Celebrated Pianist Jean-Michel Blais Shares New Visuals For “Amour / Ouessant” From Latest LP ‘aubades’

Celebrated Montreal-based composer/pianist Jean-Michel Blais released his stunning album aubades earlier this year. Rich with narrative, the album has received its latest visual accompaniment, turning two tracks, “amour” and “ouessant” into a continuation of previously released “passepied“.

Created by collaborator Adrian Villagomez, spotlights Russian ballerina Larissa Belova in a melancholic and inspiring dance as a middle-aged woman in the grand empty Théâtre Outremont in Montréal. In docufilm style, it switches between VHS footage of Larissa’s past performance as a young ballerina and behind-the-scenes footage and her choreographed performance today exploring memory, loss and love of dance.

“When approached to dance for ‘amour’, Larissa responded with an additional choreography for ‘ouessant’!” says Blais. “This only merely shows that woman’s singularity. We then had no choice but to write this docu-fiction, interpolating her glorious past as a Soviet ballerina with her current grace as a woman, a loving mother, a generous, sensitive and explosive artist. ‘amour / ouessant’ is therefore both a process and a product, a testimony and a continuity, a creation and an inspiration for those who forgot their dreams along the way …”

Director Adrian Villagomez explains:

“It’s while working on ‘passepied’ that we got to know Larissa, Vlad’s mother, who turned out to be a very interesting character, and that’s when we realized that she alone could have been the protagonist of a feature film.

“I always wanted to mix the documentary style with music videos. Larissa is a strong and endearing character, she certainly has 100 stories to tell and is ‘extremely generous with her person. We felt privileged to have this closeness with her and give her the chance to perform with all the greatness she deserves.

“What’s cool about Jean-Michel is that when we start with a strong concept, we allow ourselves to let it evolve along the way. I think that’s why we can say we have a true documentary approach by letting ourselves rewrite the story during the filming as well as during post-production. “

Having composed for films before, Blais’ warm and magical compositional style is further elevated with the evolving short film. His first composing for a small ensemble, the orchestral textures flow seamlessly with his emotive piano composition.

Watch below, and read about his flawless album release here:

2022 TOUR DATES

02/09/22 L’assomption, QC – Théâtre Hector-Charland

03/09/22 Laval, QC – Salle André-Mathieu

08/09/22 Gaspé, QC – Salle de spectacles de Gaspé

09/09/22 Carleton-sur-Mer, QC – Studio Hydro-Québec du Quai des arts

10/09/22 Rimouski, QC – Salle Desjardins-Telus

12/09/22 Sept-Îles, QC – Salle Jean-Marc Dion

13/09/22 Baie-Comeau, QC – Centre des arts de Baie-Comeau

15/09/22 Saguenay, QC – Théâtre Banque Nationale

16/09/22 Dolbeau-Mistassini, QC – Salle Desjardins Maria-Chapdelaine

17/09/22 Alma, QC – Salle Michel-Côté

22/09/22 Rivière-du-Loup, QC – Centre culturel Berger – Salle Alphonse Desjardins
23/09/22 Lévis, QC – L’anglicane

24/09/22 Terrebonne, QC – Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne

26/09/22 Amos, QC – Théâtre des Eskers

27/09/22 La Sarre, QC – Salle de spectacles Desjardins

28/09/22 Rouyn-Noranda, QC – Théâtre du Cuivre

30/09/22 Val-d’Or, QC – Théâtre Télébec

02/10/22 Shawinigan, QC – Centre des arts de Shawinigan – Salle Philippe-Filion

04/10/22 Brossard, QC – L’Étoile Banque Nationale

05/10/22 Longueuil, QC – Théâtre de la Ville – Salle Pratt & Whitney

07/10/22 Beloeil, QC – Centre culturel de Beloeil

08/10/22 Baie-du-Febvre, QC – Théâtre Belcourt

13/10/22 Saint-Irénée, QC – Domaine forget de Charlevoix

14/10/22 St-Eustache, QC – Le Zénith Promutuel Assurance

20/10/22 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre

20/01/23 Toronto, ON – Koerner Hall