Kent Nagano conducts Glass, Tabassian, Mozhdehi and Dukas – With Philip Glass

Philip Glass is one of the most iconic and influent figures of the contemporary music scene. He is the special guest of this concert. Two of his works will be performed: the Concerto-fantasy and Mad Rush which will close the programme. A musician with multiple influences, from the classical music repertoire to pop music, he also uses his knowledge of world music to compose.

The concert begins with the Concerto-Fantasy for two timpani and orchestra, composed in 2000 by Philip Glass. The orchestra is joined by the soloists Andrei Malashenko and Hugues Tremblay playing timpani.

The concert is a musical journey through the East. Kiya Tabassian will then present his latest work as a world premiere, a piece for soprano and orchestra inspired by persan songs and named Vers Où L'Oiseau migrera. A specialist of Persan music, Kiya Tabassian has performed through'Europe, the Middle-East and Mexico for various projects exploring the traditions and the cultural diversity of the East. The soprano Françoise Atlan and Didem Basar with his kanun will be highlighted during this work.

Our journey through the East continues with a performance of Jaan-e-Maryam ("My Beloved, Maryam") by the soprano Monika Jalili, a work composed by Kambiz Mozhdehi. An Iranian romantic piece, with a score sung in Persian, this contemporary work is full of lyrism, with very melodious and limpid tunes, that highlight the colours of Arabic-Persian folklore.

Kent Nagano and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal perform afterwards Paul Dukas's La Péri, a work composed in 1911 and dedicated to the dancer Natalia Trouhanova. The score was premiered in 1912 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, on a choreography by Ivan Clustine. The ballet tells the story of a man in search for immortality who meets a peri, a fairy-like spirit in Persian mythology.

Last but not least, with Mad Rush (1979), Philip Glass takes us on a journey through India and his studies about the Himalayian musics. It was composed on the occasion of the Dalai Lama's visit to North America in 1979. Philip Glass will be performing this work in person, on the piano, at the end of this concert.

This concert is presented as part of the Montreal/New Music festival.

Pictures: Kent Nagano © Felix Broede — Philip Glass © Fernando Aceves