Free Classical Music in Montreal This Weekend

Are you looking for an inexpensive introduction to classical music on this warm January weekend in Montreal? If you look around, you can find many alternatives to the expensive symphony concerts in many Canadian cities.
For example, I found two good choices for this weekend in Montreal. Go forth, and enjoy the music:

• On Saturday January 16th at 7:30 PM, the Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal; étudiants en direction d'orchestre gives a free concert at the Salle Claude-Champagne: 200 Vincent-d'Indy (métro Édouard-Montpetit). http://www.musique.umontreal.ca/
  
  
• And on Sunday January 17th at 2:30 PM, at St. John's Lutheran Church 3594 Jeanne-Mance (corner Prince-Arthur) for a freewill offering, you can see:
  Serenata at St. John's Ted Baskin, Alexa Zirbel, oboe; Josée Marchand, English horn; Susan Pulliam, Sara Bohl Pistolesi, violin; Michael Krausse, viola; Donald Pistolesi, celloBeethoven: String Quartet, op.18 #4; Wranitzky: Trio for 2 oboes and English horn; Triebensee: Variations on a Theme by Haydn
  

Add a comment if you went to either of these concerts, or if you want to see more free classical recommendations.

Classical Guitar Gala - Featuring Canada's Best

For those of you who will be in the Montreal area tomorrow evening (Friday, November 20), might I suggest a fresh and engaging outing of guitar music. And this isn't your usual rock/punk/grunge/pop/mixture-of-all-these-genres, or experimental, electrically charged, break all bounds type of music... Expect an evening of music where structure reigns supreme and where mastery depends on phrasing and a control of nuances, not on noise and speed... Good and honest, well-crafted compositions that do the soul good.
I'm proposing a classical guitar concert, with none other than the Trio Alla Grande and Patrick Kearney.

Trio Alla Grande is comprised of Rémi Barrette, Julien Bisaillon, and Bruno Roussel; three of the best young classical guitarists to emerge from the Outaouais region. Taking the prim-and-proper out of the Canadian Classical music scene, and drawing from various influences ranging from South American rhythms to impressionism, they offer an original contemporary, and energetic repertoire that is sure to be pleasing to both die-hard classicists and uninitiated newbies alike.
Joining into this wonderful complicity with equal passion and enthusiasm is Patrick Kearney, one of Canada's most distinguished, prominent classical guitarist who has been heralded as a breathless revelation by both critics and listeners. He has won countless prizes and honours, and is the founder of the Lachine International Guitar Festival and Competition.
If you're not familiar with these fellows or the genre, why not do yourself a favour by stepping out of your usual sphere of musical experiences and taking advantage of this opportunity to acquaint yourself with understated but pure talent.

Ticket are currently on sale at Le Milieu and can be purchased at the door before the concert; cost is $20 and $15 for students. The performance begins at 20:00 and is expected to run until 01:00. Enjoy.


Le Milieu, 6545 Durocher, suite 200 (corner of Beaubien)