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Well, I have to confess to being a Korngold junkie! His Die tote Stadt, Das Wunder der Heliane, his violin concerto, and the shorter cello concerto are my favourite pieces. His songs are wonderful as well, although they are perhaps not quite so familiar. I love the marvelous Sony disc by Austrian mezzo Angelika Kirchschlager that came out maybe ten years ago. Since then, a few more have appeared, including one by Anne Sofie von Otter. Melodies just seem to pour out of this man! Anyone not familiar with his songs - please, do yourself a favour and seek them out. The four Shakespeare songs are sung in English. The first one, Desdemona's Song, the text really reminds me of Verdi's Salce, salce from Otello. Then three exquisite songs - Under the Greenwood Tree, Blow thou Winter Wind, and the absolutely brilliant When Birds do Sing. Stotijn delivered these with joy and abundant poetic imagination, the coordination between singer and pianist in the last song particularly impressive. Perhaps if I were to quibble, sometimes her top voice would go a little flat and/or not ideally focused, but these are minor issues.

The final group was the very familiar Strauss. Although Cacilie was cut - given the substantial amount of music already on the program, it's understandable - there's enough to satisfy Strauss lovers. She sang these very beautifully, with smooth, caressing tone, only occasionally she could go a little under-pitched. But the expression and attention to the textual nuances are absolutely first-rate. Standchen, one of my favourite songs, was delivered with a lightness of touch, not the easiest thing to do for a low voice. I loved her sense of humour in Schlechtes Wetter - with that startled look at the end! Zueignung, as expected, was a perfect song to end the formal part of the program. After much vociferous applause, she sang as an encore, Morgen, with great serenity and depth of feeling. It was a moment to savour. Through it all, Julius Drake was a rock for the singer. He also gave a long explanation of Korngold to the audience. I am just so happy Drake comes to Toronto frequently - it's always a pleasure to hear him play. Bravi tutti!

CASP has exciting news!

We are happy to announce that in the 2015-16 season CASP will begin a new series of concerts:
The Canadian Art Song Project Recital Series.

This, the first series of ticketed concerts presented by CASP, marks the next stage in our artistic development and mission of introducing Canadian audiences to their own art song repertoire. After four years of annual “Celebration of Canadian Art Song” concerts as a part of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, CASP will expand to offer two additional intimate recitals starring established and emerging Canadian artists proudly presenting Canadian works alongside European and American song.

The first recital will present a new cycle by Erik Ross (The Living Spectacle) along with works by Brian Harman (Sewing the Earthworm), Richard Strauss (Ophelia Lieder) and American Libby Larsen (Try Me, Good King). The second concert will feature song by Canadians Chester Duncan, Larysa Kuzmenko (In Search of Eldorado) and Imant Raminsh (The Pilgrim Soul) as well as works by Gustav Mahler (Songs of a Wayfarer) and Dominick Argento (The Andrée Expedition). Tickets will be on sale in September 2015 at www.canadianartsongproject.ca.

The fifth annual “Celebration of Canadian Art Song” concert will be held on May 5, 2016 at 12 noon as part of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre.

(l. to r.) Steven Philcox, Carla Huhtanen, David Brock, Brian Harman, Lawrence Wiliford (Photo: Joseph So)

Tenor Lawrence Wiliford (Photo: Joseph So)

Composer Brian Harman (Photo: Joseph So)

Soprano Carla Huhtanen (Photo: Joseph So)

Writer David James Brock (Photo: Joseph So)

At the announcement on April 17th at the Canadian Music Centre, soprano Carla Huhtanen and pianist Steven Philcox performed Sewing the Earthworm, a CASP commissioned song cycle by composer Brian Harman and Writer David James Brock. Combining elements of poetry, drama, opera and new music, the piece explores a woman's loss of physical control over her body and the effect this has on her mental stability. After the performance, the creative team was joined by moderator Lawrence Wiliford for an open Q&A. ~ Photos by Joseph So

