the Discerning Music Lover’s Holiday Guide: Concerts Shine as Recordings Remain Elusive
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As the holiday season approaches,music enthusiasts are seeking the perfect gifts,but finding physical recordings of favorite artists is becoming increasingly difficult. This shift is notably noticeable for fans of Yannick Nézet-Séguin,whose recent Grammy-nominated releases – the Symphonies no. 2 and 4 by william Grant Still and the opera Grounded by Jeanine Tesori – are primarily available through online streaming and digital downloads, a decision made by his publisher, Deutsche Grammophon.
The changing landscape for music collectors means a greater emphasis on the live concert experience.Fortunately, Quebec offers a rich tapestry of performances this December, providing ample opportunities for gifting memorable evenings. Tickets for 2026 offer a compelling gift option. In Quebec, consider the Violin Concerto of Brahms by James Ehnes with the Quebec Symphony orchestra on February 4 and 5, Mozart’s Requiem with the Violons du Roy on March 28, or Bohemia at the Opéra de Québec from May 16-23. In Gatineau, Alexander Shelley’s final concerts at the National Arts center in Ottawa on June 17 and 18, featuring Hélène Grimaud, and Mahler’s 2nd Symphony on June 24 and 25 are noteworthy. Montreal offers a diverse lineup including baritone André Schuen at Bourgie Hall on March 15, The Marriage of Figaro at the OSM on March 18 and 20, Jean-Guihen Queyras, OM and Yannick Nézet-Séguin on March 31 (featuring repertoire by Brahms, Dvořák, and Strohl), Shostakovich’s 7th Symphony by Payare on april 15 and 16, and Carmen at the Opéra de Montréal from may 2-12.
Quebec Labels Offer Alternatives
while a physical recording of Nézet-Séguin’s latest work might potentially be hard to come by, Quebec’s record labels are delivering strong offerings. Analekta highlights the album Échos by Charles richard-Hamelin, featuring works by Chopin, Granados, and Albeniz, alongside a comprehensive collection of Bach’s Violin Concertos performed by James Ehnes and the National Arts Center Orchestra. Atma presents a diverse selection including a Bach CD by harpsichordist and organist Luc Beauséjour,Stradivatango exploring the world of tango by Denis plante and Stéphane Tétreault,and the complete String Quartets by the Molinari Quartet celebrating Luciano Berio’s centenary.
A Festive Chorus: christmas Concerts Take Center Stage
The Christmas spirit is alive and well in Quebec’s concert halls. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM)‘s holiday program is spearheaded by its two stars, Rafael Payare and honorary conductor Kent Nagano. Payare will conduct his first Messiah in Montreal on December 10 and 11, featuring soloists Lucy Crowe, Luciana Mancini, Levy Sekgapane, and Roderick williams. the following week, Nagano returns for the seventh installment of his popular holiday tale with Fred Pellerin, broadcast on ICI Télé on December 23 and rebroadcast on ARTV.
The Orchester Métropolitain (OM) also offers a dual Christmas experience: Oratorio de Noël at Notre-Dame Basilica on December 17, and Snows, a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of André Gagnon’s iconic album, performed three times on December 13 and 14 at the Maison symphonique. Notably, the 3 p.m. concerts are already sold out.
