Jeunesses Musicales du Canada ’s contribution to the music scene is immense. For the past 60 years, JMC has presented tens of thousands of concerts to young audiences, families, and the general public from coast to coast across Canada. To commemorate this milestone, Analekta is proud to present an anthology of some of the most important artists associated with the JMC:
Joseph Rouleau,
Louis Quillico,
Angèle Dubeau,
André Laplante,
James Ehnes,
Marie-Nicole Lemieux, l’
Ensemble Caprice,
Valérie Milot and many more.
We are very glad to offer you this anniversary box set by
Jeunesses Musicales du Canada (JMC), marking its 60 years of service to the young generations: 60 years of excellence!
At the foundation of
JMC on 23 August 1949, Gilles Lefebvre, following a meeting with Father J.H. Lemieux, Anaïs Allard-Rousseau and Laurette Desruisseaux-Boisvert, proposed to bring together the existing associations dedicated to the artistic culture of the young and submitted a plan of action calling for concert tours, the creation of new groups, scholarships, a summer camp, a permanent home and exchanges among young students.
This marvelous dream came true and continues to be rooted in the same mission: to promote classical music, especially among the young, and to support the best young musicians in developing their careers, both here and abroad.
In a single season,
JMC presents over 800 concerts and more than 700 workshops given by nearly 100 artists in some 200 different places in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces, particularly New Brunswick, and in British Colombia. Its audiences are numbered at 150,000 people, 110,000 of whom are children aged 3 to 12.
Thanks to a network consisting of hundreds of volunteers that hosts its tours,
JMC has also been among the first organizations to perform professional-calibre concerts in outlying regions far from large cultural centres. As a result, since its foundation
JMC has presented tens of thousands of concerts aimed at young audiences, families and the general public throughout the country.
Thus, over the years
JMC tours have offered people the opportunity to hear many young artists who later made a deep mark – and who for the most part continue to do so – on the national and international music scenes. All these artists have been a unique source of inspiration for the whole of our society. This non-exhaustive compilation presents some of the best recordings made at ANALEKTA by artists who toured under the aegis of JMC or have been associated with the Montreal International Musical Competition, founded by the
JMC in 2002. Such a panorama will, we hope, bring back wonderful musical memories and allow those who are younger to discover the great performers of the Canadian music scene.
The
JMC were always able to count on the invaluable support of grantors, sponsors and, particularly, of its Foundation. Year after year, they have served the
JMC vision and projects. Finally, we wish to pay a special tribute to our volunteers who represent continuity, commitment and a search for excellence, all virtues associated with the JMC movement.
Happy listening!
Jacques Marquis
Executive and Artistic Director
Joseph Rouleau, O.C., G.O.Q., Dr h.c.
Président
