Known for innovative programming and unique arrangements of classical repertoire and new commissions, Montréal-based string ensemble collectif9 performs “with an infectious energy and vigour that grabs an audience’s attention” (The WholeNote). Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, collectif9 attracts diverse audiences in varied spaces. For an experience that combines the power of an orchestra with the agility of a chamber ensemble, collectif9 explores partnerships with composers, video artists, poets, lighting designers, and other inspired collaborators to create multidisciplinary projects that come to life in acoustic or amplified settings.
On international tours, on films, and its Alpha Classics CDs, collectif9 enjoys critical acclaim: “brilliant arrangements, exuberantly performed” (The Wholenote); “Satirical and serious, frivolous and intense, No Time for Chamber Music delves into rich and complex musical textures with original and intimate arrangements.” (BroadwayWorld.com); “Their eagerness to break the mold while upholding the highest performance standards make collectif9 a model for 21st century classical music ensembles.” (Oregon Arts Watch)
Worldwide tour highlights include concerts at the Festival de Música de Morelia (Mexico), La Folle journée de Nantes (France), Festival de Lanaudière (Québec), Shenzhen Concert Hall (China), and Sound Unbound (Barbican Centre, London).
New programs: Vagues et ombres – An immersion into the musical universe of Claude Debussy including a complete new arrangement of the iconic La Mer and a new work by Luna Pearl Woolf written for collectif9. Available option: shadow theatre by Mere Phantoms.
Cathedral Mountain – featuring the music of Montréal composer Nicole Lizée, including new works composed for collectif9.
New film experiences available for virtual concert series and film series:
The Night of the Flying Horses Sample here, RITUELS Sample here, Vagues et ombres Sample here
Rituæls is a 60-minute film featuring works dating from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, embraced by a multidisciplinary aesthetic including powerful images and dance. It is a mystical artistic experience featuring works by Hildegard von Bingen, Arvo Pärt, Nicole Lizée, Bryce Dessner, Michael Tippett, and Jocelyn Morlock.
The Night of the Flying Horses is centered around the music of Osvaldo Golijov, exploring moments of wonder and melancholy, interspersed with frenetic, electrifying cavalcades of sound. Five centuries of musical traditions trace Golijov’s international roots and multiple influences to the music of Sapo Perapaskero inspired by Romani musicians, and the baroque extravagance of François Couperin. The film highlights the virtuosity and passion of collectif9 musicians while creating a playing field that offers them freedom and invites improvisation.
Vagues et ombres is an ode to water and an homage to the musical universe of Claude Debussy, including a new work by Luna Pearl Woolf as well as shadow artistry by Mere Phantoms.
Jonathan Wentworth Associates, Ltd. represents collectif9 for engagements in the United States in association with collectif9’s worldwide representative Latitude45 Arts.
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Vagues et ombres CD Review: “The fourth Étude sounds so natural for string nonet that for a moment one believes this was how it was conceived; … La mer concludes the programme and works extraordinarily well … recreating Debussy’s magical score afresh.” Gramophone Magazine [PDF]
“Collectif9 brings brilliant arrangements, exuberantly performed” [Headline]
“They perform them with an infectious energy and vigour that grabs an audience’s attention. Lula Lounge’s warm, relaxed atmosphere and intimate nightclub feel made it an ideal setting for Collectif9’s music and undoubtedly stoked the enthusiasm of the crowd.” [read full article ] The Wholenote
“[collectif9’s] uninhibited stage demeanor, casual 21st century clothing (including a Brooklyn ball cap and another sporting the logo of Portland’s classical music radio station), and sheer joy in playing great music with full commitment … distinguished this show … Their eagerness to break the mold while upholding the highest performance standards make collectif9 a model for 21st century classical music ensembles.”
Oregon Arts Watch
“Montreal’s collectif9 put on a spectacular show at last night’s Chamberfringe. From the first piece to the last encore movement nothing but artistic excellence. This, ladies and gentlemen, is where chamber music is going.”
Ottawa Chamberfest
“The string nonet collectif9 offers its public something truly as valuable as it is rare: classical repertoire revisited with passion and fearlessness.”
