The Old and the New

The Old and the New, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

What you can't see in this photograph is what intrigued me. I was at a concert by Arion. The soloist was David Breitman, a fortepiano player. For the second half of the concert he played as part of the orchestra. Arion is a baroque orchestra - playing on period instruments (instruments that would have been played at the time the music was composed) as well as using techniques (e.g. a different bowing style) of the time. A fortepiano is a precursor to the piano. Breitman walked out with a tablet, not a paper score. He had a foot pedal with which he advanced the pages. Of course this is easier with a fortepiano as there are no pedals on the instrument. It was an odd juxtaposition, but the music was really what it was all about - and that was lovely.

Cello Duets

Cello Duets, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This year Arion has hosted a series of lunch time concerts which feature both long time members of Arion as well as young musicians. Jaap ter Linden, a frequent guest conductor, played a concert of cello duets with Kate Haynes who is now often heard with various early music ensembles in Montreal. This is the third concert in the series that I have attended. Each one has been a delight, especially in the great acoustics of Tudor Hall.

Both cellists have a warm tone. I love to watch them play. Jaap ter Linden's face is as expressive as his playing. Kate Haynes plays with grace almost like a dancer. A treat of a concert! This series shows there will be no shortage of amazing musicians in the future.

Apr 30/10: Through the Doorway

Apr 30/10: Through the Doorway, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Coming out of the metro, we approached this doorway into the lobby of Salle Pierre-Mercure where the audience was lining up to go into the theatre. Anticipation for the concert of Arion Baroque Orchestra, led by guest conductor/violinist, Stefano Montanari.

What a concert! Montanari demonstrated his incredible musicality and virtuosity and the orchestra played superbly. I had the privilege of watching Mr. Montanari give a master class in Toronto which enhanced my enjoyment of the concert. I could really hear how he put his ideas into practice. He knew what he wanted to say, musically and made sure the orchestra understood his ideas and motives. We heard an extraordinary version of The Four Seasons, by Vivaldi, played as a whole with much liberty taken with tempo, improvised passages and short pauses - while I may not have agreed with absolutely everything in his interpretation, it made for an incredible evening. You could hear the brightness of spring, the sensuous summer and brittle winter. I hope to hear him again soon - he is a musical wonder.

Day 275: Organ Pipes

Day 275: Organ Pipes, originally uploaded by susanvg.

These organ pipes served as the backdrop for a joint concert given by Ensemble Arion and Tafelmusik. The pipes live in Salle Claude Champagne. Organs are usually up high in the back of a church - here it takes the place of pride.

This is not my favourite hall for concerts. It is too wide so if you are not in the centre section you don't have a good view of the orchestra. In addition, I find it feels too stark for the music I love to hear: baroque and renaissance music. This is not aided by the fact that the stage is lit and the lighting people seem to like to change to colours shining on the organ with each piece. At times it shone blue, other times magenta.

But the music was lovely, especially the second half of the concert which finished with a rousing rendition of Handel's Fireworks Music. That's when the lighting people should have shown off their skill by emulating the fireworks that should have accompanied the piece. I once saw an outdoor version complete with fireworks as part of the Montreal Baroque Festival - quite a spectacle!