Name: Christian Blackshaw in quintet
Start: 2025-03-23T14:30:00
Location: The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Prepare to be enthralled as the Orchestre Métropolitain embarks on a breathtaking musical odyssey. From Virginia Woolf’s timeless Orlando to the enchanting melodies of Paris in 1900, this season promises a rich tapestry of orchestral wonders. Featuring a stellar lineup of conductors, soloists, and innovative adaptations, the series explores the evolution of music across centuries and continents. With performances ranging from Handel's Messiah to the resonant notes of Russian compositions, each concert is a celebration of cultural heritage and artistic excellence.

Orchestral Marvels: A Journey Through Time with Orchestre Métropolitain

The Orchestre Métropolitain is set to embark on a remarkable journey through a series of captivating concerts in 2025, each promising a unique musical experience. From the soulful interpretations of Yannick Nézet-Séguin to the innovative renditions by Christian Blackshaw, these events span a wide range of genres and themes. Highlights include performances of beloved classics and avant-garde compositions, with renowned artists like Bryan Cheng and Christoph Koncz gracing the stage. Whether revisiting Baroque masterpieces or celebrating the vibrant Belle Époque in Paris, the OM promises an unforgettable symphony of seasons.

A Symphony of Seasons: The Orchestre Métropolitain's Stellar Line-Up

Embark on a musical journey with Orchestre Métropolitain as they present an array of captivating performances ranging from piano quintets to symphonic masterpieces. Join celebrated artists like Christian Blackshaw and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, as they breathe life into the works of Mahler, Mozart, and more. These events, featuring talented performers and esteemed compositions, offer a rich tapestry of sound and emotion across Montreal's most renowned venues. Dive into the details of each event and discover the artistry that awaits.

A Musical Odyssey: Enchanting Performances by Orchestre Métropolitain

Embark on a fascinating journey through the world of music with Orchestre Métropolitain as they present an eclectic mix of performances that are set to captivate audiences. From the poignant compositions of Mahler and Franck to the soulful interpretations of Schubert and Mozart, these events are a testament to the timeless beauty and emotional depth of classical music. With performances highlighting the brilliance of baroque to the cultural vibrancy of the early 20th century in Paris, this musical season offers something for every music lover.

A Harmonious Exploration: The Diverse Musical World of Orchestre Métropolitain

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of music with Orchestre Métropolitain's series of events. From Christian Blackshaw's intimate chamber performances to Yannick Nézet-Séguin's orchestral brilliance, discover a world where classical, baroque, and contemporary compositions come alive. Spanning venues across Montreal, this exploration includes the soulful depths of Schubert, Mozart's emotional landscapes, and the rich tapestries of Baroque to the elegance of Paris, 1900. Each event uniquely captures the essence of musical artistry, offering audiences a profound experience that transcends time and place.

Exploring Musical Masterpieces: A Journey with Orchestre Métropolitain

Montreal's Orchestre Métropolitain has curated an impressive lineup of concerts in 2025 that promises to enchant classical music enthusiasts. From the evocative piano renditions of Christian Blackshaw to the historically rich Baroque interpretations by Fabio Biondi, each event offers a unique musical experience. Highlights include Yannick Nézet-Séguin's commanding orchestral interpretations and a standout showcase of cultural history in Paris, 1900. Join us as we delve into these exceptional performances that celebrate the timeless beauty of classical music.

A Symphony of Sounds: Exploring the Masterful Performances at Orchestre Métropolitain's 2025 Events

Christian Blackshaw

Orchestre Métropolitain

Neiges is turning 50! To honour the anniversary of this iconic album, the OM presents a vibrant tribute to composer André Gagnon, a treasured gem of Quebec’s rich musical heritage. An accomplished pianist and outspoken advocate for Quebec culture, André Gagnon dedicated his career to bridging the worlds of classical and popular music. Neiges is a shining example of this vision, featuring the Beethoven-inspired “Dédéthoven,” the heartfelt “Chanson pour Renée Claude,” and the delightful “Petit concerto pour Carignan et orchestre,” dedicated to Quebec’s legendary fiddler, Jean Carignan.

