Notes

Par/by Crystal Chan, Marc Chénard, Darcy Dunton / May 1, 2010

Version Flash ici. / Flash version here.

Denis Gougeon ambassadeur du Québec à l’exposition universelle
La Société de musique du Québec a choisi le compositeur Denis Gougeon parmi huit autres candidats comme ambassadeur musical du Québec à l’exposition de 2010, qui aura lieu à Shanghaï. Son œuvre Toy no 1 / Præludium Mechanicus, pour deux flûtes de bambou et orchestre, sera présentée le 4 mai au Grand Théâtre de Shanghaï. Entre celle-ci et celles de deux autres ambassadeurs, Simon Steen-Andersen du Danemark et Krystof Martka de France, une œuvre recevra le premier prix de 25000$ US, une autre le deuxième prix de 15000$ et la troisième un prix de 10000$.   CC

Off Festival de Jazz: Partie remise
Circonstances obligeant, l’Off Festival de Jazz de Montréal entame sa seconde décennie en déplaçant ses activités à l’automne, du 15 au 23 octobre. Outre les dates, quelques changements sont à l’ordre du jour: principal foyer d’activités depuis ses débuts, le Lion d’or n’accueillera que les concerts d’ouverture et de clôture, la majorité des autres spectacles se tenant à la Sala Rossa ou à la Casa del Popolo. La série de concerts gratuits (17h à 19h) sera de retour, le lieu étant encore à déterminer, et l’on pourra compter sur deux soirées coproduites respectivement avec la Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur et la Maison de la culture Frontenac. Il est encore trop tôt pour annoncer des noms, mais nous restons sur le qui vive.   MC

École Pierre-Laporte Receives Grant
A new subsidy from the Minister of Education ($1.4 million over three years) to strengthen the classical music program at École secondaire Pierre-Laporte was formally announced last month at a benefit concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of the program. Organized by the Fondation musique Pierre-Laporte, the event raised over $7,000 towards lowering the cost of pupils’ weekly individual instrument lessons.   DD 

Avan Yu Makes Top Eight
Vancouver pianist Avan Yu is one of eight finalists in the New Talent Competition of the European Union of Radio and Television, which is coordinated by UNESCO’s International Music Council. He was chosen out of numerous candidates from 15 countries. This year’s competition will take place this November in Slovakia. As part of this competition, Yu will perform a chamber music concert and if he makes it to the final round, he will receive the opportunity to perform with an orchestra.

Yu made his debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at age 14. He plays regularly with international orchestras and in 2008 toured with Jeunesses Musicales du Canada. Yu has already won many competitions, including the 2004 Canadian Chopin Competition.   CC

Saint-Sulpice Library Transformed into Performance Space
Starting with the 2012-2013 season, the Saint-Sulpice Library will host the Le Vivier group of contemporary music ensembles. Situated at 1700 St. Denis Street, the old library is a historical building which is currently vacant. Groups under Le Vivier such as the Société de musique du Québec, the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, and the Ensemble contemporain de Montréal will be able to perform in the space. The goal is for the library to be transformed into Montreal’s centre for contemporary music. The Quebec Ministry of Culture will assume the renovation costs.   CC

2010 Juno Awards Winners
Vocal Jazz Album of the Year: Ranee Lee, Ranee Lee Lives Upstairs.
Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year: Charles Spearin, The Happiness Project.
Traditional Jazz Album of the Year: Terry Clarke, It's About Time.
Instrumental Album of the Year: Belle Orchestre, As Seen Through the Windows.
Classical Album of the Year, Solo or Chamber Ensemble: Joel Quarrington, Joel Quarrington: Garden Scene.
Classical Album of the Year, Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment: Alain Levefre & London Mozart Players, Mathieu, Shostakovich, Mendelssohn: Concertino & Concertos.
Classical Album of the Year, Vocal or Choral Performance: Adrianne Pieczonka, Adrianne Pieczonka sings Puccini.
Classical Composition of the Year: Marjan Mozetich, Lament in the Trampled Garden.
World Music Album of the Year: Dominic Mancuso, Comfortably Mine.