My Toronto Concert Picks for the Week of April 20 to 26

~ Joseph So

Canadian conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin

In my book, the brilliant Yannick Nezet-Seguin is the Canadian conductor of the 21st century. Immensely talented and charismatic, he exudes the joy of music-making every time he steps onto the podium. His star is certainly shining the brightest among all the Canucks, as head honcho in Philadelphia, Rotterdam, London Phil, and an exclusive contract with DG. This is in addition to his "old band" the Orchestre Metropolitain du Grand Montreal (its full name). And he's only 40 years old! I'll never forget interviewing him for an article in the Debut column of Opera Canada in spring of 2003. Back then he had just been appointed principal guest conductor of the Victoria Symphony. It's staggering how far he has gone in the musical world in a dozen years. Nezet-Seguin and the Orchestre Metropolitain is coming to Koerner Hall on Friday April 24 8 pm in an all-English program - Elgar's Enigma Variations and Cello Concerto, plus Vaughan Williams'Symphony No. 4. This is a concert not to be missed. https://performance.rcmusic.ca/event/orchestre_metropolitain

Cellist Stephane Tetreault

The wonderful soloist in the concerto is cellist Stephane Tetreault, who is also in town for the Career Development Award Live Competition under the auspices of the Women's Musical Club of Toronto. There are three finalists this year - pianists Pierre-Andre Doucet and Charles Richard Hamelin, and as well as cellist Stephane Tetreault. It takes place on Sunday April 26 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. The three finalists are competing for prizes of $20,000 (first), $10,000 (second) and $5,000 (third). This will be an exciting event. Julie Nesrallah of CBC Radio Two is the host. http://www.wmct.on.ca/

Josh Hopkins (Figaro) and Serena Malfi (Rosina) in COC Barber of Seville (Photo: Michael Cooper)

The Canadian Opera Company's spring season opened last Friday with a scintillating production of Rossini's The Barber of Seville. I have to say I'm not a huge Rossini fan, but I find this a terrific show! Joan Font (and Els Comediants) heads the Spanish creative team behind this production, the same people who did the marvelous La cenerentola seen here two seasons ago. As Figaro, we have the beautiful lyric baritone of Canadian Joshua Hopkins, last heard locally as Marcello in La boheme. Rosina is the Italian rising-star mezzo Serena Malfi. American tenor Alek Shrader, whose memorable Albert Herring I had the pleasure of seeing a few years ago in Santa Fe, is Almaviva. The revelation on opening night was the Bartolo of the great Italian buffoRenato Girolami. Given that there are twelve performance (plus an Ensemble show), most roles are double-cast. But the alternate cast won't start until early in May. Performances this week on April 21 7:30 pm and April 26 2 pm at the Four Seasons Centre. http://www.coc.ca/Home.aspx

Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian

On April 22 8 pm at Roy Thomson Hall, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is presenting Ararat: Music of Armenia. It features Three Songs by Gomidas, Khachaturian's Violin Concerto, selections from Masquerade and Spartacus, and a new suite by Canadian composer Mychael Danna for Atom Egoyan's movie Ararat. Soloists include soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, violinist Sergey Khachatryan, and pianist Serouj Kradjian. Peter Oundjian conducts the TSO. http://tso.ca/en-ca/concerts-and-tickets/2014-2015-Season/EventDetails/Ararat-Music-of-Armenia.aspx

On April 24 7:30 pm (repeated April 25 at 2 and 7:30), the Toronto Symphony Orchestra supplies the orchestral accompaniment to the Disney film, Fantasia. The TSO has done similar events before and these are always family favourites. TSO Pops Conductor Steven Reineke is at the helm.

TSYO Conductor Shalom Bard

The Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, under the baton of Shalom Bard, gives a concert of Mahler's Symphony No. 1, at Koerner Hall on Thursday April 23 at 7:30 pm. http://tso.ca/en-ca/concerts-and-tickets/2014-2015-Season/EventDetails/Toronto-Symphony-Youth-Orchestra-Spring-Concert.aspx

Violinist Aisslinn Nosky (Photo: Matthew Marigold)

Canadian violinist Aisslinn Nosky is the guest director of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Baroque Misbehaving, a program of works by Purcell, Charpentier and Telemann, plus a new commission of Oesterle's Snow White. Performances at the Trinity St. Paul Centre on April 23 8 pm, as well as on April 24, 25, 26 (mat.) and 28, this last at the George Weston Recital Hall. http://www.tafelmusik.org/

