Moments

Photos: December 23, 2016

Life is made up of moments - so often we are so preoccupied we miss them. Photography makes me more aware of these moments - to stop and capture them. Capturing does not have to be with a camera - it can just be taking the time to notice. As we walked through the metro station we heard this trio of musicians belting out a song. Though we did not stay long, the spirit of the music stayed with me - a moment to change a mood.

An Afternoon of Music

Photos: December 14, 2016

There is nothing like an afternoon of music - playing it, that is. Music transcends language and age. I play sometimes with a mother an son - the mother on harpsichord (keyboard pictured above) and the son on violin. We sightread through trio sonatas. My harpsichord friend has a big library of music and she selects the musical menu for the day. Telemann is one composer we play often.



In baroque times composers would write for a variety of options regarding the instruments, so a piece may be for violin or flute or ... We make liberal use of options as the violin sometimes plays an oboe line or flute line.



I, in turn, play oboe, flute and violin lines on my tenor recorder. We play for a couple of hours, share a pot of tea and chat and then play a little more before I head home, my head full of music.

Music in the Park

As we were walking we heard the sounds of a fiddle. By the time we traced the source, the musicians had changed to other instrumentation. The tin flute started a lovely melody. Our community hosts outdoor concerts each week in summer. There is something delightful of sitting out doors for a concert (though a little more shade would be nice!).



The tin flute was joined by a harp - a breeze of music rustling through the afternoon. Moments to stop, listen before we moved on.

Music from Andalusia

Photos: May 15, 2016

We attended a concert of secular music of around the fifteenth century from Andalusia which featured three local music groups. Each performed music from a different cultural group (or at least from the three cultures that co-existed there until the end of the fifteenth century). One Equall Musick performed Spanish songs accompanied by lute and recorder.

The instrument above is a qanun (a kind of dulcimer). It is found in the Middle East, Central Asia and southeastern Europe. It is played by plucking the strings. The player wore picks on his thumbs  - amazing how quickly he could pluck using just his thumbs. He was part of Lamia Yared's group which performed Arabic songs. The arabs had been in Spain, in Al-Andalus, from the early 8th century until they were driven out at the end of the 15th century in 1492 (familiar date?) by Isabella of Castille and Ferdinand of Aragon.



Another group of people that lived in Spain from about the sixth century were the Sephardic Jews. Their music reflects both their own heritage as well as the Arabic and Spanish influences. The oud (above right) was used in both Arabic and Sephardic music. The group ESEM (Ensemble Sépharade et Méditerranéen) performed the Sephardic pieces. The Jews were also expelled from Spain in 1492. Any who remained had to convert to Christianity and many still faced persecution for not being Catholic enough.

Music brings people together - three cultures sharing one concert, groups sharing musicians with other groups. An evening of shared pleasure - the opposite of the conflicts that appear elsewhere.

A Belated Happy Birthday to Telemann

My spouse and I play duets together. Telemann is one of our favourite composers to play - all his flute duets are well crafted and they provide equal challenges in both lines. I play the voice flute (a recorder in D - above) and my spouse plays the traverso, or baroque flute. It is made of wood and only has one key, unlike the modern flute. The books above represent only some of the sonatas we play by Telemann. And, though we tackle music by other composers as well, we always come back to Telemann.

Telemann's birthday was on March 14. He was an incredibly prolific composer and publisher. Many of his works were aimed at amateurs. The burgeoning middle class was the perfect target as they had the funds to buy music and instruments and the time in the evenings to play music together.

House Music

With the advent of recorded music, the need to make one's own music lessened. People could have concerts in their homes. What a gain! But what a loss... More and more, we have become passive consumers rather than active makers.

The joy of making music, of sharing the pleasure of playing together is an essential part of my life. My spouse and I spent time with friends playing Telemann, Hasse, Handel (whose birthday it was), Bach -  on recorders, baroque flutes, viola da gamba and harpsichord (an electronic one - our only nod to the electronic age).



There is a pile of music waiting for us - for another visit. Music, time with friends, a meal shared - a perfect day.

Festival Montréal Baroque

Looking back to the end of June... Festival Montréal Baroque.

A highlight of my year is always the Montreal Baroque Festival - a few days of frenzied concert-going with friends - friends from Toronto and friends of the many musicians who teach at CAMMAC. The directors, Susie Napper and Matthias Maute, always plan a wide array of interesting concerts.



From France - Ensemble Fuoco e Cenere, who treated us to a musical and alimentary feast - a concert full of humour and charm. 



And delectable morsels to sample after the concert.



Concerts held in unusual spaces - even early in the morning. This was a concert of medieval music, built around the themes found in Rabelais' novels.



Or music accompanied by painting according to theories proposed at the time of Telemann.




Concerts that feature bright, young talent along with more seasoned musicians...





Watching the masters and marvelling at the up and coming.



And then it was over -the magic dissolving for another year. This event always launches my summer.

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.

Deliberating

Deliberating, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I became a widow last night. No- don't panic - it was part of a murder mystery. I played Mme Leclair, wife of the composer who was murdered in 1764. This is an unsolved case and some young Montreal musicians created a musical murder mystery around the story. This was a concert plus an attempt at solving the crime. - all speculation, of course as no one knows who actually did the dirty deed.



