SUPER SYMPHONIC! AN EXPERIENCE IN SOUND Photo : Jacques Lessard Since the end of the 18th century, symphonic music has been a central part of our musical heritage, a cultural and social treasure. Super symphonic!, an exhibition presented at the Musée de la civilisation in Québec City from October 16, 2002, to February 22, 2004, is your opportunity to discover this universe. The exhibition has been produced by the Musée de la civilisation as part of the centennial celebrations of the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, in cooperation with Yamaha, Mecart, Gesellschaf der Musikfreunde of Vienna, the Association des musiciens de l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec, and the Cultural Development Agreement between the City of Québec and the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec. This highly interactive exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to discover the many facets of symphonic music and to better understand the relationship between musicians and their conductor. What do a conductor’s gestures mean? What is the difference between symphonic and philharmonic music? Why do the musicians in an orchestra always wear black? How do you become a conductor? These are just some of the questions to which you’ll find answers at the exhibition. The OSQ at center stage The Orchestre symphonique de Québec is the focus of this exhibition As the oldest active musical ensemble of its kind in Canada, the OSQ has been celebrating and bringing to life symphonic music in its many guises for one hundred years now. “Isn’t it wonderful for a still young institution like ours to offer the OSQ and the public an exhibition that sings the praises of symphonic music and our 100-year-old orchestra?” proclaimed Museum executive director, Claire Simard, during the media tour of the exhibition. “This is an important event on the Québec City cultural agenda, because it testifies to the cultural vitality of Québec’s capital city and to its influence across the country and on the international stage as well,” she added. Photo : Jacques Lessard A virtual orchestra for musically minded visitors How do you illustrate a world of sound? On a stylized stage, visitors will find an orchestra—the virtual orchestra (represented by the instruments that make it up)—and a conductor’s podium. All around, various interactive displays present excerpts from Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV 550, interpreted by the Orchestre symphonique de Québec. Backstage in the wings is the world of the musicians and their conductor. As visitors explore, they get a chance to play conductor and to experience things from the perspective of both musicians and audience members. And there are lots of challenges for the ears, too: identifying instruments in an excerpt from the Mozart symphony, keeping time and beating time, and reconstituting musical phrases. Visitors can also sit in on an orchestra rehearsal and listen to two fictional musicians describe the road they took to be in the symphony. And for percussion buffs, there is even a soundproof booth where they can let fly with the cymbals! The original manuscript of the famous Mozart symphony completed in 1788 Photo : Jacques Lessard A soundtrack by seasoned musicians The audio and video material used in the interactive segment (the virtual orchestra) was produced with the cooperation of all members of the OSQ. Last spring, the Museum production team recorded rehearsals and performances of Testament d’un génie, the OSQ’s tribute to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This is the material the exhibition is built around. A collection for the curious Various objects invite the visitor to further explore the vast and rich universe of symphonic music, including the original manuscript of the famous Mozart symphony completed in 1788, instruments from across the ages showing how they have changed, composer (and conductor) Gustav Mahler’s baton, and more. Photos, audiovisual excerpts, and a history of the OSQ round out the portrait. Super symphonic! An unforgettable experience in sound, at the Musée de la civilisation in Québec City, October 16, 2002, to February 22, 2004. An exhibition produced by the Musée de la civilisation and presented by the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, in cooperation with Yamaha, Mecart, Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde of Vienna, the Association des musiciens de l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec and the Agreement on Cultural Development between the City of Québec and the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec. Informations: Serge Poulin, [418] 643-2158 Relations publiques et communications Issued : October 15, 2002

_{© Musée de la civilisation}