A visionary recording uniting Canadian artistic excellence

This project is more than a recording – it is a celebration of Canadian artistic excellence, a tribute to the late Jacques Hétu, and a reflection on the power of music to unite, inspire, and transcend. Two Orchestras, One Symphony is a benchmark performance of Jacques Hétu’s Symphony No. 5, his final work and a new milestone in Canadian orchestral music. The album is a tribute to Hétu’s epic composition and a testament to the unity and strength of Canada’s orchestral music community.

Celebrating the legacy of a final masterpiece

Symphony No.5 is undoubtedly one of internationally renowned Québecois composer Jacques Hétu’s most significant achievements. His final work draws inspiration from Paul Éluard’s Second World War poem Liberté, which explores themes of freedom and hope, to portray Nazi-occupied Paris, concluding with a choral setting of Éluard’s poem, celebrating the liberation of France. Unfortunately, Hétu never heard his masterwork performed live. He died three weeks shy of its world premiere by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 2010. 

This landmark recording reimagines Symphony No. 5, featuring over 200 artists from the NAC Orchestra, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. The result is a sweeping, emotionally charged performance that breathes new life into Hétu’s masterpiece.

This project was an incredibly fulfilling endeavour for Alexander Shelley, now in his tenth season as the NAC Orchestra’s music director. Shelley commented: ‘Hétu’s music has a refined elegance and craftsmanship that is both challenging and rewarding to explore. Bringing together two orchestras and a full choir for this recording was a thrilling experience, and the result is something truly special.’

A powerful collaboration

Having guest conducted the OSQ in several concerts, Shelley envisioned a collaborative project that would showcase the unique strengths of both orchestras. The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, one of Canada’s oldest and most revered choral groups, added another layer of richness to the project. 

Following a critically acclaimed tour in Québec and Ontario, this new recording took place in March 2024 in Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre. The monumental effort involved hundreds of musicians and singers performing under Shelley’s inspired direction. The result is a technical achievement that symbolizes the unity in Canadian music, bridging different regions and musical traditions to create a shared work of art.

Opening night at the Grand Théâtre de Québec, the first stop on the Two Orchestras, One Symphony tour © Greggory Clark

A lasting tribute to Jacques Hétu

One of Canada’s most esteemed and frequently performed composers, Hétu’s catalogue includes some 70 works, including symphonies, operas, choral and chamber music, and concertos for numerous instruments. 

 Hétu’s relationship with the NAC Orchestra stretches back nearly five decades. In 1977, the Orchestra commissioned Antinomi and performed the piece under former music director Mario Bernardi. Later, under Pinchas Zukerman, Hétu’s works featured prominently on the Orchestra’s European tour in 1990 and its Québec tour in 2006. This enduring partnership laid the groundwork for this grand-scale interpretation of Symphony No. 5, which marks a fitting conclusion to Hétu’s legacy.

A showcase of leading Canadian ensembles, Two Orchestras, One Symphony has the potential to make a lasting impression on listeners worldwide. Set for release on the Analekta music label, the new album is now available for purchase and streaming across all major platforms.

Two Orchestras, One Symphony is available worldwide from 15 November. You can stream the new release here.