Music in the Church

We were at a concert at Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation church. I hadn't noticed these windows before. What an inviting message to musicians - this place welcomes live music.



The window in the opposite wall also had a musical instrument as the theme of the window. Both, in fact, featured instruments from the past. The acoustics in the church are great for small ensembles. The church is wood, not stone so the sound is bright without being overly reverberant.



Today's concert featured Passiflore, an ensemble made of up 3 violins (sometimes 2 violins and 1 viola) and basso continuo. The repertoire they chose was delightful and beautifully played. The music muses must have been happy.

Semele

Sunday afternoon at the opera
a local performance
in Semele
young musicians playing, singing

Even on a sunny afternoon
music lovers convene
time to enjoy
the sweet sounds of Handel

I happen upon the grandfather
Reading the synopsis of Semele
Oh, he says,
My grand-daughter is going to die

Bursting with pride
That she plays that role
Mid aria he pokes me
to give a thumbs up

An afternoon well spent
with music
conversations
connecting




 Note: This is the lid of the harpsichord - taken off for the production. Harpsichords are often highly decorated. The inscription: Dum vixi tacui. Mortua dule cano means While living I was silent: dead, I sing sweetly. You can find out more about harpsichords and inscriptions here.

Marché Bonsecours

Marché Bonsecours, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Despite the cold weather, all it takes is a good concert to lure me out at night. And last night's concert was well worth the effort. Adrian Butterfield played the Four Seasons by Vivaldi with Clavecin en Concert. It was a very expressive, well thought out performance - a bit of magic on a winter's evening.

The suite of four concertos ends with Winter - appropriately last night as we left the church into the gusty night.



The cold didn't stop me from enjoying the beautiful lighting of the buildings in Old Montreal. But even the warm lights didn't mitigate against the harsh wind that buffeted us.

House Concert

Untitled, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Last night I had the privilege to attend a house concert in the home of someone who owns a marvelous harpsichord. The maker of the harpsichord also attended. The concert featured these two young musicians who are both incredibly talented and hard-working musicians.

It is always a treat to hear musicians in this kind of intimate setting. And a further treat to hear these two, both of whom I have heard play since they were young).

The concert was followed by wine and refreshments - a thoroughly delightful evening.

Vincent Lauzer and Melisande McNabney

Looking Out Looking In

I love to go to Old Montreal - the old stone buildings, the cobblestone streets. I have gone to many concerts in Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours. Last night I got to be part of a concert. I got an inside view of Les Boréades, who invited the Société de Flûte à Bec de Montréal to join them. Fifteen members of the society rehearsed once a month and took part in the concert, playing the opening numbers of each half of the programme. We shared backstage with the professionals and watched as they prepared for the concert.



Last minute review, adding a few bowing marks, thinking about the intention of the music - all to make Bach speak eloquently through their instrumental voices.

We played - looking out at the audience and then joined them to enjoy the wonderful concert by the professionals. There is a vast difference in our playing (I have not spent years practising endlessly and living and breathing music) but our shared passion for music, for that one night had us share a stage. 

Rialto Theatre Montreal

Rialto Theatre Montreal, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

What a treat on Saturday evening! I went to the Rialto Theatre to see a production of Pygmalion by Rameau, performed by the Mont-Royal Baroque Collective. Just seeing the theatre was worth the price of admission. It was built in 1923 and is a mixture of faux baroque and art deco.



My photos just don't do it justice. It served as a movie theatre until 1990. It was recently bought and restored. Now it is being used for concerts of every variety to dance shows and who knows what else is on the horizon?

It has been set up in cabaret style on the main floor, with a bar and tables. Hors d'oeuvres were served before the concert and drinks were available for purchase. Unlike with concerts in traditional theatres, people lingered after the concert to order and drink and chat.

Some of the musicians and cast of Pygmalian

As to the concert, it was delightful. This group is new on the Montreal scene. It is made up of young musicians, many of whom are recent graduates from McGill's Early Music programme. Music and baroque dance in a minimally staged performance - in this amazing theatre all made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Red Roof Church

Red Roof Church, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

St. John the Evangelist Church in Montreal is known, for obvious reasons, as the Red Roof Church. We went to a concert there by Flûte Alors! a recorder quintet. They were joined by harpsichord player, Mark Edwards.

The church sits beside what is now the Quartier de Spectacles, an area around Place des Arts. The Jazz Festival and other summer festivals hold outdoor concerts at various stages in the area.