This Week in Montreal : April 20 – 26

by Renée Banville, Claudie Provencher,Rebecca Anne Clark and Wah Keung Chan

Molinari Quartet

20^thanniversary of the FMCM – March 12-June 21 2015

The celebration of the 20^thanniversary of the Festival de musique de chamber de Montréal takes off this spring with the Celebrity Series, beginning in March with the Swingle Singers and continuing with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (April 2) and the Emerson String Quartet (May 12). The Elegance Classique and JazzTD Series will take place from June 6-21. Soprano Marie-Josée Lord, spokeswoman for the festival, will perform her show Femmes, paying tribute to the great sopranos of the twentieth century. Developed by Denis Brott, the festival programming embodies a spirit of celebration, resilience and hope. This year’s festival will take place in various concert halls. www.festivalmontreal.org RB

Nézet-Séguin and Tétreault On Stage in Montreal

En Route with the Molinari Quartet

As part of its En route series, the Molinari Quartet presents three masterworks: Murray Schafer’s Quartet no. 12, written especially for them; Shostakovich’s Quartet no. 4; and the famous Quartet in G minor by Debussy. With the support of the Montreal Arts Counsel, ten concerts will be presented throughout the Montreal area. In April: Maison de la culture Plateau-Mont-Royal (19) and Auditorium Le Prévost (24). In May: Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur (14). http://quatuormolinari.qc.caRB

Guitare Montréal
April 24-26, www.guitaremontreal.com

This weekend festival combines performances, lectures, masterclasses, an exhibition, and a competition with over $4,000 in prizes. The festival begins Friday night with a performance by the Montreal Guitar Society under the direction of Dave Pilon, plus Czech guitar virtuoso Vladislav Bláha and Alan Liu, winner of last year’s Youth Competition. Guitar luthiers and vendors will be displaying their wares all day Saturday and Sunday. Saturday evening features a performance by last year’s competition winner, Miodrag Zerdoner, and renowned New York guitarist David Leisner. On Sunday afternoon, the Montreal Guitar Society Competition finals will be held from 1-4 pm. All concerts take place at 8 pm at Concordia’s DB Clarke Theatre (1455 de Maisonneuve W). Tickets are $27 with discounts for students and seniors. RC

Fondation Arte Musica

Based around the theme “Consonance and Dissonance”, Canadian composer Ana Sokolović presents her opera for solo voice, Love Songs, performed by soprano Kristin Hoff. April 17, Bourgie Hall.

The integral Bach Canatas continues at Bourgie Hall. The concert given by Capella Antica McGill looks especially interesting, given the ensemble’s renown. The cantatas will be performed based on libretto by poet Christiane Mariane von Ziegler on April 26. www.bourgiehall.ca CP

Actéon: Mythology Revisited

For its annual concert featuring baroque opera, the Compagnie Baroque Mont-Royal, which is dedicated to the performance of early music and operas, presents a Marc-Antoine Charpentier opera, staged by Jon David. A short six-scene opera based on an ancient myth, Acéton tells the story of a young hunter who surprised the goddess Diana and her nymphs as they bathed. The tragic fate of Actaeon remains one of the most popular myths of antiquity.

Audiences can hear David Menzies, Chelsea Mahan, Kristi Bryson, Kripa Nageschwar, Meagan Zantingh, and Marie-Andrée Matthieu, accompanied by the CBMR Quintet. Victoria Hall, Westmount, April 25 and 26. www.cbmroyal.com CP

The Wild Strings of Valérie Milot

Conceived as a marriage of traditional harp repertoire and transcriptions, this recital by Valérie Milot shows audiences the infinite possibilities of the instrument. A program of Smetana, Britten, Tailleferre and Tournier. Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, April 26, 3:30 pm. www.accesculture.comRB

Cette semaine à Montréal : 20 au 26 avril

par Renée Banville, Claudie Provencher,Rebecca Anne Clark et Wah Keung Chan

Valérie Milot

20^e anniversaire du FMCM–12 mars au 21 juin 2015

Nézet-Séguin et Tétreault sur scène à Montréal

En route avec le Quatuor Molinari

Dans sa série En route, le Quatuor Molinari propose trois chefs-d'œuvre : le Quatuor no 12, écrit par Murray Schafer spécialement pour eux, le Quatuor no 4de Chostakovitch et le célèbre Quatuor en sol de Debussy. Avec l'appui du Conseil des arts de Montréal, 10 concerts seront présentés dans les arrondissements. En avril : Maison de la culture Plateau-Mont-Royal (19) et Auditorium Le Prévost (24). En mai : Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur (14). http://quatuormolinari.qc.ca RB

