Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A French-Canadian dynamo in Scotland

During his tour in Scotland, with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Yannick is all the rage with two different programs presented in Edinburgh, Glasgow, St-Andrew and Inverness, to celebrate the bicentenary of Felix Mendelssohn’s birth. Critics appreciated unanimously and showered Yannick’s direction with praise using original vocabulary, among them Michael Tumelty who calls him the "French-Canadian dynamo".

In the first programme, Mendelssohn’s « Reformation » Symphony, preceded by Schumann’s Manfred Overture and Piano Concerto with the excellent pianist Nicholas Angelich.

Mendelssohn’s Elijah constitutes the second programme, with four renowned soloists: Lucy Crowe, soprano, Karen Cargill, mezzo-soprano, Mark Padmore, tenor et Jonathan Lemalu, bass baritone, who sung the same role in Montreal last February 3 and 4, with the Orchestra and the Choir Métropolitain, under Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s direction.

“Conducting from memory, Nézet-Séguin laid bare the symphony's drama; the quotation of the Dresden Amen a mysterious, whispered moment of calm in the turmoil of the first movement. Precision and control were key - nothing was overplayed or overstated.” Rowena Smith, The Guardian, London, U.K.

“The young man’s expressive art, surely, is unparalleled. He moulds phrases, dynamics, colours and accents, weaving them into a seamless, unforced and indissoluble unity.” Michael Tumelty, The Herald, Scotland, U.K.

“The spotlight turned again on the conductor for Mendelssohn's glorious Reformation Symphony. And once again the emphasis was on communicating the music's silvery finesse, though never at the expense of its stoical opulence.” Kenneth Walton, The Scotsman, Edinburgh, U.K.

“Bringing out the best in the orchestra, his passionate energy quite mirrored the turbulent emotions which permeated the compositions chosen for the programme.” Barbara Bryan, Edinburghguide.com, U.K.

“It is easy to see why Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet- Séguin is so much in demand worldwide, an appeal that extends beyond his lively, almost balletic style to sensitive and compelling articulation of the musical score.” Georgina Coburn, The Highlands Arts Journal, U.K.

“Nezet-Seguin seemed to play every note, such was his ebullient direction, but while such energy from other conductors might have detracted it only added positively to the overall effect.” Garry Fraser, The Courier, St-Andrews, U.K.

To read more. (Interview and reviews)