Hitting The Wrong Note?

Unlikely as it sounds, the OSM (The Montreal Symphony Orchestra, or at least a seven piece expeditionary force) is touring Nunavik, and last night we were fortunate enough to be treated to a concert here in Inukjuak (one of just three performances on the tour).

I have to say it was one of the most surreal evenings of my life.

It was bizarre enough to see Kent Nagano and his musicians, resplendent in tails and tuxedos, playing in these surroundings, but the programme of music was stranger still. The entire population of the village seemed to be present as the evening began with the familiar strains of 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik', and then a new piece was performed, which combined the orchestration of the OSM with traditional Inuit throat singing.

However the next, and as it turned out, final piece was a long, rambling work by Stravinsky entitled Soldier's Tale, with the original French narration that accompanies the work interestingly translated and recited in Inuktitut. And in true Ariston fashion, it went on...and on...and on...and on.

For some fifty minutes.

And as the music went on, the audience left...and left...and left.

When the piece finally finished, I think most of us that remained at least felt a sense of achievement, sharing in the the fact that we had pulled through as a group and emerged into the light at the other side. Like when you used to have to eat your greens to please your mum. You knew it was probably doing you good, but it was a process to be endured.

Now, don't get me wrong; I think that the OSM's visit was a rare treat, and the idea of bringing classical music to the far reaches of the world is highly commendable. However, their choice of music puzzled me. A selection of shorter, more familiar pieces would have gone down better I think, rather than the largely discordant, inaccessible work by Stravinsky, which wasn't a piece that you could go away humming. I know this isn't the standard way of evaluating a piece of classical music but hey, perhaps I'm just not that cultured. I am someone who willingly watches American Idol, after all.

Still, it was what it was, and I commend Mr Nagano and his colleagues for their endeavour. I just can't help thinking that a more appropriate programme of music could have been chosen. Maybe next time...