A quiet Sunday morning… and the peaceful voices of children singing sacred songs. You’re invited to go behind the scenes of the recording of Pax caelestis, the latest album from Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal.
Although kings from years past wrote music in their spare time—including the very prolific Frederick the Great, who wrote extensively for the flute—it is now rather rare that a head of state also works as a composer, except of course Ignacy Paderewski who served briefly as the first prime minister of the independent Poland at the begining of the 20th century. Well that was until now, with newly elected president of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, who shows no interest in retiring from the composing scene.
An article about past or present politicians known also as musicians can be read here…
When Johannes Brahms first heard about the talent of the young Antonin Dvořák, he wrote a few lines to Fritz Simrock, his Berlin publisher, recommending he Moravian Duets: “If you play them, you will experience great pleasure; as a publisher, you will be very happy to edit such delightful things. Dvořák writes everything: operas, symphonies, quartets, pieces for piano. He is, without a doubt, a man of great talent. And poor! I beg you to consider this.” This was to mark the beginning of international success and of a loyal friendship between the two composers. (more…)
Beethoven, Schubert, Vaughan Williams and Dvořák all wrote nine symphonies before dying. Superstitious, Mahler started on a tenth, shortly after completing his Ninth. He was never able to complete it. Bruckner, even though he had numbered his two first symphonies 00 and 0, hoping to break the “spell” so to speak, also passed away after completing his Ninth Symphony. Sibelius, on the other hand, stopped after eight… and lived an extra 33 years!
To listen to the first movement of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, as performed by Angèle Dubeau, on her latest album, Virtuoso…
The Ensemble Caprice has just received the “Audience Choice” Prize from the Conseil des Arts de Montréal. The musicians were chosen among 50 companies that took part in 2008/2009 in the “Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée”. Between 400 and 500 presentations are touring each year through this program that extends the life of recent creations. Ensemble Caprice was enthusiastically received by all for its Vivaldi and the Baroque Gypsies program. Congratulations!