Vanessa Marcoux is gearing up to release her neoclassical odyssey La Jungle
Montreal’s Vanessa Marcoux is set to release her album, La Jungle, on January 13.
Violinist extraordinaire Marcoux holds a bachelor’s degree from McGill University (where she obtained the mention “Outstanding Achievement in Violin”) as well as a master’s degree in interpretation from the University of Montreal, in addition to having completed an advanced training course at the prestigious National Superior Conservatory of Lyon. She also completed a second bachelor’s degree in instrumental composition at the Université de Montréal, where she studied with Ana Sokolovic. She has received several grants and awards as a violinist and composer. She regularly performs in concert as a soloist and chamber musician, both for the classical repertoire and for contemporary music and mixed music.
As a composer, she has written for various ensembles, ranging from serious music to popular music, film music, and children’s works. His works have been performed by various ensembles, such as the Orchester Symphonique de Québec, the Orchester Symphonique de Sherbrooke, and the duo Fortin-Poirier. She is also interested in musical improvisation and has taken several advanced courses in France, Germany, and Canada. Sought after on the Montreal scene for her qualities as an improviser, she has to her credit several recordings for Canadian artists of international renown. She performed for several years with the group Oktopus, which received a Juno nomination as well as the Canadian Folk Music Awards for its second album, Hapax, published in 2017.
Listen to her latest single, “L’appel,” below and learn more about Vanessa Marcoux via our mini-interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I am a violinist and composer from Montreal. My training is classical, but over the years, I’ve been introduced to many other traditions, such as Klezmer music and jazz. As a result, musical improvisation is now a big part of my life. I also like to write in many different styles, and I particularly enjoy this plurality because it gives me a lot of freedom.
You are about to unveil your album, La Jungle. What can you tell us about the writing process behind the release?
I took on this project during the pandemic. I had always dreamed of recording an album, but I never had enough time to make it happen. I got a grant from the Canada Arts Council, which helped me with the production costs. I then spent nearly a year writing the music and recording from home in my tiny office. Save for two guest artists, I recorded all of the music by myself by stacking violin tracks and adding synths, hand percussions, and the odd kitchen utensil!
When did you begin playing the violin?
I began playing at the age of seven when my parents enrolled me in a school program that was offering group violin lessons to kids.
What’s your favourite thing about the music scene in Montreal?
There is so much talent in Montreal. It’s crazy! I encounter highly gifted and creative individuals almost on a weekly basis, which is very inspiring for me.
What else do you have planned for 2023?
I have a violin-piano ensemble called Duo Cordelia, and we are in the process of recording an album with a string orchestra, which should come out in September 2023. I am also working on producing a live concert version of “La Jungle” with nine wonderful musicians.
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