Orchestras Canada

Last Sunday evening, the Conseil Quebecois de la Musique (CQM) celebrated both the 25th anniversary of its founding and the excellence of the musical community it supports, at the 15th annual Prix Opus Gala. We salute the following friends and members of Orchestras Canada, whose exceptional accomplishments were recognized:

Hommage prize: cellist and conductor Yuli Turovsky, founder and 30-year leader of I Musici de Montreal.
Concert of the year, Montreal: Shostakovich’s four last quartets, Quatuor Molinari
Concert of the year, modern/contemporary: Homage to Xenakis, Nouvel Ensemble Moderne
New work of the year: Mutation, by Denis Gougeon (Nouvel Ensemble Moderne)
Concert of the Year, young audiences: On n’est jamais trop classique, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Recording of the year, romantic/post-romantic/impressionist: La tragédie de Salomé, F. Schmitt, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Orchestre Métropolitain, ATMA Classique
Artistic Director of the year: Jean-François Rivest, Orford Arts Centre
Event of the year: Festival de Lanaudière, summer 2011

On October 24, ADISQ (the association for music and sound recording in Quebec) will hold its “other gala” – an event to honour the outstanding non-commercial recordings and performers of the year. A number of Orchestras Canada members have been nominated for the classical music awards, and we’re proud to list them here:

In the “classical recording of the year – orchestra or large ensemble”, featured nominations include recordings by Les Violons du Roy (Bonbons on ATMA Classique, led by Bernard Labadie), Orchestre metropolitain (Florent Schmitt : La Tragédie de Salomé, César Franck : Symphonie en ré, on ATMA Classique, led by Yannick Nezet-Seguin) and the Orchestre symphonique de Montreal (Beethoven: Des Dieux, des Héros et des Hommes, on Analekta, led by Kent Nagano).

In the “classical recording of the year – soloist or small ensemble”, we salute the nomination of the Quatuor Alcan, participants in the recording entitled Mathieu: Trio & Quintette; Chausson – Concert, also featuring Alain Lefèvre and David Lefèvre, on the Analekta label.

Finally, in the “classical recording of the year – vocal”, we recognize the nominations of Les Violons du Roy (Britten: Les Illuminations, featuring Karina Gauvin and led by Jean-Marie Zeitouni, on the ATMA label), and Orchestre Metropolitain (on a recording entitled Marie-Josée Lord, led by Giuseppe Pietraroia featuring the eponymous singer, on ATMA Classique).

Congratulations to Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who will be presented with a Doctorate (honoris causa) from the Université de Québec à Montréal at Orchestre Métropolitain’s performance at Place des Arts on Monday, 21 March.

Last Sunday, the Philadelphia Orchestra announced the appointment of its eighth music director, Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Maestro Nézet-Séguin, currently music director of both Orchestre Métropolitain du grand Montréal and the Rotterdam Philharmonic, and Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic, will formally assume music director duties with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2012.

As reported by Peter Dobrin in the Philadelphia Inquirer, “With his datebook already crowded, Nézet-Séguin’s arrival in Philadelphia will come in phases. In 2010-11, as music-director-designate, he will conduct two weeks here. In 2011-12, the number of weeks will increase to five. In his first season as music director, 2012-2013, Nézet-Séguin will lead up to seven weeks of concerts. In his second and third seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15) he will conduct 15 weeks. He will conduct 16 weeks of concerts in his fourth and fifth seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17). His responsibilities will include subscription concerts, special events, tours and summer appearances.”

At the same time, however, Maestro Nézet-Séguin has been quick to confirm his loyalty to the Orchestre Métropolitain, noting that his contract with the orchestra has been renewed until 2015 “at least” and that he looks forward to future concerts. “To make music with the musicians in Orchestre Métropolitain never ceases to stimulate and nourish me,” he noted.

For more on the appointment, you can visit the websites of
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Orchestre Métropolitain

On June 16 and 17 in Ottawa, and June 20 in Montréal, the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Orchestre Métropolitain will join forces – along with eight soloists and a 296-voice mass choir – under the leadership of OM music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, for Gustav Mahler‘s Symphony No. 8. The Ottawa performances mark the first-ever performance of the work by the National Arts Centre Orchestra and all three concerts are now completely sold out. The cast of soloists includes Erin Wall, Joni Henson, and Nathalie Paulin, sopranos; Susan Platts and Anita Krause, mezzo-sopranos, John MacMaster, tenor; Alexander Dobson, baritone; and Robert Pomakov, bass – and a chorus of 296 comprised of the Ottawa Choral Society (Matthew Larkin, Director), Cantata Singers of Ottawa (Michael Zaugg, Director), Ottawa Festival Chorus (Laurence Ewashko, Director), The Ewashko Singers (Laurence Ewashko, Director), Choeur de l’Orchestre Métropolitain (Alain Cazes and Pierre Tourville, Directors), and the Boys and Girls Choirs from Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa (Matthew Larkin and Timothy Piper, Directors) – all under the direction of Duain Wolfe, Chorusmaster.

