World Première of One-Woman Cabaret

World Première of Carolyn Guillet's One-Woman Cabaret

Plucked, Hammered and Strung

How many poems, songs, films and plays have been written about love and yet we never tire of the subject in all its mystery. This fall Inifnithéâtre explores the topic, from two very different perspectives, both of them female. Running concurrently for two weekends at the Bain St-Michel with Carole Fréchette's John and Béatrice, is the world première of Carolyn Guillet's one-woman cabaret, Plucked, Hammered and Strung.

A woman, a piano, and five lovers. Six obsessive love songs. Nine dying fathers and a forgotten spouse or two. A theatrical performance event full of passion, lamentation and frivolity. Themes of yearning, absurdity and insanity are played out to the tune of Chopin's Funeral March and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. This is Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera meeting Aeschylus' Electra; a cross between Peggy Lee and Mozart improvising "Variations on the Theme of Love".

Juxtaposed with Fréchette's mythic fairytale, Guillet plays it close to the bone with this semi-autobiographical (or is it?) rendering of all the "first loves" of her life…so far. The piano, her closest confidante throughout, plays a major role in her life and the piece, as Carolyn weaves original songs as well as pop ballads and a few choice classical piano solos into the storyline. In an attempt to deal with the death of her father and the subsequent muddy resurgence of all her dead affairs, Guillet takes the audience though a labyrinth of fantasy and reality; funny, dark, brutal and touching. Dovetailing perfectly with the other two themes of Infinite's 2008 – 09 season, 'Hope' and 'Faith', Plucked, Hammered and Strung is a story of eternal renewal.

Regarding the issue of semi-autobiographical material, Guillet, the writer admits, "I steal things. And then I lie. I 'use' the truth, twist it just enough to make it entirely believable." However, Guillet, the actor, felt a little over exposed. "I thought the character was a little too close to the real me. But as the work developed, the characters multiplied and I got all these different names to play with, like different hats in a costume box. Every time she [the character] sits down at the piano, she's someone else…or a slightly different version of herself. I have to fall in love over and over…discover the pleasures of sex over and over again, as if for the first time."

Guillet, who is working on a sequel to her first original script, Seventeen [Anonymous] Women, entitled Seventeen [Particular] Men asked Diana Fajrajsl to dramaturge the work as she developed it through a CALQ grant. "Diana was indispensable. She kept me at it, kept me laughing, got me out of the mud and into a place of wit, clarity and elegance." Arianna Bardesono, an NTS graduate having just come off her successful directorship of Repercussion Theatre's The Tempest, is directing. Bardesono had attended a reading of Plucked at Playwright's Workshop Montreal and when she and Guillet met last summer at an international master class for directors in Ottawa, they hit it off.

OF SPECIAL NOTE: "Strung Out on Sushi" - an additional fundraising performance of Plucked, Hammered and Strung will be held on Monday, November 10th to raise money to support Infinithéâtre's ongoing mandate to discover, develop and produce Québecois writers. Sushi dinner at 6:00 PM with the performance following. For those enticed by the play AND keen to support local theatre, this is the perfect combo! Call Infinithéâtre for more info at (514) 987 – 1774.

The American Federation of Musicians

THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA APPLAUDS CONGRESS FOR PASSING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ENFORCEMENT MEASURES

Passage of the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act will Stem the Growth of Music Piracy and Protect AFM Members’ Hard Work

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) applauds Congress for passing the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property “PRO-IP” Act. This bill will greatly increase the federal government’s ability to fight music and video piracy and enforce intellectual property and counterfeiting laws. Music piracy and intellectual property theft represent some of the most serious threats to musicians, the music industry and AFM members. The AFM thanks Congress for its passage of the PRO-IP Act and its support for the creative community.

The AFM, working in a labor-management coalition, advocated for passage of the bill. The Senate unanimously passed the PRO-IP Act (S.3325) on Friday, September 26, and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly, 381 members voting for passage to 41 members voting against, passed the bill on Sunday, September 28.

The PRO-IP Act will increase penalties for copyright violations and counterfeiting. It will strengthen the government’s ability to enforce intellectual property and counterfeiting regulations by providing funding for additional FBI agents and Justice Department personnel dedicated solely to intellectual property protection and prosecuting those caught violating the law. Finally, the bill creates the position of Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator in the White House. This position is designed to coordinate the federal government’s intellectual property and counterfeiting enforcement operations across all departments and agencies.

About the AFM

Founded in 1896, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), AFL-CIO, is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. With more than 90,000 members, the AFM represents all types of professional musicians, including those who record music for sound recordings, film scores, radio, television and commercial announcements, as well as perform music of every genre in every sort of venue from small jazz clubs to symphony orchestra halls to major stadiums. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape. www.afm.org

La jeune fille et la mort par Les Violons du Roy - 3 octobre 10h30 et 20h

La jeune fille et la mort
Série Grands Rendez-vous

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, chef d’orchestre

Vendredi 3 octobre, 20 h
Salle Raoul-Jobin, Palais Montcalm (Québec)

Série chefs-d’œuvre du matin
Vendredi 3 octobre, 10 h 30
Salle Raoul-Jobin, Palais Montcalm (Québec)

B. Britten Prélude et fugue pour 18 cordes, opus 29
B. Britten Variations sur un thème de Frank Bridge, opus 10
F. Schubert Quatuor en ré mineur « La jeune fille et la mort », D. 810
(Arrangement pour orchestre à cordes de G. Mahler)

Québec, le jeudi 11 septembre 2008 – La saison 2008-2009 des Violons du Roy s’ouvrira avec le premier concert de la série Grands Rendez-vous, le vendredi 3 octobre, 20 h, à la Salle Raoul-Jobin du Palais Montcalm. Pour l’occasion, Jean-Marie Zeitouni dirigera des œuvres de Benjamin Britten et l’un des chefs-d’œuvre du répertoire romantique, le Quatuor « La jeune fille et la mort » de Franz Schubert dans l’arrangement pour orchestre à cordes de Gustav Mahler. Cette dernière œuvre sera aussi donnée en matinée, à 10 h 30, dans le cadre de la série de concerts commentés Chefs-d’œuvre du matin.

La première partie sera consacrée à deux œuvres pour orchestre à cordes de Benjamin Britten, toutes deux composées pour un ensemble londonien réputé, l’Orchestre à cordes Boyd Neel. Le concert s’ouvrira avec le Prélude et fugue, opus 29, une œuvre qui met bien en lumière la virtuosité de chacun des musiciens, tous étant traités en soliste. Suivront les Variations sur un thème de Frank Bridge, opus 10 créées au Festival de Salzbourg en 1937. Dans cette série de variations, Britten rend hommage à son maître, Frank Bridge, mais surtout, il prend un plaisir évident à évoquer le style de nombreux prédécesseurs et contemporains, notamment Beethoven, Verdi, Rossini, Mahler, Ravel, Bach et Bartók. Cette œuvre destinée à faire briller l’orchestre contribua grandement à la célébrité du compositeur alors âgé de 24 ans.

En deuxième partie, Jean-Marie Zeitouni dirigera l’arrangement pour orchestre à cordes du Quatuor en ré mineur « La jeune fille et la mort » de Schubert, réalisé par Gustav Mahler dans le but de rendre plus accessible ce magnifique chef-d’œuvre. Mis en musique par Schubert en 1817, le court poème de Matthias Claudius, Der Tod und das Mädchen (la mort et la jeune fille) relate le dialogue entre une jeune fille effrayée et la Mort. Sept ans plus tard, le compositeur, alors confronté à sa mort prochaine, reprend son lied et s’en inspire pour créer son quatorzième et avant-dernier quatuor. Cette œuvre en quatre mouvements, portée par un souffle dramatique puissant, constitue sans contredit l’un des sommets de tout le répertoire romantique.

La Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec est le partenaire présentateur de ce concert. Espace musique, la radio musicale de Radio-Canada, est le diffuseur officiel des Violons du Roy. La saison 2008-2009 à Québec est présentée par Hydro-Québec, partenaire de saison à Québec.


Série Grands Rendez-vous : Cinq concerts d’envergure
Pour ceux qui aiment la diversité, la série Grands Rendez-vous propose cinq grands concerts où l’on pourra entendre des œuvres magnifiques telles La jeune fille et la mort de Schubert, La nuit transfigurée de Schoenberg, La messe de minuit de Charpentier et même de la musique klezmer. Truls Mork, Karina Gauvin, l’ensemble Kleztory et La Chapelle de Québec figurent parmi les invités de marque de cette série aux saveurs variées !


Série Chefs-d’œuvre du matin
La série Chefs-d’œuvre du matin est de retour, cette fois avec une offre de cinq concerts. Ces concerts commentés par les chefs et ponctués de démonstrations des musiciens permettent aux mélomanes d’enrichir leur expérience du concert. D’une durée d’environ 70 minutes sans entracte, ces concerts ont lieu en matinée à 10 h 30.

L’abonnement

Abonnez-vous à l’une des séries de la Saison 2007-2008 et profiter d’un rabais sur le tarif régulier et de nombreux privilèges. En vous abonnant avant le 3 octobre, vous courez la chance de gagner l’un des trois prix du concours « Trois chances plutôt qu’une ». Tous les détails sont disponibles dans la brochure de saison ou sur le site : violonsduroy.com.
Nouveauté : la formule Trio Découverte permet de créer votre série de 3 concerts parmi 14 grands concerts du soir et de découvrir ainsi la gamme variée du répertoire des Violons du Roy. Vous pouvez même choisir autant de trios que vous le désirez…
Le tarif 29 ans et moins de retour !
Un concert de haut niveau au même prix qu’un film, soit seulement 12,50 $.

Information et Réservation

Billetterie du Palais Montcalm
(418) 641-6040, poste 0
(418) 692-3026
ou www.billetech.com

Concerts à venir au Palais Montcalm :
Mardi 4 novembre à 10 h 30 : Flûte alors !
Concert commenté par Bernard Labadie,
Série Chefs-d’œuvre du matin
Mardi 4 novembre, à 20 h Flûte alors !
Avec Bernard Labadie, chef; et Maurice Steger, flûte à bec
série Bach avant-tout

www.violonsduroy.com

PSO Kinderkonzert Series Begins October 20th

PORTLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S KINDERKONZERT 2008-09 SERIES OPENS WITH "STRINGS: FOUR SEASONS," OCTOBER 20
Introducing young children to instrument families and musical concepts

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) kicks off its popular Kinderkonzert series of the 2008-09 season with "Strings: Four Seasons" beginning October 20 and running through November 19.

The PSO String Quartet will guide kids aged 3-7 through the experience of how music can remind us of our surrounding environments. The PSO String Quartet, comprised of violin, viola, cello and double bass, will demonstrate how music can tell a story in much the same way as words and pictures. Various stringed instruments can conjure different seasonal weather patterns and their subsequent moods – the plucking of violin strings might make one think of a rain shower while the deep sounds of the double bass may being to mind a thunderstorm.

The "Strings: Four Seasons" program opens on October 20 at the Crooker Theater in Brunswick High School and then travels to nine other locations in Maine and New Hampshire for a total of 24 performances.

Kinderkonzerts are entertaining, interactive programs with Portland Symphony musicians where kids ages 3 - 7 can sing, dance, wiggle, clap, and have fun listening and learning about music and instruments. School systems can coordinate the Kinderkonzert visit with Science and English Language Arts instruction in addition to Visual and Performing Arts. Specially prepared worksheets designed to support Maine's Learning Results are available online or by contacting the PSO.

Sponsored by Time Warner Cable, all Portland Symphony Orchestra Kinderkonzert tickets are $3 per person with advance reservation, $4 at the door (adult or child). For additional information, reservations and ticketing information visit www.portlandsymphony.com or call (207) 773-6128.

# # #

PSO Kinderkonzert Schedule for Strings: Four Seasons:

October 20, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30, 1:00

Crooker Theater, Brunswick High School

116 Maquoit Road, Brunswick

October 21, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30, 1:00

Gorham High School

41 Morrill Ave, Gorham

October 22, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30

South Portland High School Auditorium

637 Highland Avenue, South Portland

October 23, 2008 | 9:00, 10:00, 11:00

Olin Arts Center, Bates College

75 Russell Street, Lewiston

October 30, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30

Reiche Community School

166 Brackett Street, Portland

November 3, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30

Manchester Elementary School

17 School Street, Manchester, ME

November 7, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30, 1:00

Fairfield School

75 Beach Street, Saco

November 14, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30

Town & Country Motor Inn

Route 2, Shelburne, NH

November 18, 2008 | 9:30, 10:30, 1:00

Oxford Elementary School

79 Pleasant Street, Oxford, ME

November 19, 2008 | 10:30 *

Hear Me Now

New Gloucester, ME

* Sold out

2009 JUNO Awards Submissions Start October 1st

Get in the Running for the 2009 JUNO Awards
- Call for Submissions Start on Wednesday, October 1^st -

CARAS introduces new partnerships and
changes to category and voting guidelines

Toronto, ON (September 30, 2008) - The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that submissions for the 2009 JUNO Awards open on Wednesday, October 1^st; giving Canadian artists the opportunity to enter eligible works to be considered for the 38^th edition of Canada's Music Awards. The 2009 Juno Awards Weekend will take place in Vancouver, BC, March 26-29, 2009.

This year, CARAS has introduced new category guidelines, voting criteria and an all-new partnership with YANGAROO to streamline the judging process. Using YANGAROO's patented Digital Media Distribution System (DMDS) which is a secure, accessible and easy-to-use digital file transfer system, eligible submissions will be distributed electronically to judges during the voting period.

CARAS is also pleased to announce that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be the official ballot accountants for the 2009 JUNO Awards.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Submissions for the 2009 JUNO Awards open October 1, 2008
• Early-Bird deadline (to receive discounted submission rates) is October 22, 2008 before 5 p.m. (EST)
• Final submissions for CRAFT Categories (5-39) must be received by
  November 12, 2008 before 5 p.m. (EST)
• Final submissions for SALES Categories (3-4) must be received by January 7, 2009 before 5 p.m. (EST)

2009 eligibility applies to works released during the period between September 1, 2007 to November 12, 2008. For a complete list of JUNO Awards categories, eligibility rules, voting criteria and submission forms, go to www.junoawards.ca.

Along with the announcement of submission dates and deadlines, CARAS has also introduced significant changes to several JUNO Awards categories effective for 2009.

Voting Criteria Changes: Nominations for Artist of the Year and Group of the Year will now be determined based on split criteria of 50% sales and 50% Academy member votes, with the winner decided by a final Academy members' vote.

Category Crossover: Aboriginal Album of the Year* and Contemporary Christian /Gospel Album of the Year can now cross over into another genre category (provided the album meets the specific genre category criteria). *Aboriginal Album of the Year is now a FULL album category. Single track submissions will no longer be considered for this category.

Voting: To receive voting ballots for 2009 Single of the Year, Group of the Year and Artist of the Year, participants must be current CARAS members as of December 1, 2008. For all other member-voted categories, voters must be current CARAS members prior to February 1, 2009. Registrations received after this date will be ineligible to vote for the 2009 JUNO Awards.

Sponsors of The 2009 JUNO Awards include FACTOR, Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage's "Canada Music Fund," The Province of British Columbia, The City of Vancouver and Radio Starmaker Fund.

About CARAS:
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L'academie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l'enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music and recording industries and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. The main focus of CARAS is the exploration and development of opportunities to showcase and promote Canadian artists and music through vehicles such as The JUNO Awards. For more information on the 38th Annual JUNO Awards or the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' (CARAS) please visit our websites at www.carasonline.ca and www.junoawards.ca.

Yuli Turovsky conducts I Musici de Montreal

The VSO Presents Yuli Turovsky and I Musici de Montréal

Vancouver BC – I Musici de Montreal is one of Canada’s top chamber orchestras, specializing in Chamber and Baroque. The VSO is proud to present them, with their founding director, Yuli Turovsky, for the opening concert of the Bach & Beyond series in a perfect baroque concert: the music of Bach and Handel. I Musici de Montreal performs at The Chan Centre for Performing Arts on October 10^th and 11^th.

“Turovsky, a man of high passion”

--The Montreal Gazette

“I Musici de Montreal is a decidedly virtuoso group”

--South China Morning Post, Hong-Kong

Founded by cellist and conductor, Yuli Turovsky, I Musici de Montreal is a chamber orchestra of 15 musicians that specializes in Baroque repertoire. Maestro Turovsky has joked that back in 1983, he purchased a few batons on sale while in New York City and decided that since he had these new batons, he needed an orchestra to conduct. With this new goal, he went back home and founded I Musici de Montreal. This string orchestra is now celebrating its 25^th anniversary and performs over one hundred concerts annually at home and abroad.

I Musici de Montreal visits Vancouver as part of their Western Canadian Tour, which also includes performances in Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon. The VSO presents them for the first concert of the 5-concert Bach & Beyond series, while the VSO is on its Asia-Pacific Tour.

CONCERT INFO

Bach & Beyond Series

The VSO Presents I Musici de Montréal

Friday, October 10, 8pm Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

Saturday, October 11, 8pm Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

Yuli Turovsky, conductor

I Musici de Montreal

Handel Concerti Grossi, Op.6, No.1 in G Major

Handel Concerti Grossi, Op.6, No.4 in A minor

Handel Concerti Grossi, Op. 6, No.12 in B minor

JS Bach Goldberg Variations

Tickets: $35 to $59 (Senior, Student and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available from Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone, 604.280.3311, VSO Customer Service at 604.876.3434, or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

The VSO’s Bach & Beyond Series Endowed By:

The Chan Foundation of Canada

The presentation of this series is made possible in part through the generous assistance of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts of the University of British Columbia.

