It’s May. Yannick Nézet-Séguin is at the podium of the Philadelphia Orchestra. At the start of the third movement of the Symphony no 9 of Bruckner, a telephone ring (the second in a few minutes) rang out in Verizon Hall. The maestro’s blood only goes one round.
After stopping the musicians, he turns to the audience and lets out a real cry from the heart: “Can we live without the damn phone for just one hour, please?” » (Can we live without the damn phone for an hour, please?)
The event quickly went around the planet. Since then, t-shirts, tote bags and cell phone cases displaying the famous phrase can be purchased at the Philadelphia Orchestra store.
This story is anecdotal, but it says a lot about the impact that Yannick Nézet-Séguin has through his positions (he recently supported Philadelphia musicians in their union demands) and his artistic orientations. “I don’t know if I’m an influencer, but I try to bring a way of seeing things in a positive way,” he told me from New York. That’s my goal in life: to make people see things differently and with hope. »
Before going any further, we had to untangle one thing: where does influence end and power begin? The question is of great interest to Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “Power is a word I have always hated. In my profession, it often symbolizes someone who is above the fray and who crushes others. »
True power is that which inspires, uplifts and enables people to live better lives.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
At the head of three institutions, Yannick Nézet-Séguin has influence on musicians, the public and the young conductors to whom he offers master classes. The influence which tends to satisfy the musicians around him sits at the top. “When they feel like they played well and brought emotion to the audience, I tell myself that I did my job well. »
But he recognizes that the artistic choices he makes with the avowed aim of making things happen have become a driving force in his life. “At the moment I am trying to influence the course of classical music with certain historical rectifications, repertoire and access to the art. This influence makes me very happy, because it affects society, not just music fans. »
For someone who has a “lifetime contract” with the Orchester Métropolitain de Montréal, this involves the place that must be given to communities that have “felt excluded for too long” and to women, both on the podium and on the stage. lecterns.
A maestro on TikTok
Influence is often accompanied by notoriety. That of Yannick Nézet-Séguin is immense in the world of classical music, but also increasingly in other circles. “I never forget that the message I want to convey is that classical music can touch everyone, can help to make life more beautiful. »
It is for this reason that he agreed to help the actress Sophie Desmarais to slip into the role of a conductor for the needs of the film Happy Days. This role of coachhe also endorsed it with Bradley Cooper, with whom he is yours and yours, for the film Maestro on the life of Leonard Bernstein.
Another example of this “grassroots popularity” is found in a video showing the chef with All City High School in Philadelphia which is a hit on TikTok. The conductor launches the musicians into the first measures of a work, but they instead begin the Happy Birthday. The video has received more than 2 million views to date.
“I welcome this notoriety, because I want it to reflect on the musicians. They are the ones who make the music. I’m a face on that. I’m not saying I don’t work hard, but I don’t work harder than them. »
An influence outside of music
The influence exerted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin is plural. Having made the choice not to leave his homosexuality in the closet of his dressing room, the musician is aware that this transparency can help young people from the LGBTQ+ community who need role models from various backgrounds.
“What motivates me to talk about it today is seeing that in many places in the world, it is still a problem. I receive messages from young musicians who tell me that it inspires them. I also hope that it can help people who are not part of the music world to be more open. »
On a more frivolous note, I broached with him the subject of his clothing which is far from the tailcoats normally worn by conductors. It’s no secret that Yannick Nézet-Séguin appreciates designer clothes and has gotten into the habit of wearing flamboyant costumes specially designed for the concerts and operas he directs.
“My partner, Pierre, is an incredible stylist. We love fashion. I don’t do this to have subscribers, but in the spirit of being myself. We want people to authentically express their emotions. Why wouldn’t they do it through their clothes while they make music? »
The subject of Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s wardrobe has sparked reactions for several months. Anyone whose hair goes from blue to platinum blond during a Bach prelude is aware of this. And he enjoys it. “It calls into question the conception of what a leader should be. If it bothers some people, they should just not look at me,” he says with a laugh.
The discussion shifted to the climate caused by conflicts that seem insoluble. In this context, the presence of positive role models seems to be crucial.
We need people who can show what is beautiful in our world. I’m not talking about just putting on rose-colored glasses. When we look at the true beauty of the world, we have the courage to face the ugliness.
Yanick Nézet-Séguin
This beauty of the world, Yannick Nézet-Séguin believes that we can find it more than ever in art and artists. “We need people who inspire us when we get up in the morning and who make us want to be the best version of ourselves. »
Who is Yannick Nézet-Séguin?
- Born in 1975 in Montreal
- Trained in particular at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec and at Rider University in New Jersey, he was appointed artistic director and principal conductor of the Orchester Métropolitain in 2000.
- From 2008 to 2018, he conducted the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2012, he became music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 2018, he succeeded James Levine at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
- He has won three Grammys: Florence Price with the Philadelphia Orchestra (2022), Fire Shut Up In My Bones with the MET (2023) and Voice of Nature – The Anthropocene (2023). He is up for two more Grammy awards ahead of next February’s gala.