It is hard to believe that exactly one year has passed since the beginning of the first lockdowns and mandatory confinement. To manage daily stressor, the population has often turned to online concerts to recharge their batteries and find a moment of relaxation and escape.
This week, Gen’s Delights is happy to propose a list of multiple concerts readily available online as well as an exclusive interview with violinist Julie-Anne Derome from the Fibonacci Trio ( featured below)
Next Saturday, March 13 (7:30 p.m.) the Fibonacci Trio is happy to present the mesmerizing simplicity of some giants of minimalism: Philip Glass (The Hours) and Ludovico Einaudi (Life and Experience). Allowing the audience to dive gently into this captivating repertoire that goes to the essence of the melody.
The trio will then revisit a monumental piece: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter
Gen’s Delights had the chance to interview violist Julie-Anne Derome:
1- What aspects of minimalist music are you most interested in? What other recordings or minimalist composers would you recommend to the general public?
Several aspects of minimalist music attract me: the meditative and airy side. The simplicity of harmony in some works that leans in and provides inner well-being. I like the mesmerizing effect of certain works with repetitive and rhythmic patterns. We need music to bring us softness in these times of pandemic and isolation. I recommend listening to the music of Ludovico Einaudi and that of Max Richter.
2- Does the current pandemic challenge you professionally? Before the pandemic, were you familiar with the technology that allows concerts to be presented online?
The pandemic has brought its share of concert cancellations, but we are fortunate to still be able to reach our audience thanks to technology. Some regional broadcasters have maintained their programming through online concert broadcasts. Before the pandemic, we had already started broadcasting our concerts online, but not at the same frequency, and we still had a strong live audience attendance. The pandemic has introduced a new kind of concert broadcasting that will I believe remain in the future.
3- What are your concert plans with the Trio over the next few months?
Several concerts are being held in the Quebec region over the next few months, as well as a tour of British Columbia in the fall. We are also planning to produce a new record in the spring.
Thanks to Julie-Anne Derome for taking the time to answer my questions.
See below rehearsal excerpts from their up-coming Saison des minimalistes concert:
You can live stream the concert next Saturday 13th of March at 7:30 pm by purchasing tickets at the Box office : https://lepointdevente.com/billets/saison-des-minimalistes
The concert will be accessible online until March 27th
Regular Tickets: 15$
*** Use the promo code TRIOTHÉRAPIE to save 33 % off the regular price .
Vox Aeterna presents Festival de la Voix 2021, 8th edition: RESILIENCE AND INSPIRATION!
The 8th annual Festival de la Voix presented by Vox Aeterna aspires to uplift the population with breathtaking music and remarkable performances available from March 14th until April 10th.
Concerts are FREE and will remain online for a limited time (donations gratefully accepted).
Canadian composers and musicians will be featured in four eclectic concerts and three vocal workshops, livestreamed from venues in the West Island (Dorval, Beaconsfield and Pointe-Claire).
Vox Aeterna, a non-profit organization whose main production is Festival de la Voix, is committed to the support of music in the community, specifically to Quebec artists throughout the pandemic, and is therefore pushing ahead with a second virtual festival.
Festival de la Voix Founder and Artistic Director Kerry-Anne Kutz welcomes people to come together to explore the beauty, versatility and power of music and the human voice.
“We are thrilled that so many artists are able to be part of our concerts and workshops online. These world-class musicians are appreciative of the opportunity to perform and earn some much needed income. Vox Aeterna is dedicated to bringing beautiful live music to the West Island and to the world beyond. We hope that these concerts and workshops will bring joy, solace and a sense of well-being to all who have the opportunity to join us,” said Kerry-Anne Kutz.
Not to be missed is a special pre-Festival webcast performance – an hour long collection of excerpt from Handel’s Messiah, an extraordinary musical event featuring internationally acclaimed artists Ensemble Caprice, Ensemble vocal Arts-Québec, soprano Karina Gauvin, and Matthias Maute, conductor. It will be performed in the instrumental and vocal style of the period and livestreamed February 28th from La Maison Symphonique at Place des Arts and accessible HERE. The video will stay online EST until March 14th.
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The Best of Broadway (Sat. March 20, 2pm) is a concert and sing-along encouraging people to belt out Broadway’s most beloved musicals at home, led by vocalists Laura Coulter-Low and Erin Berger, with pianist Michael Woytiuk.
Roots, Blues & Spirituals (Sun. March 28, 3pm) features award-winning Rob Lutes, Dr. Floydd Ricketts and Alexandra Asher. One of Canada’s best singer-songwriters, Lutes sings and plays his unique blend of blues and folk featuring tunes from his new album Come Around, while Ricketts and Asher perform spirituals and gospel with voices that are hard to forget.
Rendez-vous with Quartom (Sat. April 10, 8pm) has the lauded male vocal quartet and their fabulous pipes highlighting an a cappella repertoire while also replicating Poulenc’s piano, the Beatles’ and Queens’ bands, Mozart’s clarinets and even an entire orchestra!
High-calibre workshops on offer this year via Zoom include Vocal Technique with Dr. Claudel Callender (Sat. March 20) focusing on working on the body as an instrument and how to preserve the voice;
Songwriting with Connie Kaldor (Sun. March 21) touching on the main elements of rhythm, melody and lyrics and hopefully culminating with the beginning of a few new songs.
Master Class for Soloists with Natalie Choquette (Saturday, March 27) where the soprano and actor will work with people on their solos to create their ideal stage performance.
Festival de la Voix 8th edition, March 14 – April 10, 2021
Complete festival program, dates and artist bios at festivaldelavoix.com
Concerts are FREE; donations gratefully appreciated
Workshops: register here (pdf)
For further information: (514) 758-3641 info@festivaldelavoix.com