by Louis-Philippe Marsolais
The 55th edition of the International Horn Symposium is fast approaching, and for the occasion, we wanted to introduce you to some of the places that will host the different concerts from July 24 to 29!
The two concert halls that are part of the Faculty of Music of the Université de Montréal have been named in honor of great Canadian musicians of the 20th century. Claude Champagne (1891-1965), a great teacher, composer, and pianist, left a great legacy in Quebec. In addition to having composed an immense catalog of symphonic works incorporating Quebec folklore, he was, as early as 1942, one of the first directors of the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal—one of the three largest musical institutions in Montreal—along with the faculties of music at the universities of Montréal and McGill. An avenue bearing his name was inaugurated after the composer's death and on this street is the Claude Champagne Hall. Every year, there are dozens of concerts presented by the orchestra, the big band, the choir, and various ensembles of the UdeM, operas, and much more! Its size, 950 seats, allows large-scale events, and its clear acoustics are much appreciated by the musicians who perform on its stage. Located at the top of a hill, the panoramic view of Montréal from the foyer of the hall leaves no one indifferent! The major events of the symposium will take place there.
Of more modest size (140 seats), the Serge Garant Hall is ideal for chamber music concerts, lecture recitals, masterclasses, and solo recitals. Formerly a chapel, the stained-glass windows which adorn the large walls to the right and left of the stage are magnificent, and even more so at sunset. This warm room, named in honor of Quebec composer Serge Garant (1929-1986), invites intimacy, and its two high-quality pianos (Yamaha and Fazzioli) will resonate during many of the symposium's events. Some of the competitions, masterclasses, and recitals will be presented there.
A few steps away from the Faculty of Music is the Vincent-d'Indy School of Music and its Marie-Stéphane Hall, the largest in the institution. It was Sister Marie-Stéphane (1888-1985), composer and teacher, who founded the École Supérieure de Musique d'Outremont, which became, in 1932, the École de Musique Vincent-d'Indy. Straddling the line between high school and university, the institution is named after the influential French composer and teacher Vincent d'Indy (1851-1931). Interestingly, Sister Marie-Stéphane studied composition with, among others, Claude Champagne. The blue ceiling and colored stained-glass windows of the room that bears her name are part of the charm of the place, in addition to its beautiful columns and ornate mezzanine. With two pianos, an organ, a projector and screen, and a complete lighting system, this room is the perfect place for concerts and shows. The American Horn Quartet, Katerina Javurkova, and many other artists will be heard here.
Just cross Mount Royal and head south to the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles where an artistic and multicultural ecosystem abounds. Theaters, plazas, festivals, concert halls, and excellent restaurants are clustered in a vibrant and exciting 1 km square. Located here is the magnificent Maison Symphonique, a concert hall with over 2,100 seats. Designed according to the highest acoustic standards in the world, its walls are covered with Quebec beech wood, a material known for its acoustic qualities and appreciated for its beauty. Since its inauguration in 2011, it has been the pride of Montrealers and has welcomed, in addition to the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, and Les Violons du Roy, many prestigious orchestras and soloists visiting Quebec have performed here, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Emmanuel Pahud, Martha Argerich, the Budapest Festival Orchestra, and many others. Installed in 2014, the imposing Grand Orgue Pierre Béique (Casavant op. 3900) with its 109 registers, 83 stops, 116 ranks and 6,489 pipes is also located here. A concert with the Canadian National Brass Project and guest horn players will allow us to appreciate its incredible acoustics.
If you don't want to miss the biggest musical event of the week, you must go to the Fernand Lindsay Amphitheatre. Located a little over 30 minutes from the island of Montréal, this cultural mecca in the city of Joliette (my hometown) is a must-see. Every summer, it hosts nothing less than the largest classical music festival in Canada. (One has only to look at the long and impressive list of internationally renowned artists and ensembles to see that!) Perhaps it is the magic of the site—70 hectares of greenery on the banks of the Assomption River—that has won the hearts of music lovers in the region? or its exceptional acoustics? One thing is certain, since its construction in 1989, the success of this unique venue is undeniable. This open-air concert hall can accommodate close to 7,000 people on the best days of the summer! In 2010, the venue was renamed in memory of Father Fernand Lindsay, a man with a heart as big as the earth who made music shine more than any other in the Lanaudière region throughout his life. It is in this enchanting setting that the Orchestre Métropolitain and its conductor and artistic director Yannick Nézet-Séguin will present “Strauss at the Summit” on July 28: horn players (and music lovers) will have their ears full of Schumann's Koncertstück (with Sarah Willis, Stephan Dohr, Yun Zeng, and myself) and Strauss's Eine Alpensinfonie. And if you are a student and would like to participate, you can register for the Alpine Symphony Competition until June 1st. You’ll get a chance to take the stage (or backstage, I should say) and be part of this symphonic monument!
See you in Montréal this July!
Louis-Philippe
