YNS impresses people everywhere.
Today there’s a nice piece in the New York Times about Yannick Nézet-Séguin. (See here.) I just love the way the NY Times helpfully informs its readers how to pronounce foreign names (“nay-ZAY say-GHEN”). It’s so sophisticated.
But seriously, folks, it’s nice to see the Times credit the musical culture Nézet-Séguin emerged from – Quebec and, more specifically, Montreal – for the training and development he received in his formative years. It’s a refreshing change from the “miraculously springing from nowhere” narrative that sometimes attaches itself to Canadian musicians when they make a splash in other countries.
But seriously, folks, it’s nice to see the Times credit the musical culture Nézet-Séguin emerged from – Quebec and, more specifically, Montreal – for the training and development he received in his formative years. It’s a refreshing change from the “miraculously springing from nowhere” narrative that sometimes attaches itself to Canadian musicians when they make a splash in other countries.
The appearance of this article prodded me to post – over in the “Writing About Music” section of my website – something I wrote for the Fall 2012 issue of Queen’s Quarterly about Nézet-Séguin and his ascent to the podium of the Philadelphia Orchestra. (See here.)
By the way, during the interview for my article, YNS told me that he was the first Canadian ever to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic. This came as a surprise to me – but I can’t think of anyone else who might have beat him to that trophy. Any suggestions?
© Colin Eatock 2013
By the way, during the interview for my article, YNS told me that he was the first Canadian ever to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic. This came as a surprise to me – but I can’t think of anyone else who might have beat him to that trophy. Any suggestions?
© Colin Eatock 2013
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