Guitare Montréal
24-26 avril, www.guitaremontreal.com

Ce festival de fin de semaine combine des concerts, des conférences, des cours de maîtres, une exposition et un concours offrant 4000 $ en prix. Le festival commence le vendredi 24 avril par un concert de l’Orchestre de la Société de guitare de Montréal, sous la direction de Dave Pilon et accompagné par le virtuose tchèque de la guitare Vladislav Bláha et le gagnant du Concours de la relève 2014, Alan Liu. Luthier et vendeurs de guitares exposeront leur marchandise samedi et dimanche. Samedi, il sera possible d’entendre Miodrag Zerdoner, le gagnant de l’an dernier, et David Leisner, guitariste new-yorkais bien connu. La finale du Concours international de guitare classique de Montréal se tiendra dimanche après-midi entre 13 h et 14 h. Tous les concerts présentés dans le cadre du festival auront lieu à 20 h au Théâtre DB Clarke de l’Université Concordia(1455 de Maisonneuve Ouest). Les billets coûtent 27 $ et le festival propose une réduction pour les étudiants et les aînés. RC

Fondation Arte Musica

L’intégrale des cantates de Bach de la Fondation Arte Musica continue. Le concert donné par Capella Antica McGill a particulièrement attiré notre attention, étant donné la renommée de l’ensemble. Y seront interprétés les cantates sur des livrets de la poétesse Christiane Mariane von Ziegler. 26 avril, salle Bourgie. www.mbam.qc.ca/musique CP

Actéon, la mythologie revisitée

Pour son concert annuel mettant en vedette un opéra baroque, la compagnie Baroque Mont-Royal, qui rappelons-le se dédie à « l’interprétation de musique et d’opéras anciens », présente un opéra de Marc-Antoine Charpentier mis en scène par Jon David. Opéra miniature de six scènes basé sur un mythe ancien, Actéonraconte l’histoire d’un jeune chasseur surprenant au bain la déesse Diane et ses nymphes. Le sort tragique d’Actéon en fait l’un des mythes les plus populaires de l’Antiquité.

Il sera possible d’entendre David Menzies, Chelsea Mahan, Kristi Bryson, Kripa Nageschwar, Meagan Zantingh et Marie-Andrée Matthieu accompagnés du Quinette de la CBMR. Salle Victoria de Westmount, les 25 et 26 avril. www.cbmroyal.com CP

Les cordes endiablées de Valérie Milot

Conçu afin de marier des œuvres du répertoire traditionnel de la harpe et des transcriptions du répertoire, le récital de Valérie Milot permettra au spectateur d'apprécier les infinies possibilités de cet instrument. Au programme : Smetana, Britten, Tailleferre et Tournier. Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, 26 avril, 15 h 30. www.accesculture.com RB

Discovery CD – Stéphan Sylvestre

As announced in the editorial of the September issue, La Scena Musicale is pleased to present the Discovery CD in partnership with Espace 21 Records, a CD downloads for our subscribers. The Discovery CD was launched in 2009 in partnership with Espace 21 Records. Its aim is to allow LSM Subscribers to discover a new generation of musicians, along with discovering great musicians of the past.

This week’s Discovery CD is Canadian pianist Stephan Sylvestre’s latest record. It consists of works by Johannes Brahms, including 8 piano pieces, two rhapsodies, three intermezzi and an Albumblatt in A minor op. posthumous. CBC music calls his approach to Johannes Brahms “much more romantic [than Perahia], but equally appealing. His playing is introspective and thoughtful, imbued with a deep sensitivity.”

Many critics have praised Sylvestre. He was compared to Artur Rubinstein for his natural talent (La Presse, Montreal). His career takes place on an international scale, having performed in Canada, the United States, Brazil, the Middle East, France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Czech Republic, Russia and the Netherlands.

Sylvestre is very active in the music world. In addition to concerts, he conducts masterclasses and is regularly invited on the jury of international competitions such as the Canadian Music Competition, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Competition, the Glenn Gould School Concerto Competition and the Montreal International Musical Competition. Since 2005, he has been associate professor and head of keyboard studies at Western University Canada.

