Vagues et ombres
(waves and shadows)
An ode to the aquatic world that surrounds us.
Immerse yourself in a world of colours and textures with the music of Claude Debussy, Luna Pearl Woolf and Tom Morrison, and the magical shadow theater of Mere Phantoms in Vagues et ombres (waves and shadows). The program includes original arrangements of works by Debussy including his iconic symphonic work, La Mer. A sonic evocation of the underwater world of belugas in the St. Lawrence River estuary, Woolf's Contact addresses an urgent situation affecting the marine ecosystem in Quebec, while Morrison's Sea Change expresses anxiety over the climate crisis.
Named best album of the year by CBC Music in 2022 and Juno-nominated in 2023, the album Vagues et ombres is published under the Alpha Classics label. The show was also the subject of a film-concert which received a mention of excellence at the Prix Opus 2023.
Music program
Étude no.4 (1915) - Claude Debussy
Passepied (1905) - C. Debussy
La Mer, I. De l'aube à midi sur la mer (1905) - C. Debussy
Contact (2021)* - Luna Pearl Woolf
La Mer, II. Jeux de vagues (1905) - C. Debussy
Sea Change (2018) - Tom Morrison
La Mer, III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer (1905) - C. Debussy
Clair de lune (1905) - C. Debussy
Debussy's pieces are arranged by Thibault Bertin-Maghit.
*commissioned by collectif9
Creative team
Concept and artistic direction: Thibault Bertin Maghit
Music: Claude Debussy, Luna Pearl Woolf , Tom Morrison
Shadow theatre: Mere Phantoms (Maya Ersan, Jaimie Robson)
Lighting design (concert): Tiffanie Boffa
Lighting design (film-concert): Martin Sirois
What they said
“Contact, [...] a "sound evocation of the underwater world of belugas [...]" where the strings swarm, the energies meet and create a bewitching harmony. A captivating record. Both modern and timeless.”
- Le Soir
“...a spellbinding album that pays a passionate, sensory homage to the music of Claude Debussy. Vagues et Ombres by the Montrealers of collectif9 adds another beautiful milestone to the impressive career of a chamber orchestra unlike any other.”
- PAN M 360
“The fourth Étude sounds so natural for string nonet that for a moment one believes this was how it was conceived; ...La Mer concludes the programme and works extraordinarily well [...] recreating Debussy’s magical score afresh.”
- Gramophone
“Debussy's cycle of symphonic sketches gains a vitality of texture, rhythmic motricity and dare we say it ... also of colors [...] Superb reinterpretation of Debussy by a very in tune, admirably articulated collective.”
- Classic News
Vagues et ombres - The film-concert
Vagues et ombres was the subject of a film-concert (2022) which was broadcast at the International Festival of Films on Art in 2022 and which was awarded a mention of excellence at the Prix Opus in 2023. The film is currently available on the platform arts.film (in Canada only).
