OSQ - Orchestre Symphonique de Québec

The OSQ

an organization that is constantly evolving

About OSQ

The OSQ, an institution

The Orchestre is committed to its community. Along with its 66 musicians, in addition to the great symphonic masterpieces, the Orchestre and its 66 musicians perform pieces by Quebec, Canadian and foreign composers. It participates in several national and international events. An ambassador of symphonic music, the Orchestre contributes to the cultural development of future generations through enriching school programs, including Symphonic Matinees (primary) and Notes à répétition (secondary). The OSQ regularly collaborates with the Conservatoire de musique de Québec and the Faculté de musique de l'Université Laval.

History

The Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Yesterday and Today

The Orchestre symphonique de Québec celebrated its 100th anniversary on October 3, 2002, marking its place as Canada’s oldest symphony.

Recognized as one of the main driving forces of musical activity in the Quebec City region, the Orchestre plays before some 400,000 people each year. Fully committed to its city, the Orchestre has created numerous pieces by Quebec, Canadian and foreign composers. It has also participated in several national and international events, including Quebec City’s tercentennial celebrations in 1908, the Congrès de la langue française in 1937, the Sommet de la francophonie in 1987 and the Summit of the Americas in 2001. The Orchestre officially inaugurated the Théâtre Capitole in 1903, the Palais Montcalm in 1932 and the Grand Théâtre de Québec in 1971.

The OSQ contributes to the cultural development of future generations and set up its first educational matinees in 1936. Today the Symphonic Matinees and Family Concerts continue to give children the opportunity to learn about the classical repertoire.

To continue its mission to support future generations, the OSQ regularly collaborates with the Conservatoire de musique de Québec and Université Laval’s Faculty of Music.

OSQ series programs and promotional concerts, the various one-time events that it participates in, its collaboration with the Opéra de Québec and the Grands Ballets Canadiens, highlight the versatility and knowledge of its 66 permanent musicians. The OSQ’s summer program gives local residents the opportunity to discover the Orchestre during more rural-based popular activities produced by various organizations, including the Quebec Summer Festival, the Festival de Lanaudière and the Festival international du Domaine Forget de Charlevoix.

At the 2009 edition of the Quebec Summer Festival, the OSQ had the honour of performing with one of the world’s great tenors, Plácido Domingo, accompanied by soprano Virginia Tola, under the direction of conductor Israel Gursky. This unique concert attracted 100,000 people to the Plains of Abraham, earning an Opus Award for Concert of the Year – Quebec for Plácido Domingo à Québec.

OSQ concerts are regularly picked up to be broadcast on Société Radio-Canada radio and television. The OSQ now has 22 recordings in its discography, which greatly contributes to its international outreach. This aspect of the OSQ’s activities became more prolific with the arrival of Maestro Yoav Talmi, in 1998, as he has made not less than eight recordings on his own. His recording efforts have paid off, since each one has outsold the previous one or been nominated by various organizations. For example, the Concert français with violinist James Ehnes obtained five diapasons from Diapason magazine—a perfect mark—and was named “Record of the Month” in Répertoire. He has also been nominated for Juno awards and won the Félix award for “Best Classical Album of the Year” in 2002. His 100 ans de danse was nominated at the ADISQ Gala in 2003. The recording made with pianist Alain Lefèvre, which contains André Mathieu’s Concerto de Québec, obtained the Félix for “Album of the year–Classical/Orchestra and large ensemble” in 2004. The album Extase with soprano Measha Brueggergosman was awarded the prize for “Best Classical Recording” at the 19th East Coast Music Awards, in Halifax in 2007, in addition to being nominated for a Juno in the “Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral Performance” category. Finally, the 2008 album Bach Métamorphoses by the OSQ (works orchestrated by Stokowski, Webern, Respighi and Talmi) was unanimously acclaimed by the critics and obtained a 2009 June Award nomination in addition to receiving a JOKER from Crescendo magazine.

Recording is not the only field in which the OSQ has stood out since its foundation. In March 2006, it won the Opus Prize for “Concert of the Year – Quebec”, 2005-2006 season, for its moving interpretation of Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony no. 3, “Kaddish.” Other prestigious awards have also recognized the OSQ’s significant contribution to the development of Canadian musical life.

The OSQ has always been intimately linked to the events that have marked the history of the Quebec City region. It played an active role in the festivities surrounding the 400th anniversary of the foundation of Quebec City in 2008, by performing Gustav Mahler’s spectacular 8th symphony, the “Symphony of a Thousand.” It was interpreted by over 1,000 musical performers, including a 750-voice choir, a choir of 100 children, an orchestra made up of 150 musicians (including those from the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières, the Université Laval Faculty of Music and the Conservatoire de musique de Québec), eight solo singers and a conductor. Presented for the first time in Quebec City, this outstanding piece is most appropriate and takes its place among the entire range of the great composer’s symphonies that Yoav Talmi and the OSQ began a few years ago. The OSQ’s participation in Quebec City’s 400th anniversary celebration was also highlighted by the presentation of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture on the Plains of Abraham, with the participation of soloists Aline Kutan, soprano, Mathew White, countertenor, and Nathaniel Watson, baritone, the Chœur de l’OSQ and Rhapsodes, under the direction of David Rompré, in addition to Maîtrise des Petits chanteurs de Québec. A large-scale concert that included brass and percussion from the Royal 22nd Regiment and Artillery cannons.