Radio Sponsor:

600AM

BIOGRAPHIES

Yuli Turovsky, conductor

Born in Moscow, dynamic and visionary conductor Yuli Turovsky began studying the cello at age 7. He continued his studies at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Conservatory with Galina Kozulupova and in 1969 received First Prize in the USSR Cello Competition. After graduating, he toured the world as a member of the celebrated Moscow Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Rudolph Barchai.

After immigrating to Canada and establishing himself in Montréal, Yuli Turovsky formed I Musici de Montréal Chamber Orchestra in 1983. An ensemble of 15 strings with a repertoire that extends from the baroque to the contemporary, I Musici de Montréal performs over 100 concerts per year throughout the world.

I Musici de Montréal

Founded by cellist and conductor Yuli Turovsky, I Musici de Montréal is a chamber orchestra of 15 musicians that performs a vast repertoire extending from the Baroque to the Contemporary. The orchestra presents a busy schedule of over 100 concerts per season throughout the world, including three series in Montreal. This extraordinary amount of activity places I Musici de Montréal among the most important touring orchestras in Canada. Since its beginnings, I Musici de Montréal has released more than 40 CDs for the Chandos and Analekta Record Labels that are distributed in more than 50 countries around the world.

These recordings have won the orchestra and Maestro Turovsky many awards, including a Diapason d’Or for their 1988 recording of Shostakovich’s 14^th Symphony and a 1992 Penguin Guide Rosette for their Concerti grossi, opus 6 by Handel. I Musici de Montréal’s recording of Handel has since become a reference recording of the highest standard. In December of 1998, the Conseil québecois de la musique gave two Opus Awards to the orchestra for Recording Event of the Year and Best Recording - contemporary music for a CD grouping works by Gorecki, Pärt and Schnittke. In August 2001, BBC Music Magazine named as their CD of the Month I Musici de Montréal’s 40^th CD, a recording of Miaskovsky, Schnittke and Denisov, naming it “Pickof the month”. In 2007, the orchestra won the Opus Award for their latest record Shostakovich’s Circle and was nominated for a Juno Award.

In 1999, I Musici de Montréal was awarded the Grand Prix by the Montreal Urban Community for their exceptional contribution to music presentation in and around Montreal. In 2004, the Orchestra and Maestro Turovsky received a uniquely special award for International performances presented by the Conseil québécois de la musique. This award saluted the 20^th anniversary of the orchestra and the whole work that made the reputation of the orchestra throughout the years.

Under the dynamic and visionary direction of Maestro Yuli Turovsky who also performs as cello soloist with the orchestra, I Musici de Montréal has performed in some of the greatest halls in the world: New York’s Lincoln Center, the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany, the Seiji Ozawa Hall in Tanglewood, the Tonhalle in Zürich, the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, the Kioi Hall in Tokyo and Philharmonie in Luxemburg, among others. Public enthusiasm and critical acclaim underlining the precision, cohesion and virtuosity of their performance as well as the brilliant and distinctive sound of the orchestra confirm I Musici de Montréal’s importance on the world’s musical stage.

NACO, Oct. 9-10: Measha Brueggergosman

Measha Brueggergosman sings Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 and Bolcom cabaret songs with the NAC Orchestra on October 9 and 10

Ottawa (Canada) – Marvellous Measha Brueggergosman, Canada’s soprano sensation, returns to the National Arts Centre Orchestra to sing *Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, a musical interpretation of an elegant memory poem by James Agee (poet, novelist and scriptwriter of The African Queen), as well as three cabaret songs by William Bolcom. These opening concerts of the Bostonian Bravo Series on Thursday, October 9 and Friday, October 10 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall are led by young American conductor James Gaffigan making his NAC debut. Gaffigan will also lead the NAC Orchestra in Rossini’s Overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1.

James Gaffigan says, “This program is like the perfect dinner, the audience gets a taste of everything, without getting too full. A Rossini overture is the ideal appetizer in a concert program; it whets the appetite with loads of charming humour and unexpected drama in just eight minutes time. Measha then takes the stage with two contrasting but equally engaging vocal works. The first being the elegiac Knoxville: Summer of 1915 by Samuel Barber, followed by the effervescent cabaret songs of Wiliam Bolcom. These pieces will show the depth of diversity in these American composers as well as in Measha’s interpretive abilities. After intermission, the orchestra shifts gears to the classical meat and potatoes in Beethoven’s first symphony. This work combines the intensity often associated with the composer, as well as passages of alluring beauty.”

The cabaret songs by William Bolcom – “George”, “Total Stranger in the Garden” and “Amor” – will be heard in new orchestrations by the composer performed live for the first time in Canada after being recorded by Measha Brueggergosman on her Juno Award-winning Deutsche Grammophon recording entitled Surprise! She says, “What these songs do so brilliantly is to create highly theatrical mini-dramas in which the music is borne out by the texts – not the other way around. It’s catching the sly mix of the casual and the formal in these songs that is their particular challenge.”

Critically acclaimed by the international press as much for her innate musicianship and voluptuous voice as for a sovereign stage presence far beyond her years, Measha Brueggergosman has emerged as one of the most magnificent performers and vibrant personalities of the day. Her appearances this season include performances with Ensemble Intercontemporain, London Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and concerts with the Cleveland Orchestra in Cleveland, Miami, and at Carnegie Hall. She has performed several times with the NAC Orchestra, most recently this past July during “Orchestras in the Park”.

James Gaffigan, born in 1979, is the Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and Music Director of CityMusic Cleveland, a chamber orchestra which presents free concerts throughout the city. His appearances as a guest conductor have included appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, and Tonhalle Orchestra, and this season he makes his debut with, among others, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony as well as the NAC Orchestra.

Tickets for these Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, October 9 and Friday, October 10 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 with box seats at $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

*Measha Brueggergosman requested a change of programme. The Barber and Bolcom will be performed in place of the previously announced Les Nuits d’été by Berlioz.

Prix Zof du partenariat 2008 : appel aux candidatures

Communiqué

Prix Zof du partenariat 2008 : appel aux candidatures

Prix Zof 2008 Création de l'artiste Donald Doiron

Ottawa, le 29 septembre 2008 - Pour une 6^ème année, la Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF) s'associe au gouvernement du Québec pour honorer un partenariat gagnant entre un organisme du Québec et un organisme des communautés francophones et acadienne dans le domaine des arts et de la culture. Le Prix sera remis en 2008 en marge du Forum sectoriel des arts et de la culture qui se tiendra du 20 au 21 novembre à Québec.

Si vous connaissez un organisme québécois et un organisme des communautés francophones et acadienne qui oeuvrent dans le domaine des Arts et de la Culture; qui, ensemble, contribuent à promouvoir la francophonie et qui, par leur(s) initiative(s) commune(s), renforcent les liens entre le Québec et la francophonie canadienne, faites-nous en part en remplissant le formulaire de candidatures sur notre site www.fccf.ca , rubrique Prix Zof.

Un jury, composé de représentants du gouvernement du Québec et du secteur des Arts et de la Culture de la francophonie canadienne se réunira pour sélectionner la meilleure initiative qui se sera distinguée par la qualité et l'originalité du partenariat ainsi que par son impact sur le réseautage des arts et de la culture entre le Québec et les communautés francophones et acadienne.

Les candidatures doivent parvenir soit par courriel à info@fccf.ca , par courrier au 450, rue Rideau - Bureau 405 - Ottawa K1N 5Z4 ou encore par télécopie au (613) 241-6064 au plus tard le 3 novembre 2008.

D'ores et déjà, nous tenons à remercier toutes celles et ceux, qui par l'envoi des candidatures, contribuent à faire connaître la richesse et la diversité des initiatives de la francophonie au Canada.

La Fédération culturelle canadienne-française est un organisme national dont la mission est de promouvoir l'expression artistique et culturelle des communautés francophones et acadienne. Elle réunit des représentants de sept regroupements nationaux en théâtre, en littérature, en chanson-musique, en arts médiatiques et en arts visuels, ainsi que des représentants de onze provinces et territoires du Canada.

Pink Martini Show Announcement

SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT:

PINK MARTINI RETURNS TO TORONTO

FOR A ROY THOMSON HALL PERFORMANCE

Friday, June 19 at 8 PM

Tickets on sale to FriendsFirst members Sept. 30 at 10 AM; to the Public on Oct. 4 at 12 NOON

$69.50 - $49.50 - Call 416-872-4255 or online at www.roythomson.com

or visit the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office

The fabulous Pink Martini, “beautiful and sophisticated,” as declared by The New Yorker, returns to Toronto after a highly successful debut on March of 2008. In writing about the group’s last appearance in March, the Toronto Star wrote, "Pink Martini represents all that Toronto aspires to - sophistication, cosmopolitanism, and a type of delight that sometimes involves dressing up and carousing…with its heterogeneous tastes and facility in languages, the pop orchestra might have sprung from our own diverse metropolis, but hails instead from Portland, Oregon.” And the National Post wrote, "Like the cocktail they're named after, Pink Martini packs a punch when you get past the frothy sweetness…It's music to dress up for, in heels and pearls; music that gets the ballroom buzzing."

The Portland, Oregon-based “little orchestra” was founded in 1994 by Lauderdale, a Harvard graduate and classically trained pianist, to perform at political fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights, the environment, affordable housing and public broadcasting. In the years following, Pink Martini grew from four musicians to its current twelve, and has gone on to perform its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Canada and the United States. In the US, the band has performed with such symphony orchestras as the Boston Pops, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and special engagements have included the grand opening of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s new Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall; the opening party of the New York Museum of Modern Art; and the 100^th birthday celebration for the William Morris Agency with soul legend Al Green.

“Pink Martini is like a romantic Hollywood musical of the 1940s or ‘50s – but with a global perspective which is modern,” says founder and artistic director Thomas M. Lauderdale. “We bring melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is new and beautiful. All band members have studied different languages and music from different parts of the world, so because everyone in the band contributes in the writing and arranging of songs, the repertoire is wildly diverse. At one moment, you feel like you’re in the middle of a samba parade in Rio de Janeiro, and in the next moment, you are suddenly in a French music hall of the 1930s or in a palazzo in Napoli. It’s like an urban musical travelogue,” says Lauderdale.

Pink Martini’s debut album, Sympathique, was released in 1997 on the band’s own label Heinz Records (named after Lauderdale’s dog) and quickly became an international phenomenon, garnering the group nominations for “Song of the Year” and “Best New Artist” in France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards. Seven long years later the high-anticipated follow-up, Hang on Little Tomato, was released and climbed to #1 on Amazon.com’s best sellers list. A new CD is in the works (details to come before the June concert date), but until then, Pink Martini’s last album was Hey Eugene!, released in May 2007. This recording is a twelve-track sonic journey that travels the globe with uplifting songs of hope and beauty. The title track “Hey Eugene,” an audience favourite for years, is delivered with sultry grace by lead singer China Forbes, who wrote the song about a boy she met at a party who asked for her number and then never called.

PINK MARTINI

Friday, June 19, 2008 at 8 pm / Roy Thomson Hall

178 Victoria Street, Toronto
Tickets $69.50-$49.50 - Call 416-872-4255 or visit the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office

www.masseyhall.com

OSM / les concerts du mois d'octobre

October at the OSM

Great violinists at the OSM:

Joshua Bell, James Ehnes and Itzhak Perlman

5 to 8 is back

with Hubert Reeves and André Robitaille

Pianist Alain Lefèvre in the land of the tsars (sold out)

Tribute to musical creativity

and

Symphonic Matinees: two OSM musicians in the spotlight

Montreal, September 24, 2008: The programming for the month of October at the OSM will appeal to a huge audience. On October 1, the last chance to hear remarkable violinist and Grammy Award–winner Joshua Bell perform The Red Violin Concerto written by John Corigliano. An American composer, Corigliano won an Oscar in 1999 for the soundtrack to the film The Red Violin. The concerto, conducted here by Jacques Lacombe, is an expansion of the soundtrack and incorporates some of the more memorable themes of the original score. At intermission, Joshua Bell will be in one of the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier lobbies for a record-signing session.

The popular series 5 to 8 at the OSM opens on October 7 when astrophysicist and scientific popularizer Hubert Reeves shares his musical selections with the audience. Hosted by actor André Robitaille and led by OSM conductor in residence Jean-François Rivest, the 5 to 8's at the OSM are a pleasant way to wind up the day in music.

As part of the Air Canada Classical Escapes series, well-known pianist Alain Lefèvre will perform Rachmaninov's celebrated Second Concerto at a concert on October 14 conducted by Jean-François Rivest and devoted entirely to masterpieces of Russian music. In addition to Rachmaninov, the program features Prokofiev, Borodin and Stravinsky.

Canadian violinist and Grammy winner James Ehnes revisits the OSM and conductor in residence Jean-François Rivest on October 5 with one of the most beloved works in the violin repertoire, the Sibelius Concerto. On October 29, the OSM presents Tribute to musical creativity. Conductors Walter Boudreau and Susanna Mälkki will lead the Orchestra and violinist Chantal Juillet in a program bringing together works by five composers of our time: Paul Frehner, André Prévost, György Ligeti, Steve Reich and Claude Vivier.

On October 21 and 22, violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman will perform and conduct Johann Sebastian Bach's Violin Concerto BWV 1042. He will also conduct Mozart's "Haffner"Symphony as well as Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5. Finally, on October 15, the audience will get to hear OSM concertmaster Richard Roberts and principal oboe Theodore Baskin in a concerto Bach wrote for the two instruments, among other works. Also on the program, Dvořák's Symphony No. 5.

Information and reservations: 514-842-9951 or www.osm.ca

THE OCTOBER CONCERTS:

October 1 at 8 p.m. (Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier) Grand Concerts: Joshua Bell and The Red Violin. Jacques Lacombe, conductor; Joshua Bell, violinist. At 7 p.m.: pre-concert discussion: Kelly Rice welcomes Ramon Humet.

October 5 at 2:30 p.m. (Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier) Musical Sundays: James Ehnes and the Sibelius Concerto. Jean-François Rivest, conductor; James Ehnes, violinist. At 1:30 p.m.: pre-concert discussion: Kelly Rice welcomes Joseph Zuskin, Gilles Moisan and Olivier Thouin.

October 7 at 7 p.m. (Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier) 5 to 8 at the OSM: Hubert Reeves' choices. Jean-François Rivest, conductor. At 5:30 p.m.: cocktail reception (Piano Nobile).

October 14 at 8 p.m. (Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier) Air Canada Classical Escapes: From the Land of the Tsars. Jean-François Rivest, conductor; Alain Lefèvre, pianist. At 7 p.m.: recital by a young pianist (Piano Nobile).

October 15 at 10:30 a.m. (Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier) Symphonic Matinees: OSM Stars in the Spotlight. Charles Olivieri-Munroe, conductor; Richard Roberts, violinist; Theodore Baskin, oboist.

October 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. (Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier) Grand Concerts: Perlman Plays and Conducts. Itzhak Perlman, conductor and violinist.

October 29 at 8 p.m. (Théâtre Maisonneuve) Non-series concert: Tribute to musical creativity. Walter Boudreau and Susanna Mälkki, conductors; Chantal Juillet, violinist.

Information on the month's concerts:

Grand Concerts:

Joshua Bell and The Red Violin

Violinist Joshua Bell, winner of a Grammy Award and the coveted Avery Fisher Prize, hailed by critics and acclaimed by the public, revisits the OSM in The Red Violin Concerto by John Corigliano. The work, in four movements, dedicated to the memory of the composer's father, concertmaster with the New York Philharmonic for nearly a quarter-century, is an extension of the soundtrack to the movie The Red Violin, which won an Oscar for best original score in 1999. The composer first extracted a Chaconne, a concert piece performed on disc by Joshua Bell, but wanted to expand it into an impassioned, romantic violin concerto. The work was premiered and recorded by Joshua Bell last year with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and is being presented in Montreal for the first time.

Jacques Lacombe, principal guest conductor at the OSM from 2002 to 2006, whose career was rewarded in 2005 with the Prix Opus for his reputation abroad, also revisits the Orchestra's musicians in Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, one of the most remarkable orchestral works of the 20th century.

Opening the program, Ramon Humet, winner of the Olivier Messiaen Prize at the first edition of the OSM International Composition Prize, offers a premiere, Escenas de viento.

There will be a pre-concert discussion at 7 p.m.: Kelly Rice, producer-coordinator and host on CBC Radio Two, will welcome Ramon Humet, composer.

Grand Concerts

September 30 and October 1 at 7 p.m.: pre-concert discussion

September 30 and October 1 at 8 p.m.: concert

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Jacques Lacombe, conductor

Joshua Bell, violinist

Ramon Humet Escenas de viento, world premiere, OSM commission

John Corigliano The Red Violin Concerto

Béla Bartók Concerto for Orchestra

Tickets from $24.75

Information and reservations: 514-842-9951 or www.osm.ca

Musical Sundays:

James Ehnes and the Sibelius Concerto

Violinist James Ehnes, winner of a Grammy Award in 2008, returns to the OSM and conductor in residence Jean-François Rivest in the Sibelius Concerto, one of the most magnificent and most difficult for the instrument, with its many virtuoso passages. The concerto is bookended by works by Shostakovich: a short piano piece orchestrated by Joseph Zuskin and an imposing symphony, the Eighth, which evokes the tragedy and horrors of war, and which aspires to a tranquil peace. In its depth, its expressive intensity, its wealth of feeling and its epic properties, the work is one of the most personal and powerful the composer created, and one of his best loved.

