Yesterday, at le Vieux Port, in a plaza in front of the Museum of Archeology and History of Montreal at 2pm (14:00), we enjoyed a surround sound outdoors “symphony”.
The work, composed by a trombonist named Scott Thomson, was realised by bagpipers, drummers and several musicians working multiple horns on large ships frozen at their docks and a train horn on a locomotive nearby.
The piece was around 15 minutes long. The pipers and drummers moved around adding spacial contrast. The horns were loud but pleasant.
I loved the concept, the sounds, the audience engagement, the use of public space for collective joy. I particularly liked a section with cascading drums rolls which began after a large deep ship horn blared. At that point the drummers were 50 plus feet apart. The rolls echoed off the stone buildings in waves.
I would love to compose for this. It is right up my alley.
Les Symphonies portuaires de Pointe-à-Callière (The Port Symphonies of Pointe-à-Callière) are presented by the Musée d’archéologie et d’historie de Montréal. This was the 22nd year.
If you are in Montreal next year, don’t miss it.
This short video (1:30) gives a taste of the event.
Gary and I followed the concert with a walk along the waterfront and then a nice steak dinner at the Keg.
A perfect day.