Press Release

For immediate release

Orchestre Nouvelle Génération presents :

THE JEWISH SOUL

Stéphane Tétreault, cello
André Moisan, Klezmer clarinet
Kleztory Ensemble

Saturday June 2nd, 7:30 pm

Salle Claude-Champagne
200, avenue Vincent-d’Indy, Montréal
Métro Édouard-Montpetit
Tickets
Adult 40$ • Senior 35$ • Student 25$

info@orchestrenouvellegeneration.com
orchestrenouvellegeneration.com
Montréal, May 1st, 2018 – Orchestre Nouvelle Génération (ONG) will close its 2017-2018 season with gusto on
Saturday, June 2nd, at 7 :30 pm, by welcoming cellist Stéphane Tétreault, clarinetist André Moisan and the Kleztory
ensemble for a captivating journey through three eras of Jewish music.
In the company of these exceptional soloists, the ONG has concocted an enticing program that will transport the
spectators to the very heart of music, where emotion, passion, and tradition mingle to let the Jewish soul express itself
in all of its splendor!

Ernest Bloch (1880 – 1959): The Jewish Soul of the Early Twentieth Century
Prayer, Jewish Song, excerpts from From Jewish Life, for cello and string orchestra
Nigun, excerpt from Baal Shem
Guest Soloist : Stéphane Tétreault, Cello
The composer, pedagogue and conductor Ernest Bloch is a standout figure in the history of twentieth-century music.
Composed around 1924, From Jewish Life consists of three parts: Prayer, Supplication and Jewish Song. This moving
tryptic is meant to be an ardent representation of the complexity of the soul and the Jewish spirit. In 1923, Ernest Bloch
wrote Baal Shem. The emotional second movement, Nigun (Improvisation), certainly the best known, evokes the history,
hope, sorrow and tears of the Jewish people.
A true ambassador of Quebec talent, named the Metropolitan Orchestra's first soloist-in-residence, the cellist Stéphane
Tétreault debuted in 2016 with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Nézet-Séguin in a
performance at the prestigious Gstaad Menuhin Festival in Switzerland. During the 2017-2018 season, he took part in
the Metropolitan Orchestra’s first European tour and began working with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
“The solo playing is astonishingly mature not merely in its technical attributes but also in its warmth, brilliance,
and subtlety of colour and inflection. … this is just pure, lyrical, unadulterated playing of the highest order…”
Gramophone
Airat Ichmouratov (1973 - ): Today’s Jewish Soul
One day of an almost ordinary life (for Klezmer clarinet and string orchestra)
Guest Soloist: André Moisan, Klezmer clarinet
"I believe that music is a universal language that is accessible to every human being. It can become an influential and
moving tool to educate the public about what is happening in the world. Jewish folk music is certainly one of those most
powerful and expressive languages. Each nation has its own beauty and a great wealth of cultural traditions. Thanks to
the moving language of music, I would like to underline our ability to adopt these traditions in all of their beauty. We are
all equal in this world, we simply have to learn to adopt and respect our differences. I think music is a good place to
start."
- Airat Ichmouratov, about his piece One day of an almost ordinary life
Clarinetist André Moisan has been active on stages here and abroad since 1977. His numerous concerts overseas,
notably at Carnegie Hall, the Royal Councertgebouw, and Radio-Berlin, have earned him a spot amongst leading
performers.
«Une clarinette virtuose, pugnace, présente, parcourant les oeuvres
avec une intelligence de forme et de contenu combinés. »
Le Droit

Kleztory: The Jewish Legacy

Klezmer is a traditional music associated with Hasidic and Ashkenazi Jewish cultures. It originated in the villages of
eastern Europe, where the itinerant Jewish musicians called "Klemorims" entertained at weddings and parties. As is
reflected in their treasured music, Kleztory boasts of a rich mosaic of cultures (Russian, Québécois, Canadian and
Moldovan), musical backgrounds, and artistic sensibilities. By joining forces, these experienced musicians recreate the
virtuosity and emotion of the Klezmer style while creating innovative, tradition-sensitive arrangements and original
compositions.

***

The concert is also part of the festival Les Saisons Russes de Montréal’s 2018 program, presented from May 10th to June
2nd in various of the city’s concert halls.

Les Saisons Russes de Montréal is the cultural showcase of the Slavic communities of Montreal, and the annual meeting
spot for those interested in the richness and diversity of Slavic culture. Through classical concerts, arts exhibitions and
poetry readings, the festival offers an entire world’s worth of discovery.

For more information : http://www.saisons-russes.ca/

Pre-concert Tomorrow’s Stars

7pm
Mezzanine entrance of Claude-Champagne Hall
This season, Orchestre Nouvelle Génération innovatively proposes short musical
performances of 10 to 20 minutes by talented young musicians aged 14 and under!

For more information or to request an interview:

Katherine Fournier, Press relations | 514 588.5711 / kfournier.presse@hotmail.com