At 1:30 p.m. there will be a pre-concert discussion: Kelly Rice, producer-coordinator and host on CBC Radio Two, will welcome Joseph Zuskin, orchestrator, Gilles Moisan, clarinettist and saxophonist and Olivier Thouin, OSM associate concertmaster.

Musical Sundays

October 5 at 1:30 p.m.: pre-concert discussion

October 5 at 2:30 p.m.: concert

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Jean-François Rivest, conductor

James Ehnes, violinist

Dmitri Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue, Opus 87, No. 24 (orch. Zuskin)

Jean Sibelius Violin Concerto

Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 8

Tickets from $24.75

Information and reservations: 514-842-9951 or www.osm.ca

5 to 8 at the OSM:

Hubert Reeves' choices

Special moments of after-work relaxation, 5 to 8 at the OSM, hosted by actor and veteran host André Robitaille, is an original way to end the day. Musical discovery joined to pleasures of the palate, this one-hour concert conducted by Jean-François Rivest, the OSM's conductor in residence, will lead the audience into the rich universe of the inspiring astrophysicist and scientific popularizer Hubert Reeves. In addition, audience members can mix with other music fans when, starting at 5:30 p.m., tidbits and fine wines are served in the Piano Nobile starting at 5:30 p.m.

5 to 8 at the OSM

October 7 at 5:30 p.m.: cocktail reception at Piano Nobile

October 7 at 7 p.m.: concert at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Jean-François Rivest, conductor

Érik Satie Gymnopédie No. 1

Gilles Tremblay Vers le soleil, excerpt

Felix Mendelssohn Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Jean Sibelius The Swan of Tuonela

Arnold Schoenberg Transfigured Night, excerpt

Maurice Ravel Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé

Tickets from $38.50

Information and reservations: 514-842-9951 or www.osm.ca

Air Canada Classical Escapes:

Pianist Alain Lefèvre in the land of the tsars

Alain Lefèvre, a standard bearer of the romantic repertoire, will be performing Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto, certainly the most renowned concerto of the 20th century, a tormented, passionate and particularly lyrical work. The program also includes Borodin's captivating Polovtsian Dances, the suite from Stravinsky's magnificent ballet The Firebird, excerpts from Prokofiev's opera War and Peace and the grand-scale 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, everything under the direction of OSM conductor in residence Jean-François Rivest.

At 7 p.m. there will be a recital at the Piano Nobile by a young pianist.

Air Canada Classical Escapes

October 14 at 8 p.m.

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Jean-François Rivest, conductor

Alain Lefèvre, pianist

Sergei Prokofiev Overture from War and Peace

Sergei Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2

Alexander Borodin Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor

Igor Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919)

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

Tickets from $24.75

Information and reservations: 514-842-9951 or www.osm.ca

Symphonic Matinees:

OSM Stars in the Spotlight

Two of the first chairs of the OSM, concertmaster Richard Roberts and principal oboe Theodore Baskin, are soloists for a program focusing on concerto works. Richard Roberts will first perform a jewel of Mozart's before yielding to Theodore Baskin in a concerto by Bellini, both works of great elegance and lyricism. The two musicians will then share the stage in the Bach Concerto BWV 1060, a work of great polyphonic richness and emotional range. Dvořák's intense Symphony No. 5 will conclude the program.

Symphonic Matinees

October 15 at 10:30 a.m.

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Charles Olivieri-Munroe, conductor

Richard Roberts, OSM concertmaster

Theodore Baskin, OSM principal oboe

Johann Sebastian Bach Concerto for Violin and Oboe, BWV 1060

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Adagio for Violin, K. 261

Vincenzo Bellini Oboe Concerto in E-flat major

Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 5

Tickets from $24.75

Information and reservations: 514-842-9951 or www.osm.ca

Grand Concerts:

Perlman plays and conducts Bach, Mozart and Prokofiev

One of the true stars of the violin, Itzhak Perlman is one of those exceptional artists who touch the hearts of audiences around the world, through his remarkable technique but above all thanks to the profundity with which he conveys the subtleties of the repertoire. Here he will be both soloist and conductor in a program consisting of Bach's Violin Concerto BWV 1042 – a work in which the writing and the architecture are subtle and contained – Mozart's "Haffner" Symphony and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5, a work of powerful epic spirit.

Grand Concerts

October 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Itzhak Perlman, conductor and violinist

Johann Sebastian Bach Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 35, K. 385, "Haffner"

Sergei Prokofiev Symphony No. 5

Tickets from $24.75

Information and reservations: 514-842-9951 or www.osm.ca

Non-series concerts:

Tribute to musical creativity

Since the very first years of the OSM's existence, steady attention has been brought to bear on the creation of new works. A number of these have over the years become the classics of today. This concert, to begin with, will mark the 10th anniversary of the premiere of the Violin Concerto by André Prévost, performed by its dedicatee (and the violinist who premiered it), Chantal Juillet. Orion by Claude Vivier, a composer the 60th anniversary of whose birth and 25th anniversary of whose death are being noted in 2008, was commissioned and premiered by Charles Dutoit and the OSM in 1980. The American Steve Reich, meanwhile, is represented by his City Life. We will also hear Lontano by György Ligeti, as well as Lila by Canada's Paul Frehner, a work that won its author the Claude-Vivier National prize at the OSM's International Composition Prize in 2007. Walter Boudreau, artistic director of the SMCQ, and Susanna Mälkki, music director of the prestigious Ensemble Intercontemporain de Paris, share this unique and bold program, which eloquently demonstrates the vitality of contemporary creativity.

Non-series concerts

October 29 at 8 p.m.

Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts

Walter Boudreau, conductor

Susanna Mälkki, conductor

Chantal Juillet, violinist

Paul Frehner Lila

André Prévost Violin Concerto

György Ligeti Lontano

Steve Reich City Life

Claude Vivier Orion

Tickets from $24.75

Information and reservations: 514-842-9951 or www.osm.ca

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is presented by Hydro-Québec

in association with National Bank

Le 10e festival d'automne Orgue et Couleurs

LE 10e FESTIVAL D’AUTOMNE ORGUE ET COULEURS SE POURSUIT JUSQU’AU 5 OCTOBRE 2008 AVEC SES GRANDS CONCERTS, SES MIDIS À LA CARTE, SES CONCERTS APÉROS

CONCERTS À VENIR

info-festival et billetterie : 514-899-0938
achats en ligne et info : www.orgueetcouleurs.com

LES GRANDS CONCERTS à 20 h : Les contemporains « REMIX » leurs classiques ; un voyage « interplanétaire » avec l’interprétation de la suite orchestrale Les planètes de Gustav Holst ; un hommage original à Olivier Messiaen ; les chanteurs Marie-Denise Pelletier, Patrick Olafson et trois chanteurs de l’Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, les sopranos Caroline Bleau et Marianne Lambert ainsi que le baryton-basse Stephen Hegedus, nous convient à un récital de grands airs d’opéra et de mélodies de célèbres comédies musicales ; et en clôture du festival, l’Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières (cordes, trompette et percussions) sous la direction de Jacques Lacombe.

LES MIDIS À LA CARTE : Douze jeunes organistes âgés de 14 à 28 ans, étudiants des neuf classes d’orgue des conservatoires et universités du Québec, en prestation lors de cinq récitals dans cinq églises … un menu de choix pour découvrir la relève et la richesse des orgues de Montréal, la ville aux cent clochers.

LES CONCERTS APÉROS à 17 h : Des concerts intimes de musique de chambre, suivis d’une rencontre avec les artistes, agrémentée d’un verre de vin. Dans les chœurs des églises, l’orgue se fait intime et dialogue avec l’art lyrique.

Église Saint-Nom-de-Jésus : 4215, rue Adam (métro Pie-IX, bus 139 Sud)
Église Très-Saint-Rédempteur : 3530, rue Adam (métro Joliette ou Papineau, bus 34 Est)
Église Saint Andrew & Saint Paul : rue Sherbrooke, coin Bishop (métro Peel)
Musée du Château Dufresne : 2929, avenue Jeanne-d’Arc (métro Pie IX)

PROGRAMMATION DÉTAILLÉE

GRANDS CONCERTS
De grandes rencontres entre l’orgue et ses complices

Chaque Grand concert débutera par la Fanfare du 10e Festival d’automne, œuvre en deux versions instrumentales (une pour orgue et quintette de cuivres, l’autre pour orgue et deux cuivres) commandée au compositeur Enrico O. Dastous. Elle sera interprétée par l’organiste Raymond Perrin et les musiciens du quintette de cuivres Buzz : les trompettistes Sylvain Lapointe et Frédéric Gagnon, le corniste Marc-Antoine Corbeil et les trombonistes Jason De Carufel et Sylvain Arseneau (prestation orgue et quintette : les 26 septembre, 3 et 5 octobre // orgue et deux cuivres : les 27 septembre, 2 et 4 octobre).

jeudi 2 octobre (Église Saint-Nom-de-Jésus), 20 h – 15$-20$ • REMIX de classiques!
Les contemporains « REMIX » leurs classiques ! Une soirée où les hommages transcendent les siècles… avec la création d’une œuvre pour orgue et électroacoustique, Chorals ornés (2008), du compositeur montréalais Yves Daoust, d’après des chorals du recueil Orgelbüchlein de J.S. Bach, avec l’organiste Régis Rousseau. En première partie, l’organiste Isabelle Demers joue des œuvres de compositeurs du 20e siècle qui rendent hommage à certains de leurs prédécesseurs : Hommage à Dietrich Buxtehude de Eben (1987), Variations sur un thème de Clément Jannequin de Jehan Alain (1936), Ricercare « Ommaggio a Girolamo Frescobaldi » de Ligeti (1953), Fantaisie et fugue sur B.A.C.H. de Reger (1900).
Concert présenté en collaboration avec Réseaux des arts médiatiques

vendredi 3 octobre (Église Saint-Nom-de-Jésus), 20 h - 20$-25$ • Orgue en orbite
L’organiste Raymond Perrin et les membres du quintette de cuivres Buzz – Sylvain Lapointe et Frédéric Gagnon (trompettes) Marc-Antoine Corbeil (cor) Jason De Carufel et Sylvain Arseneau (trombones) – nous emmènent en voyage « interplanétaire » avec l’interprétation de la suite orchestrale Les planètes de Gustav Holst dans une transcription du compositeur montréalais Enrico O. Dastous où les cuivres et l’orgue résonneront avec éclat et splendeur. En première partie de programme : Fugue en sol mineur BWV 578 de Johann Sebastian Bach, Premier Choral en mi majeur de César Franck, Sextuor opus 335 de Michel Colombier, Fugue sur le Salve Regina de J-Antonio Thompson et Flourishes de Carlyle Sharpe.

vendredi 3 octobre (Église Saint-Nom-de-Jésus), 22 h 28 – 10$ • Banquet pour O
Un hommage original à Olivier Messiaen, soulignant son 100e anniversaire de naissance…
Le temps n’est plus, le temps s’étire et nous hypnotise avec cette ré-interprétation du Banquet céleste de Messiaen qui passe de 10 à 100 minutes ! Euphorie, émotion et envoûtement… une expérience à vivre avec l’organiste Patrick Wedd et un chœur muet qui marquera le passage du temps en allumant une chandelle à toutes les minutes, de 22 h 28 à 00 h 08. Une idée originale de Scott Tresham

samedi 4 octobre (Église Saint-Nom-de-Jésus), 20 h - 20$-25$ • Opéra vs Broadway : une rencontre au sommet
Les chanteurs Marie-Denise Pelletier, Patrick Olafson et trois chanteurs de l’Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, les sopranos Caroline Bleau et Marianne Lambert ainsi que le baryton-basse Stephen Hegedus, nous convient à un récital de grands airs d’opéra et de mélodies de célèbres comédies musicales, faisant ainsi se côtoyer certains des personnages de ces deux univers. Ils seront accompagnés par un quatuor à cordes placé sous la direction du violoniste Philippe Dunnigan, par l’organiste Régis Rousseau et par le pianiste Pierre Benoît qui réalisera également les arrangements.

Au programme : Berger/Plamondon, Le monde est stone (Starmania) // Bernstein, Tonight, Maria et Somewhere (West Side Story) // Bizet, Air du Toréador et Habañera (Carmen) // Catalani, Ebben? Ne andrò lontana (La Wally)
Delibes, Duo des fleurs et Air des clochettes (Lakmé) // Donizetti, Una furtive lagrima (L’Elisir d’amore) // Gershwin, Summertime (Porgy and Bess) // Lerner/Loewe, I could have danced all night (My Fair Lady) // Mozart, Non più andrai (Le Nozze di Figaro), Là ci darem la mano (Don Giovanni), Duo Papageno-Papagena (La Flûte enchantée) // Rodgers/Hammerstein, Some enchanted evening (South Pacific), The hills are alive (The Sound of Music) // Verdi, Addio des passato (La Traviata), Va, pensiero (Nabucco) // Webber, All I ask of you (Phantom of the Opera), Don’t cry for me Argentina (Evita).

dimanche 5 octobre (Église Saint Andrew & Saint Paul), 19 h 30 - 20$ • Symphonies de couleurs
Pour clore le festival et souligner la 1ère édition du nouveau Concours international d’orgue du Canada à Montréal (CIOC), un grand concert avec l’organiste américain James Higdon – membre du jury du CIOC – et l’Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières (cordes, trompette et percussions) sous la direction de Jacques Lacombe. Au programme : les pièces d’orgue Litanies et 2e Fantaisie de Jehan Alain, les œuvres orchestrales Rakastava de Jean Sibelius, The unanswered question de Charles Ives, Cantus in memory of Benjamin Britten de Arvo Pärt et le Concerto pour orgue, orchestre à cordes et timbales, en sol mineur de Francis Poulenc.
Concert présenté en collaboration avec le CIOC et l’OSTR.

CINQ MIDIS À LA CARTE

ACTIVITÉS GRATUITES DE JOUR

Une tribune pour la relève de l’orgue
29, 30 septembre, 1er, 2 et 3 octobre, midi – Entrée libre
Églises Très-Saint-Rédempteur, Saint-Nom-de-Jésus,
Saint-Léon de Westmount,
du Gesù et Saint-John The Evangelist

Douze jeunes organistes âgés de 14 à 28 ans, étudiants des neuf classes d’orgue des conservatoires et universités du Québec, en prestation lors de cinq récitals dans cinq églises … un menu de choix pour découvrir la relève et la richesse des orgues de Montréal, la ville aux cent clochers.
Le lundi 29 septembre, Béatrice Létourneau et Nicolas Delisle-Godin (classe de Josée April, Conservatoire de Rimouski) et Jean-Luc Clauzier (classe de Mireille Lagacé, Conservatoire de Montréal) ;
Le mardi 30 septembre, Marie-Claude Duchesne (classe de Céline Fortin, Conservatoire de Saguenay) et Jordan de Souza (classe de John Grew, Université McGill) ;
Le mercredi 1er octobre, Carl-Mathieu Neher (classe de Danielle Dubé, Conservatoire de Gatineau) et Nicolas-Alexandre Marcotte (classe de Réjean Poirier, Université de Montréal) ;
Le jeudi 2 octobre, Laurence Jobidon et Emmanuel Bernier (classe de Danny Belisle, Conservatoire de Québec) et François Pothier-Bouchard (classe de Raymond Perrin, Conservatoire de Trois-Rivières) ;
Le vendredi 3 octobre, Marie-Hélène Greffard (classe de Richard Paré, Université Laval) et Jonathan Vromet (classe de Jean Le Buis, Conservatoire de Montréal).

