
Sunday, September 24, 2023, 3:00pm
Darke Hall
Montreal string nonet collectif9 immerses the audience into a world of colours and textures with the music of Claude Debussy, Luna Pearl Woolf, and Tom Morrison, and the magical shadow decor of Mere Phantoms in Vagues et ombres (waves and shadows). The program includes original arrangements of works by Debussy including his iconic symphonic work, La Mer. A sonic evocation of the underwater world of belugas in the St. Lawrence River estuary, Woolf’s Contact addresses an urgent situation affecting the marine ecosystem in Quebec.
“Contact, […] a “sound evocation of the underwater world of belugas […]” where the strings swarm, the energies meet and create a bewitching harmony. A captivating record. Both modern and timeless.”
– Le Soir
“…a spellbinding album that pays a passionate, sensory homage to the music of Claude Debussy. Vagues et ombres by the Montrealers of collectif9 adds another beautiful milestone to the impressive career of a chamber orchestra unlike any other.”
– PAN M 360
“The fourth Étude sounds so natural for string nonet that for a moment one believes this was how it was conceived; …La Mer concludes the programme and works extraordinarily well […] recreating Debussy’s magical score afresh.”
– Gramophone
PROGRAMME INFO
Étude no.4, Passepied – Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
De l’aube à midi sur la mer (La Mer) – Debussy
Contact* – Luna Pearl Woolf (b. 1973)
Jeux de vagues (La Mer) – Debussy
Sea Change – Tom Morrison (b. 1992)
Dialogue du vent et de la mer (La Mer) – Debussy
Clair de lune – Debussy
The pieces by Debussy are arranged by Thibault Bertin-Maghit
*commissioned by collectif9
collectif9
Chloé Chabanole, violin
John Corban, violin
Ryan Truby, violin
TJ Skinner, violin
Quinn Robinson, viola
Xavier Lepage-Brault, viola
Jérémie Cloutier, cello
Andrea Stewart, cello
Thibault Bertin-Maghit, double bass
OFF STAGE
Mere Phantoms (Maya Ersan, Jaimie Robson), shadow decor creation
Tiffanie Boffa, lighting design
Known for their innovative programming and approach to chamber music, Juno-nominated Montreal string ensemble collectif9 performs “with an infectious energy and vigour that grabs an audience’s attention” (The WholeNote). Since their 2011 debut, collectif9 has performed numerous concerts across North America, Europe, and Asia. As performers of classical and contemporary music, the ensemble combines the power of an orchestra with the agility of a chamber ensemble. collectif9 operates on the premise that a change of context can influence communication and experience.
collectif9 is grateful to the arts councils of Montreal, Quebec, and Canada, and to FACTOR for their continued financial support, but also to their local and Canadian community, thanks to whom our governments ensure support for the arts, an essential investment for the quality of our lives.