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Talmi and the OSQ win Top Cultural Prize |
| Quebec Symphony Orchestra
crowned in Montréal
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January 26, 2009
By Richard Boisvert |
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"Considering the exceptional character of Quebec Symphony's last season, there was no question
that their representatives will not come empty handed from the Gala of Prix Opus this year.
The only question was if this great concert that united 1000 performers at the Coliseum of Québec
on March 15, 2008, was going to be crowned in the two categories for which it was nominated.
The answer is Yes!
The ceremony took place yesterday in the Claude-Champagne hall in Montreal.
Remember that more over 12 000 persons attended the 'Symphony of a Thousand' at the Coliseum.
The Québec Symphony was augmented by the Trois-Rivières Symphony, the orchestras of the Laval University
and the orchestra of the Quebec Conservatory. Radio Canada chose not to broadcast the concert and it was instead
aired by a Radio station from Chicago. 50 large cities in the United States and 48 countries in Europe heard the concert.
In short: one could hear the OSQ almost everywhere in the Western World - except of Canada!
The Prix Opus for the Music Director of the Year went to Michel Leveasseur of the Festival of Modern Music in Victoriaville.
This citation emphasizes his 25 years at the head of an event that, by the way, is not presented this year.
For his remarkable contribution to the 400 anniversary celebrations of Québec, Yoav Talmi undoubtedly deserves
to receive this honor. Perhaps the Board reserves this honor for him for next season. This would be a way to
salute Talmi for his 10 years at the head of the OSQ and his 40 years conducting career." |
New recordings and other news: |
| BACH - Métamorphoses, ATMA recording, September 2008
Yoav Talmi / Orchestre symphonique de Québec |
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Conductor Talmi has paired transcriptions such as Stokowski’s well-known arrangement
of the Toccata & Fugue in D minor with other more unusual re-imaginings of Bach’s works
by William Walton, Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst, Anton Webern and Respighi.
Bach Metamorphoses includes a transcription of Bach’s Italian Concerto in F Major by
Talmi himself, who declared, “Had Bach had a large, powerful ensemble at his disposal,
would he have adapted his own works for such an orchestra? In my humble opinion,
the answer is undoubtedly YES.” |
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| DEBUSSY - Children’s Corner, ATMA recording
Yoav Talmi and the Québec Symphony Orchestra |
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There have been recordings of miscellaneous Debussy transcriptions before,
but none quite at this level of completeness--or excellence...
...Yoav Talmi and the Québec Symphony Orchestra offer performances that
routinely rise to the level of perfection... It's all just marvelous, plain and simple.
David Hurwitz/Classics Today (Online) |
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Returning to Papa Haydn / The Orchestra at its Best
Talmi conducts the Israel Chamber Orchestra |
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Yoav Talmi - the orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor, built a varied program with some
rare pearls that he himself orchestrated: what a gain for both the orchestra and the public!
With sophisticated choice of the woodwinds’ colors, a true Ravel and Debussy were presented
and the orchestra sounded at its best under Talmi’s hands.
Talmi - who knows well the orchestra, got from his musicians rich rhythmical energy while
emphasizing the fundamental extremes of softness as opposed to powerful sonority.
Yossi Shiffmann/’Habama’ , Tel Aviv / November 2008 |
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A Gift before Christmas |
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...The heart of the programme put together by Maestro Talmi was Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique, a work that seems to come straight from the heart of the conductor. Watching Maestro Talmi conduct, one cannot help but noticing that the conductor appears in full command and at the same time seems totally possessed by the work. Without a stand in front of him, the conductor guided his musicians by memory.
Bouncing with excitement on the podium, he seemed consumed by every singly note, harmonies and every rhythmic figure of this five-movement symphony.
Marie-Josée Montminy/La Nouveliste, Trois-Rivières, Canada / December 2008 |
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2008 en musique classique |
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Richard Boisvert, Le Soleil, Quebec, Canada / December 2008 |
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Dans le mille
...De la Symphonie des Mille de Gustav Mahler, on gardera la brillante exécution présentée par les membres de l'OSQ et de l'OSTR et des centaines de choristes placés sous la direction de Yoav Talmi devant un Colisée plein à craquer. Avec le recul, on peut dire que le concert du 15 mars a donné son véritable erre d'aller aux festivités. Souhaitons que cette réalisation exceptionnelle inspire de nouveaux projets tout aussi rassembleurs.
La preuve par 50 000
La reprise de la cantate Carmina burana de Carl Orff par l'OSQ sous la direction de Yoav Talmi, par une soirée d'août à la météo particulièrement exécrable, a néanmoins comblé les dizaines de milliers de spectateurs massés devant la grande scène des Plaines. Cette démonstration éclatante de la faveur populaire qu'obtient la musique classique à Québec devrait
une fois pour toutes convaincre les responsables du Festival d'été de lui redonner la place qui lui revient au sein de sa programmation. |
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