Today was a particularly special stop on the tour as Yannick led the Orchestra in Montreal, his hometown, for the first time. Orchestre Métropolitain, of which Yannick is artistic director and principal conductor, presented the Philadelphians at the stunning Maison symphonique.
Apr. 19, Montreal: In the afternoon, a string quartet from the Orchestra performed for students at the F.A.C.E. Elementary and Secondary School. F.A.C.E. (Fine Arts Core Education) is a bilingual school that has built a reputation for its music programs. From left to right are: Assistant Principal Second Violin Dara Morales, violinist Willa Finck, Associate Principal Viola Kirsten Johnson, and cellist John Koen. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: The musicians take a bow following the performance. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: The musicians take questions from the students. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: John talks with one of the students following the event. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: A pre-concert discussion was held at the Maison symphonique. The panel included (second from left) Philadelphia Orchestra Assistant Conductor Tristan Rais-Sherman, First Associate Concertmaster Juliette Kang (who is originally from Canada), Principal Second Violin Kimberly Fisher (also originally from Canada), and Principal Oboe Philippe Tondre and was moderated by Alex Koutelias, manager of philanthropy at the Orchestre Métropolitain. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: A large crowd gathered for the discussion about the role of section leaders in an orchestra. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: The Maison symphonique is home to three octobasses, and Philadelphia bassist David Fay couldn’t resist the chance to try one out. The octobass prototype was built by a Mr. Dubois in 1834, before the luthier Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume improved upon it in 1849. Soon after his appointment as music director of the Montreal Symphony, Kent Nagano wanted to add an octobass to the ensemble, and they now own three, all built by French luthier Jean-Jacques Pagès. The difference in height between a regular double bass and an octobass is approximately five feet.
Apr. 19, Montreal: Co-Principal Trombone Matthew Vaughn warms up backstage. Photo by Daniel Matsukawa
Apr. 19, Montreal: Yannick warmly welcomes the sold-out audience to the concert in his hometown. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: The Philadelphians open the concert with Florence Price’s Fourth Symphony. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: The standing room section of the Maison symphonique is along the top of the auditorium. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: Florence Price was the first Black woman composer to have one of her works performed by a major American symphony: the Chicago Symphony presented her First Symphony in 1933. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: The winds and brass during Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, the second half of the concert. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: Yannick leads the ensemble during the Rachmaninoff. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: A view of the entire Orchestra in the beautiful Maison symphonique. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: Yannick confers with Senior Director of Orchestra Personnel and Tour Residencies Marilyn Rife about concert timings following the performance. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: A reception was held after the concert: left to right are Fabienne Voisin, president and CEO of the Orchestre Métropolitain; United States Ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen; Valerie Plante, mayor of Montreal; Yannick; Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky; and Marie-Josée Desrochers, president and CEO of Montreal’s Place des Arts. Photo by François Goupil
Apr. 19, Montreal: Many members of Yannick’s extended family came to the performance and reception. Photo by François Goupil