Shaping the identity of “Today’s Music” in North America: influence of the International Week of Today’s Music
In what way is “musique actuelle” (so named since 1979 with the founding of Productions SuperMémé, then Productions SuperMusique) indebted to the Semaine Internationale de Musique Actuelle (SIMA) organized by Pierre Mercure in 1961? This article explores the basis of the expression “musique actuelle” (cf. the 1961 “Semaine internationale de musique actuelle”) through historic elements, tracing its meanings since first used. Beyond the name “musique actuelle”, the author shows that this “actualist” movement, like Mercure’s events that sought to renew the creative act through non-conventional programming, was challenging the “old guard”. Its creative methods confronted cultural areas, aesthetically and socially, through free improvisation and collective input. And the “actualists” through these times clearly drew inspiration and identity from Mercure and the musical events of SIMA.