Neiges: The OM Celebrates André Gagnon

Place des Arts

Bach’s genius is on full display in this monumental masterpiece, composed of six cantatas that recount the story of the Nativity. Its powerful arias rise like majestic columns, its intricate vocalizations act as finely sculpted ornaments, and its clarity illuminates the stained glass and brings the colours to life.

Christmas Oratorio

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

The most powerful soundtracks can stand alone without any visual support. They come alive, becoming characters in their own right, and hearing a few bars can instantly transport us back to a favourite scene.

Symphonic Tales of British Cinema: From Hercule Poirot to Harry Potter

Centre Leonardo Da Vinci

Mozart never ceases to amaze! Alongside the famous Eine kleine Nachtmusik, the OM’s string players will perform a manuscript that was newly rediscovered in 2024. Prior to Mozart, Maddalena Sirmen was the first woman to publish string quartets. Fanny Mendelssohn followed in her footsteps with a magnificent quartet.

New Mozart

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Long before Cinderella, The Fox and the Crow and The Flying Canoe, there was the Turtle. The clever and resourceful turtle has made off with a magical eagle feather—one that grants both the power and responsibility to pass down stories. Through the turtle’s courage, humans began to craft tales, myths and legends, passing them down to their children to ensure the traditions and wisdom of their ancestors would never be forgotten.

The Feather and the Turtle

What does the future hold? Whether it’s ill fate or good fortune, there’s no escaping it. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 encapsulates the relentless force of destiny, shifting between calm and destruction. Conductor Kensho Watanabe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s first conducting student and one of the OM’s favourite conductors, brings his renowned sensitivity and versatility to this symphony.

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth

Église catholique Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs

Salle Marguerite-Bourgeoys

There is something truly magical about unearthing a long-forgotten masterpiece. As its notes come to life, suspense and wonder intertwine. We are witnessing history in the making—the discovery of a hidden treasure. With his baton, Yannick Nézet-Séguin breathes fresh energy into the evocative and nuanced music of French composer Rita Strohl, whose Symphony of the Forest has recently been rediscovered.

Echoes of the Forest

St. Sixtus Catholic Church

For the 10th edition of its Opus concert series, the Choeur Métropolitain presents great choral works by Stravinsky and Brahms, accompanied by two pianists. In his highly rhythmic Symphony of Psalms, Stravinsky drew inspiration from both the Eastern sounds of Byzantine music and the musical traditions of the Latin West, including Gregorian chant.

German Waltzes and Latin Psalms

Green cello, blue bassoon, yellow piccolo—the vibrant hues of French music unfold like a painting by Monet or Gauguin, capturing fleeting moments of magic, conjuring fairytale worlds and whisking us away to distant lands. Ravel’s Ma Mère l’Oye contains five movements inspired by well-known fairy tales, while Mel Bonis evokes a sensual, dreamlike world in her Rêve de Cléopâtre.

Colour Play

Collège Jean-Eudes

Mercier Public Library

Paroisse Notre Dame de l'Annonciation

Paroisse St-Joachim de Pointe-Claire

In the opening chords of his Piano Concerto, Grieg informs the audience that something extraordinary is about to unfold. With the iconic descending chordal motif, the formidable pianist Michelle Cann seizes attention in an instant. But first, conductor Lina González-Granados sets the stage with Grieg’s famous Peer Gynt Suite and the stirring Overture in D Minor by Croatian composer Dora Pejačević.

Grieg, Nordic Sun

Hope for a better, more united, more empathetic world inspired the programming of this concert, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “I dare look up,” says Florence Price, the first African American composer, in her Song of Hope. Following in her footsteps, Margaret Bonds drew inspiration from the civil rights movement for her Montgomery Variations, dedicated to Martin Luther King.

Songs of Hope

The great pianist Christian Blackshaw, a Bourgie Hall regular, will join OM chamber musicians to perform three of the most beautiful pieces for small ensembles by Mahler, Franck and Dvořák.

Christian Blackshaw in quintet

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