June 29/10: Sculpture

Sculpture, originally uploaded by susanvg.

OK - I cheated, but this year I am setting my own rules. This was actually taken on June 27. I love this sculpture; I always stop to spend some time with these women when I walk in this part of Old Montreal. This time I saw people posing with them, taking on some of the gestures of the women. Then I heard an interview with Ruth Abernethy, whose sculpture of Oscar Peterson has just been unveiled in Ottawa. She talked about this slightly larger than life statue of the great jazz pianist turning away from the piano after a performance. She explained that she wanted to let people visit with him, to interact with him, in a sense become part of the sculpture. And that was what some of the people posing were doing. They were joining this conversation (though these women are smaller than life-size). I think we can identify with the conversation going on her, the sense of friendship between these women.

Next time I stop by, I'll be thinking about Abenethy's words and will feel like less of a voyeur and more of a visitor who joins these friends for some gossip before continuing on my way.

June 28/10: Grandparents

Grandparents, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Daily Shoot: Sunday challenge: Make a photograph with a photograph. Find a cherished print and compose it in a larger scene.

My mother's mother was married twice. This is a photograph of her with her second husband, my grandfather. Hanging on the photograph is a locket with photographs of her son from her first marriage and my grandfather as a much younger man. The locket was given to my grandmother by my grandfather when they became engaged. My cousin gave it to me when I became engaged. She also gave me the pin that is resting on the frame - you can see my grandmother wearing it in the photograph.

It is a privilege to be the caretaker of this piece of my family's history with photographic proof which records it.

June 27/10: Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria

Another day of concerts, discovering new venues in Old Montreal. We stopped by the cafe and heard Les Voix Humaines playing from Bach's Art of the Fugue. We then went to Chateau Ramezay to hear Viva Biancaluna, whose concert so impressed us on Friday evening, talk about improvisation and Italian frottola. It was a fascinating look at how poetry and music have served each other.


Another Old Montreal find, the afternoon concert, Amor, Fortuna y Ventura, Spanish Renaissance music played by flute trio, Dyscantus, was held in the garden of the Pierre du Calvet Hotel. The trio played on matching flutes made by Boaz Berney, who was also a member of the group. Birds added to the soundtrack.

June 27/10: Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Monteverdi's opera, Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria was performed in the atrium of a shopping area. The acoustics were too resonant and the fountain did not enhance the opera. But this was quite a spectacle! The musicians of the festival were joined by the Bread and Puppet Theater which provided the action to the musicians' voices. From the website "Monteverdi’s last opera: a story of the magic of the ancient Gods who play with the fate of humankind, their puppets!" It was close to three hours of glorious music, delightful puppets - a mix of historical performance, serious issues and a large dollop of humour.

June 26/10: Starting the Parade

June 26/10: Starting the Parade, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Every year the Montreal Baroque Festival stages a parade. People bring instruments and play the piece written especially for the event. This year we were joined by puppets from the Bread and Puppet Theater of Vermont as they were part of Monteverdi's opera, Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria (Sunday's evening event). It's always fun to play in the parade which wends it way through Old Montreal. Professionals and amateurs play together. With the theme of the festival being spheres, a great bubble machine produced clouds of bubbles to add extra whimsy to the parade. This year we took longer route on our way to a concert of Handel's Watermusic - held outdoors on a stage that straddled water.

While it was a delightful interpretation of the suite, it was also fun to watch people who were not festival regulars stop and listen for a while. Seagulls flew overhead and added their occasional calls to the music.

Susie Napper, the director of the festival always finds creative ways to showcase baroque music. She finds intriguing venues, imaginative themes and puts together an interesting programme performed by very high quality musicians. Young performers have the opportunity to play with more seasoned players. And the audience is encouraged to interact with the professionals at conferences and in the informal atmosphere of the "festival café". I wish I had half her energy as she plays in many of the concerts, interspersed with rehearsals, spends evenings in the café and is at even the earliest morning concerts.

June 25/10: Outdoor Entertainment

Outdoor Entertainment, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The festival in its many aspects continues. I attended a discussion on Baroque music, improvisation & the law with Desmond Menderson of the MaPs project and Elin Söderström who spoke about improvisation. Food for intellectual and music thought.

As part of the festival, there are free outdoor mini-concerts in Place Jacques Cartier. We caught a bit of one as we took time to get a bit of exercice in anticipation of sitting through concerts. And what wonderful, incredible concerts!

First

Cantatas: Miracles and Misfortunes
Monika Mauch, Franziska Gottwald, Charles Daniels, Harry van der Kamp, Bande Montréal Baroque, direction: Eric Milnes.J. S. Bach’s Celestial Cantatas for Epiphany (BWV 72, 155 et 156 et 81)

I had heard Monika Mauch, Charles Daniels and Harry van der Kamp before - their voices never disappoint - they continue to amaze me with their purity, their fluidity and colour. Franziska Gottwald was a new and delightful discovery. I love to hear these cantatas with just four voices - no large choir or large orchestra to muddy the sound, just the pureness of one to a part. And with such exceptional singers the sound was full but you could follow each line.

Next was a concert in the crypt of the church: Fermate il Passo with Viva BiancaLuna, an incredible performer from Italie. She sang frottola from the late middle ages. This was a magical experience as she sang and accompanied herself on a vielle-like instrument. Her voice, filled with emotion, sang of love, of loss, of lamentation. Her playing was astonishing - she got such a variety of sounds from her instrument as she bowed, strummed and even tapped on it. It was a privilege to hear her.

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.

June 23/10: Stairway

June 23/10: Stairway, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A respite from city noise, our mountain park provides an oasis. A walk on Mount Royal always brings a sense of peace as I breathe the fresh air under the trees. Paths lead around the summit and through the woods. Staircases wind up the hills.

A stop at the lookout at the chalet brings views of the downtown and beyond to the river, the suburbs and then the hills in the distance.

There's a sculpture garden on the grassy slopes leading to Beaver Lake (a man-made pond). The mountain is one of Montreal's favourite playgrounds.