CLASSICAL NOUVEAU - Overview

Classical Nouveau is a multidisciplinary, multimedia and multidimensional live performance ensemble created to perform the artsongs and instrumental music of composer/pianist/director Robert Bruce. Simultaneously retro and ultra-modern in sound and look, the unspoken focal point and guiding light of Classical Nouveau is the experience and enjoyment of beauty, pure and simple. This being always somewhat subjective to individual tastes, it might variously include the natural, artistic, expressive, inspirational, therapeutic, educational and other aspects of beauty.

The assumed foundational premise in Classical Nouveau is that the perception of true beauty, experienced through music and other artforms, can lift the spirit and soften the heart. Although certainly nothing new in itself, it is believed that this general direction has been largely ignored in many forms of art in recent decades, often in favour of aggression, shock value, experimentation for its own sake or harsh social commentary, and the effects of this trend are now sadly quite evident. The Classical Nouveau program offers a contemporary alternative that goes directly for the desired end result of experiencing beauty, and its many positive effects, with no cover-ups or apologies.

Musical elements include various combinations of piano, strings, woodwinds, harp, percussion and 1-3 female singers (soprano, mezzo and alto). The singers and instrumentalists in Classical Nouveau are some of the most gifted and most accomplished in Canada, coming from various classical, sacred and popular musical backgrounds. (Hear some of the music here).

Other key elements in the production which are integrated in various combinations are set design, original artwork, costumes, still and moving images projected on a large screen set at the back of the stage, special lighting effects, and a uniquely lyrical and slow-moving style of modern dance which has been developed specifically for this music and project since 1998. 3-6 dancers are generally part of the Classical Nouveau program.

3 original ink drawings by Nancy Winlove-Smith which are lightly animated and presented with live music in Classical Nouveau programs.

The program and music are generally slow-moving, introspective, streamlined, understated and somewhat meditative and are presented with the intent to offer listeners and viewers a sense of peace, comfort, depth, sincerity and upliftment.

Various combinations of musicians, singers, dancers and other visual elements come and go quite seamlessly throughout the program. Songs and/or musical interludes and their accompanying visual counterparts are presented in a more or less continuous succession so as to create and sustain the distinct suspended, otherworldly tone and atmosphere that is Classical Nouveau.

Variations in Production

The Classical Nouveau Ensemble can appear with as few as 6 members and as many as 25. Productions can be adapted to suit various venues and purposes. Please contact Robert Bruce for more information.

copyright © 2008 Robert Bruce