CINQ CONCERTS APÉRO

Concerts intimes de musique de chambre,
suivis d’une rencontre avec les artistes, agrémentée d’un verre de vin.
29, 30 septembre, 1er et 2 octobre 2008 à 17 h 30 [15$ et 12$]
Églises Saint-Nom-de-Jésus (SNJ) et Très-Saint-Rédempteur (TSR)
3 octobre à 17 h au Musée du Château Dufresne (CD) [15$ et 12$]


Dans les chœurs des églises, l’orgue se fait intime et dialogue avec l’art lyrique :

lundi 29 septembre, 17 h 30 (SNJ) • Deux cycles, deux visions
L’organiste Tim Pyper et le contre-ténor Daniel Cabena présenteront deux cycles musicaux : la Missa in Simplicitate du compositeur français Jean Langlais (1907-1991), une mise en musique des textes sacrés d’un office religieux, et le cycle Aspects of Time du compositeur canadien Barrie Cabena (né en 1933), basé sur des textes profanes de provenance variée, de dictons et proverbes traditionnels à des extraits de pièces de Shakespeare en passant par des textes originaux du compositeur lui-même.

mardi 30 septembre, 17 h 30 (SNJ) • Le charme français
L’organiste Denis Bonenfant, la soprano Aurelia Calabrese et le baryton Sébastien Ouellet nous feront goûter au romantisme français, à travers de belles mélodies, de pieuses prières et d’étonnantes pièces d’orgue sous le charme du romantisme français. Au programme, les œuvres vocales D'un cœur qui t'aime, Ma belle amie est morte et Prière de Gounod, Si mes vers avaient des ailes et C'est ma banlieue de Hahn, Les berceaux, Le secret et le Cantique de Jean Racine de Fauré, la Barcarolle d’Offenbach, et les pièces d’orgue Andantino de Andlauer, Cantilène religieuse de Dubois, Trois gnossiennes de Satie et Prière à Notre-Dame de Boëllmann.

mercredi 1er octobre, 17 h 30 (TSR) • Arioso
L’organiste Dominique Gagnon et le contre-ténor Jean-François Gagné nous révèleront l’art du chant, les plus belles expressions que peut prendre la voix selon les styles et les époques. Au programme : Ouverture de Girolamo Frescobaldi, Nel dolce tempo et Cara sposa de Georg Friedrich Handel, Nulla in mundo de Antonio Vivaldi, Alto Giove de Nicola Porpora, Du bist die Ruh, An die Musik et Litanei de Franz Schubert, Adieu, Mai et Le secret de Gabriel Fauré, Incipit vita nova de Gavin Bryars.

jeudi 2 octobre, 17 h 30 (SNJ) • Aux temps des fées
L’organiste Louis Brouillette et la soprano Caroline Demers nous entraîneront dans un univers magique et enchanteur tel qu’imaginé par différents compositeurs à travers les époques. Au programme : Le baiser de la fée de Stravinski, Alles hüllt sich in Dunkel (Die Reinnixen) d’Offenbach, The fairies de Trevor Bax, Danse de la fée Dragée (Casse-noisette) de Tchaïkovski, Hark, ‘tis fairy Music stealing de Blewitt, Dear Delight et The Fairies’ Dance de Head, Elves de Rowley, The Forest fairy’s Song de Horn, Dans la forêt du charme et de l’enchantement de Chausson, O vous qu’en mes rêves d’enfance (La fée aux chèvres) de Varney, Les elfes de Bonnet, Aux temps des fées de Kœchlin, et les récentes créations de deux jeunes compositeurs québécois, Aventure féerique de Jocelyn Lafond (né en 1989) et Imaginaire contrôlé de Vincent Hamel (né en 1979).

Au Musée du Château Dufresne :
vendredi 3 octobre, 17 h (CD) • Hommage à Messiaen
Dans le cadre des célébrations soulignant le centenaire de naissance d’Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) placées au Québec sous le vocable de l’Automne Messiaen, la pianiste Louise Bessette, le violoniste Jonathan Crow, le clarinettiste Simon Aldrich et le violoncelliste Yegor Dyachkov interpréteront le fameux Quatuor pour la fin du temps (1940) de Messiaen et, avec cette même formation instrumentale inusitée, une œuvre hommage du compositeur montréalais Nicolas Gilbert, Le temps des impossibles (2008).



LA PETITE HISTOIRE DU FESTIVAL
Le FESTIVAL D’AUTOMNE est né il y a dix ans dans le quartier Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, dans la foulée de la restauration du grand orgue Casavant de l’église Saint-Nom-de-Jésus, pour mettre en valeur ce magnifique instrument aux 6 200 tuyaux et faire connaître davantage le répertoire diversifié de l’orgue à un plus large public. Fondé par Pierre Larivière, directeur de la Maison de la culture Maisonneuve et par Régis Rousseau, titulaire de cet orgue et directeur artistique et général de ORGUE ET COULEURS, ce Festival annuel désire révéler la polyvalence de l’orgue, et propose ainsi des mariages inusités entre celui-ci et différents instruments. En 2001, une autre église du quartier, Très-Saint-Rédempteur, s’est ajoutée aux lieux de diffusion, suite à l’installation en ses murs d’un orgue du facteur québécois Karl Wilhelm.
Rapidement, ORGUE ET COULEURS a élargi son champ d’action en présentant différentes activités tout au long de l’année : la LIGUE D’IMPROVISATION À L’ORGUE (2001-2006) dont les matchs se déroulaient dans plusieurs villes du Québec de janvier à mai ; l’étonnant marathon d’orgue LES 24 HEURES DU BANC (2000-2006) était présenté lors du week-end du Grand Prix automobile de Montréal ; l’activité ORGUES OUVERTES (2000-…) présentée durant les Journées de la culture permet, chaque année depuis neuf ans, à une trentaine d’organistes à travers le Québec de faire connaître le roi des instrument aux résidants de leur quartier respectif.
À l’été 2003, le Service culturel de la ville de Montréal a confié à ORGUE ET COULEURS l’organisation des CONCERTS POPULAIRES DE MONTRÉAL, une série estivale de musique symphonique présentée au Centre Pierre-Charbonneau. Pour sa 44e saison (2008), LES CONCERTS POPULAIRES DE MONTRÉAL, ont attiré plus de 8 000 spectateurs.
ORGUE ET COULEURS a reçu, du Regroupement indépendant des diffuseurs d’événements artistiques unis du Québec (RIDEAU), les prix Initiative 2001 pour le FESTIVAL D’AUTOMNE et Initiative 2003 pour la Ligue d’improvisation à l’orgue; du Conseil québécois de la musique, le prix Opus 2001-2002 Directeur artistique de l’année (Régis Rousseau) et le prix Opus 2002-2003 Diffuseur de l’année pour le 4e FESTIVAL D’AUTOMNE; de l’Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse, le prix de la « Meilleure représentation à l’étranger » pour son projet Musicora/Paris 2003.

ORGUE ET COULEURS bénéficie du soutien et de la collaboration de plusieurs partenaires dont le ministère du Patrimoine canadien, le Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, le ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions du Québec, le Conseil des arts de Montréal et le Service du développement culturel de la ville de Montréal.

INFOS : 514-899-0938 - www.orgueetcouleurs.com http://www.orgueetcouleurs.com

Éric Bélanger à POP Montréal

Eric Bélanger à Pop Montréal le 4 octobre !

Montréal, le lundi 29 septembre 2008. – Auteur-compositeur-interprète, Eric Bélanger a lancé son premier album, Bananaspleen, le mardi 16 septembre dernier. Il sera de retour sur scène le samedi 4 octobre dans le cadre du Festival Pop Montréal. C'est à 21 h 30 au Gymnase (4177, rue St-Denis) que l'on pourra écouter Éric et découvrir sa façon unique d'habiter la scène. Il partagera la soirée avec Jane Ehrhardt et Darren Hayman (Hefner).

Pop Montréal est un festival international de musique indépendante qui rend hommage aux superstars établies ainsi qu'aux étoiles montantes. Le Festival présente des talents francophones et anglophones internationaux jumelés avec les meilleurs artistes du Québec et du Canada.

Finaliste et gagnant de plusieurs prix au Festival de Granby 2006 (coup de cœur du ROSEQ, coup de cœur de Tadoussac, coup de cœur festival Pully-Québec en Suisse), participant de l'aventure On s'en va à Granby (diffusée sur les ondes de Musimax en 2007) et gagnant de deux prix au concours Vue sur la relève (coup de pouce Pop Montréal et coup de pouce Vue sur la relève / Création etc.), Éric Bélanger fait ses débuts dans l'univers de la musique. Il revient tout juste de Suisse, où il a pu charmer lors du Festival Pully-Québec. Psycho-éducateur auprès des jeunes en difficulté, il écrit et chante depuis à peine 5 ans.

Bien que relativement nouveau sur la scène musicale québécoise, Éric Bélanger compte bien s'y installer … et y demeurer ! Bananaspleen est disponible en magasin depuis le mardi 9 septembre. Les billets pour le spectacle du samedi 4 octobre sont en vente au www.popmontreal.com.

www.ericbelanger.net

www.myspace.com/ericblanger

Photos et entrevues disponibles sur demande.

NMC - November Mini Festival

New musical inventions that provoke, awaken and inspire

November Mini-Festival

GENERATION 2008 – November 1

THE MONTREAL STOCKHAUSEN PROJECT – November 15

SYDNEY HODKINSON, HOPE LEE & DAVID EAGLE – November 30

Toronto, September 29, 2008: New Music Concerts launches its 38th season with a splendid trio of concerts to brighten up the month of November. Once again, NMC looks forward to a colourful variety of challenges in a quest for outstanding performances. “Presenting a convincing musical performance through interaction with the composer, realizing their every wish, is one of the most satisfying pleasures of performing music today”, ponders Robert Aitken, renowned flute virtuoso and artistic director of NMC. “Ideally, a performer should work with the composer. Imagine the excitement of playing for Bach or Mozart. A performer’s interpretation of a work should be a mirror of the composer’s mind and guide the listener along the path of his musical imagination.”

With this concept as a starting point, NMC proudly presents GENERATION 2008 on Saturday, November 1 at The Music Gallery. The touring program of l’Ensemble contemporain de Montréal (ECM+) under the direction of Véronique Lacroix has become a bi-annual feature of New Music Concerts programming. It is 100% Canadian and illustrates the fabulous compositional talent we have in the youth of this country. Four young composers are chosen by jury and invited to compose for ECM+, where the pieces are workshopped and eventually performed. These compositions will be given their world premiere performances in Toronto on November 1 including works by Fuhong Shi (a Toronto-based composer whose NMC commissioned Lightenings went on to win the 2008 Karen Kieser Prize for Canadian Music), Scott Good (Toronto), Michael Berger (BC) and Brian Harman (Montreal).

When polling NMC’s audience, the name of the composer most frequently mentioned is Karlheinz Stockhausen. So NMC is pleased to bring The MONTREAL STOCKHAUSEN PROJECT to the Enwave Theatre (Harbourfront Centre) on Saturday, November 15. This concert features Montreal’s celebrated flutist Lise Daoust and four other Montreal musicians who have worked extensively with Stockhausen, and whose performances have met with his satisfaction. “Our original idea was to commemorate his 80th birthday”, explains Robert Aitken, “but with his passing at 79 on December 7, 2007 there is even more reason to present this concert with musicians who know exactly how his music should be performed”. The program of works for flutes, basset horn and electronics includes AVE and ENTFÜHRUNG; FLAUTINA and KATHINKAS GESANG. These live performances will be preceded by a presentation of the seminal electronic composition GESANG DER JÜNGLINGE.

GENERATION 2008 and The MONTREAL STOCKHAUSEN PROJECT are part of Harbourfront Centre’s Québec Now – A celebration of contemporary Québec arts and culture in Toronto

From September to December 2008, Québec Now! showcases the best of contemporary culture from Québec in theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature and film. Harbourfront Centre is very proud to partner with the Bureau du Québec à Toronto

and the Ministre de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine du Québec to present Québec Now!, one of the largest organized Québécois arts and cultural celebrations to take place in Toronto.

On Sunday, November 30, composers SYDNEY HODKINSON, HOPE LEE & DAVID EAGLE share the stage at The Music Gallery. Winnipeg born composer Sydney Hodkinson feels himself very much a Canadian in spite of having spent his professional career south of the border. Hodkinson taught composition and conducting at the Eastman School and now directs the Contemporary Music Ensemble at the prestigious Aspen Colorado Music Festival. His works are fascinating, highly crafted and original; they provide a marvelous contrast to the music of Calgary-based composers Hope Lee and David Eagle who decided to celebrate 25 years of marriage by producing a CD of their chamber works for the Centrediscs label. The disc includes a New Music Concerts broadcast recording of Lee’s Voices in Time (commissioned by NMC) and new recordings of her Fei Yang for string quartet and accordion (also an NMC commission) and David Eagle’s Breath for string quartet and electronics. Both of these works feature NMC core string players Accordes, with Joseph Macerollo the accordionist on Fei Yang. NMC is happy to mark the launch of the CD by including these two pieces on the November 30 concert.

Saturday November 1, 2008 at The Music Gallery (197 John Street, Toronto)

GENERATION 2008: ECM+; Véronique Lacroix;

Tim Brady, electric guitar; Scott Good, trombone;

Michael Berger (Canada, b.1980) – Skeleton (2008)

Scott Good (Canada, b.1972) – Shock Therapy Variations (2008)

Fuhong Shi (China/Canada, b.1976) – Kaleidoscope (2008)

Brian Harman (Canada, b.1981) – Gregarious Machines (2008)

7:15 Illuminating Introduction with the composers / 8PM Concert

Tickets: 416-204-1080 - $33 (reg)/$20 (seniors/arts workers)/$10 (students)

Saturday, November 15 at the Enwave Theatre (Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queen’s Quay)

The MONTREAL STOCKHAUSEN PROJECT

Lise Daoust; Geneviève Déraspe; Chloé Labbé; François Duval; Marie-Hélène Breault

Karlheinz Stockhausen (Germany 1928 – 2007):

FLAUTINA (1989) (flutes)

AVE from MONTAG AUS LICHT (1984/85) (G flute and basset horn)

ENTFÜHRUNG from MONTAG AUS LICHT (1986) (piccolo and electronics)

KATHINKAS GESANG from SAMSTAG AUS LICHT (1983) (flute and electronic music)

7:15 Illuminating Introduction includes GESANG DER JÜNGLINGE (1955-56) / 8PM Concert

Tickets: 416-973-4000 - $33 (reg)/$20 (seniors/arts workers)/$10 (students)

Sunday, November 30 at The Music Gallery (197 John St., Toronto)

SYDNEY HODKINSON, HOPE LEE & DAVID EAGLE

Accordes; Joseph Macerollo; Fujiko Imajishi, NMC Ensemble conducted by Sydney Hodkinson

David Eagle (Canada, b.1955) – Breath (1998)

Sydney Hodkinson (Canada, b.1934) Rogatio Gravis (2003)

Hope Lee (Taiwan/Canada, b.1953) – Fei Yang (2001)

Sydney Hodkinson – Bricks: Concerto fantasia for solo violin and chamber sextet (2005)

Sydney Hodkinson – Requiescant: Elegy for chamber sextet (2001)

7:15 Illuminating Introduction with the composers / 8PM Concert followed by CD release party.

Tickets: 416-204-1080 - $33 (reg)/$20 (seniors/arts workers)/$10 (students)

Subscriptions (6 events): $135 | $80 | $30

Pick 3 (or more): each $25 reg | $15 snr | $7.50 student

New Music Concerts

157 Carlton Street, Suite 203 Toronto ON M5A 2K3

416.961.9594 / fax 416.961.9508

nmc@interlog.com / www.NewMusicConcerts.com

New Music Concerts gratefully acknowledges the support of The Canada Council for the Arts; Toronto Arts Council; The Department of Heritage through Arts Presentation Canada; The Province of Ontario through the Ontario Arts Council & the Ontario Arts Foundation Endowment Fund; The Goethe Institut; The Julie-Jiggs Foundation; The Koerner Foundation; The McLean Foundation; Roger D. Moore; The SOCAN Foundation; The Imperial Tobacco Canada Foundation; The Amphion Foundation Inc.; The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc.; Edward Epstein and Gallery 345

Le CRTC accorde une nouvelle fréquence à Radio Ville-Marie

Dans une décision rendue publique le vendredi 26 septembre dernier, le Conseil de la radiodiffusion et des télécommunications canadiennes accorde une nouvelle fréquence à Radio Ville-Marie (CIRA-FM), soit le 104,1 FM à Rimouski. «Ce média spécialisé a connu une vive croissance au cours des cinq dernières années. Nous sommes fiers de cette décision car elle répond à une demande répétée de la population de Rimouski.» mentionne Jean-Guy Roy, directeur général. À l'aube de ses 14 ans d'existence, le réseau de la Société Radio Ville-Marie occupe maintenant une place enviable dans le paysage médiatique québécois.

Entrée en ondes en 1995, Radio Ville-Marie diffuse présentement aux fréquences 91,3 FM à Montréal, 100,3 FM à Sherbrooke, 89,9 FM à Trois-Rivières et 89,3 FM à Victoriaville. Selon un vaste sondage CROP, réalisé auprès de 4112 répondants, Radio Ville-Marie rejoint 306 000 auditeurs dans le Grand Montréal et l'Estrie. Ce média spécialisé qui aborde les grandes questions humaines, sociales, culturelles et spirituelles a le vent dans les voiles. «Radio Ville-Marie a du succès parce qu'elle touche le cœur et les préoccupations des gens de chez nous»affirme Jean-Guy Roy qui est à la barre de cette radio depuis bientôt neuf ans.

Devant la diminution des émissions sociales, culturelles et spirituelles, la question identitaire des Québécois et la recherche de valeurs inspirantes, Radio Ville-Marie répond à un besoin réel et le grand public lui manifeste sa vive satisfaction. «En tant que média spécialisé, RVM s'inspire des grandes valeurs et traditions qui ont façonné notre histoire, notre patrimoine collectif et notre identité commune. RVM, propriété d'une société à but non lucratif, se définit comme un service de radiodiffusion d'inspiration chrétienne. C'est une belle radio et les gens s'y reconnaissent.» ajoute Jean-Guy Roy.

Elle est devenue au fil des années, l'une des radios des plus culturelles du Québec. Radio Ville-Marie c'est un vaste réseau de personnes et d'organismes engagés au cœur de la société québécoise pour la promotion des valeurs de justice, de solidarité, d'intelligence et de respect. La nouvelle station devrait entrer en ondes au début 2009 à la grande joie des Rimouskois. Radio Ville-Marie, tout un monde à découvrir!

