Presences Festival International Composition Competition in Shanghai (2008-2010): The Moment When Quebec Shined in China Through Music Creation
Following an immersion in China in 2008 and having gone through the various stages leading up to the international finale, Denis Gougeon in May 2010 was named winner of the Presences Festival International Composition Competition in Shanghai. Preselected by the smcq, eight composers were invited to Shanghai to become familiar with the culture and musical traditions of China. The Quebec finale was held in 2009, at which time each participant had to present a composition using an instrument and a melody based on Chinese tradition. The works composed by Simon Bertrand, José Evangelista, Denis Gougeon, Analía Llugdar, Pierre Michaud, Farangis Nurulla-Khoja, Sean Pepperall and Serge Provost gave international exposure to musical creation from Quebec. This study gives an overview of the various steps and highlights of the competition from memories and comments by Simon Bertrand, Walter Boudreau, José Évangelista, Denis Gougeon, Analía Llugdar and Pierre Michaud, providing insight into Quebec’s participation in the competition as well as each composer’s experience and conception of his or her work.