Sylvestre will give a free recital on May 10, 2015 at the Chapelle Historique du Bon-Pasteur on the centennial of Alexandre Scriabine’s death.

Read more about Stéphan Sylvestre:

· Tomorrow’s Pianistsby Lucie Renaud

· CBC Radio

· Stephan Sylvestre (Official Website)

· Toronto Sun(Video)

TRACK LIST:

JOHANNES BRAHMS [ 1833 - 1897 ]

KLAVIERSTÜCKE OP. 76 [ Piano Pieces – Pièces Pour Piano ]

01 no. 1 capriccio in F sharp minor / en fa dièse mineur. un poco agitato 3’20

02 no. 2 capriccio in B minor / en si mineur. allegretto non troppo 3’42

03 no. 3 intermezzo in a flat major / en la bémol majeur. Grazioso 2’12

04 no. 4 intermezzo in B flat major / en si bémol majeur. allegretto grazioso 2’25

05 no. 5 capriccio in c sharp minor / en do dièse mineur. agitato ma non troppo presto 3’09

06 no. 6 intermezzo in a major / en la majeur. andante con moto 4’14

07 no. 7 intermezzo in a minor / en la mineur. Moderato simplice 3’11

08 no. 8 capriccio in c major / en do majeur. Grazioso ed un poco vivace 3’29

ZWEI RHAPSODIEN OP. 79 [ Two rhapsodies – Deux rhapsodies ]

09 no. 1 in B minor / en si mineur 9’54

10 no. 2 in G minor / en sol mineur 6’15

DREI INTERMEZZI OP. 117 [ Three intermezzi – Trois intermezzi ]

11 no. 1 in e flat major / en mi bémol majeur. andante moderato 5’00

12 no. 2 in B flat minor / en si bémol mineur. andante non troppo e con molto espressione 4’47

13 no. 3 in c sharp minor / en do dièse mineur. andante con moto 6’00

ALBUMBLATT

14 [ in a Minor oP. PosTh 1853 - en la Mineur, oP. Posthume 1853 ] 1’58

CD Découverte – Stéphan Sylvestre

Tel qu’annoncé dans notre éditorial du mois de septembre, La Scena Musicale est heureuse d'offrir à nouveau des téléchargements gratuits de notre collection CD Découverte. L’initiative des CDs Découverte a été lancée en 2009 en partenariat avec les Disques Espace 21. Le but est de permettre aux abonnés de LSM de découvrir une nouvelle génération de musiciens et de redécouvrir les grands interprètes du passé.

Le CD découverte de cette semaine comprend des enregistrements du pianiste canadien Stéphan Sylvestre. Il s’agit d’oeuvres de Johannes Brahms dont 8 pièces pour piano, deux rhapsodies, trois intermezzo et un Albumblatt en A mineur op. posthume. CBC music affirme que son approche de Brahms est « beaucoup plus romantique [que Perahia], mais aussi intéressante. Sa manière de jouer est introspective et réfléchie, et est accompagné d’une sensibilité profonde. »

Plusieurs critiques ont encensés Sylvestre. Il a été comparé à Artur Rubinstein pour son talent naturel (La Presse, Montréal). Sa carrière se déroule à l’internationale, ayant donné des récitals au Canada, aux Etats-Unis, au Brésil, au Moyent-Orient, en France, en Italie, en Écosse, en Irelande, en Angleterre. En République Tchèque, en Russie et aux Pays-Bas.

Sylvestre s’implique beaucoup dans le monde musical. En plus de donner des concerts, il n’est pas rare qu’on fasse appel à lui pour diriger des Masterclass et pour faire partie d’un jury sur des compétitions de haut niveau tels le Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, le Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto et la Glenn Gould School, le Concours de musique du Canada, le Concours de l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal et le Concours international de musique de Montréal. Depuis 2005, il est professeur agrégé et responsable du département de piano à Western University, à London.

Stéphan Sylvestre se produira lors d’un concert gratuity le 10 mai 2015 à la Chapelle Historique du Bon-Pasteur en l’honneur du centenaire de la mort d’Alexandre Scriabine.

Pour en savoir plus sur Stéphan Sylvestre:

· Cours de maître

· Pianistes de la génération montante par Lucie Renaud

· CBC Radio

· Stephan Sylvestre (Site officiel)

· Toronto Sun (Vidéo)

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