In Spring 2009 Van Walsum Management brought Kent Nagano and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal to Europe for a major tour...

 

After a most successful tour spanning 6 European countries and comprising 13 concerts, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Kent Nagano have returned to Canada. It is clear to see that the tour was fantastically well-received by concert goers and critics alike. After an appearance in Barcelona, El Periodico wrote 'Nagano evoked smiles of happiness from the public' whilst in Paris, Resmusica commented 'The few seconds of total silence which followed the last note and the thunderous applause speak for themselves on the exceptional quality of this concert'

 

Press from the tour

 

'Nagano evoked smiles of happiness from the Public'

El Periodico, Barcelona

 

'The group has a unique sound with each component of the machine in perfect condition' ...

 

'Nagano drew the descriptive textures of Debussy with great serenity and spellbinding spirituality. He created an impecable atmousphere in "Prélude á l'aprés midi d'un faune " sensually and poetically charged'

El Mundo, Valencia

 

'The few seconds of total silence which followed the last note and the thunderous applause speak for themselves on the exceptional quality of this concert.' ...

 

‘The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is a perfect compromise between France and America. From the “Hexagone”, it retained lights colours, an evident musical commitment and this so characteristic little sound touch. From the New World, we could note the instrumental perfection - not a hitch during the whole evening - and the cult of the flashy sound, with strings of a remarkable homogeneity and a loud section of brasses.' ...

 

'Kent Nagano is true to himself. His Debussy is very finely chiselled, always offering the right balance. ...Everything here is weighed up, done with moderation, well-thought-out.'

Resmusica, Paris

 

Tour info

 

VWM organised a tour with Kent Nagano and the splendid and much recorded Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal to take place in April 2009. Kent became Music Director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal from the 2006/07 season and 2009 marks the orchestra's 75th Anniversary year. This was Kent Nagano's first major European tour with his new orchestra and has attracted substantial international publicity. Participating cities included Baden-Baden, Barcelona, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Valencia, Vienna and Zagreb. The ambitious and wide-ranging programme included works to showcase the orchestra's versatility and virtuosity: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (soloists Klaus Florian Vogt and Christian Gerhaher), Strauss: Ein Alpensinfonie and Bartók: Suite from the Miraculous Mandarin, alongside works by Mendelssohn, Tan Dun and Debussy. The Orchestra will return to Europe in the summer of 2011 for a festivals' tour.

 

 

Photo used on top right of page by Nicolas Ruel.