Press Release

Fall Festival (5th edition): Details

FIFTH FALL FESTIVAL ORGUE ET COULEURS
Friday, SEPTEMBER 26 to Sunday, OCTOBER 5, 2003

From recital to symphony, baroque to contemporary,
unexpected encounters: an evening of words and music,
Bach meets tango, a divinely popular mass,
the first France/Quebec organ improv match
and organ open houses in 40 churches.

TICKETS: (514) 899-8883
FESTIVAL INFO-LINE: (514) 899-0644
www.orgueetcouleurs.com

Montreal, Tuesday, September 9, 2003 — Today, during a press conference held at the Saint-Nom-de-Jésus Church, Régis ROUSSEAU, organist and artistic director of the event, announced the programming of the FIFTH FALL FESTIVAL ORGUE ET COULEURS. The festival will run from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, October 5, 2003, at six Montreal venues: the Saint-Nom-de-Jésus, Très-Saint-Rédempteur and Saint Andrew & Saint Paul Churches, McGill University’s Redpath Hall, Château Dufresne Museum and Salle L’Expression of the Centre culturel et sportif de l’Est (CCSE-Marché Maisonneuve). The press conference was attended by the Festival’s partners, guest artists, representatives of music organizations and the media.

Founded in 1999 in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood of Montreal, following the restoration of the Casavant pipe organ in the Saint-Nom-de-Jésus Church, the FALL FESTIVAL ORGUE ET COULEURS welcomed 9,200 visitors during its fourth edition in 2002. Since its foundation, ORGUE ET COULEURS has gained an enviable reputation that now goes well beyond the level of Montreal. For a fifth consecutive year, the Autumn Festival will pay tribute to the glory of the organ, its versatility, and the amazing abilities of the men and women who play it.

Nine evening concerts and sixteen daytime activities

The nine Evening Concerts [September 26 to October 4, 8:00 pm], three Recitals by the finalists of the first Organ Improvisation Competition [Tuesday, September 30; Wednesday, October 1; and Thursday, October 2 at noon, free admission / see attached press release] and one Closing Concert [Sunday, October 5, 2:00 pm], demonstrate the organ’s versatility in a wide range of programs. Two Morning Concerts [Friday, September 26 and October 3, 10:30 am, free admission] and two Noon-Hour Concerts [Friday, September 26 and October 3, free admission] give centre stage to emerging artists and young organists; four Happy-Hour Concerts [Monday, September 29, free admission, pass required; Tuesday, September 30, Wednesday, October 1 and Friday, October 3, 5:30 pm, $8] celebrate chamber music; two Family Concerts [September 27 and October 4, 10:00 am, free admission, pass required] will enchant children and parents alike; one Recital-conference [in English, Wednesday, October 1, 2:00 pm, free admission] with British organist Iain Quinn offers an introduction to Russian organ music; Organ Open Houses [Sunday, September 28, noon to 5:30 pm, as part of the Journées de la culture 2003, free admission] will give Montrealers the opportunity to visit the organ loft in any of 40 participating churches; and Ombres et lumière, an exhibition of photos by Michel Pinault, documents the 4th edition of the Autumn Festival and the trip to Paris last spring by a delegation of the organ improvisation league [September 26 to October 5, Saint-Nom-de-Jésus Church].

In keeping with its commitment to accessibility, the Festival offers free admission to the majority of its 25 activities.

Tickets for concerts with an admission charge are priced as follows:
$8 for each of the Happy-Hour Concerts (except September 29, free admission with pass);
$25 and $22 // $21 and $18 // $15 and $12 for the various Evening Concerts and the Closing Concert (except October 1, Fifth Anniversary Concert, free admission with pass).
Passes may be obtained by calling (514) 872-2200.

Telephone ticket purchases and reservations: (514) 899-8883 /-/ Online ticket purchases by credit card: www.orgueetcouleurs.com (subject to service and handling charges).
Tickets also available at the door one hour before the start of the concert.

A diverse program of activities, unexpected encounters

The organ’s vast repertory will be showcased in performances by young virtuosi Felix HELL (Germany) and Vincent DUBOIS (France), winner of the Gold Medal at the Calgary International Organ Competition 2002; the organ will become the “czar of instruments” in a program of works by Russian composers, performed by British organist Iain QUINN alternating with the ALCAN Quartet; and it will be entertaining and spectacular during the first international organ improvisation match, a face-off between French organists and the team from TROIS-RIVIÈRES, winner of the 2003 season of the Ligue d’improvisation à l’orgue.

