Symphony for Montréal celebrates the city’s 375th Anniversary

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and world-renowned multimedia studio Moment Factory have teamed up to present the Symphonie montréalaise (Symphony for Montréal) concert marking the 375^th anniversary of Montréal. The world premiere of Symphony for Montréal will also close the OSM’s 2016-2017 season with presentations on three evenings, on May 31, June 1 and 2 at the Maison Symphonique.

The OSM commissioned Paris and Berlin-based Canadian composer Samy Moussa, who received his first training in composition and orchestra conducting at the Université de Montréal, to compose a symphony that could be set to one-of-a-kind staging created by Moment Factory. The result is Symphony No. 1 (“Concordia”).

Driven by the music under the baton of Grammy-winning OSM Maestro Kent Nagano, the walls of the Maison Symphonique will metamorphose and transport spectators through a dreamlike evocation of Montréal.

The show will meld the past with the future via four living tableaus – Earth, Fire, Water and Air – and each movement will be introduced by the words of poets connected with the history of Montréal. The concert will showcase Montréal’s history, creativity and artistic talents.

Says Gilbert Rozon, Commissioner for Montréal’s 375^th anniversary celebrations, “This work will be a veritable symphonic poem that weaves together music and images.”

The co-creation by Moussa and Moment Factory will be preceded by Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”).

If you are unable to attend the Symphony for Montréal performances live at the Maison Symphonique on May 31, June 1 and 2, it will be possible to watch the concerts at no charge live or deferred on www.osm.ca.  Symphony for Montréal will also be broadcast on Ici ARTV and www.icimusique.ca at later dates.

For more information on the The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, visit www.osm.ca. For information on all Montreal 375^th anniversary concerts and special events, visit www.375mtl.com.

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