Pour informations : (514) 382-3913
Courriel : cira@radiovm.com

www.radiovm.com

Une radio branchée sur la vie;
Un carrefour culturel impressionnant;
Une radio de solidarité;
Un média d'avenir.

American Federation of Musicians

THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS HONORS HOUSE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN JOHN CONYERS

AFM International President Tom Lee Presents Congressman John Conyers with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary Membership

On Saturday, September 27 the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) will present House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his continued and steadfast support of the AFM, music and musicians. Chairman Conyers also will be made an honorary member of the AFM. These awards will be presented to Chairman Conyers by AFM International President Thomas F. Lee.

The awards ceremony will be held during a two-hour brunch at The H.R. 57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz hosted by the musicFIRST coalition, of which AFM is a member. Performing at the brunch will be jazz impresarios Jimmy Owens, Vic Juris, Winard Harper and Dr. Larry Ridley. The brunch is being organized to thank Chairman Conyers for his support of music and musicians, but most importantly for the Performance Rights Act (H.R. 4789) and the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property “PRO-IP” Act (H.R. 4279), for which he has been a consistent and successful advocate.

Both the Performance Rights Act and the PRO-IP Act are merely two examples of issues for which Chairman Conyers has fought on behalf of musicians. For that reason AFM has chosen to honor Chairman John Conyers.

About the AFM

Founded in 1896, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), AFL-CIO, is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. With more than 90,000 members, the AFM represents all types of professional musicians, including those who record music for sound recordings, film scores, radio, television and commercial announcements, as well as perform music of every genre in every sort of venue from small jazz clubs to symphony orchestra halls to major stadiums. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape. www.afm.org

Opera Atelier posts surplus for 2007-08 season

Opera Atelier posts surplus, celebrates an outstanding year

Toronto, ON (September 26, 2008) …Jane Hargraft, general manager for Opera Atelier, reported the company closed its 2007/08 season with a $64,000 surplus posted on an annual operating budget of $2.4 million. Ms. Hargraft attributed the successful year-end results in particular to record-breaking ticket sales for Idomeneo and a significant increase in development revenue (+ 28 %).

“We continue to build on the momentum generated last season,” said Ms. Hargraft. “Our subscription revenues are 14% ahead of last year and we are forging exciting new partnerships with donors and sponsors.”

Opera Atelier launches its 2008/09 season with a new production of Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio (November 8 – 15, 2008) followed by The Coronation of Poppea (April 25 - May 2, 2009) at the Elgin Theatre. The company is pleased to announce that male soprano Michael Maniaci has been cast in the role of Nero and Canadian mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber will make her Opera Atelier debut in the role of Ottavia.

Subscriptions for Opera Atelier’s 2008/09 season are on sale now and may be purchased by calling 416-703-3767 ext. 24. Single tickets range from $30-$135 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 416.872.5555 or at www.ticketmaster.ca . For more information visit www.operaatelier.com .

Edmonton Opera AGM Results

2007-08 A Banner Year for Edmonton Opera

Edmonton Opera showcased a banner 2007/08 season at its Annual General Meeting yesterday evening. With one sold-out production (Carmen); a Sterling Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical (H.M.S. Pinafore); the Edmonton premiere of one of Verdi's greatest operas (Falstaff); a collaboration with Alberta Ballet and the Richard Eaton Singers (Mozart's Requiem); and a tour through Berlin with Artistic Director Brian Deedrick for eight Edmonton Opera patrons, Edmonton Opera's 44th season was ambitious artistically, as well as financially solvent.

"I'm very pleased to report that, for the sixth year in a row, Edmonton Opera is in a surplus position," said Edmonton Opera's General Manager, Mary Phillips-Rickey. "This surplus was achieved with careful choices in repertoire, cost monitoring in all categories, and increased revenue in several areas." The company has been dept-free for five years, and is looking towards a bright future from this solid financial position.

Outgoing Board Chair Francis Price thanked Board members, staff, volunteers, the Opera chorus members, guild, crews, patrons, and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for their generosity and enthusiasm. "I am grateful to everyone who has helped Edmonton Opera to fly and who has soared alongside us," said Price.

Price leaves the Board's leadership to incoming Chair Dianne Kipnes, who noted she begins her term as Chair in an enviable position. "I have the good luck to be the beneficiary of the hard work of all former board members and out past chairs," said Kipnes. "But, Francis Price and his team have worked incredibly hard to put the company in its current position." Kipnes intends to take Edmonton Opera's good financial and artistic position forward aggressively by bringing more opera productions to the Jubilee stage, increasing opera audiences across all age groups and financial levels, and by launching new fundraising experiences.

The 2008/09 Board of Directors was also announced at the AGM, with Dianne Kipnes, Francis Price Dan Wiart, Larrie Boddy, Gabe Shelley, Bill Clark, Helen Cheung, Hilary Rose, Jim Johannsson, Axel Meisen, Katherine Braun, Brian Hetherington, Eleanor Olszewski, June Emery, Daniel Kim, Kyle Murray, Lynn Mandel, Ed Wiebe, David Austen, Laura Fitzgerald, Mary LeMessurier, Betty Kolodziej and Rob Rock as directors.

Edmonton Opera opens its 2008/09 season with a haunting production of Wagner's masterpiece The Flying Dutchman October 25, 28 and 30. All performances begin at 7.30pm and run at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Subscriptions and single tickets for Edmonton Opera's 45^th season are on sale now, visit www.edmontonopera.com for details.

National Arts Centre Roundtable

Broadcaster Valerie Pringle and daughter Catherine Pringle to act as keynote speakers for National Arts Centre Foundation Roundtable on Media, Communications and Technology:
Healthy Mental Development for Children and Youth

Ottawa (Canada) –The National Arts Centre is delighted to announce that broadcaster Valerie Pringle and her daughter Catherine Pringle, will be this year’s keynote speakers at the National Arts Centre’s (NAC) Foundation Roundtable called Media, Communications and Technology: Healthy Mental Development for Children and Youth, to be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. in the NAC Salon.

A prominent group of leaders in the medical and social policy fields, as well as arts supporters and senior public policy makers, will join Valerie and Catherine Pringle to discuss how media and the arts can contribute effectively and creatively to improved mental health for children and youth. Mother and daughter will also share their personal experience coping with mental illness.

Participants will discuss topics ranging from pure science to clinical applications, in a language that is both simple and engaging.

The Roundtable is held each year in tandem with the National Arts Centre’s Annual Gala, which raises funds for the Centre’s National Youth and Education Trust. The Trust supports the artistic development of young Canadians through educational resources, professional training, mentoring programmes and young audience performances. This year’s Gala, featuring Tony Bennett, takes place on the same day as the Roundtable.

“It is an honour for the National Arts Centre to host this important discussion with so many of Canada’s brightest minds, as well as leading Canadian arts supporters,” said Darrell Louise Gregersen, CEO of the National Arts Centre Foundation.

Roundtable participants include Dr. Stan Kutcher, Sun Life Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, Dalhousie University; Dr. Bruce Ballon, head of the Adolescent Clinical and Educational Services for Problem Gambling, Gaming and Internet Use at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH); Dr. Michael Rich, Director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Harvard and Children’s Hospital, Boston, and; Dr. David Wolfe, RBC Investments Chair in Children’s Mental Health Chair at the CAMH.

Beginning in 2002, three NAC roundtables on philanthropy in the performing arts explored the importance of adequate financial resources for arts organizations, to ensure that they can fulfill their vital role of fostering a creative culture in Canada. In 2005, the Roundtable began a series of discussions on healing and the arts, exploring the profound role that music and other performing arts play in different aspects of human health and development. Each year, results of the discussions from Roundtables are shared with more than 3,000 arts and health organizations.

The Roundtables have featured a wide range of Canadian and international participants including the Hon. Michael Wilson, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S.; Louise Blouin MacBain, international arts philanthropist; Richard Bradshaw, the late General Director of the Canadian Opera Company; Martha Piper, former University of British Columbia; President, James Wolfensohn, business leader, arts patron, former President of the World Bank and Chairman Emeritus of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Frank O’Dea, Second Cup co-founder, as well as a long list of federal Cabinet ministers.

The National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges Sun Life Financial as the Presenting Sponsor and the University of Ottawa and Rx&D as Associate Sponsors of the NAC Roundtable.

Important Message from the Handel and Haydn Society

Harry Christophers is named Artistic Director of Handel and Haydn Society

Plans for 2009-2010 season, when Harry Christophers’ tenure as Artistic Director is launched, include Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, an all-Bach program, and expanded media, community, and touring initiatives

Celebration 2009 highlights Society’s 2008-2009 season with Harry Christophers as Artistic Director Designate

September 26, 2008 (Boston, MA) – Today, the Handel and Haydn Society, America’s oldest continuously-performing arts organization, announced the appointment of Harry Christophers as Artistic Director. Mr. Christophers, a regular guest conductor of the Society, begins his tenure as Artistic Director with the 2009-2010 season and will be the organization’s thirteenth artistic leader since its founding in 1815. As Artistic Director Designate during the 2008-2009 season, Mr. Christophers will oversee all aspects of artistic planning and programming for future Handel and Haydn Society seasons. The initial term of Mr. Christophers’ contract with the Society spans through the 2011-2012 season.

Commenting on his appointment as Artistic Director, Harry Christophers said, “I am so honored to be entrusted with the artistic leadership of this exceptional institution. Throughout its history, the Society has established and maintained its reputation as America’s oldest and one of the world’s most respected performing arts organizations. Our work together thus far has been immensely rewarding, and I am thrilled to continue my relationship with the Society’s outstanding choral and instrumental musicians, and to enrich our audiences’ concert experience with authentic interpretations of the core repertoire whilst also presenting innovative programs of less familiar works and composers from this exceptional period of music.”

“Harry Christophers has distinguished himself as one of the world’s foremost interpreters of Baroque and Classical music, and we are thrilled to continue our work with him as he takes the artistic helm of the Society,” commented Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Marie-Hélène Bernard. “Harry’s work with the group has shown true synergy, a common goal to create excitement in each and every live performance, and a shared passion for authenticity. His appointment launches a new era, one that will honor the Society’s long-held commitment to musical excellence and to education and community initiatives.”

Harry Christophers has conducted the Handel and Haydn Society each season since his first appearance in September 2006, when he led a sold-out performance in the Esterházy Palace at the Haydn Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. Held in the same location where Haydn lived and worked for nearly 40 years, this Austrian appearance marked the Society’s first in Europe in its then 191-year history. Mr. Christophers returned to conduct the Society in Boston in a critically acclaimed performance of Handel’s Messiah in December 2007, followed by an appearance at Symphony Hall in January 2008. Founder and Music Director of the renowned United Kingdom-based choir and period-instrument orchestra, The Sixteen, he is also in demand as a guest conductor for leading orchestras and opera companies worldwide and in the United States.

As Artistic Director of the Handel and Haydn Society, Harry Christophers will craft a balance between the Society’s core repertoire and the introduction of innovative programming for voice and period instruments, highlighting less familiar works of the Baroque and Classical periods. Mr. Christophers plans to conduct annual performances of Handel’s Messiah at Boston’s Symphony Hall, with regular cycles of oratorios, operas, and works for smaller ensembles by Handel, Haydn, and their contemporaries. Plans for the 2009-2010 season include Mozart’s C Minor Mass (planned for commercial release), excerpts from Gluck’s Orfeo, and a program devoted to Bach’s secular and religious works. Sir Roger Norrington will continue his work with the Society with performances of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, and specialist guest conductors will periodically be invited by Harry Christophers to lead programs in the genres with which they have become synonymous. Under Mr. Christophers’ leadership, the Society will continue its tradition of showcasing established and emerging artists, and will actively explore the use of new media technology to expand educational and outreach programs. In addition to launching annual releases of commercial recordings, Mr. Christophers and the Society will expand the Society’s international touring schedule and explore concert opportunities in underserved markets throughout New England.

2008-2009 Season Highlights with Artistic Director Designate Harry Christophers

The upcoming 2008-2009 Handel and Haydn Society season with Harry Christophers as Artistic Director Designate is marked by Celebration 2009, in observance of the anniversaries of the Society’s namesake composers. Commemorating the 250^th and 200^th anniversaries of deaths of Handel and Haydn, programmatic highlights of the season include the opening weekend of concerts with Harry Christophers conducting an all-Handel program; the Society’s 155^th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, led by Paul Daniel; and two Haydn programs conducted by Artistic Advisor Sir Roger Norrington, which include a concert performance of the seldom heard Haydn opera L’anima del filosofo that will be recorded for release in May 2009 by Signum Records. Celebration 2009 culminates in a performance of Haydn’s masterwork, The Creation, conducted by Principal Conductor Grant Llewellyn.

The celebratory 2008-2009 season demonstrates the Society’s renewed commitment to the Boston community with the launch of cultural and educational partnerships, including collaborations with the Boston Public Library, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston Athenaeum, New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music, Northeastern University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, and others. National and international collaborators include the Haydn Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, at which the Society performed in September 2006, and which is organizing the worldwide performances of The Creation on May 31, 2009; the Haydn Society of North America, dedicated to promoting the legacy of Haydn; and Handel House Museum in London.

CIFF Last-Minute Closing Gala Tickets

THE CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RELEASES

LAST MINUTE CLOSING GALA TICKETS FOR BART GOT A ROOM

Calgary, AB – Calgary, AB –The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is pleased to announce the festival will celebrate its closing on September 27th with Brian Hecker's Bart Got a Room. As of Midnight Thursday, September 25, 2008 150 tickets for the screenings of Bart got a Room have been made available to the public for sale.

What: CIFF Closing Gala

VIPs: Director Brian Hecker in attendance

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2008

Time: 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Where: Globe Cinema, 617 - 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Tickets are available at: www.calgaryfilm.com or at the Fido Box Office

The film was a hit at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, and stars Academy Award® winner William H. Macy (Fargo, Magnolia), Cheryl Hines, and Steve Kaplan. Bart Got a Room is American writer/director Hecker's first feature, and the hilarious plot and superb cast makes it an ideal closing for the 2008 CIFF.

Featuring cinematography by award-winning Norwegian cinematographer Hallvard Bræin; edited by Annette Davey and Danny Rafic. Bart Got a Room is produced by Galt Niederhoffer, Celine Rattray, Tony Shawkat, Reagan Silber, and Jai Stefan. Executive producers are Stephen Benedek, Ed Hart, Dina Burke, Mario Fallone, Pamela Hirsch, Michael LaFetra, Bruce Lunsford, and Randy Simon Writer Brian Hecker. Bart Got a Room will screen at the Volkswagen Closing Night Gala on Saturday, September 27 at the Globe Theatre starting at 7:00 p.m. The Gala reception will follow at Flames Central.

The complete 2008 CIFF line-up, as well as festival tickets and passes, are available online at www.calgaryfilm.com from August 25, 2008. The Fido Box Office opens at Eau Claire Market and the CIFF Souvenir Program Guide goes on sale at all Calgary Starbucks locations on September 5, 2008.

About CIFF

Founded in 1998, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization based in Alberta, Canada. Inspired by the pioneering spirit and maverick ideals of the community, CIFF showcases films that break traditional boundaries and forge new cinematic ground. CIFF celebrates an unparalleled breadth and depth of cultural diversity through the meaningful, accessible, and artistic medium of film and engages thousands of artists to showcase the best films from filmmakers in over 100 countries around the world. CIFF is held annually at the end of September, screening over 200 films and hosting several gala events, awards, and special presentations. For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com.

Gerald Finley news

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson & Julius Drake

BRAHMS

8 Lieder und Gesänge Op. 57

Schumann

4 Lieder from Goethe’s Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre Op. 98a

Frauenliebe und leben Op. 42

Release Details

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson mezzo-soprano

Julius Drake piano

Schumann Frauenliebe und leben, Brahms 8 Songs Op. 57

Release Date: 27 October 2008

Catalogue Number: WHLive0024

SALES POINTS:

• Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - 1 March 1954 - 3 July 2006

• Wigmore Hall Live are proud to release on their Archive series this very special 1999 live recital by the great, beloved American born mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson who tragically died in 2006.

• This release adds to the universally acclaimed 1998 recital also released by Wigmore Hall Live (WHLive0013) – “Now that her recordings are all we have left, this one is particularly valuable…I]t captures the incomparable beauty of Hunt Lieberson’s voice” –

Amazon.com

• The dramatic intensity and passionate commitment to her material earned her countless comparisons to Maria Callas.

• Noted for her interpretation of Handel and Bach, this recital of lieder by Schumann and Brahms demonstrates the breadth of her repertoire and her meticulous artistry.

• After her death, she won the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance for her Rilke Songs and again in 2008 for her

performance of her husband's Neruda Songs.

