In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

A leading figure in Canadian concert music and one of the most important composers of the last decade, Jocelyn Morlock has left us a powerful catalogue of works combining lightness and depth, in a highly lyrical and personal musical language. Her two works on the programme are The uses of solitude, for flute, harp and viola, and the poignant Exaudi for solo cello and choir. The former is one of the composer’s very last works. It is presented in its Quebec premiere by the Trio Kalysta (Emily Belvedere, harp, Lara Deutsch, flute, Marina Thibeault, viola). The second piece is performed by soloist Chloé Dominguez, principal cello of the SMCQ ensemble, and the magnificent Voces Boreales choir conducted by Andrew Gray.

This concert is also an opportunity to hear two new works commissioned by the SMCQ and dedicated to Morlock’s memory. The first is a work for solo oboe by Samy Moussa performed by SMCQ Ensemble principal oboist Mélanie Harel. A renowned Quebec composer based in Germany, Samy Moussa is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Hindemith Prize (2017) and the Composer’s Prize from the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation (2013). His works are regularly programmed by the world’s most prestigious orchestras. The second commission was given to Vancouver composer Rita Ueda, whose “poetry is often very delicate and introspective… “ (Guido Barbieri, Warner Classics). She is the winner of the 2022 Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music and the coveted prize in the Krzysztof Penderecki International Composer’s Competition (2014).

Also on the programme is Sivunittinni or ”the futures”, a gripping and highly dramatic work for string quartet by Inuit composer and throat singer Tanya Tagaq, whom Rolling Stone magazine notes is “one of the most dynamic artists of the avant-garde”.

Before her sudden passing in March 2023, Jocelyn Morlock had both spoken about her own struggles with mental illness publicly and long advocated for others, notably with her composition My Name is Amanda Todd, which was dedicated to the memory of a young student who was the victim of harassment, and for which she won her Juno Award in 2018. For this reason, this concert is dedicated to the cause of mental health among musicians.