Orchestre Symphonique de Québec

Canadian orchestra

The Orchestre symphonique de Québec (OSQ; English, Quebec Symphony Orchestra) is a Canadian symphony orchestra based in Quebec City. The orchestra also performs with the Théâtre lyrique du Québec (Théâtre lyrique de Nouvelle-France), the Opéra de Québec, and the Choeur symphonique de Québec.

History

Founded in 1902 as the Société symphonique de Québec, the OSQ is the oldest active Canadian orchestra. Joseph Vézina was the OSQ's first music director, from 1902 to 1924. In 1942, the orchestra merged with rival orchestra Cercle philharmonique de Québec (founded 1936), at which time it changed its name to the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec.

The orchestra holds an annual competition for young Quebec musicians awarding monetary prizes as well as the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the orchestra.

The most recent Canadian music director of the OSQ was Françoys Bernier, from 1966 to 1968. Yoav Talmi was music director from 1998 to 2011^[1] and now has the title of chef émérite (conductor emeritus) with the orchestra. In December 2011, the OSQ announced the appointment of Fabien Gabel as its 11th music director, as of the 2012–2013 season, with an initial contract of 4 years.^[2] The orchestra's most recent music director, Gabel concluded his tenure as OSQ music director at the close of the 2020–2021 season. After the close of Gabel's tenure, Bramwell Tovey served as principal guest conductor of the OSQ in the interim until his death in July 2022.^[3]

In December 2022, the OSQ announced the appointment of Clemens Schuldt as its next music director, effective September 2023, with an initial contract of four seasons.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Music directors

Joseph Vézina (1902–1924)
Robert Talbot (1924–1942)
Edwin Bélanger (1942–1951)
Wilfrid Pelletier (1951–1966)
Françoys Bernier (1966–1968)
Pierre Dervaux (1968–1975)
James DePreist (1976–1983)
Simon Streatfeild (1983–1991)
Pascal Verrot (1991–1998)
Yoav Talmi (1998–2011)
Fabien Gabel (2012–2021)
Clemens Schuldt (2023–)

Discography

Roger Matton: Mouvement symphonique I - Lekeu Adagio pour quatuor d'orchestre, Opus 3 - Milhaud Suite provençale. James DePreist conductor. Hidetaro Suzuki concertmaster. 1977. RCI 454/(Matton) 5-ACM 29
Music of the Magical Realism, vol 2: Denys Bouliane Le Cactus rieur et la demoiselle qui souffrait d'une soif insatiable. Streatfeild conductor. 1991. SNE 567 (CD)
André Prévost Le Conte de l'Oiseau - Haydn Toy Symphony. Berryman and Besré narrator, Duschenes conductor. 1984. SNE 518/(Prévost) 6-ACM 28
El Cuento del Pajaro - Haydn Toy Symphony. Rodriguez and Barris narrator, Duschenes conductor. 1984. SNE 519
The Tale of the Bird - Haydn Toy Symphony. Henry and Monette narrator, Duschenes conductor. 1983. SNE 505
Dancing for 100 years (works by Bartók, Brahms, Champagne, François Dompierre and Antonín Dvořák. Yoav Talmi, conductor; Darren Lowe, violin. 2002. Analekta fl. FL 2 3156.
André Mathieu's Concerto de Québec - Richard Addinsell's Warsaw Concerto - George Gershwin's Concerto in F. Yoav Talmi conductor, Alain Lefèvre piano. 2003. Analekta. AN 2 9814.

References

^ Arthur Kaptainis (3 April 2010). "There's no shortage of Canadian talent to succeed Talmi as musical director of Quebec City orchestra". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
^ "L'Orchestre symphonique de Québec accueille son nouveau directeur musical: Fabien Gabel" (PDF) (Press release). Orchestre Symphonique de Québec. 1 December 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
^ ^a ^b Tanya Beaumont (2022-12-13). "Clemens Schuldt devient le nouveau directeur musical de l'OSQ". Radio Canada ICI Québec. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
^ "Clemens Schuldt, nouveau directeur musical de l'Orchestre symphonique de Québec" (Press release). Orchestre Symphonique de Québec. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
^ "Orchestre symphonique de Québec appoints new Music Director" (Press release). KD Schmid. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-14.