PRESS ACCLAIM FOR PREVIOUS HUNT-LIEBERSON RELEASE WHL0013:

A GRAMOPHONE AWARD NOMINATION to the final shortlist of 3 discs

ALBUM OF THE WEEK - THE INDEPENDENT "This Wigmore disc shows what magic she wrought with Mahler and Handel" The Independent

VOCAL CHOICE OF THE MONTH - BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE "The unique warmth of tone is sounded in the first notes even of the lighter Mahler songs, but there's also a spiritual grace in her approach ... peerless" BBC Music Magazine

Gerald Finley & Julius Drake

e

Tchaikovsky

Mussorgsky

Songs and Dances of Death

Ned Rorem

War Scenes

Release Details

Gerald Finley bass-baritone

Julius Drake piano

Songs by Tchaikovsky, Musorgsky ‘Songs and Dances of Death, & Ned Rorem ‘War Scenes’

Release Date: 27 October 2008

Catalogue Number: WHLive0025

SALES POINTS:

• Gerald Finley writes: “It is with great sense of pride that this disc becomes the 25th release of the Wigmore Live series, in a musical partnership I have enjoyed for many years with Julius Drake. Performing at the Wigmore is always a highlight of any career. The others in the series are distinguished performers I have admired for years and the performances are wonderful. The audiences at the Wigmore are always welcoming and knowledgeable, and this atmosphere is captured perfectly. Already a fine catalogue, I hope the Wigmore Live series continues its honour roll”

• Critically praised for his performances both on stage and in concert, this recital of American and Russian song by Gerald Finley offers listeners the rare opportunity to hear one of today’s most in-demand baritones within the beautiful,

Intimate setting of the Wigmore Hall.

• After a recital at Carnegie Hall in March, 2007, Finley was praised by New York Times critic Bernard Holland as having a "bass-baritone of easy luxury" and that his "sensibilities begin with the pre-eminence of words."

• His recording of Stanford's Songs of the Sea and Songs of the Fleet with Richard Hickox and the BBC NOW for Chandos received the Editor's Choice Award at the 2006 Classic FM Gramophone Awards.

PRESS ACCLAIM FOR FINLEY AND DRAKE AT WIGMORE HALL:

“Gerald Finley is one of the few baritones before the public today with whom it's virtually impossible to find fault” Music OMH

“No other baritone can touch him for declamatory expressiveness” The Independent

“Finley and Drake paced them all tactfully, precisely mediating between relaxed storytelling and rapt introspection. Here was very fine singing of truly great songs” The Guardian

“For my money this inspired pianist is now the best in the business” New York Magazine

NAC Gala with Tony Bennett on Oct. 4

NAC Orchestra programme announced for NAC Gala with the legendary Tony Bennett on Oct. 4

Ottawa, Canada – The National Arts Centre Gala has been sold out for some time and lucky ticket-holders have a truly spectacular night ahead on Saturday, October 4. Tony Bennett, famously described by Frank Sinatra as “the best singer in the business”, together with his quartet will give a one-hour command performance in the second half of the Gala. And, to launch this night of glamour and style, Pinchas Zukerman will lead the NAC Orchestra in a complementary classical programme.

Two young Ottawa string virtuosos will join Maestro Zukerman and the Orchestra in the opening half. Stanley Leong, a 13-year-old cellist, and his brother 11-year-old violinist Kerson Leong will join forces to perform the Allegro from Vivaldi’s Concerto in B-flat major for Violin and Cello, filled with acrobatic highjinks requiring nimble fingers! Both have been multiple top prize winners in the Canadian Music Competition, and both participated in last summer’s Tenth Anniversary NAC Summer Music Institute in the Junior Strings Programme.

The five participants in this season’s Institute for Orchestral Studies (IOS) will be onstage performing with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. They are Emily Westell (violin, 23, Calgary, AB), Améline Chauvette-Groulx (violin, 25, Ottawa, ON), Tali Kravitz (viola, 24, Israel), Leat Sabbah (cello, 21, United States), and Theodore Chan (double bass, 24, Ottawa, ON).

The NAC Gala is a benefit for the National Youth and Education Trust, investing in young Canadians through the performing arts. Both the Summer Music Institute and the Institute for Orchestral Studies are among the NAC programmes that are supported by the National Youth and Education Trust.

Maestro Zukerman will also lead the NAC Orchestra in Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Haydn, and will close the first half with Ravel’s thrilling Bolero, an orchestral tour de force that is one of the most popular compositions in the entire classical repertoire.

In the second half Tony Bennett will take the stage with his quartet consisting of Lee Musiker (music director and piano), Gray Sargent (guitar), Jim Hughart (bass) and Harold Jones (drums). Mr. Bennett will announce his programme from the stage.

The Gala Committee NAC is chaired for the third year by Janet Yale, TELUS’ executive vice president, Corporate Affairs. Mrs. Laureen Harper is the Gala’s Honourary Chair.

There will be a pre-concert reception in the Foyer for all patrons at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 6:30 p.m. Those who have purchased Encore Seating will join Gala sponsors at a post-concert reception in the Foyer, followed by dinner on the Southam Hall stage.

TELUS, Founding Partner of the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust, is the Presenting Sponsor of the annual Gala. This commitment reflects TELUS’s continuing support of the National Youth and Education Trust, a primary resource for supporting the artistic development of young Canadians through educational resources, professional training, mentoring programmes and young audience performances. The Trust is also supported by SunLife Financial, patrons of the Gala and the National Arts Centre Foundation Donors’ Circle.

Tony Bennett is the stuff of legends. His unforgettable voice has touched the heart and moved the souls of admirers around the globe. For nearly 60 years he has entertained us, yet has remained forever young and wowed generation after generation of new fans. He is an international treasure, honoured by the United Nations as a “Citizen of the World”. With over 50 million records sold world-wide and platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received thirteen Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His appearance with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the 1993 MTV Video Awards ceremony introduced him to a whole new generation with his recording “MTV Unplugged” garnering Grammy’s top award, “Album of the Year.” The New York Times declared “Tony Bennett has not just bridged the generation gap, he has demolished it.”

Tony Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. He introduced a multitude of songs into the Great American Songbook that have since become standards for pop music. He has toured the world to sold-out audiences with rave reviews whenever he performs. To celebrate his 80^th birthday in 2006, Tony Bennett recorded Duets - An American Classic with some of the top names in contemporary music, including Bono, Michael Bublé, Elvis Costello, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder.

The NAC Orchestra’s own Pinchas Zukerman was one of the instrumental superstars on Tony Bennett’s Duets – An American Classic. Named Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1998, Maestro Zukerman’s genius and prodigious technique have been a marvel to critics and audiences for over four decades. He is equally respected as a violinist, violist, conductor, and chamber musician while his dedication to teaching has been a major catalyst for many of the education initiatives supported by the National Youth and Education Trust. Pinchas Zukerman's discography contains over 100 titles, and has earned him 21 Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards. He was named first-prize winner of the 1969 Leventritt Competition, and, in 1983, President Reagan awarded him a Medal of Arts for his leadership in the musical world. In October 2002, he became the first recipient of the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence at the National Arts Awards Gala in New York City. Pinchas Zukerman and the National Arts Centre Orchestra donate their services for the NAC’s annual Gala.

Kerson Leong, violin, and Stanley Leong, cello

Kerson Leong is 11 and has already won the Grand Prize at the Canadian Music Competition for four straight years, each time achieving the highest mark of any age group or instrument. In the recent 2008 competition in Quebec City, the judges awarded him a mark of 99% for his stunning performance. He was recognized in the Galaxie Rising Star Program of the CBC and was also the youngest finalist in the 2006 nationwide CBC Mozart Variation Contest held to celebrate Mozart’s 250^th birthday anniversary.

Stanley Leong is 13 and has been a top prizewinner at the Canadian Music Competition for 6 years in a row. At the recent 2008 competition in Quebec City, he won First Prize once again and made his solo debut at the CMC Gala with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Yoav Talmi.

Both young musicians have been guest soloists with the NAC Orchestra at a TD Canada Trust Young People’s Concert, as well as with I Musici de Montreal, and have performed at the 2008 Ottawa Chamberfest and at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.

Brève internet - Pauline Julien

DIMANCHE SUR ESPACE MUSIQUE

SPÉCIAL PAULINE JULIEN

Le dimanche 28 septembre, pour souligner le 10^e anniversaire du décès de PAULINE JULIEN, l'animateur FRANÇOIS DOMPIERRE consacre un segment de son émission à cette poète et grande dame de la chanson québécoise, en compagnie d'invités en studio, sur les ondes d'ESPACE MUSIQUE (100,7 FM à Montréal).

De 14 h à 15 h, plusieurs artistes rendront hommage à Pauline. Après une entrevue, la chanteuse CÉLINE FAUCHER, qui se consacre à l'œuvre et au répertoire de Pauline Julien, interprètera Une sorcière comme les autres et La croqueuse de 222 accompagnée du pianiste MARC-ANDRÉ CUIERRIER.

François Dompierre rencontre également NELSON MINVILLE, metteur en scène d'un spectacle consacré à la chanteuse cet automne. Aussi, MARA TREMBLAY et ÉRIC GOULET (M. Mono) chantent en duo Ce soir, j'ai l'âme à la tendresse, un des grands textes de Pauline Julien sur une musique de Dompierre.

Ne ratez pas, ce dimanche, ce moment émouvant dédié à la mémoire de Pauline Julien offert par François Dompierre et ses invités, sur les ondes de la radio musicale de Radio-Canada.

Bill Eddins is Joined by H.K. Gruber

Classic Landmarks Masters:

The ESO explores humanity's dark side with a little Man, Myth and Magic.

Bill Eddins conducts H.K Gruber's Frankenstien!!

October 3^rd – 7:30pm and October 4^th- 8:00pm

Edmonton, AB … The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) explores humanity's dark side in an outrageous evening of musical storytelling, featuring narration by H.K. Gruber. Composer, conductor, chansonnier and double bass player, Gruber is one of the most well-known and well-loved figures in contemporary music, and yet he remains something of an enigma. His music remains refreshingly non-doctrinaire - a deceptively simple and darkly ironic idiom which often includes a heavy dose of black humour.

Bill Eddins conducts the weekend's performances which feature low-life criminals, the end of civilized society and an outlandish classic horror story - H.K. Gruber's Frankenstien!! Also featured is music from Bernard Herrmann's score to the classic film Fahrenheit 451, The Threepenny Opera Suite by Kurt Weill, and Ravel's lush Concerto in G, with Bill Eddins as soloist and conductor.

Ticket prices for this performance range from $20-$69 (agency fees apply). Student and senior $20 rush tickets are on sale, subject to availability, two hours prior to curtain time.

Afterthoughts will feature conductor Bill Eddins and H.K Gruber. Saturday evening's 7:15pm Symphony Prelude features ESO Music Resource D.T. Baker.

The next performance of The Masters takes place on October 17 and 18 with Conductor Gregory Vajda and Pianist William Wolfram.

This series is generously supported by Classic Landmarks Master Builder

Media Sponsor: CKUA Radio Network

uber's debut with the ESO.

Le Concours international d'orgue promet d'éblouir

Le Concours international d'orgue promet d'éblouir

Le Concours international d'orgue du Canada dévoile une programmation digne du Roi des instruments

Montréal, le 25 septembre 2008 – Avec l'arrivée de l'automne se tiendra le Concours international d'orgue du Canada (CIOC) du 8 au 19 octobre 2008. Cet événement est non seulement le premier concours international d'orgue de grande envergure à se dérouler à Montréal, mais il promet aussi d'être un des plus importants et prestigieux concours d'orgue au monde. « Grâce à ce concours international, l'auditoire ici présent aura l'occasion d'assister à un spectacle de haut calibre, mené par de jeunes organistes qui procureront à tous les amateurs de musique d'orgue des moments de pur ravissement », a indiqué son Excellence la très honorable Michaëlle Jean, gouverneure générale du Canada et présidente d'honneur du CIOC, dans un message aux organisateurs du Concours. La programmation de haut niveau fera vivre au public une expérience acoustique et visuelle unique.

Un concours international prestigieux

Seul concours international d'orgue des Amériques en 2008, le CIOC accueillera à Montréal, berceau de l'orgue, 15 jeunes organistes virtuoses provenant de 11 pays. « Nous célébrons aujourd'hui le succès d'un travail d'équipe. Le dévoilement de notre programmation est le fruit de ce travail acharné. Il représente également un pas important pour Montréal, puisqu'il réaffirme son statut comme capitale nord-américaine de l'orgue », a déclaré Noël Spinelli, président du conseil d'administration du CIOC.

Une expérience unique pour le spectateur

Grâce à des écrans géants ainsi qu'au son enveloppant caractéristique des orgues, le CIOC invitera les spectateurs à profiter des plaisirs qu'offre un rendez-vous musical unique en son genre. L'entrée étant libre, ils pourront voir 15 artistes de classe mondiale se produire sur ce que Mozart a jadis désigné Le roi des instruments. « En combinant des dispositifs visuels aux sons naturels de l'orgue et en rendant l'accès au Concours libre, nous permettrons au public de vivre une expérience unique », a déclaré René Fréchette, directeur général du CIOC. Radio-Canada et CBC marqueront leur présence à ce rendez-vous musical en assurant la diffusion du Concours, tant à la radio que sur Internet.

Orgue à la carte

Le Concours se déroulera en trois épreuves, qui s'étaleront entre le 8 et 17 octobre. La première épreuve se tiendra à l'Église Immaculée-Conception et sera jouée sur l'orgue Beckerath du 8 au 10 octobre. La deuxième épreuve aura lieu à l'Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste sur l'orgue Casavant les 13 et 14 octobre. La finale se déroulera à la basilique Notre-Dame le 17 octobre et sera également présentée sur un orgue Casavant.

En plus du volet compétitif, le programme du CIOC comprend des concerts spéciaux, des récitals des membres du jury, des cours de maître ainsi que des visites guidées. Ces activités feront découvrir au public les artistes, les orgues ainsi que le riche patrimoine architectural de Montréal.

Avant la tenue de la première épreuve, un concert gala d'ouverture, organisé conjointement avec le Festival d'automne Orgue et couleurs aura lieu le 5 octobre à l'Église St. Andrew & St. Paul à 19 h 30. L'organiste américain et membre du jury James Higdon agira comme soliste, alors que Jacques Lacombe dirigera les cordes de l'Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières. Finalement, un Concert gala de clôture incluant une cérémonie de remise des prix et des récitals donnés par les lauréats des trois grands prix se tiendra le 19 octobre à 19 h 30 à l'Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Le plus important prix en argent

Le jury de renommée mondiale attribuera les plus importants prix en argent jamais octroyés parmi les concours d'orgue au monde. Grâce aux contributions des partenaires du Concours, des prix totalisant 72 000 $ seront remis. Un généreux don de la fondation Dane and Polly Bales s'ajoute au premier prix le portant à 30 000 $. Le public décernera à l'un des cinq concurrents qui se produiront lors de l'épreuve finale le prix du public Richard Bradshaw de 5 000 $. « Ce prix honore la mémoire de notre ami et collègue, le regretté Richard Bradshaw, qui a fortement encouragé la tenue du Concours », a précisé John Grew, directeur artistique du CIOC. Le public pourra voter sur place le 17 octobre ou sur le site Internet du CIOC (http://www.ciocm.org/) jusqu'à midi le 19 octobre.

Partenaires et visionnaires

C'est grâce aux efforts et à l'engagement des membres du conseil d'administration du Concours que des appuis financiers importants ont été obtenus. Avec les intervenants du milieu de l'orgue, ses donateurs et ses partenaires fondateurs à savoir RBC, Équipe Spinelli, Cantos Music Foundation, Financière Sun Life et Hydro Québec, le Concours international d'orgue du Canada jouera un rôle de premier plan pour promouvoir la musique d'orgue grâce au talent de jeunes organistes qui mettront en valeur ces instruments spectaculaires, souvent inconnus du public. Mentionnons le soutien des ministères des Affaires municipales et des Régions, du Tourisme, et de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine, ainsi que la Ville de Montréal et de nombreux partenaires clés. Fort de tous ces appuis, le CIOC garantira le succès de sa première édition et assurera sa continuité.

À propos du CIOC

Le Concours international d'orgue du Canada (CIOC) accueille au pays de jeunes organistes recrutés à travers le monde. L'organisme effectue un travail annuel pour promouvoir l'orgue comme instrument majeur dans la culture musicale au pays en plus de contribuer au rayonnement de la musique d'orgue grâce au talent de jeunes organistes. Présenté sur des instruments de qualité dans des lieux d'une grande beauté architecturale, le CIOC jouera un rôle important dans la mise en valeur du patrimoine qui a fait de Montréal une référence nord-américaine dans le domaine de l'orgue. Pour tous les détails, visitez le site Web du CIOC au www.ciocm.org.

CIFF Doc Series and Animation

CIFF DOC SERIES, FASHION IN FILM, AND AN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM ROUND OUT THURSDAY'S CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Calgary, AB – With only four days remaining of the 9^th Annual Calgary International Film Festival, time is running out to catch the many cinematic gems being presented at this year's event. This year, the festival has been marked with a strong line-up of documentaries, narrative features, and parties, and these great shows and fantastic events will continue until Sunday's close.