What a delightful evening! The music was so beautifully played by Infusion Baroque (Sallynee Amawat on baroque violin, Alexa Raine-Wright on baroque flute, Rona Nadler on harpsichord, and Camille Paquette-Roy on baroque cello). The scenario was written by Rona and Alexa. They all blow me away with their creativity and sense of fun. Brava!

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

House Music

Music is an essential part of my life. My passion is music from before about 1800, known as early music. I play it, I go to concerts and I support local groups and musicians as much as I can. I worry about the future of this music as government funding dries up and pop culture becomes more and more prevalent. Big rock shows bring in tourists, small music festivals with limited funds cannot attract the same kind of audience. So funders become more reluctant to support these efforts.




I had the pleasure of hearing the Corelli Christmas concerto in a private home of a local musician, Susie Napper, who has done so much to showcase early music in Montreal. It is done as a passion, certainly not because it brings her money. I fear our society only values things that represent money - professional sports, popular singers, blockbuster movies.

Bach was born in 1685 - we still play his music. Will anyone remember the sports teams, Celine Dion or the films of today in 350 years?

Baroque Dance

Baroque Dance, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I know I have written before about concerts at CAMMAC, but it is impossible to over emphasize the incredibly high level of the music - and dance. It is delightful to see the combination of seasoned performers along with those just starting out on their careers.

In the mornings, we have the privilege of being coached by these fine musicians, as we play in idyllic places - studios in the woods, a studio jutting over the water...

           

The days are long, but go by in a blur. Now that I am home, I need to absorb all that went on in classes. Buoyed by the inspiration of the week, I'll be back to practising.

Susie leads the parade

Susie, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Each year at the Baroque Festival there is a parade of musicians - professionals and amateurs. Music is provided by Matthias Maute and everyone brings something to play, whether pots and pans or actual instruments. Susie Napper is the incredible director of the festival. Each year she dreams up a creative theme with incredible programming to go with it. This year with the theme of apocalypse, concerts reflected both the disastrous possibilities and the playful ones (imagine the apocalyptic happening when the princess kissed the frog).

This year the parade was led by this harlequin. Half way through we were met by two horses in costumes from Versailles. They would soon be performing in a horse ballet (but more on that later).





And here are a few more shots from the parade (I took time out of playing to snap these photos).

 

More Festival Photographs

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. 

Into the Bourgie Concert Hall

Into the Bourgie Concert Hall, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

On Wednesday evening I went to a concert in the new Bourgie Concert Hall, part of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. I say new, but it is really a newly resurrected hall. It was once part of the Erskine and American Church. Though it has been renovated since it became part of the museum, it retains much of the original architectural details.

Years ago I went to concerts there by Les Idées Heureuses. Their concerts will once again take place here. I still remember sitting in the front row when Jordi Savall played a concert. I was mesmerized by his playing. Wednesday's concert was by Les Violons du Roy, a Quebec City based group. Fun to be back in that space.

Harpsichord Keys

Harpsichord Keys, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

What better way to spend time on a dreary October afternoon than playing music. As Baroque music lovers, my spouse and I play in Baroque pitch (A=415). His friend is equally immersed in music. In one room in his apartment he has an organ and two harpsichords - one in modern pitch (A=440) and this smaller one in Baroque pitch.



We played through the afternoon - Corelli, Quantz and Bach. It keeps my brain flexible as I switch recorders depending on the piece - my alto in A, my voice flute in D. But mostly, playing music fills my soul with joy. A little house music - making our own - not just consuming it.

Street Music

Street Music, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

The Edinburgh Festival is about to start( we'll be heading to the Highlands) and the number of buskers has proliferated, from street musicians to musicians to the many human statues. It makes for a lively street scene. we went on a tour of Mary King's Close - a fascinating look at Edinburgh's past. and lots of walking around - fun to explore the city.

More photos at Flickr

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!

Stormy Concert

Renaissance Consort, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

More concerts - this consort of recorders (two more out of sight) played some wonderful music by Holborne. The recorders they are playing is a matched set by recorder maker Bob Marvin.

Behind the players a storm brewed with dramatic flashes of lightning. Just before the end the lights went off briefly, but the music went on. Later most of the staff (plus a few participants) joined to play some excerpts from the Fireworks Music by Handel. Some played instruments for which they are not usually known - but the overall effect was impressive, energetic and lively.


Nature provided the fireworks with great jagged lightning slicing across the sky. Another brief power outage - but the musicians soldiered on.

Overlooking the Lake

Overlooking the Lake, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photos: July 7, 2011
Despite the busy schedule there are quieter spots to sit - though the sound of people playing or practicing often wafts through the air. Fortunately there is quiet hour from 2:00 - 3:00 when everything stops.

Evening concerts are first class with some of Canada's top early music specialists. And every day we get to take classes with these incredible people

           

Some CDs you might want to get to hear some of these wonderful musicians:

Ensemble Caprice: Salsa Baroque, Telemann and the  Baroque Gypsies and any others!
Les Boréades: Their most recent is La Geniale - but all are delightful
Geneviève Soly: if you like harpsichord music - she is a specialist in the music of Graupner
Laura Pudwell: she has recorded with the Toronto Consort as well as with other ensembles
Olivier Brault (the violinist pictured above) can be heard with Ensemble Caprice, Quatuor Franz Joseph, Les Boréades. He is an astonishingly versatile and virtuosic violinist.