I remember going to a recorder workshop in this church many years back. Nearby is a park filled with crabapple trees and they were in full bloom. Not last night, with temperatures just below freezing. Even the church had a slight chill. No one thinks of heating when designing churches. The high ceilings make for massive amounts of air to be warmed, so many of us sat with our scarves wrapped around us, or jackets perched on shoulders. No complaints as the music was warm and full of colour.

Looking Over the River

Looking Over the River, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

A bench for a warmer day. With temperatures hovering around -15C (5F), I didn't stop long to admire the view. Despite the sunshine, the wind had a cold bite.

Instead, I went to hear a concert by A Due (Vincent Lauzer and Marie-Laurence Primeau). The concert was held in L'Entrepôt, an old stone building built in the 1830s as a brewery. Inside is a modern concert hall. Always inspiring to hear these young musicians.

Music in New France

Music in New France, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Les Idées Heureuses concert
It was a delightful afternoon of music and dance from New France. With the exception of one piece, there is evidence that the music played in the concert was played and enjoyed in the early to mid 18th Century in New France (now the province of Quebec). Manuscripts of the pieces, many by French composers, others composed here, were found among the belongings of some of the early settlers.

Life was not easy for the early colonists who braved cold winters and other hardships. But they did have music, both secular and sacred as well as dance to take their minds off any difficulties. The wealthier settlers enjoyed balls and other entertainment, much as they would have in France.

We had to brave rather frigid temperatures to get there, hardly the same kind of hardship with our modern winter clothing and modern heated vehicles. And then we enjoyed this concert, all done in costume, with excerpts of letters from a widowed colonist to her son. Madame Bégon described life among the well-to-do in her many letters. 

Church Door

Church Door, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.
Photo: October 6, 2011

I have been in this church many times as many early music concerts take place here. The concert season has started and this was the first concert of the season for Les Boréades. What luck to live in a city with so much music and so many fine musicians. As the sun sets earlier the outdoor lights cast a warm glow, welcoming the concert goers.

Carolina Chocolate Drops

Carolina Chocolate Drops, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Need a smile, a little toe-tapping? Go to a concert of the Carolina Chocolate Drops who bill themselves as an African-American string band. My grinning muscles were overworked as their energetic, driving music was just the thing on a summer night. Banjos, guitars, mandolin, some great fiddling, a jug and mouth music (beatboxing) - hard to resist!

Flûte Alors!

Flûte Alors!, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Flûte Alors! is a recorder quintet, made up of young (at least to me) musicians. But don't be fooled - their technical expertise is astounding as is their musicality. The concert was part Bach, part jazz and was held in a café (hence the beer bottle). The performance was polished and fresh at the same time.

It is particularly fun for me to hear them as I have followed some of these musicians since they were young teenagers. They have a CD coming out any day now - I'm looking forward to getting my copy.

Musical Window

Musical Window, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I often go to concerts in Redpath Hall at McGill, but usually at night. An afternoon concert allowed me to admire the stained glass windows. This is the top part of one of three long windows. Music has had a place in universities since the Middle Ages when music theory was taught as one of the liberal arts. The men under the musician are composers - the names that can be seen are Pergolesi, Purcell, Palestrina and Monteverdi. I suspect, the white wigged gentleman is none other than Bach.

Should that be true, he was looking down on a concert of music by his son, C.P.E. Bach whose music has echoes of his father's, but in a very different style. A young harpsichordist, Mahan Esfahanis directed the orchestra from the harpsichord and then played incredibly.
Learn about him here.

Fortepiano

Fortepiano 2, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I went to a wonderful concert in an art gallery. On the programme were three piano trios by Haydn, played on historic instruments (Ellie Nimeroski: baroque violin, Amanda Keesmaat: baroque cello and Tim Beghin: pianoforte), so the music sounded as it would have in Haydn's time. This is the pianoforte. The pianoforte is an early piano, only 5 octaves and no sustain pedal. The hammers are lighter so the sound is clearer and brighter. This one is made in the style of a Walter pianoforte, which is one of the pianos Mozart owned. If you want to learn more about it, go to The History of Mozart in a Dozen Objects and scroll down to Prog. 4.

Here's another view of the instrument.

From the 1800s

From the 1800s, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Another concert - this time in the Chapelle Historique du Bon Pasteur, now a concert venue, once part of a complex that served as a convent. They were built over a few decades to house the "Sisters of the Cornmunauté de Notre-Dame du Bon-Pasteur d'Angers, who came from France in 1844"   If you want to know more, click here. The buildings have been put to new uses, including the concert hall in what was once the chapel. In this back section there are condos and a seniors' residence.