THURSDAY NIGHT DOCS

The Sweetest Embrace: Return to Afghanistan

Soorgul and Amir return to their country in search of their families after 16 years of living as refugees. When their paths diverge, their futures are filled with unexpected and unpredictable turns as they seek to find resolution in their lives. The Sweetest Embrace tells an intimate story set against one of the world's harshest, and yet beautiful, landscapes, where life has been shaped by war, but where spirit remains resilient.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:00 p.m. @ Cineplex Eau Claire

Bird's Nest

Bird's Nest follows two Swiss architects on two very different projects: the national stadium for the Olympic summer games in Beijing and a city area in the provincial town of Jinhua, China, as they build bridges between two cultures, two architectural traditions and two political systems. The documentary shows how Chinese culture affects the construction work, the specific architectonic form and the struggle to achieve it, giving insight about the society, the culture and everyday life in China.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 9:15 p.m. @ The Globe Upstairs

FASHION PICK

Gloss

This entry into the Life in Focus: Fashion in Film series is a satirical fairytale set in modern Russia, where unbridled capitalism has created a seedy, decadent lifestyle for Moscow's nouveau rich. Galya goes to Moscow to realize her dream of becoming a supermodel, but is promptly rejected and told she is too gangly to become a model. Through perseverance and help from her gangster ex-beau, she is catapulted to the cover of magazines – though in ways she never expected.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 9:30 p.m. @ The Globe Downstairs

Saturday, September 27, 2008 12:30 p.m. @ The Globe Downstairs

AMERICAN INDY ANIMATED FEATURE

Sita Sings the Blues

Three hilarious shadow puppets narrate both ancient tragedy and modern comedy in this beautifully animated interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Director Nina Paley varies her rich animation, site gags and a 1920s jazz soundtrack by legendary singer Annette Hanshaw in order to tell "The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told."

Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:00 p.m. @ The Uptown Downstairs

Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:15 p.m. @ Cineplex Westhills

The complete 2008 CIFF line-up, as well as festival tickets and passes, are available online at www.calgaryfilm.com from August 25, 2008. The Fido Box Office opens at Eau Claire Market and the CIFF Souvenir Program Guide goes on sale at all Calgary Starbucks locations on September 5, 2008.

About CIFF

Founded in 1998, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization based in Alberta, Canada. Inspired by the pioneering spirit and maverick ideals of the community, CIFF showcases films that break traditional boundaries and forge new cinematic ground. CIFF celebrates an unparalleled breadth and depth of cultural diversity through the meaningful, accessible, and artistic medium of film and engages thousands of artists to showcase the best films from filmmakers in over 100 countries around the world. CIFF is held annually at the end of September, screening over 200 films and hosting several gala events, awards, and special presentations. For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com

Nagata Shachu's 10th Anniversary Concert

Nagata Shachu

Japanese Taiko and Music Group

10th Anniversary and CD Release Concert

NAGATA SHACHU, Canada's pre-eminent taiko (Japanese drum) group, will celebrate their tenth anniversary with a release of a new recording, Tsuzure (tapestry), and a very special concert on Saturday, November 29, 2008.

Featuring new works, a number of pieces from the CD, as well as old favourites from Nagata Shachu's extensive repertoire, this year's annual concert promises to be like no other. Featuring an arsenal of taiko (including the massive O-Daiko drum), bamboo flutes, the three-stringed shamisen and an array of gongs, cymbals, shakers and wood blocks, NAGATA SHACHU'S 10th Anniversary Concert will take you on a musical journey beyond all borders.

New works to be premiered will include:
o Mamagoto (composed by Kiyoshi Nagata)
Mamagoto or 'child's play' features two shinobue (bamboo folk flutes), orchestra bells, various taiko drums, cymbals and an array of toys and noise makers. It is a light-hearted and whimsical tune depicting the adventures of children as they play their day away.
o Take Ito Kawa (improvisations by Aki Takahashi, Scott Kusano, and Kiyoshi Nagata)
The contrasting yet complimentary sounds of bamboo shakuhachi flute (TAKE), silk-stringed shamisen (ITO), and the skin of the taiko (KAWA), combined with the performers' improvisational skills and musical instincts, are at the heart of this rapid-fire exchange.
o Jinari "Rumbling of the Earth" (composed by Kiyoshi Nagata)
In this physically demanding and thrilling solo, Kiyoshi Nagata will perform on the massive O-daiko (big drum), that requires body, mind, and spirit to become one.
o Finale
This yet to be titled work is a heart-stopping showcase featuring four drummers playing improvised solos on the large taiko drums accompanied by the sharp and rapid attack of three small drums. This piece is guaranteed to awake the senses and turn Ryerson Theatre into one big boom-box!

Amidst a very busy touring schedule, NAGATA SHACHU will present their 10th Anniversary Concert for one night only, Saturday, November 29, in Toronto. On October 31 and November 1 NAGATA SHACHU will be participating at La TOHU in Montreal and later that month they will be guests at the prestigious CAPACOA in Ottawa. In February 2009 they will travel to the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, MA, in March to McMaster University in Hamilton, and in April they will tour Michigan.

NAGATA SHACHU (formerly the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble) has enthralled audiences with its mesmerizing and heart-pounding performances of the Japanese drum (taiko) since its formation in 1998. The group has toured widely throughout Canada, the US, and Italy, performing in theatres, concert halls, and at major music festivals. While rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, the ensemble's principal aim is to rejuvenate this ancient art form by producing innovative and exciting music that seeks to create a new voice for the taiko. Taking its name from founder Kiyoshi Nagata and the Japanese word shachu, meaning group, Nagata Shachu, has become renowned for its exacting, straightforward, yet physically demanding performances as well as for its diverse repertoire. Their playing is the combination of unbounded spirit and passion with the highest levels of musicianship and discipline. The result is an unforgettable experience that is both powerful in expression and heartfelt in its sincerity.

The ensemble's artistic director Kiyoshi Nagata's career as a preeminent taiko soloist spans twenty-six years. After completing his studies with prominent taiko musicians, he started teaching himself at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music, as well as at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. For eight years, he instructed two community groups, Isshin Daiko in Toronto and Do-Kon Daiko in Burlington, which he helped establish in 1995. Kiyoshi is also regularly invited by universities and taiko groups to conduct workshops and present lectures. In 1994, Kiyoshi founded the cross-cultural percussion ensemble, Humdrum, whose debut Toronto performance was ranked fourth in Now Magazine's "Top Ten Concerts of 1995". He has composed and performed taiko music for dance, theatre, film and radio and continues to collaborate with artists from all genres of music including traditional Japanese instrumentalists.


"Since 1998, the nine-person group, headed by Kiyoshi Nagata has consistently added new layers of invention to the traditional drumming-and-dancing repertoire." John Terauds, Toronto Star

NAGATA SHACHU

formerly Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble

Presents 10th Anniversary and CD release Concert

Kiyoshi Nagata, artistic director - taiko, shinobue

Aki Takahashi - shamisen, vocals, taiko

Scott Kusano - taiko, shakuhachi

Angela Colangelo - taiko, shinobue

Nick Shao - taiko

Atsushi Kato- taiko

Miki Kato - taiko, sanshin

Saturday, November 29, 2008 @ 8pm - One Show Only!

Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard Street East, Toronto (between Yonge and Church)

Tickets

$25-$30 adults; $20 seniors and students

On-line: www.UofTtix.ca; By phone: 416-978-8849

www.kiyshonagata.com

James Ehnes wins 2008 GRAMOPHONE Award

James Ehnes wins 2008 GRAMOPHONE Award

“...James Ehnes brings to this great concerto a rapt identification, tingling temperament and glowing ardour...Not only is Ehnes's technical address impeccable and intonation miraculously true, his contribution is remarkable for its intrepid emotional scope, athletic agility and (perhaps above all) jaw-dropping delicacy (nowhere more heart-tuggingly potent than in the finale's accompanied cadenza).” (Gramophone)

“Ehnes, in whom technical acumen and beauty of tone can be taken for granted, captures the passion and wistfulness of the concerto's temperament ideally, the ebb and flow of emotion and pacing finding poignant counterparts in the way Andrew Davis conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra” (Daily Telegraph)

“He plays Elgar’s Violin Concerto with an alchemic mix of passionate intensity and clear-headed intelligence, lavishing upon this spacious, hyper-romantic work a sound of staggeringly rich, luscious beauty, from first note to last.” (Sunday Times)

James Ehnes has won the 2008 Gramophone Award for Best Concerto Recording of the Year for Elgar’s Violin Concerto with the Philharmonia Orchestra (London), conducted by Sir Andrew Davis released on the ONYX label. This recording has received unanimous praise from critics worldwide — “[it] will be heard many times over the years as a model of an exceptionally intelligent and sensitive approach to the work.” (BBC 3 CD Review).

This is the third major award for James Ehnes this year – his recording of the Barber, Korngold and Walton Concertos with the Vancouver Symphony conducted by Bramwell Tovey (CBC Records/ONYX) won the 2008 GRAMMY and JUNO Awards for Best Classical Album of the year. It also won the Western Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Classical Recording.

James's extensive discography of over 20 titles includes award-winners for the CBC, Analekta, Black Box, Chandos, Telarc, and Sony Classical labels in repertoire ranging from Bach to John Adams. His 250^th Mozart anniversary double-disc of the composer’s complete works for violin and orchestra won the 2007 JUNO for best orchestral recording and has been hailed as a benchmark recording: “a clear first choice in the field” (Classic FM).

“Homage”, to be released shortly on the ONYX label, pays tribute to the world’s most celebrated violin-makers. This unique CD\DVD project features performances on 12 of the greatest instruments ever made by Antonio Stradivari, Pietro Guarneri (Peter of Mantua), Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, Andrea Guarneri, Giuseppe Guadagnini, and Gasparo Bertolotti (Gasparo da Salò), all belonging to the extraordinary and unique Fulton Collection.

James Ehnes is widely considered one of the most dynamic and exciting performers in classical music. He has performed in over
20 countries on five continents with many of the world’s most renowned orchestras and conductors. The 2008-2009 season takes him to Malaysia, Western and Eastern Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, the UK, Detroit, Nashville, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa.

James Ehnes performs on the “ex-Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715 and gratefully acknowledges its extended loan from the Fulton Collection.

CIFF Continues

HOT DOCS, BLACK ICE, A CANADIAN PICK, AND CLOSING GALA COME ALIVE ON THE SCREEN IN FOR SECOND HALF OF CIFF

HOT DOCUMENTARIES LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

The Calgary International Film Festival Documentary Showcase is dedicated to finding

the best and most inspiring films of the festival season, giving audiences a chance to rub shoulders with complex truths and realities. With a mix of both local and international perspectives, this program includes a diverse and challenging range of cinematic experiences for everyone to enjoy.

Tiger Spirit: Award-winning filmmaker Min Sook Lee sets out on a revelatory, emotionally-charged journey into Korea's broken heart, exploring the rhetoric and realism of reunification through the extraordinary stories of ordinary people.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:15 p.m. @ Westhills

Bird's Nest – Herzog and De Meuron in China: Bird's Nest follows two Swiss star architects on two very different projects: the national stadium for the Olympic summer games in Beijing 2008, and a city area in the provincial town of Jinhua, China. Architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron are literally building bridges between two cultures, two architectural traditions, and two political systems.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 9:15 p.m. @ Westhills

Hi My Name is Ryan: A documentary about Ryan Avery – a milk and cookies connoisseur, a photo-booth artist, a fake moustache aficionado, and a punk rock performance artist determined to make his life super-awesome.

Friday, September 26, 2008 7:15 p.m. @ Uptown Downstairs

Saturday, September 27, 2008 12:00 p.m. @ Uptown Downstairs

Junior: The highly competitive world of hockey is put under the microscope in the National Film Board's fascinating film Junior. Following the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, directors Isabelle Lavigne and Stéphane Thibault focus on the sport's offices, hallways, and locker rooms and illuminate how the boys' financial futures hang in the balance every pressured day.

Friday, September 26 9:15 p.m. @ Uptown Upstairs

Saturday, September 27 2:15 p.m. @ Uptown Upstairs

OTHER FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Black Ice

Elegant, outgoing, gracious and entering middle age, Saara has discovered her husband is having an affair with one of his students. Intrigued, Saara looks deeper and ends up alternating between lies, the truth, manipulating others and giving in to her emotions. It's a gripping portrayal of jealousy and its ravages, a thriller stitched together with raw emotions, fateful coincidences and surprising psychological finesse.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:30 p.m. @ The Globe Downstairs

Confessions of a Porn Addict

*Director Duncan Christie in attendance. Q&A following screening.

Interviews and photo opportunities available.

Mark Tobias (Spencer Rice, Kenny vs Spenny) had it all: a good job, a beautiful wife, and a particularly unhealthy addiction to pornography. His wife, Felice (Lindsay Connell, Lars and the Real Girl), finally gets fed up with the competition and leaves him, causing Mark's addiction to spiral out of control, until one day he is caught literally with his pants down.

Wednesday, September 24 9:15 p.m. @ The Plaza

Tokyo Gore Police

Set in Tokyo in the near future where bitter self-mutilation is so casual that advertising is often specially geared to the "cutter" demographic, the Tokyo Police Corporation is locked in a bloody war with the Engineers. These unstoppable, genetically modified super-criminals can bio-fuse their open wounds with weapons, turning self-mutilation into a deadly combat form.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:00 p.m. @ The Plaza

Sunday, September 28, 2008 12:15 p.m. @ The Plaza

Volkswagen Closing Gala – Bart got a Room

High school senior and student council vice president Danny Stein wants what every young man wants on prom night – a hot date. Do you have yours for the Volkswagen Closing Gala?

Saturday, September 27, 2008 7:00 PM @ Uptown Downstairs
Saturday, September 27, 2008 7:30 PM @ Uptown Upstairs

The complete 2008 CIFF line-up, as well as festival tickets and passes, are available online at www.calgaryfilm.com from August 25, 2008. The Fido Box Office opens at Eau Claire Market and the CIFF Souvenir Program Guide goes on sale at all Calgary Starbucks locations on September 5, 2008.

About CIFF

Founded in 1998, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization based in Alberta, Canada. Inspired by the pioneering spirit and maverick ideals of the community, CIFF showcases films that break traditional boundaries and forge new cinematic ground. CIFF celebrates an unparalleled breadth and depth of cultural diversity through the meaningful, accessible, and artistic medium of film and engages thousands of artists to showcase the best films from filmmakers in over 100 countries around the world. CIFF is held annually at the end of September, screening over 200 films and hosting several gala events, awards, and special presentations. For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com.

Shaw Festival Announces Fall Lecture Series

Shaw Festival Announces Fall Lecture Series

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, September 24, 2008 … The Shaw Festival is thrilled to announce its second fall celebrity lecture series: Four Lectures in the Provocative Spirit of Bernard Shaw. Funded by the Government of Ontario’s Celebrate Ontario Festival and Event Enhancement initiative, The Shaw will present lectures by Seymour Hersh, Stevie Cameron, Tomson Highway and Dr. Samantha Nutt.

Inspired by the brilliance, bravery, humanity and humour of Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival is a crucible of progressive and provocative ideas which illuminate our understanding of today’s world. Relevant and engaging theatre on the festival’s three stages is enhanced each season with a robust education program. Like Shaw’s, the work of these four prominent and passionate speakers shines light on the dilemmas of our world, encouraging us all to take action.

On announcing this year’s lecture series, Shaw Festival Executive Director Colleen Blake said: “The speakers we will present in our lecture series this year illustrate how the provocative spirit of Bernard Shaw still lives in discussions about today’s critical world issues. We were thrilled with the audience reception to last year’s inaugural series, which included Ken Wiwa, Mary Walsh, Sir Salman Rushdie and Tim Flannery, and are delighted that, thanks to the Government of Ontario, we are able to continue the series this season.”

Seymour Hersh October 12, 2008

Seymour Hersh is one of America’s most respected and groundbreaking investigative journalists. He has broken some of the biggest cover ups of the modern era -- from My Lai to Abu Ghraib -- and his work continues to uncover deceit and challenge corruption at the highest levels. In his analysis of U.S. foreign policy, he exposes the often shadowy world where official foreign policy stance meets political reality in other parts of the world. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Hersh is also the author of Chain of Command and The Dark Side of Camelot.

Stevie Cameron October 19, 2008

Award-winning journalist Stevie Cameron is also a successful author, commentator, humanitarian and founding editor of Elm Street Magazine. Cameron's passion for writing, uncovering and dissecting stories of the day have earned her acclaim as one of Canada's foremost investigative journalists. In her lectures, Cameron takes a critical look at Canadian politics, business, society and the future.

Tomson Highway October 26, 2008

Tomson Highway is a playwright, author, musician, multilingual speaker, member of the Order of Canada and recipient of five doctorates. Throughout his life, he has overcome incredible obstacles, including the residential school system, prejudice, and struggles to have his work recognized, to become one of Canada’s foremost aboriginal and creative voices.

Dr. Samantha Nutt November 2, 2008

Dr. Samantha Nutt is Founder and Executive Director of War Child Canada. A medical doctor with over 13 years experience working in war zones and committed to peace, human rights and social justice, her ambition has always been to help war-affected women and children. Called one of “12 Canadians making a difference” by Maclean’s Magazine, she has received numerous awards for her work, including Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award.

Each lecture will be held at 11 am in the Royal George Theatre, 85 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Tickets are $20 each or $65 for the series and $10 each for students. Tickets are available online at www.shawfest.com or by calling the Shaw Festival Box Office at 1-800-511-7429 or 905-468-2172.

The 2008 season is proudly presented by HSBC Bank Canada/HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

Bill Eddins Leaves the Podium and Becomes Guest Soloist

Robbins Pops:

Bill Eddins leaves the podium and becomes the soloist for the First Night of the Pops!

