At Christmas, we always asked little Stéphane to play for the family and the visitors. “I loved playing, it was never a punishment. But at Christmas, I couldn’t wait to get to the gifts! »
Stéphane Tétreault was 11 years old, a reserved child, with a white complexion and black hair like Wednesday Addams, when Yuli Turovsky, his cello teacher, brought him to us as a soloist. For several years I had been playing with I Musici, the orchestra founded by Mr. Turovsky; the great soloists paraded there, but few young prodigies. That day, we quickly understood that this child would go far.
He attended the FACE school and every year, with his school orchestra, he played Corelli’s Christmas concerto, which thrilled him.
A few years later, Jacqueline Desmarais bought for him an exceptional Stradivarius cello that the family has always lent him since the death of the great patron.
The instrument has almost become an extension of Stéphane’s body, who only takes his eyes off it when it lies in his safe.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Stéphane Tétreault, in 2021, during a tribute show by the Orchester Métropolitain, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin
To kick off this cellist’s Christmas, I wanted to hear from the former child prodigy, still just as talented, but who is no longer shy.
Stéphane is now 30 years old. He plays all over Canada, where the re-invitations speak volumes, but he would happily go abroad more often.
I’m always happy when I go on tour! It’s complicated with the cello, but I like airports, the road, discovery; I never get bored.
Stéphane Tétreault
In Canada, he manages his career himself. Meetings, emails, telephone calls, budgets, grant applications: again, nothing bothers him. “I honestly love it all, there’s nothing I’d want to get rid of. But for the international market it takes different expertise and contacts. »
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Stéphane Tétreault and Valérie Milot
In the meantime, he has just recorded a second album dedicated to Debussy, gave a first seminar at the University of Montreal, and projects are multiplying, among others with Anémone 47, the company of his good harpist friend Valérie Milot. Their show Transfigurationafter around twenty performances in Quebec, will be on the bill for the event contact Chamber Music America, in mid-January, which should open up a new market for them. I ask Stéphane how this magnificent scenography travels, with decor and projections.
“In a simple cube truck, it’s not a Madonna show! There are six of us in total. It remains light and we can take advantage of each stop to add activities with social value, for example concerts in collaboration with SAMS (in a health setting) or in a school setting. »
For several years, Stéphane Tétreault has put away his cello for the holiday season, but this year, he had a blast playing an arrangement of his favorite Christmas song in front of radiant and grateful elders.
He brings it to you here from an esteemed colleague, Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Cellists’ Christmas: music suggestions for the holiday season
Anna Burdenprincipal cello associated with the OSM, on maternity leave with her 7-month-old twins
“I was able to play until 27 or 28 weeks. My stomach was pushing the cello so far that my arms could barely reach it and my left knee was no longer touching the instrument, not to mention the constant movement of the babies in my stomach: quite an experience! »
His favorite music : “Bach’s Christmas oratorio. The cello line has a major role: it underlines all the harmony when the Evangelist sings the story. The beginning of the work, so exciting, blows me away every time. »
On January 27, Anna will be in concert with her ensemble Cassiopée at the Montreal Conservatory.
Cameron Crozmansoloist and chamber musician, Classical Revelation of Radio-Canada in 2019
His musical choice : ” The 2e movement from Dvorak’s concerto, composed December 15-30, 1894. This is the last winter that Dvorak spent in New York before returning home to Europe, and I find that you can hear his nostalgia for wanting to be among his family and friends. »
On February 8, Cameron will play Bach’s Goldberg Variations as a trio at the Notre-Dame de Bonsecours Chapel.
Amanda Keesmaat, Arion cellist, baroque orchestra
To hear Amanda, meet on Sunday just before midnight at the Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka church, boulevard Saint-Joseph Est. “It has become a tradition for my family. Under the direction of Luc Beauséjour, Charpentier’s Christmas mass is performed with the church choir and baroque instruments. As an English-speaker, I discovered the hits of French-speaking Christmas music thanks to Charpentier! »
Charpentier wrote his Midnight mass for Christmas in 1694, recovering around ten Christmases already traditional at the time. Here, the classic Here, shepherds, let us assembleused for an amen.
Leland Kowinner of the most recent OSM competition, a hyperactive person who has practiced competitive tennis, long-distance running, origami and baking.
But his musical choice is anything but hectic. ” The 2e movement from Brahms’ F major sonata makes me think of the holiday season, the season when I first heard him in concert, in 2011. It evokes both falling snow and the warmth of being surrounded by those we love. »
We are impatiently awaiting the return of Leland Ko with the OSM.