Citius, Altius, Fortius!

Citius, Altius, Fortius! (Faster, Higher, Stronger!) is a short and energetic orchestral movement, a type of fanfare or overture, inspired by the Olympic motto. The work is characterized by rapid, bustling textures (citius), ascending melodic gestures (altius), and powerful, brass chords (fortius). Beyond the rivalry, media craze, and prestigious medals, the Olympic games epitomize the invigorating adventure of surpassing oneself. The Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius is for me a rousing call of encouragement to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. It is in this very state of mind that I composed the piece, and in which I wish to drive the listener. It is dedicated to each of my parents who, in their own way, brought me to go beyond expectations and surpass myself.Citius, altius, fortius! was premiered in 2008 by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the upcoming Winter Olympic Games of 2010, in Vancouver.

Maxime Goulet

Montreal-based composer Maxime Goulet captivates audiences with his communicative musical language and his imaginative concepts. Goulet’s works include an orchestral suite for chocolate tasting, a piano concerto for a chess match, a fishing story mimed by a costumed clarinetist, and a crowd game for beach ball and orchestra.

Goulet’s works has been performed on five continents by leading ensembles such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Liege Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Opera. 

His album Maxime Goulet: Symphonie de la tempête de verglas (“Ice Storm Symphony”), has won a Juno award for Best Classical Album of the Year. His album Chocolats symphoniques (“Symphonic Chocolates”) has been praised for making classical music more festive.

In addition to his classical works, Goulet has scored over 35 video games, including “Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade,” “Roller Coaster Tycoon World,” and “The Amazing Spider-Man,”. He also created The Montreal Video Game Symphony, a multimedia concert that merges the symphony orchestra with the interactive world of gaming.

Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11 was written when before his twentieth birthday in 1830. At the time of writing, Chopin was also working on another Piano concerto in F Minor. He actually completed the F Minor Concerto before the E minor one, but the publisher came out with the E Minor first, hence the labeled Concerto No.1.  

As Chopin himself is a virtuosic pianist, these concertos are meant for showing off the piano in the composer’s own concert, therefore the rich piano part is more emphasized in comparison to standard well-balanced concertos. The first movement (Allegro maestoso) opens with a lengthy orchestral introduction, establishing the dramatic and lyrical themes that the piano will elaborate upon. The second movement (Romance. Larghetto) is characterized by its lyrical, song-like quality, reflecting Chopin’s deep affinity for expressive, melodic lines. The final movement (Rondo. Vivace) is a lively and spirited rondo, highlighting the pianist’s technical prowess and ending the concerto with exuberant energy. 

Over the years, this concerto has been cherished by pianists and audiences alike for its emotional range and technical challenges, maintaining its status as one of Chopin’s most celebrated works.

Frédéric Chopin, composer

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist, widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Born in Żelazowa Wola, near Warsaw, Chopin displayed prodigious talent at an early age, composing and performing for aristocratic circles in Warsaw before moving to Paris in 1831. Paris became his home for the rest of his life, and he became a central figure in the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

Chopin’s music is known for its poetic expressiveness, technical brilliance, and deep emotional depth. He composed primarily for the piano, creating a vast body of work that includes nocturnes, études, mazurkas, waltzes, preludes, and two piano concertos. His music often drew inspiration from Polish folk traditions, infusing his compositions with a distinct national character. Despite his relatively small output compared to some of his contemporaries, each of Chopin’s works is meticulously crafted, displaying an unparalleled understanding of the piano’s capabilities.

Physically frail and frequently ill throughout his life, Chopin was also known for his private and introspective nature. His personal life was marked by his long, tumultuous relationship with the French writer George Sand, and his declining health due to tuberculosis. He passed away in Paris at the age of 39, leaving behind a legacy of piano music that continues to be cherished by pianists and audiences worldwide.

Symphony No. 9, Op. 95 (“New World”)

In 1893, Czech composer Antonín Dvořák was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City. Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, commonly known as the “New World Symphony”, is one of his most famous works. Dvořák was deeply influenced by his exposure to American culture, particularly African American spirituals and Native American music. The symphony premiered at Carnegie Hall on December 16, 1893, conducted by Anton Seidl, and was met with immediate acclaim. Dvořák’s intent was to capture the spirit of American music while integrating his own Bohemian musical roots.

The symphony is structured in four movements: Adagio – Allegro molto, Largo, Scherzo: Molto vivace, and Allegro con fuoco. The first movement opens with a slow introduction that leads into a lively and robust main theme, reflecting the excitement and energy of the Dvorak’s experience from Czech to New York. The second movement, Largo, is famous for its soulful English horn melody, nowadays often associated with the song “Goin’ Home.” The third movement, a spirited scherzo, draws inspiration from Native American rhythms and dances. The final movement, Allegro con fuoco, ties the symphony together with a powerful and triumphant conclusion, incorporating themes from the previous movements and showcasing Dvořák’s masterful orchestration.

Antonín Dvořák, composer

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) was a Czech composer who emerged as one of the leading figures in the Romantic era of classical music. Born in a small village near Prague, Dvořák showed musical talent from an early age, playing violin and organ. He studied at the Prague Conservatory, where he was deeply influenced by Czech folk music, which remained a central element of his compositional style throughout his career.

Dvořák’s music gained international recognition when his Slavonic Dances were published in 1878. These pieces, characterized by their vibrant rhythms and folk melodies, showcased his ability to blend traditional folk elements with classical forms. His success continued with major works such as the Symphony No. 7, Cello Concerto in B Minor, and the opera Rusalka.

In 1892, Dvořák accepted a position as the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City. During his time in the United States, he was inspired by American folk music that he was surrounded with, and claimed that he was delighted by African American spirituals and Native American songs (although it seems unlikely that he heard genuine versions of either and perhaps have confused Native American and black Southern music). This resulted in many of his work, including the famous Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”), American String Quartet and the Sonatina in G Major.

Dvořák returned to Europe in 1895, where he continued to compose and teach until his death in 1904. His legacy includes a rich body of work that spans symphonies, chamber music, operas, and choral works. Known for his melodic inventiveness and incorporation of folk elements, Dvořák remains a beloved and influential figure in classical music.