BachTrack
“on a peaceful night this Christmas Eve, in the midst of dazzling strobelights, collectif9 performed an unprecedented style of music… and delivered a brilliant performance concert to the broad audience in Shenzhen Concert Hall”
SHENZHEN CONCERT HALL – A Stereoscopic Rendering of Rock & Classical Music
“A feast for the ears, the eyes and the mind… what seemed enchanting on video was even more so on stage.” “Of course, the final credit for the success of this classical 2.0 concert goes to the music. The programming was cleverly designed to take the listener through a dramatic arc that crescendos to a central ecstatic climax, followed by a soothing final decrescendo, but not without its doubts and uncertainty.” [Rituaels] Frédéric Cardin, Pan M 360
“What an incredible two days we had with collectif9! I know it is has taken us a couple years to get them to Steamboat Springs, but it was well worth the wait. They were incredibly gracious and lovely with our donors at the fundraiser, completely charming and personal in the concert, and of course, immensely talented. We had a lot of different people in the room besides our ‘normal’ classical subscribers, including a good amount of people in their 20s and 30s. The program was joyful, and pushed our traditionalists a bit but not too hard! It was really a joyful weekend.” Katie Carroll, Strings Music Festival (2019)
“Montreal’s trailblazing 9-piece classical string band, collectif9 releases its sophomore album featuring music by and inspired by Gustav Mahler. Satirical and serious, frivolous and intense, No Time for Chamber Music delves into rich and complex musical textures with original and intimate arrangements. [read full article] BroadwayWorld.com
“Concert Report: Collectif9 brings brilliant arrangements, exuberantly performed” [Headline]
“They perform them with an infectious energy and vigour that grabs an audience’s attention. Lula Lounge’s warm, relaxed atmosphere and intimate nightclub feel made it an ideal setting for Collectif9’s music and undoubtedly stoked the enthusiasm of the crowd.” [read full article ] The Wholenote
“What strikes me most about Collectif9 is that it’s not merely about innovative programming: on top of that, the sheer quality of their string playing is fantastic. This is a real group of virtuosi who want to connect with a new audience, whether in an outdoor festival context where they can rock a crowd, or playing their Mahler re-arrangements in a more traditional setting.” Paul Keene, The Barbican
“[collectif9’s] uninhibited stage demeanor, casual 21st century clothing (including a Brooklyn ball cap and another sporting the logo of Portland’s classical music radio station), and sheer joy in playing great music with full commitment … distinguished this show … Their eagerness to break the mold while upholding the highest performance standards make collectif9 a model for 21st century classical music ensembles.” Oregon Arts Watch
“collectif9’s performance was excellent – honestly, a highlight of our season. The ensemble is so talented, and sounded fantastic on our stage. I was particularly impressed with the artists’ commitment to connect with local students, with an added bonus being that students from the outreach program were invited onstage to perform with the group. For us, that was above and beyond in connecting with our community, and incredibly exciting for the students, their teachers, and families.” — Gillian Jones, Edmonds Center for the Arts
“Montreal’s collectif9 put on a spectacular show at last night’s Chamberfringe. From the first piece to the last encore movement nothing but artistic excellence. This, ladies and gentlemen, is where chamber music is going.” Ottawa Chamberfest
“The string nonet collectif9 offers its public something truly as valuable as it is rare: classical repertoire revisited with passion and fearlessness.” BachTrack
“on a peaceful night this Christmas Eve, in the midst of dazzling strobelights, collectif9 performed an unprecedented style of music… and delivered a brilliant performance concert to the broad audience in Shenzhen Concert Hall”
SHENZHEN CONCERT HALL – A Stereoscopic Rendering of Rock & Classical Music
“This album is sheer delight.There are 8 tracks drawing variously from the first, second, and fifth symphonies as well as Das Lied and the Wayfarer Songs.” “Nine musicians, all on bowed string instruments, do a marvelous job of evoking a big sound out of their ensemble.
What struck this listener was their ability to evoke the orchestral instruments with some clever extended techniques. Tympani, trumpets, trombones, tympani, etc. are all slyly and successfully implied in their playing.” [No Time for Chamber Music CD 2019]
NewMusicBuff.com [full review]
The Night of the Flying Horses: premiere film – view sample
Debussy Suite Bergamasque – view sample
RITUELS: the new collectif9 cinematic experience – view sample
collectif9 on vimeo – view
new Mahler CD sampler video – view
This is our version of the 3rd movement from the first symphony of our very dear Gustav Mahler, L’enterrement du chasseur (The Hunter’s Funeral Procession).
new Mahler CD promo – view
Old Reinlender from Sonndala – view
Collectif9 Educational Outreach Information
“collectif9’s performance was excellent – honestly, a highlight of our season. The ensemble is so talented, and sounded fantastic on our stage. I was particularly impressed with the artists’ commitment to connect with local students, with an added bonus being that students from the outreach program were invited onstage to perform with the group. For us, that was above and beyond in connecting with our community, and incredibly exciting for the students, their teachers, and families.” — Gillian Jones, Edmonds Center for the Arts
Workshops and Community Involvement
collectif9 has created a variety of activities and concerts to enrich the experience of students and audiences alike, motivating participants to expand their expectations of classical music. Encouraging young musicians to think outside the box, explore their musical ideas, and find
freedom on-stage is one of our favorite pastimes! Specially designed to suit the school day and the students in attendance, our energetic school shows are fun for all ages and levels. By organizing additional activities outside of our performance, we not only encourage young
people and students to experience classical music and become involved in it, creating the next generation of listeners; we are also encouraging their families to be involved, experience the music with their children, and discuss the experience with their friends and colleagues.
Workshop Video
Fiddle Workshop Video – ages 7-77
“[I felt] right in the music – it was so much fun … I want to do it again!” – Joly Primary School students