Friday, September 26^th and Saturday, September 27^th – 8:00pm

Edmonton, AB …On September 26^th & 27^th, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) Music Director Bill Eddins shows Edmonton audiences a different side of himself as the evening’s guest soloist. He shares the stage alongside symphony pops legend- Conductor Bruce Hangen, as the Robbins Pops season gets off to an impressive start, blending orchestral show-stoppers including Eddins at the piano in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The Epsilon vocal quintet also makes an appearance in a medley of song hits from the Roaring Twenties. There’s also more music from Gershwin, as well as hits from Bernstein and Berlin.

Ticket prices for this performance range from $24 to $79 (agency fees apply). Student and senior rush tickets are subject to availability and can be purchased two hours prior to performance time. Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office.

The next performance of the Robbins Pops takes place on October 31^st and November 1^st and features conductor Jack Everly with music of the 1960s.

This series is generously supported by Bill & Mary Jo Robbins

Friday, September 26^th is generously sponsored by Sobeys

Bugs Bunny on Broadway!

What’s Up, Doc?!

The VSO presents Bugs Bunny on Broadway!

Vancouver BC – The Wascally Wabbit is back! The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Global ComedyFest are proud to present Bugs Bunny on Broadway – a unique and extraordinary concert experience that celebrates the world’s favourite classic Looney Tunes cartoons and their real classical scores.

The large video screen show cartoon jewels like What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville, Long Haired Hare and a Corny Concerto while the Orchestra plays the classical soundtracks on stage. This roller coaster ride of a concert has sold-out the world’s greatest concert halls from The Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House (and in the past, the Orpheum and Queen Elizabeth Theatre!) and created an enthusiastically-devoted international audience of animation fans and classical music lovers alike.

Bugs conductor and co-creator George Daugherty takes the podium with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for this extra-special concert event. During the show, Daugherty explains how the genius of Chuck Jones and Warner Bros. took real classical and operatic scores, such as Rossini’s Barber of Seville and Wagner’s Ring Cycle, and set not only Bugs Bunny cartoons to this great classical music, but many others as well. It’s an eye-opening experience for audiences to learn that as they were growing up watching the hilarious antics of Bugs and friends, they were also listening to classical music!

Bugs Bunny on Broadway is a uniquely spirited, fun, and sophisticated combination of classic animation and spectacular symphonic music. George Daugherty and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will perform three concerts from December 28 to December 29 at the Orpheum Theatre.

Tickets for Bugs Bunny on Broadway go on-sale Wednesday, October 1^st at 10am, exclusively through the VSO website at www.vancouversymphony.ca, and VSO Customer Service at 604.876.3434.

Bilan de Vues d'Afrique

Bilan de Vues d’Afrique

Un cinéma qui fait rayonner la Francophonie

Québec, le 24 septembre 2008 – Le plus grand continent francophone présente son cinéma ! Cette manifestation consacrée au cinéma francophone du Sud s’est terminée samedi le 20 septembre avec la fierté de dire «mission accomplie». Des centaines de personnes ont constaté la vigueur et l’importance du cinéma créole et africain en assistant aux différentes projections et débats au Musée de la civilisation ainsi qu’aux tables rondes et aux rencontres professionnelles à l’Université Laval.

Les réalisateurs Cheik Doukouré, Bassek Ba Kobhio et Arnold Antonin et le critique de cinéma Baba Diop étaient tous agréablement impressionnés de l’accueil accordé à leurs films ou aux films qu’ils représentaient. S’arrêter en terres françaises du continent nord-américain était primordial pour eux, surtout en vue du XII^e Sommet de la Francophonie, de même que pour la représentante de l'Organisation internationale de la francophonie, responsable du cinéma, Mme Souad Houssein.

«Notre collaboration avec l’Université Laval et le Musée de la civilisation de Québec est des plus fructueuse. Nous sommes fiers d’annoncer la continuité de notre entente l’année prochaine avec ces deux partenaires majeurs» s’exclame le directeur général de Vues d’Afrique, M. Gérard Le Chêne. «Il est primordial de nos jours, que la francophonie rayonne à travers le monde et les cinémas africain et créole, grâce à Vues d’Afrique, y contribuent».

En 2009, Vues d’Afrique aura lieu du 16 au 26 avril et fêtera alors son 25^e anniversaire. Un événement majeur à inscrire à l’agenda!

Vues d’Afrique tient enfin à remercier la population de Québec toujours présente en grand nombre aux rendez-vous de l’événement ainsi que ses précieux partenaires que sont le Secrétariat d'organisation du XII^e Sommet de la Francophonie, l’Agence canadienne de développement international, le Ministère des Relations internationales du Québec, le Musée de la civilisation, la Chaire de recherche du Canada en Littératures africaines et Francophonie (Université Laval), le FESPACO et TV5 Québec Canada.

www.vuesdafrique.org

Opéralia sur Espace classique

POUR TOUT SAVOIR SUR OPÉRALIA 2008 VISITEZ LA WEBRADIO
RADIO-CANADA.CA/ESPACECLASSIQUE

Grâce à la webradio d'Espace musique, Radio-Canada.ca/espaceclassique, les internautes peuvent tout savoir sur OPÉRALIA 2008, la célèbre compétition internationale présidée par PLACIDO DOMINGO qui se déroule du 18 au 24 septembre dans la ville de Québec.

Dans ce grand dossier spécial, le public peut prendre le pouls de l'événement au jour le jour. Reportages vidéo sur la compétition, entrevues exclusives avec les finalistes, blogue enrichi quotidiennement... Le 24 septembre à 19 h, le site diffuse la finale en direct pour la mettre ensuite en ligne gratuitement pendant un an.

Pour les internautes, ce sera l'occasion d'entendre les finalistes du prestigieux concours accompagnés de l'Orchestre symphonique de Québec dirigé exceptionnellement par maestro Domingo. Animée par SYLVIA L'ÉCUYER et BILL RICHARDSON de Radio-Canada, la soirée sera, en plus du Web, diffusée également à l'antenne d'Espace musique et de CBC Radio 2.

Davis legacy honoured at inaugural concert

The legacy of the family responsible for the world-class Davis Concert Organ in the Winspear Centre for Music will be recognized at Edmonton's first annual Winona and Stuart Davis Memorial Organ Recital. The concert, which spotlights French virtuoso Vincent Dubois holding court on the 6,551-pipe instrument at the Winspear (99 St. & 102 Ave.), Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m., will also launch the Sundays at 3 Organ Recital Series 2008/2009 season.

The occasion will also bring to attention the establishment of the Davis Concert Organ Maintenance and Performance Trust, created to maintain the instrument in pristine condition and foster additional concerts that feature the organ.

"With 2008 acknowledged as the International Year of the Organ, the timing of this concert and trust is perfect," says Marnie Giesbrecht, who is on the trust's organizing committee and is acting managing co-director of the Sundays at 3 Organ Recital Series. "The trust will honour Dr. Stuart Davis's desire to keep the organ in top shape and enable more people to play and hear it. Organizations that present organists often can't afford the hall, so this trust is a good way to facilitate those possibilities. More groups using the organ will probably enhance more creative use of the Davis family's gift to the city of Edmonton."

Dr. Stuart Davis, a retired University of Alberta professor and a fan of organ music, donated $2 million to assist in the construction of the organ, which was built in the Winspear by Orgues Letourneau. Completed in 2002, the instrument was christened the Davis Concert Organ in memory of the doctor's late wife Winona. Dr. Davis passed away in 2005, having declared in his will that a trust continue to support the organ.

The concert's organist, Vincent Dubois, is currently the Assistant Director of the Conservatoire National of Angers and has been the titular organist at the Cathedral of Soissons since 2001. He's also won the Recital Gold Medal at the 2002 Calgary International Organ Competition and the Grand Prize at the 2002 International Competition of Toulouse, France, which resulted in a performance itinerary that has since stretched around the globe. Dubois will perform an all-French program that includes works by Marcel Dupré, César Franck, Louise Vierne and Maurice Duruflé,

Tickets for the Winona and Stuart Davis Memorial Organ Recital are $20 and available at the Winspear box office (780-428-1414), Tix on the Square (780-420-1757) or at the door. For more information, contact the Sundays at 3 Organ Concert Series at (780) 429-1655 or visit their website at www.rcco.edmonton.ab.ca.

CIFF Italian Party and Screening

CIFF ITALIAN FILM SCREENING AND PARTY LIGHTS UP TUESDAY NIGHT

Calgary, AB –The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is pleased to announce a series of special events and parties as part of this year's 9^th annual event. As part of CIFF's ongoing commitment to provide stellar cinematic and cultural experiences, this year's festival special events schedule highlights our visiting delegates, local filmmakers, award-winners and gala films.

The CIFF Italian Party is one of the highlights of the event schedule this year. This VIP cocktail reception and takes place at Osteria de Medici (201 10th St. NW) after the screening of CIFF's highlight Italian film, Gomorrah. While the Sicilian Mafia has drawn the lion's share of media attention over the years, it is the Neapolitan mafia, known as the Camorra, who have created an insidious oligarchy of power. Director Matteo Garrone's hotly anticipated Gomorrah (a dark play on words) weaves five storylines culled from the best-selling literary exposé of the same title about Neapolitan underworld. Like the Godfather films, Gomorrah examines organized crime from the inside out, except that the latter is more concerned with the assorted lowlifes and foot soldiers rather than those at the centre of power.

Event Details

Screening: Tuesday September 23, 2008 7:00 p.m. @ The Plaza

Party: Italian Film Party

Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2008.

Time: 9:00 PM

Where: Osteria de Medici, 201 10th St. NW, Calgary, AB

Admission: VIP and Gomorrah patrons

Richard Li Young Artist Chair

Young Saskatchewan trumpeter Amy Horvey selected to hold the title of Richard Li Young Artist Chair for 2008-2009 season

Ottawa, Ontario – The National Arts Centre today announced that Saskatchewan-born trumpeter Amy Horvey has been selected to hold the title of Richard Li Young Artist Chair for the 2008-2009 season. This honour is awarded annually to an exceptional young Canadian musician under the age of 35 who aspires to, or is in the early stages of, an orchestral career.

The Richard Li Young Artist Chair was established thanks to the generosity of Hong Kong-Canadian businessman Richard Li. In September 2006 he donated $1 million to the National Arts Centre Foundation – the largest one-time gift in NAC history. In addition to providing a variety of performance and professional development opportunities to Richard Li Young Artist Chair recipients, the donation helps support several NAC young artist training programs, such as the Summer Music Institute and the Institute for Orchestral Studies.

Amy Horvey, 27, has performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra as an extra musician. As part of her duties as a recipient of the Richard Li Young Artist Chair recipient, Amy will perform solo recitals and teach masterclasses in Saskatchewan during the NAC Orchestra’s upcoming tour of Western Canada from October 24 to November 12.

“Arts and music education are vital to maintaining and protecting the cultural fabric of Canada's rural areas,” said Ms. Horvey. “This is a major priority for me.”

Ms. Horvey grew up on a farm near Cabri, Saskatchewan, a small prairie community which has a long been known for its excellent brass bands. (The Cabri Brass Band featured Bobby Gimby as one of its members. Mr. Gimby gained national attention as the composer of the 1967 Centennial song “Canada” and later received the Order of Canada for his contributions to the country’s national identity.)

Amy began playing trumpet at the age of six in a family of dedicated brass players – her father plays trumpet, her mother plays French horn while her brother and sisters play the trombone and euphonium.

Amy has studied at the University of Victoria, the Glenn Gould School and the Rotterdam Conservatory. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies at McGill University's Schulich School of Music, studying with the renowned trumpeter and teacher Edward Carroll.

“Amy has a unique and very personal voice on the trumpet that is quietly gaining the attention of the international trumpet community,” said Mr. Carroll.

In 2006 she toured Canada presenting a solo show of music commissioned from several internationally known composers and was invited by the legendary American jazz musician and composer Dave Douglas to be a featured soloist at the Festival of New Trumpet Music in New York City.

The National Arts Centre established the National Arts Centre Foundation in 2000, with the mandate to raise significant financial support for its artistic and educational programming. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire individuals, corporations and foundations to invest in the NAC’s vision of excellence and innovation as a national centre for performance, creation and learning. The National Arts Centre Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors made up of 23 leaders from across Canada.

L'Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal relève de son déficit - EMBARGO 26 sept

L’Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal relève de son déficit et prend un nouvel envol

Montréal, 23 septembre 2008 – À l’occasion du lancement de la saison 2008-2009 de l’Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal dimanche prochain, madame Michelle Cormier, présidente du conseil d’administration, annoncera trois dons majeurs : un de 540 000 provenant de madame Jacqueline et monsieur Paul Desmarais et deux de 100 000 chacun provenant de madame Carolyn et monsieur Richard Renaud et l’autre de la Fondation J. Armand Bombardier « Ces dons sont les puissants symboles d’un soutien qui augmente jour après jour envers l’Orchestre et son administration. Nous remercions les familles Desmarais, Bombardier et Renaud pour leur générosité. Ils sont de fervents admirateurs de l’Orchestre et de son chef, Yannick Nézet-Séguin et grâce à eux, aujourd’hui, l’Orchestre peut entièrement effacer son déficit et prendre un nouvel envol » a affirmé madame Cormier.

Des gestes administratifs significatifs

Depuis l’atteinte de déficit de plus de un million de dollars en 2005-2006, le conseil d’administration a travaillé sans relâche dans l’identification de nouvelles orientations menant au redressement financier. Ce dynamisme a attiré de nouveaux appuis, tant parmi les comités de travail qu’au sein de son équipe interne ou de son conseil d’administration. Le conseil d’administration accueille d’ailleurs deux nouveaux membres dans ses rangs : madame Louise Fréchette, vice-secrétaire générale aux Nations Unies (1998-2006), et madame Nicole Dubé, directrice marketing de la Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec.

Aussi, une énergie nouvelle souffle aussi au sein de son équipe administrative interne, depuis l’arrivée en mai dernier de la nouvelle présidente-directrice générale, madame Luce Moreau CFRE, dont l’expertise en philanthropie est reconnue internationalement. Madame Moreau est d’ailleurs la première Québécoise et la première francophone à siéger comme administratrice au conseil d’administration de l’Association of Fundraising Professionnals, organisme international représentant 30 000 membres du milieu philanthropique, où elle vient tout juste d’être élue.

« Nous sommes non seulement dans une situation financière saine, mais nous avons le bonheur de pouvoir offrir aux amateurs de musique le talent exceptionnel d’un jeune chef montréalais, reconnu internationalement, Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Nous prenons aujourd’hui un nouvel envol et nous sommes enthousiastes ! Nous pourrons mieux assumer notre rôle d’accroître l’accès à la musique classique et de promouvoir le travail des interprètes et compositeurs canadiens » a conclu Luce Moreau, présidente-directrice générale de l’Orchestre.

CIFF Welcomes Special Guests to the 2008 Festival

THE CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

WELCOMES SPECIAL GUESTS TO THE 2008 FESTIVAL

Calgary, AB – The Calgary International Film Festival brings visiting directors, producers, and cast members to the festival, providing an up-close-and-personal look at the movie-makers taking part in this year's event. Special guests will be in attendance at their film screenings, and available for question and answer periods to discuss their work.

HIGHLIGHTED GUESTS

Noah & Logan Miller (Writers/Directors), Touching Home

Tue. Sep. 23, 2008 9:30 PM @ Globe Downstairs

Three months after their homeless father died in jail, twin filmmakers, Logan and Noah Miller cornered Ed Harris in an alley outside of the Castro Theatre in San Francisco and pitched him their autobiographical movie, Touching Home. Nine days later Harris called them and said he wanted the role. Touching Home is a courageous and honest portrayal of a family fighting to overcome the pain of wasted years and the crushing forces of addiction.

Carl Bessai (Director), Mothers&Daughters

Thu. Sep. 25, 2008 7:15 PM @ Uptown Upstairs

Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 3:00 PM @ Uptown Upstairs

Mothers&Daughters explores the hilarious, the ridiculous, and the complicated dynamics of mother/daughter relationships. Three mother/daughter pairs offer a diverse glimpse into the needs, the denials, and the inescapable love that these women feel towards each other. Ultimately, it is a celebration of the inexplicable bond of mothers and daughters.

Kent Tessman (Director), and Jennifer Lo & David Bajurny (Co-Producers), Bull

Sat. Sep. 20, 2008 4:45 PM @ Uptown Downstairs
Tues. Sep. 23, 2008 7:00 PM @ Westhills

Bull is a darkly comic neo-noir film, set among the heat-wave-baked skyscraper canyons of the Toronto financial district. A hapless stockbroker named Charlie finds himself caught up in a twisty web where no one, no one at all, is telling the truth. Not only did Kent Tessman write, produce and direct this film, he also edited, mixed, completed the visual effects and composed the score, showing his talents as a one man filmmaking tour-de-force.

Najeeb Mirza (Director), Sweetest Embrace: The Return of Afghanistan

Thurs. Sep. 25, 2008 7:00 PM @ Eau Claire

In Najeeb Mirza's The Sweetest Embrace, Soorgul and Amir return to their country in search of their families. The film tells an intimate story set against one of the world's most harsh and yet beautiful landscapes, in a land where life has been shaped by war and hardship but where spirit remains resilient.

Denny Tedesco (Director), The Wrecking Crew

Tues. Sep. 23, 2008 7:15 PM @ Eau Claire
Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 2:30 PM @ Uptown Downstairs

Nicknamed by their conservative predecessors, the Wrecking Crew was comprised of prodigious rock 'n' roll session players in the prolific California music scene. Responsible for the lush instrumentation in Phil Specto