The Autumn Festival has also drawn praise for its interdisciplinary couplings. This year, it presents an evening of words and music, with previously unpublished texts by authors Nancy HUSTON and Howard BUTEN and music by two improv musicians, Freddy EICHELBERGER on organetto and Michel GODARD on serpent-tuba; a new take on the music of Bach in the style of Argentine tango with the acclaimed Montreal ensemble QUARTANGO, a vocal quartet and American organist Julian WACHNER; and the latest production by Gregory CHARLES: a divinely popular mass featuring a variety of musical styles such as African, Cuban, gospel and contemporary music with the PETITS CHANTEURS DE LAVAL, the St. Joseph Oratory’s organist Philippe BÉLANGER, and guest musicians.

Some of the top musicians from the Lanaudière region of Quebec have also been invited: organist and harpsichordist Luc BEAUSÉJOUR, violinist Olivier THOUIN, string orchestra LA SINFONIA DE LANAUDIÈRE and guest conductor André JUTRAS. The evening will take place under the honorary presidency of Father Fernand LINDSAY. A delightful tribute will be paid to musicians of the early 20th century and the bandstand concerts of yesteryear, with an ensemble under the direction of trombonist Alain TRUDEL. At the same concert, organist Danielle DUBÉ and wind quintet BEL CANTO will share the stage for the first Montreal performance of works by Canadian composers Sean FERGUSON and John BURGE.

Last but not least, to celebrate its fifth anniversary, the AUTUMN FESTIVAL ORGUE ET COULEURS will hold a FREE CONCERT on International Music Day, Wednesday, October 1, 2003, with diva Natalie CHOQUETTE and guest artists including organist Régis ROUSSEAU.

A detailed schedule can be found on our Website (www.orgueetcouleurs.com) and in the free official leaflet of the FIFTH FALL FESTIVAL ORGUE ET COULEURS, available in a number of public outlets and by mail, by request at (514) 899-0644.

The Regroupement indépendant des diffuseurs d’événements artistiques unis du Québec (RIDEAU) awarded ORGUE ET COULEURS its Initiative 2001 Award for the Autumn Festival and Initiative 2003 Award for the Ligue d’improvisation à l’orgue; Régis Rousseau was given the Opus Award 2002 as Artistic Director of the Year by the Conseil québécois de la musique. ORGUE ET COULEURS enjoys the support and cooperation of a number of partners including the Ministère des Affaires municipales, du Sport et des Loisirs, Canadian Heritage, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Fonds de stabilisation et de consolidation des arts et de la culture du Québec, Ville de Montréal, Conseil des arts de Montréal and du Maurier Arts Council.

TICKETS: (514) 899-8883 / FESTIVAL INFO-LINE: (514) 899-0644
www.orgueetcouleurs.com

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MEDIAS RELATIONS: MARIE MARAIS, press officer
(514) 845-2821 / marais@cam.org

To record rehearsals, set up interviews, or obtain courtesy tickets, please contact the press agent.

A look at the nine evening concerts (8:00 pm) and the closing concert (2:00 pm)

TICKETS // by phone: (514) 899-8883 // online: www.orgueetcouleurs.com

The evening concerts and the closing concert will be performed at the three main venues of the FIFTH FALL FESTIVAL ORGUE ET COULEURS: the Saint-Nom-de-Jésus (SNJ) and Très-Saint-Rédempteur (TSR) Churches and McGill University’s Redpath Hall (RH).

Friday, september 26 (SNJ) $21 and $18 // Opening night
The ORCHESTRE MÉTROPOLITAIN DU GRAND MONTRÉAL and soprano Karina GAUVIN under the direction of Yannick NÉZET-SÉGUIN will perform Symphonies No. 1 and 4 by Gustav Mahler: grandiose works in a magical setting with first-rate musicians. “A bold, colossal, and captivating concert!” Y. N.-S.

Saturday, september 27 (SNJ) $15 and $12 // Bandstand evening
Memories of the outdoor public concerts of yesteryear with a seven-musician ensemble under the direction of trombonist Alain TRUDEL, hosted in “historical” style by actor Caroline LAVIGNE. On the program: arrangements by Alain TRUDEL and Jean-Marie ZEITOUNI of well-known works by Georges Bizet, Scott Joplin, Calixa Lavallée and others. A chance to hear recently composed work, as organist Danielle DUBÉ and the wind quintet BEL CANTO present the first Montreal performance of pieces by two Canadian composers: Concertino for Organ and Wind Quintet by John Burge and Intermezzo by Sean Ferguson.

Sunday, september 28 (SNJ) $15 and $12 // Organisti virtuosi
Double recital with two young organ virtuosi: Felix HELL of Germany (18 years old) and Vincent DUBOIS of France (23 years old), winner of the Gold Medal at the prestigious Royal Bank Calgary International Organ Competition 2002. On the program: Fantasy and Fugue in G Minor BWV 542, Choral: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654, Johann Sebastian Bach / Prelude and Fugue in B Major Opus 7, Marcel Dupré / Consolation in D-flat Major, Prelude and Fugue on B.A.C.H., Franz Liszt / Concerto in A Minor (after Vivaldi) BWV 593, Johann Sebastian Bach / Choral No. 3 in A Minor, César Franck / Cantilène (de la Suite brève), Jean Langlais / Prelude and Fugue in G Minor Opus 7, Marcel Dupré / Lied, Gaston Litaize / Toccata (from Suite Opus 5), Maurice Duruflé.