The performance on June 16 will also feature a very special presentation: her Excellency Michaëlle Jean will present a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award to Maestro Nézet-Séguin. Although the awards were “officially” presented in Ottawa on May 1, Maestro Nézet-Séguin was not able to attend, due to a previous conducting commitment – so a short on-stage ceremony (including a short film, produced by the National Film Board of Canada) will take place prior to the opening of the concert on June 16. For additional information, you can visit the NAC website here.

Just a few weeks ago, two stellar individuals from the Canadian orchestral community – Walter Homburger, CM and Yannick Nézet-Séguin – were honoured at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala for 2010. Mr. Homburger received an Award for Lifetime Achievement, and Maestro Nézet-Séguin the National Arts Centre Award. Well, the Awards are annual – and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation has announced a June 21 deadline for nominations for the 2011 Awards. Awards are presented for lifetime artistic achievement in the fields of theatre, dance, classical music, popular music, film, and radio and television broadcasting, as well as voluntarism in the performing arts. To learn more, and to download nomination materials, please visit the Foundation’s website here.

Hearty, if belated congratulations to the Orchestras Canada members whose recordings have been nominated for Juno Awards this year!  The nominations were announced March 3, and the awards will be presented during Juno week, April 12-18 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

In the Classical Album of the Year, Large Ensemble or soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment category, we salute OC members
Les Violons du Roy – Bartok
Louis Lortie and Orchestre symphonique de Québec - Mendelssohn – Piano Concertos 1 & 2 – Symphony No. 5
National Youth Orchestra of Canada – Selections From the 2009 National Tour
Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Orchestre Métropolitain - Bruckner Symphony No. 8

In the Classical Album of the Year:  Solo or Chamber Ensemble, we honour
I Musici de Montreal – Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence, Quartet No. 1

And, in the Classical Composition of the Year category, we recognize the nomination of Rob Teehan‘s Dreams of Flying, recorded by the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.

For more information on the Juno Awards, you can visit the website here.

The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards has just announced the winners for 2010, and they include two people central to orchestral life in Canada – Walter Homburger (Life Time Achievement Award) and Yannick Nezet-Seguin (National Arts Centre Award).  Here are excerpts from the citations for these two great Canadians:

Orchestra manager, consultant, impresario and artist manager, Walter Homburger has been a driving force in the development of orchestras and classical music in Canada for over half a century. He has promoted a succession of extraordinary artists (including Glenn Gould, Victor Braun, Jan Rubes, Louis Lortie, and James Ehnes), and his unrivalled 25-year term as managing director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) set new standards for orchestra management in Canada and became a model for following generations of music directors and managers.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin is one of the fastest-rising stars on the international classical music scene. Acclaimed by musicians, audiences and critics alike for his musicality, dedication and charisma, he is in great demand as a symphonic and operatic conductor and has appeared with leading orchestras around the world.

The awards will be presented in Ottawa on May 1.

The Ontario Arts Council has announced that the Heinz Unger Award for 2010 has been awarded to Michelle Mourre, Artistic Director of the Brandon Chamber Players.  The award is presented every two years to an emerging professional conductor who has experience at a professional, semi-professional and/or community orchestra.  The jury noted that Ms Mourre has a “lot to offer and say as a Canadian musician and conductor.”  Prior to joining the Brandon Chamber Players, Mourre distinguished herself as Conductor in Residence with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and more recently, with her successful debuts at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Nova Scotia.

The Prince George Symphony has announced a restructuring of its staff team in response to its financial situation.  General Manager Elizabeth Aman-Hume has stepped down; a number of her duties will be assumed by Ruth Langner.

The Cleveland Orchestra has announced the appointment of Dory Vanderhoof (of Toronto consulting and executive search firm Genovese Vanderhoof) as their Interim Chief Development Officer.

The Quinte Symphony has announced the appointment of Marilyn Lawrie as their General Manager, effective January 11.  An experienced arts professional with a strong background in theatre, opera and music, Ms Lawrie served as Concert Manager and General Manager of the Quinte Symphony from 2004-08, leaving the role to work as Director of Outreach and Production at Opera Lyra Ottawa.  Speaking about the appointment, Quinte Symphony board chair Judith Chalmers said, “we feel so fortunate to be able to work with Marilyn again at this important moment in Quinte Symphony’s history.”

Orchestra News conveys hearty congratulations to two Canadian conductors who have recently received accolades for their work in major American cities – Yannick Nezet-Seguin for his work conducting a new production of Bizet‘s Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in New York; and Bernard Labadie, who led Les Violons du Roy and the Chapelle de Quebec in performances in New York and Los Angeles. 

You can read the New York Times review of Maestro Nezet-Seguin’s work here. You can also read an interview with him in Opera News here. You can read the LA Times review of the Violons du Roy performance here.