I love the solid feel of the old stone buildings. Across the street are newer condos which just don't have the same charm. Fortunately, the architects tried to make them fit into the surroundings in terms of size and proportions.

The concert - a delight. A visit with Mr. Bach by Ensemble Caprice. Just the thing to chase away the blues on a blustery grey day.

Cheers

Cheers, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A nice dinner before a concert - life is good. The wine glass glowed from the light of the fake candle. The Bach Festival has started with a lovely rendering of St. John's Passion performed by Arion and Les Voix Baroques. And outside the city turned white with fresh fallen snow.

Back to the boots, hats, scarves and mitts. But the air smelled fresh and the snow crunched under foot. Daylight seems brighter reflected off the snow and night-time sparkles. The first snows are festive as holidays approach. Snow in March feels wearisome.

So cheers to all - to an easy winter, to wonderful music, to a festive December.

July 8/10: Thursday Concert

July 8/10: Thursday Concert, originally uploaded by susanvg.

An important aspect of CAMMAC is the teachers. In Early Music Week (one of seven weeks each with a different focus), most come from Montreal. As Montreal has two universities with Early Music programmes, there is a wealth of incredible teachers to draw from. Many come back from year to year. In this atmosphere you not only benefit from their musical expertise, but you get to know them. This week I have classes with Francis Colpron (director of Les Boréades) a marvelous recorder player and flutist, Sophie Larivière co-director of Ensemble Caprice, who also directs Flutissimo (the recorder orchestra in which I play), Hélène Plouffe – a wonderful violinist / violist (member of Les Boréades and Quatuor Franz Joseph) and Matthias Maute, co-director of Ensemble Caprice. Through the years I have had the opportunity to get to know the many teachers as well as their families. I go to many concerts in Montreal (as anyone who reads my blog knows) and it is always a pleasure to see my teachers perform. It is an added bonus for me – to see them put into practice what they have been conveying to me as well as on a personal level. And they know they have a knowledgeable (and friendly) public when they see CAMMACers in the audience.

There are also younger teachers who join the staff. This year Vincent Lauzer is teaching. I have seen him perform in Montreal from the time he was barely a teenager with the group Flûte Alors! Now he is on the brink of a career. He is starting his masters at McGill and is already a very accomplished musician. In September I heard him play at the Recorder Competition ( part of the Montreal Recorder Festival) where he won first prize. Here he has the opportunity not only to teach, but also to perform and to perform with his teachers (Sophie Larivière when he was younger and Matthias Maute at McGill).

I have always found the teachers encouraging and welcoming. They bring out the best in all the participants. And each year I go away feeling I have grown as a musician (and vow to practise more until life gets in the way).

And what a treat to hear concerts at CAMMAC . From Wednesday to Friday evenings the teachers perform. There have been many memorable concerts – from virtuosic to humorous. These are high caliber concerts by high caliber musicians.

Studio Gaby - one of my favourite places in which to play

More photographs

June 24/10: Flûtes Alors!

Flûtes alors!, originally uploaded by susanvg.

For me - summer has begun. Yes - there is still work to be finished, but each year when the Montreal Baroque Festival starts I spend a few days in Old Montreal, sauntering from concert to concert and feel that vacation feeling coming on.

As the line for the first concert snaked towards the door to the church, we were treated to music played by Flûtes Alors!, a young recorder quartet. I have followed these musicians since they were young teens, watched them develop as musicians (both as a group and as soloists) and know I will be treated to many wonderful concerts in the future.

Three plus days of music in different venues around Old Montreal with friends. It is a tiring but wonderful way to spend time.

Friday evening:

Monteverdi's Vespers
Les Voix humaines in Art of the Fugue

Then off to Café À Propos to chat and listen to some young musicians.

May 30/10: Organ

May 30/10: Organ, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Music keeps coming back as a theme in my blog. This organ is at the back of Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours. I have written about this church before. It was founded by Marguerite Bourgeoys. The current church, built in 1771 over the original chapel which was destroyed by fire, it sits near the port of Montreal. By the 1800s it was dubbed the Sailor's Church as it was often visited by sailors about to go to sea.

Now, still a church, it is also the site of many concerts, especially by groups specializing in early music. The recorder orchestra in which I play was priviledged to play there as part of Museum Day, a day when Montreal museums are free and special programmes are arranged to entertain the public. Here is our group in concert - not a great photo, but a great memory.

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.