Ten prestigious conductors have presided over the history of the OSQ: 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) and Yoav Talmi, Conductor Emeritus (1998-2011).

Awards and Distinctions

  • 2010 OPUS Award with the Festival d’été de Québec Concert of the year - Québec for Plácido Domingo à Québec.

    Nomination for a Juno award in the Classical Album of the year category for Mendelssohn: Concertos pour piano 1 et 2; Symphony no 5 « Réformation » with Louis Lortie.
  • 2009 OPUS Award for Concert of the Year – Classical, Romantic, Post-romantic, Impressionist Music for the Symphony of a Thousand.

    OPUS Award for Concert of the Year - Quebec for the Symphony of a Thousand.

    JOKER attributed by the Belgian music review magazine Crescendo (their highest note) for the album Bach Métamorphoses.
  • 2008 Prix Ville de Québec for the OSQ’s major involvement in the City of Quebec’s 400th anniversary celebrations, at the Gala des Prix d'excellence des arts et de la culture.
  • 2007 Winner of the “Best Classical Recording” at the 19th East Coast Music Awards in Halifax for the album Extase with Measha Brueggergosman.

    Gagnant du prix « Meilleur enregistrement Classique » au 19ème East Coast Music Awards in Halifax pour l'album Extase avec Measha Brueggergosman.

    Nomination for a Juno Award in the category Classical Album of the Year – Vocal or Choral Performance for Extase with Measha Brueggergosman. The winners were announced on April 1, 2007.
  • 2005-2006 Opus Award in the category Concert of the Year – Quebec for Requiem for a President.
  • 2004 Finalist in the Fidéides Awards of the Chambre de commerce des entrepreneurs de Québec for Beethoven Spring, presenting all of his symphonies.

    Alain Lefèvre Award
    ADISQ 2004 for the recording Alain Lefèvre et l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec.

    Felix Award at the ADISQ gala in the category “Album of the Year - Classical / Orchestra and Large Ensemble” for Alain Lefèvre et l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec.

    Classical Internet Award in the category “Discovery”, for Concertos de Québec with pianist Alain Lefèvre.

    Prix reconnaissance for the OSQ’s centennial, at the Gala des Prix du Conseil québécois de la musique.

    Prix Ville de Québec for the OSQ’s centennial, during the Gala des Prix d'excellence des arts et de la culture.
  • 2003 ADISQ nomination for 100 ans de danses in the category Orchestra and Large Ensemble.
  • 2002 Félix Award from ADISQ for record of the year Concert français with violinist James Ehnes. This album also received a perfect mark from the French magazine Diapason and by Repertoire magazine.
  • 2001 Gémeau Award for the Carmina Burana concert at the Lanaudière Festival.
  • June 2001 Université Laval awards Maestro Talmi an honorary doctorate.
  • 1998-1999 OPUS Award for concert of the year Des voyages et des musiques.

    OPUS Award for the contemporary concert Des voyages et des musiques.
  • 1997 Homage Fidéide from the Chambre de Commerce de Sainte-Foy for the OSQ’s exceptional contribution to the development of the region.
  • 1994 Féliz Award from ADISQ for album of the year Christmas Concert with Lyne Fortin.
  • 1993 For the album Roussel:
    4 diapasons for Diapason 4 stars for Le monde de la musique Note 7 for the compact disk repertory and 4 stars for Classical Pulse.
  • June 1990 The OSQ is honoured for the fifth time by SOCAN, a record, for its program of Canadian works.
  • 1988 François Magnan, General Manager, receives a distinction awarded by the Association of Canadian Orchestras for his exceptional contribution to the life of orchestras in Canada.
  • December 1983 Mstislav Rostropovitch receives an honorary doctorate from Université Laval.
  • May 1982 Award from the Performing Rights Association of Canada for the quality of the OSQ’s contemporary music programming in the last two years.
  • December 1980 James DePreist receives an honorary doctorate from Université Laval.
  • June 1978 1st prize for the OSQ’s contribution to contemporary music awarded by the Performing Rights Association of Canada.
  • May 1978 The Canadian Music Council names the OSQ as artist of the year among 120 finalists.
  • 1977 Certificate of honour from the Performing Rights Association of Canada for the space the OSQ reserves in its program for contemporary music.
  • 1907 1st prize and homage in the Lord Grey Governor General of Canada music competition.