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Hannah Darroch: Vagues se brisant contre le vent

Published: 11 April 2018

Flutist Hannah Darroch (DMus '19) is set to perform Canat de Chizy's Vagues se brisant contre le vent, for Flute and Ensemble with the McGill Contemporary Ensemble Friday, April 13, 2018 at 7:30 pm in Pollack Hall. A piece not often heard in the concert hall, we spoke with Hannah to learn more about what listeners can expect to hear.

What is Edith Canat de Chizy’s piece about?

Vagues se brisant contre le vent is based on a painting by William Turner that depicts a storm. Canat de Chizy calls the piece “a struggle between the elements,” and says she chose the flute as an instrument that can really evoke a swirling energy, like the painting.  

Are there certain moments that the audience should listen for?

For me this piece is very gestural, and I’m really able to experiment with the full spectrum of colours that the flute has to offer. Instead of listening for a melody, I’d definitely guide the listener to explore the colours and textures you hear, and to enjoy how they change with different combinations of instruments. You’ll see me reaching for flute, alto flute, and piccolo during the concerto, and you’ll also hear some extended techniques on all of them: flutter-tonguing, timbral trills, whistle tones, etc. 

Why did you choose to attend Schulich?

High on the list was definitely the worldwide reputation around my supervisor Tim Hutchins, Principal Flute of the OSM. In my case, I think I’ve lucked out with the school and the city being added bonuses! I’d worked with two conductors from Montreal in my home country of New Zealand quite a few years ago, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Jacques Lacombe, so I had been intrigued for awhile with what Québec had to offer. I also wanted something different, I did my Masters in the United States, but for my Doctorate I was really drawn to the Commonwealth connection. 

 

Buy your tickets for the performance.

Photo by Bradley Garner.

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