Classical Music

Last night was a first for Elin’s new viola da gamba: an intimate concert in a series organized by one of her students, Vincent Bonhomme. He is a coiffeur (far too classy to be a hair-dresser) whose small salon Jardin d’Art et de coiffure on Mont Royal Boulevard in Montreal’s Plateau district converts into a performance space where he has been organizing musical events for some time.   It was an evening of Renaissance and Baroque music by Ruffo, Ortiz, Hume, Abel and J.S Bach for flutes and gamba played on instruments that are—mostly—reproductions of the real deal. Elin’s Lion—the viol she fetched in ... Read Full Story

The latest PPM radio listener share figures for Montreal are out, and if the CBC was expecting to see some improvement in its Radio 2 numbers, it must be disappointed. Between Jan. 26 and April 26, 2009 Radio 2’s share was 2 per cent, but it dropped to 1.8 per cent in the period June 1-August 30.   The results, measured by devices carried around by selected citizens, are supposed to be more reliable than those obtained under the previous method of listener diaries. This means that the BBM numbers can’t be compared to figures from a year ago when the older method was ... Read Full Story

Elin and Lee are back from their journey to Belgium and The Netherlands to pick up the tenor viola da gamba that Elin’s friend Dutch luthier and gambist Gesina Liedmeir made for her. That’s the sculptured head of the viol: it’s called Lyon, as you might imagine. Since Emmanuel is from Lyon, I think there’s a concept there!   Lee was charmed that his daughter asked him to travel with her (Emmanuel had to work) although he accused her of only wanting him along for the extra baggage allowance! They had a grand time, saw a lot of wonderful things, and heard some beautiful ... Read Full Story

We have a treat in store this afternoon: Elin is giving the second in her recitals presented as she works toward a doctorate in performance at the Université de Montréal. Although she's spent most of her musical career playing early music, her interest in improvisation--the way music was taught in the olden days--has led her to some much more experimental work. Where her first recital was based in the Italian improvisational tradition of the 16th and 17th century, this one doesn't have a composer who's older than 45. Here's the program: Ssolo (2002) by Henry Vega (NY, 1973) for viola da gamba and computer. ... Read Full Story

Consider this a head's up: the Montreal Baroque Festival begins next week, celebrating Henry Purcell. Les Voix Humaines will be playing his fantasies on Thursday evening, music which is featured on their new CD. Elin is part of the consort of viols and you can see her in the video: she's the one in the purple sweater. Quite an interesting story about the magnificent viols which will also be played on Thursday. Read Full Story