“Auditions are fundamental to the life of an orchestra,” says Marianne Perron, OSM senior artistic director.
Published yesterday at 7:00 am.
So much so that when former leader Kent Nagano announced his resignation in 2017, they were put on hold pending the appointment of his successor. Since each conductor has his own color, his own idea of sound and his own vision of the orchestra, the tradition is to put auditions on hold so that the new conductor can make his own decisions.
“But during this time there are musicians who are retiring anyway… auditions are on hold, but not life! »
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The executive director of the artistic area, Marianne Perron
Result: With Rafael Payare, who joined in September 2021, firmly established in his position as leader, the pace of auditions is faster. The OSM has a good hundred musicians and with three to four departures per year – a normal rate – we have to make up for lost time after three years.
“There are always phases of renewal that are a little more intense. »
Auditions are held periodically depending on the availability of the conductor, who is also music director of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. But even if not all recruits join the orchestra at the same time, an influx of young talent is noticeable.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The conductor of the OSM, Rafael Payare, a few minutes before taking the stage on September 21st
“There is so much energy,” Florence noted. Especially because we arrive at the same time as Rafael Payare, so everything is new. It’s a beautiful moment. »
Arrivals and departures
The arrival of recruits is something “normal and regular,” explains Marianne Perron. “The older people are very friendly and the young people are well received. It’s true that it’s pleasant, this energy and this passion in its pure state, but the musicians who have always been there, I also find passionate and committed. »
Olivier Thouin has recently seen many long-time colleagues leave with a pain in their hearts “from a human and musical point of view”. “At the same time, we have new blood, fresh people who often have a different background, which is very stimulating. And we have Rafael, who hasn’t been here long either. It’s a kind of renewal. »
The role of those who remain is to lead without condescension and to install the new ones “into the sound of this orchestra, continuing the tradition and at the same time having Rafael’s new view of things.”
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Olivier Thouin rehearsing the OSM
All these people who leave after 30 or 40 years, Olivier Thouin remembers, experienced a different era, that of the rise of the orchestra, the Dutoit years, the big tours. “Please have some luggage. Part of this history is renewed, parts of history leave us. The aim is not to copy and paste the same orchestra as in 1984, but to achieve a new dynamic in continuity. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Report on the audition process. We accompany two young musicians who have just received their permanent positions, Charles Benaroya and Florence Rousseau at the OSM. In this photo: Florence Rousseau