Country

:

Canada

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

La Nef is a Canadian classical music ensemble that specializes in early music and traditional music from around the world. The ensemble was founded in 1991 by Sylvain Bergeron, Seán Dagher, and Claire Gignac, who were all graduates of the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. The three musicians shared a passion for early music and wanted to create an ensemble that would explore the rich and diverse musical traditions of the past. From the beginning, La Nef was committed to performing music that was historically informed, meaning that they used period instruments and techniques to recreate the sound and style of music from different eras. The ensemble also sought to incorporate elements of traditional music from different cultures, including Celtic, African, and Middle Eastern music. The founding members of La Nef were all multi-instrumentalists, and they were joined by a rotating cast of musicians who specialized in different instruments and styles. Over the years, the ensemble has included performers on lute, viola da gamba, harp, percussion, and a variety of wind and string instruments. One of the highlights of La Nef's early career was their collaboration with the Canadian singer and songwriter Bruce Cockburn. In 1993, the ensemble recorded an album with Cockburn called "Christmas" that featured traditional Christmas carols and original songs by Cockburn. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish La Nef as one of the leading early music ensembles in Canada. In the years that followed, La Nef continued to explore different musical traditions and collaborate with a wide range of artists. They performed at festivals and concert halls across Canada and around the world, and they released several acclaimed albums, including "Le Concert des Fleurs" (1996), "Le Tour du Monde" (2000), and "La Nef des Fous" (2004). One of the most ambitious projects undertaken by La Nef was their collaboration with the Canadian poet and novelist Anne Michaels. In 2007, the ensemble premiered a new work called "Correspondances" that was based on Michaels' book of the same name. The piece combined music, poetry, and visual art to create a multi-sensory experience that explored themes of memory, loss, and connection. In addition to their performances and recordings, La Nef has also been recognized for their contributions to the Canadian music scene. They have received several awards and nominations, including a Juno Award for Best Classical Album in 2001 for "Le Tour du Monde." They have also been awarded grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec to support their artistic endeavors. Today, La Nef continues to be a leading voice in the world of early and traditional music. They remain committed to exploring the rich and diverse musical traditions of the past and bringing them to life for contemporary audiences. With their innovative and collaborative approach to music-making, La Nef is sure to continue to inspire and delight audiences for years to come.

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