The OSM’s new season kicks off on the theme of humanism
Montréal, September 6, 2017 ● The OSM will open its season in grand style with the monumental Symphony No. 8 by Gustav Mahler, a large-scale concert for soloists, choruses and orchestra.
This major work in Western music will assemble over 350 people on stage at Maison symphonique on Tuesday, September 19 at 7 p.m. and Thursday,
September 21 at 8 p.m.
Described by its composer as making “the entire universe ring and resound,” the “Symphony of a Thousand” – so-called in reference to its first performance, in Munich in 1910, which brought together more than 1,000 performers – will be led by OSM conductor and music director Kent Nagano.
In addition to the expanded numbers of the Orchestra (118 musicians), audiences will hear sopranos Sarah Wegener, Camilla Tilling and Aline Kutan, mezzo-sopranos Allyson McHardy and Marie-Nicole Lemieux, tenor Michael Schade, baritone Russell Braun and bass David Steffens, along with the OSM Chorus and the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, under the direction of Andrew Megill and Andrew Gray respectively.
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Maestro Nagano pointed out at the presentation of this new season that, at this time, “attention should be paid to the humanist themes that have inspired and sustained the great literary, artistic and musical works.” The programming thus reflects that humanist spirit and visits “works for chorus and orchestra illustrating the themes of liberty, progress, selfdetermination, responsibility, courage, dignity and the pursuit of happiness.” It was in this spirit that the conductor selected choral works to weave the new season together, including Mahler’s majestic “Symphony of a Thousand.” This will be followed, in the course of the season, by the Bach Magnificat, Saint-Saëns’s Christmas Oratorio, the Verdi Requiem, and to conclude the season, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
The audience is invited to take part in the opening festivities dressed in black and white!
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Also on the program this month:
MÉLODIES ROMANTIQUES
September 22 at Bourgie Hall
Eight decades of musical romanticism — from Mendelssohn, with a work composed shortly after the death of Beethoven, up to Webern and Berg, who, at the dawning of the 20th century, were preparing to take the plunge into innovation.
THE INVESTORS GROUP OSM POP SERIES – HALF MOON RUN
September 26-27 at Maison symphonique
Here’s another unique get-together in which pop artists join the Orchestra to shake up musical frontiers. Half Moon Run, the popular indie rock band, will lend itself to a mixing of genres by sharing the stage with the OSM in front of a sold-out hall on September 26 and 27.
CHILDREN’S CORNER – THE FLYING CANOE AND OTHER FANTASTIC TALES
October 1 at Maison symphonique
For the first rendezvous of the CHILDREN’S CORNER SERIES for 5 to 12 year olds, the OSM presents The Flying Canoe and Other Stories on Sunday, October 1 at 2 p.m. The Orchestra will first take to the air in an adventure inspired by the famous legend The Flying Canoe to a composition by Québec’s Simon Bertrand. In the second part of the program, author Dominique Demers will narrate her tale Vieux Thomas et la petite fée (Old Thomas and the Little Sprite), set to pictures by illustrator Stéphane Poulin.
THE OSM THANKS ITS PARTNERS
The contribution of the Orchestra’s public partners being indispensable to its operations, the OSM thanks its principal partner, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, along with the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and Ville de Montréal.
The OSM is proud to be able to rely on its loyal sponsors, and wishes to thank Hydro-Québec, title presenter of the OSM, as well as BMO Financial Group, season partner.
We also wish to express our gratitude to Power Corporation of Canada, Air Canada, Manulife, Fondation J. A. DeSève, Investors Group, National Bank, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, Fillion Électronique, Cogeco, Ritz-Carlton, Milos, Aéroports de Montréal, BBA, Spinelli Lexus, IRIS, Eska, Le Groupe Maurice, Alfid, Yamaha, the Hyatt-Regency, TD Bank, Our Cheeses and Stingray Music.