Monday, September 29 (SNJ) $15 and $12 // France-Quebec improv match
The first international showdown between players from France and Quebec! Team France faces off against the team from Trois-Rivières, winner of the 2003 season of the Ligue d’improvisation à l’orgue. Hosted by humorist Patrick BÉLANGER and refereed by organist Raymond PERRIN, the match will, for the second year, benefit from the talent of crowd-warmer Claudette AUCHU, former organist of the old Montreal Forum. Team France: Vincent DUBOIS, Freddy EICHELBERGER, Dany WISEMAN. Team Québec: Claude BEAUDOIN, Philippe BOURNIVAL, Gilles RIOUX.

Tuesday, september 30 (SNJ) $15 and $12 // the great russian century
A look back at a century of music by Russian composers, for pipe organ, the “czar” of instruments, and string quartet. With British organist Iain QUINN and the ALCAN Quartet. On the program: Prelude and Fugue in D Major Opus 93, Prelude and Fugue in D Minor Opus 98, Alexandre Glazounov / Fugue on a Russian Christmas Song, Reinhold Glière / Fugues in E-flat Major, A Minor and D Major, Mikhail Glinka / Choral varié, Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev / Andante in F Major, Sergei Rachmaninov / Credo and Service at the Cathedral (from the music for the film The Gadfly) Opus 97, Dmitri Shostakovich / works for string quartet by Russian composers.

Wednesday, october 1 (SNJ) FREE, pass required (514) 872-2200
Fifth anniversary concert - The fabulous diva Natalie CHOQUETTE pays tribute to the Autumn Festival ORGUE ET COULEURS with an eclectic program of popular works, accompanied by organist Régis ROUSSEAU and surprise guests.

Thursday, october 2 (RH) $25 $ and $22 // Les Dissonants
A literary and musical evening bringing together authors Nancy HUSTON and Howard BUTEN and improv musicians Freddy EICHELBERGER and Michel GODARD. Nancy HUSTON will read a previously unpublished text, Les Dissonants, to music performed on two traditional instruments, the organetto and serpent-tuba. In the first part of the program, the Redpath Hall’s Helmuth Wolff organ, a classical French-style instrument, will show its stuff in the works of 18th-century French musician Louis Marchand, under the skilful fingers of his 21st-century compatriot Freddy EICHELBERGER. Between the evening’s two parts, the winners of the three awards in the First Organ Improvisation Competition will be announced [see attached press release].

Friday, october 3 (TSR) $25 and $22 // Cantatango // A new take on baroque music
The QUARTANGO ensemble - classically trained musicians with a passion for Argentine tango - offer a new take on the Cantata BWV 205 by Johann Sebastian Bach, accompanied by a vocal quartet composed of singers Nancy COULOMBE, Christine HAREL, Nils BROWN and Julien PATENAUDE. American organist Julian WACHNER will perform works by the master and, taking them as his inspiration, improvise in the style of this popular Latin American dance music.

Saturday, october 4 (TSR) $21 and $18 // Lanaudière en fête // Tribute to the artistic vitality of this region of quebec with acclaimed musicians in an evening under the honorary presidency of father fernand lindsay
With harpsichordist and organist Luc BEAUSÉJOUR, violinist Olivier THOUIN and the string orchestra La Sinfonia de LANAUDIÈRE under the director of guest conductor André JUTRAS. On the program: Sonata in C Minor for Violin and Harpsichord BWV 1017, Prelude and Fugue in C Major BWV 545, Choral: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 659, Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 169, Johann Sebastian Bach / Sonata for Violin and Continuo in D Major, Georg Friedrich Handel / 3 Sonatas, Domenico Scarlatti / A Little Night Music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / and Valse and Final (from the Sérénade) de Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski.

To wrap up the fifth Autumn festival, a special concert on Sunday, october 5 at 2:00 pm (SNJ) $25 and $22 // Célébration des couleurs
A divinely popular mass… an original work set to music by Gregory CHARLES incorporating a variety of musical styles: African, Cuban, gospel and contemporary. With Gregory CHARLES, the PETITS CHANTEURS DE LAVAL, organist Philippe BÉLANGER and guest musicians.

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TICKETS: (514) 899-8883 / FESTIVAL INFO-LINE: (514) 899-0644
www.orgueetcouleurs.com

MEDIA RELATIONS: MARIE MARAIS, press officer
514-845-2821 / marais@cam.org

To record rehearsals, set up interviews or obtain courtesy tickets, please contact the press officer.
Translated by Christine York

[7203] News posted Tuesday, September 9, 2003.