The Complete Saint-Saëns Violin Concertos

Andrew Wan, OSM concertmaster, under the direction of Kent Nagano

Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, under the direction of Kent Nagano, is proud to present Andrew Wan, concertmaster, in a complete reading of the three Violin Concertos by Camille Saint-Saëns (First and Second Concertos on November 26 and 29, Third Concerto at the two concerts on November 27). Moreover, the OSM is pleased to announce that these complete Saint-Saëns Violin Concertos will be recorded for an upcoming album. This recording is made possible through the generous support of Mr. David B. Sela.

Saint-Saëns said that he was “running after the chimera of purity of style and perfection of form.” In the violin concertos, his ideal of clarity and equilibrium combines with an often innovative approach to the concerto form, and he demonstrates an in-depth understanding of writing for the soloist.

Concertmaster with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal since 2008, winner of the OSM Standard Life Competition in 2007, Andrew Wan has earned numerous distinctions, including the 2012 Prix Opus for best performance, for his work with the New Orford String Quartet. He has also made critically acclaimed discs with James Ehnes and the Metropolis Ensemble. Andrew Wan has given concerts at Carnegie Hall, at the Kennedy Center, at Benaroya Hall, at Jordan Hall and at Salle Gaveau with ensembles and artists like the Juilliard Quartet, Marc-André Hamelin, Gil Shaham and Cho-Liang Lin. He performs regularly at the festivals of St. Prex, Seattle, La Jolla, Aspen and Lanaudière. A graduate of the Juilliard School, he teaches at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. Andrew Wan’s 1744 Michel’Angelo Bergonzi violin is generously loaned by philanthropist David B. Sela.

For his four concerts this last week of November, Andrew Wan will perform the three Violin Concertos of Saint-Saëns, two of which are dedicated to the Spanish virtuoso Pablo de Sarasate. Two of Mozart’s most famous works round out the programs: his Symphony No. 40, of unequalled emotional power, and the inescapable Eine kleine Nachtmusik.

8 p.m. (First and Second Concertos)
10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Third Concerto)
8 p.m. (First and Second Concertos)
OSM Young Ambassadors Club event following the concert on Saturday, November 29

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