From Montréal to New York, contemporary music crosses borders! As part of its musical journey through the Americas, Quasar and MNM bring two major North American cities together by uniting Montréal’s Quasar Saxophone Quartet and New York’s vocal ensemble Ekmeles.

The two ensembles join forces for an exceptional program, accompanied by four guest clarinetists. This rare combination of instrumental and vocal forces opens up fascinating new sonic possibilities.

The first half features a world premiere by Thierry Tidrow (co-commissioned by Quasar and the SMCQ), bringing the two ensembles together in a work where instrumental writing and theatricality intertwine. Emerging talent is also in the spotlight with a new work by Jules Bastin-Fontaine, exploring the expressive possibilities of this unique combination of voices, saxophones, and clarinets (commissioned by the SMCQ).

In the second half, the performers bring to life a masterpiece of the contemporary repertoire: Luciano Berio’s Canticum Novissimi Testamenti (1989—1991). Scored for eight voices, four saxophones, and four clarinets, this monumental work reveals the full richness of the timbres and textures of an ensemble as rare as it is spectacular.