For the sixth consecutive year, the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes is organizing the event “It’s Not Classical!” which generously offers many people the opportunity to discover classical music in all its forms.
During the event, each visitor can freely enter concert halls without reservation to discover all forms of classical music, from piano recitals to performances by a philharmonic orchestra.
With an offering of a hundred free concerts and a capacity of 50,000 seats, “It’s Not Classical!” is seen as the largest festival of its kind in the country, attributed to the desire for the democratization of access to classical music by the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes.
The other unique aspect of this event lies in the fact that 90% of its programming is conducted by professional and amateur musicians from the conservatories and music schools of the Alpes-Maritimes Department.
This is undoubtedly one of the most significant and successful events organized in the Nice area.
But with an event comes “organization” as well.
Who is behind this “product” that the public will be able to enjoy this upcoming weekend in Nice? The answer is simple: It’s the team led by a “conductor” named Frédéric Antoine, head of the Services for Education, Sports, and Culture at the General Council.
Nice-Premium met with him to learn more…
Nice Premium: A popular event above all…
Frédéric Antoine: Access for everyone and friendliness are the very essence of this event. The day of interactive workshops and human-sized performances creates maximum contact and exchange with the public. On the other hand, the evenings are grand to fascinate and enchant the audience with the power of large ensembles.
NP: Tell us about the 2010 edition…
FA: This year, “It’s Not Classical!” will welcome great performers and conductors from all fields of classical music, Gilles APAP, Didier LOCKWOOD, Philippe AUGUIN, Philippe BENDER, Sarah NEMTANU, Zakhar BRON.
The event will take place from November 12 to 14, 2010, at the Palais Acropolis in Nice.
NP: There will also be educational days…
FA: For the first time in 2009, middle school students from the department accompanied by their music teachers were involved in the event “It’s Not Classical.” They could attend rehearsals of three different formations:
- Symphonic music with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Emmanuel KRIVINE;
- Chamber music (film scores) with soloist Laurent KORCIA and his formation of strings, percussion, and accordions;
Departmental school choir, music by French composer Gilles Maugenest: a piece for a children’s choir with 1, 2, and 3 voices accompanied by an instrumental ensemble.
This operation aimed to reveal the orchestral preparation work and the conductor’s significant role in following the score. During this session, the conductor engaged with the students, presented the musicians’ work, and unveiled each section of instruments composing a classical orchestra through the sounds and playing styles. He also placed the composers of the works in the historical or literary context of the score’s writing.
1,128 middle school students from 27 schools participated in this educational day. For 2010, we plan to expand the operation with a project of participatory workshops involving 1,338 children from 22 schools currently registered. This event for music class teachers and their students will revolve around the piece “The Rite of Spring” by the composer Igor Stravinsky, performed by the Youth Orchestra of the Mediterranean.
A preparatory meeting, directed towards music teachers, took place ahead of the event to enable them to prepare their students for the participatory workshops that will occur before the piece is performed.
During this session, the conductor will engage the students, presenting the musicians’ work with the support of a PowerPoint presentation projected in the hall and offering the students singing exercises based on the piece.
At the end of the event, a dialogue will be possible between the students and the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra, created in 1984 and composed of young musicians freshly out of the Conservatory.
NP: Tell us about the guests who will animate the event…
FA:
There will be major works:
- “Gloria” by Vivaldi
- “The Rite of Spring” by Stravinsky
- “Swan Lake” by Tchaikovsky
- Famous Waltzes and Polkas
- “Peter and the Wolf” by Prokofiev
- Movie music: “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “Gone with the Wind.”
Prestigious guests:
- Didier Lockwood, jazz violinist
- Natalie Choquette, the Diva
- Gilles Apap, hailed as the violinist of the 21st century by Yehudi Menuhin
- Professor Zakhar Bron
- Sarah Nemtanu, first violin of the French National Orchestra, performer of the original soundtrack of the film “Le concert”;
- Quatuor Ebène, winner of the 2010 “Victoires de la musique”;
- Trio Wanderer, winner of the “Victoires de la musique” in 1997, 2000, and 2009.
Department ensembles:
- Nice Philharmonic Orchestra
- Regional Orchestra of Cannes Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
- Nice Baroque Ensemble
- Youth Orchestra of the Mediterranean Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
- Regional Vocal Choir of Côte d’Azur.
- Departmental School of Music
- Regional Conservatory (CRR)
- Mediterranean Brass Band
NP: To conclude, would you introduce this program to us?
FA: Friday, November 12, afternoon will be reserved for the department’s middle school students; The Youth Orchestra of the Mediterranean Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, under the direction of Alain JOUTARD, will present “The Rite of Spring” by Igor STRAVINSKY.
The opening event of the 2010 edition will be dedicated to the violin with three major artists Didier LOCKWOOD (Jazz), Gille APAP (Folk Music), and Sarah NEMTANU (Classical) accompanied by the Regional Orchestra of Cannes Provence Alpes-Côte d’Azur, under the direction of Pierre Emmanuel THOMAS.
Quatuor Ebène, the 2010 “Victoires de la Musique” winner, will also present its show “Fiction”.
On Saturday, November 13, afternoon, “It’s Not Classical” will host the world premiere of “PENTIMENTO” by Madona BOUGLIONE set to the music of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”.
In the evening, the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra, the Opera Choir, and the Philharmonic Choir, under the direction of Philippe AUGUIN, will perform a tribute to the composer John WILLIAMS, featuring his major works “STAR WARS” and “INDIANA JONES”.
The Trio Wanderer, winners of the instrumental ensemble award at “Victoires de la musique” in 1997, 2000, and 2009, will present a chamber music concert.
On Sunday, November 14, afternoon, the Nice Baroque Ensemble with the Regional Choir of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, under the direction of Gilbert BEZZINA, will give a Vivaldi Concert: “Gloria”, excerpts from the “Magnificat” and the “Stabat Mater”.
This concert will be followed by “Great Pianists of Nice”, Nicolas BRINGUIER, Jean DUBE and Christophe ALVAREZ, accompanied by the Regional Orchestra of Cannes Provence Alpes-Côte d’Azur, under the direction of Philippe BENDER.
In the late afternoon at Athena, Stéphane LOGEROT will present his original compositions inspired by famous classical themes: “Quai No. 5”, with scenography by singer Juliette. Unclassifiable! The music of Mozart or Bach as if these geniuses were Cuban or Czech.
In the evening, to close this 2010 edition, the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Philippe AUGUIN, will present “Famous Overtures, Polkas and Waltzes”:
“Light Cavalry Overture” and “Poet and Peasant Overture” by Franz Von Suppé
“Gypsy Baron Overture”, “Fast Polkas”, and “Waltzes” by Johannes Strauss
And many events around the event, workshops, master classes, exhibitions…etc.
NP: And for the Shows / Concerts at Place Garibaldi?
FA: We have planned this program:
“Piano Walker” by the La Rumeur Company: Musical wandering show on Avenue de la République with a pianist, an opera singer, and a pianist-singer (40’) at 1:15 PM, 2:45 PM, and 4:15 PM
Zingaria: Traveling Gypsy music on Avenue de la République with an accordion, a guitar, and a violin at 1:15 PM, 2:45 PM, and 4:15 PM
Municipal Harmony of Nice: Concert (45’) at 2:15 PM
