Worldwide Performing Tour at OSM (Open Street Map)
Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Rafael Payare concluded the 2024-2025 season with a performance of Mahler's "Song of the Earth" on Wednesday, a concert highly anticipated due to the maestro's acclaimed Mahler performances. Unfortunately, the event did not live up to expectations.
The performance, filmed by Mezzo Live HD for broadcast on June 4 and Medici.tv, drew attention due to the incorporation of works inspired by First Nations at the concert's start. However, there was a lack of warning for guests and newcomers that "Song of the Earth" consists of six parts, with applause only at the end, which may have contributed to an audience more reminiscent of a sing-along rather than a symphony concert.
The result is that the global audience will view Mahler's "Song of the Earth" from Montreal as an interactive performance, with the audience applauding after each section, as one does on streaming platforms like Apple or Spotify. This could be seen as a distraction and may deter music lovers from attending concerts while disrupting the performers. Additionally, the financial and logistical efforts invested in setting up these video capture projects, designed to enhance the image of the OSM and the city, may seem wasted due to the lack of proper guidance for the uninitiated.
Rafael Payare's direction brought forth vibrant colors in two key moments: the central passage of the 4th movement ("Of Youth") and the great bravura piece in the middle of "The Farewell," with masterful treatment of the brass. However, connections in the sound continuum between the low strings were weak, and the cymbal was rather discreet.
The choice of singers for the performance received mixed reviews. Austrian tenor Nikolai Schukoff was criticized for his expressions often contrasting with the meaning of the text, despite matching the voice of the role. Conversely, American mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, who has previously impressed in recordings of the "Song of the Earth," delivered a strong performance in the final part ("The Farewell"). Overall, the performance did not meet the high standards set by previous performances of this work by both the OSM and Rafael Payare.
In a related note, Canadian mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, a standout figure in Michel Tremblay's work, passed away at the age of 81.
During the concert, the OSM also paid tribute to the First Nations by commissioning two works and a ceremony. The pieces "Un cri s'élève en moi" by Ian Cusson and "A Tombeau" by Ana Sokolovic, accompanied by the live drawings of poet Michelle Sylliboy, were performed in honor of the Indigenous children who suffered in residential schools. The performances served as a powerful reminder of the painful history and enduring legacy of these institutions.
The global audience, viewing the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's (OSM) performance of Mahler's "Song of the Earth" on streaming platforms, may perceive it as an interactive performance, applauding after each section. This interactive format, reminiscent of streaming platforms like Apple or Spotify, could potentially deter traditional music lovers and disrupt the performers. The government, in collaboration with the OSM, might find the investment in video capture projects, aimed at enhancing the orchestra's and city's image, seemingly ineffective due to the lack of proper guidance for uninitiated audience members.
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