{"id":109345,"date":"2024-11-11T12:41:05","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T17:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=109345"},"modified":"2024-11-11T13:00:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T18:00:02","slug":"scoop-nac-orchestra-releases-two-orchestras-one-symphony-spotlighting-quebec-composer-jacques-hetus-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/11\/11\/scoop-nac-orchestra-releases-two-orchestras-one-symphony-spotlighting-quebec-composer-jacques-hetus-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | NAC Orchestra Releases Two Orchestras, One Symphony Spotlighting Qu\u00e9bec Composer Jacques H\u00e9tu\u2019s Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Alexander
Alexander Shelley conducts the NAC Orchestra, with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Orchestre symphonique de Qu\u00e9bec at Ottawa\u2019s Southam Hall (All photos by Curtis Perry)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On November 15, the National Arts Centre Orchestra will release Two Orchestras, One Symphony, a recording that was made in collaboration with the Orchestre symphonique de Qu\u00e9bec and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Jean-S\u00e9bastien Vall\u00e9e Artistic Director.<\/p>\n

The album features the late Qu\u00e9bec composer Jacques H\u00e9tu\u2019s Symphony No. 5, which he wrote inspired the Second World War poem Libert\u00e9 by French poet Paul \u00c9luard (1895-1952). The album will be released digitally worldwide on the Analekta label as of November 15, 2024.<\/p>\n

With two orchestras and one of Canada\u2019s finest choirs, the work is given a monumental presentation.<\/p>\n

\"Alexander
Alexander Shelley conducts the NAC Orchestra, with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Orchestre symphonique de Qu\u00e9bec in Qu\u00e9bec, Grand Th\u00e9\u00e2tre (Photo by Greggory Clark)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Album<\/h2>\n

The concept for the album began to take shape after Alexander Shelley guest conducted the Orchestre symphonique de Qu\u00e9bec. It was his suggestion for the two orchestras to come together to perform H\u00e9tu\u2019s masterpiece. The finished version features more than 100 musicians and the 114 singers of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in a celebration of Canadian talent.<\/p>\n

The project went on a three city tour that saw them perform at Le Grand Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Qu\u00e9bec in Qu\u00e9bec City, Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, and Southam Hall in Ottawa.<\/p>\n

Jacques H\u00e9tu was born in Trois-Rivi\u00e8res, and left a legacy of about 70 works that include symphonies, chamber music, concertos, and opera. He became a member of the Royal Society of Canada, and in 2001 he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is one of the most frequently performed Canadian composers today.<\/p>\n

The NAC Orchestra began to work with H\u00e9tu back in 1977 under former music director Mario Bernardi. The first collaboration was a commission titled Antinomie. The relationship continued under Pinchas Zukerman (as former NAC Orchestra music director), who took some of H\u00e9tu\u2019s music on a European tour in 1990.<\/p>\n

At the time of his death in 2010, H\u00e9tu was working on another National Arts Centre commission. Symphony No. 5 is H\u00e9tu’s final completed work.<\/p>\n

The album was recorded on March 8 and 9, 2024 in Southam Hall at Canada\u2019s National Arts Centre.<\/p>\n