Sonia Paço-Rocchia Explained

Sonia Paço-Rocchia /so.ˈnja ˈpa.so ˈrɔ.kja/, born in 1982 in Montreal, is a composer, multidisciplinary artist, improviser, bassoonist and creative coder.

Biography

After graduating in mixed music composition from the Université de Montréal in 2005,^[1] she began her career in Europe, where she was based mainly in London. She later moved to the Laurentides region in Quebec. Her work has been shown in a dozen countries, including Canada,^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} England and Belgium.^[7] In 2019, she became the first woman to receive the in the "Creation of the Year" category.^[8]

Sonia Paço-Rocchia's approach focuses on sounds, timbres and open musical forms. Her research includes the exploitation and expansion of the sound palettes of instruments through playing techniques or live electronics, inventing her own instruments and instrument automatons. Her pieces frequently involve a visual or theatrical aspect.

Sonia Paço-Rocchia is bassoonist-improviser with the .^{[9] [10] [11]} She regularly improvises with chamber ensembles, such as The Fantastique Quintet,^[12] VibraLib^[13] and ZzCc^[14] or as a soloist.^[15]

Work

Compositions

• Justine et les machines, opera on a libretto by Marie-Ève Bouchard, commissioned by the 3 FEMMES prize by Mécénat Musica (2021-2022)^[16]
• Trouée, a work for baritone saxophone (doubling on piccolo), contrabass clarinet, two Tables de Babel (instrument by), Orgue de sirène (instrument by), percussion including an electric Lame,^[17] a Stemsaw and a Flex-a-tone on stand, and multi-channel live electronics. This work was commissioned by and, and was nominated as a finalist for the "Creation of the Year" in 2020 (2019) ^[18]
• Ode au métal is a work for saxophone quartet performing inside an installation, made of large metal pieces augmented with electronics, as well as quadraphonic live electronics. This work was commissioned by the saxophone quartet . Ode au métal was awarded two, "Creation of the Year" and "Concert of the Year, New Music, Electroacoustic" as well as an Excellence award in performing arts from the . (2019)^{[19] [20]}
• Si on l'ouvrait is a composition for alto flute, bass clarinet, violin, cello, piano, Flex on a stand, sensor boxes, projection automaton and quadraphonic live electronics. This work was commissioned by the . (2019)^{[21] [22]}
• Nouvelle vie, nouvelle ville is a created for the 375th anniversary of the founding of the city of Montreal. Commissioned by the Pointe à Callière Museum, it is a composition for brass quintet (Magnitude6), musical saw, Stemsaw, quadraphonic live electronics,^[23] train sirens, boats sirens and the carillon of Notre-Dame Basilica. (2017)^[24]
• Said, live coding performance made with a live coding web platform developed by the artist, presented among others places at StudioXX (2017) ^[25]
• D’un autre côté, for guitar, harp, harpsichord, cymbalum, double bass, five Cubes that are sound triggers and live electronics. A work commissioned by for the ensemble Punctum. (2014)
• Hommage, for 32 bassoons around the public. (2011)^{[26] [27] [28] [29]}
• Il temps-te, variations and improvisations avec theatricality, for cornet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, trumpet and quadraphonic live electronics. (2006)^[30]
• Soupirs, for solo clarinet, voice and live electronics. (2005)^[31]
• CAM, for seven musicians playing Société de transport de Montréal metro cards, amplification on a quadraphonic setup. (2001)^{[32] [33]}

Installations

• When the Saws are Alone in the Woods, an automated musical saw quartet installed in a sugar maple forest that can be visited virtually and interacted with via an online poetic journey in which each choice influences the composition and the video. (2020)^{[34] [35]}
• Flex, a sound, kinetic and interactive installation, an automated flexatone ensemble playing an interactive non-linear composition, presented in Curiosités sonores ambulantes (the artist's van-gallery). (2019, 2022)^[36]
• Ode au métal is a work for saxophone quartet performing inside an installation, made of large metal pieces augmented with electronics, as well as quadraphonic live electronics. This work was commissioned by the saxophone quartet . Ode au métal was awarded two, "Creation of the Year" and "Concert of the Year, New Music, Electroacoustic" as well as an Excellence award in performing arts from the . (2019)
• Réflexion a sound, visual and robotic installation with web-interactivity, an installation for automated moving mirrors, projection and non-linear composition presented at Agence Topo (2019)^[37]
• Lames, site-specific interactive sound installation for automated musical saw ensemble, commissioned by Centre Daïmôn, Hull, for the Interstices 150th of Confederation event (2017),^{[38] [39]} presented at Electric Eclectics Festival, Meaford and at NAISA, South River.^{[40] [41]}
• Scies, interactive sound installation with generative non-linear composition for ensemble of sound automatons made from circular saw blades (2016), presented at Modern Fuel Gallery during Tone Deaf.^[42]
• Hélix, a site-specific interactive sound installation with up to twenty Helixophone automatons, an instrument based on the Slinky invented by the artist (2013) Hélix was presented at City Sonic, Mons, Carré 150 during Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville,^[43] Quai 5160, Montréal, PHOS, Espace F, Matane, Centre d'art visuel d'Alberta, Edmonton, among others.

Exhibitions

Solo exhibitions

• Centre d'exposition de Val David, Québec (online) (2020)
• NAISA, South River, Ontario (2019)
• Agence Topo, Montreal, Quebec (2019)
• Centre d’art visuel d’Alberta, Edmonton (2018)
• Quai 5160, Verdun, Quebec (2017-2018)
• Carré 150, Victoriaville, Quebec (2017)
• Transcultures, Mons, Belgique (2013)

Group exhibitions

• Electric Eclectics Festival, Meaford, Ontario (2019)^[44]
• Traverse, Atelier de l'île, Val David, Quebec (2019)
• PHOS, Espace F, Matane, Quebec (2018)
• Interstices, Daïmôn, Hull, Quebec (2017)
• Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville, Québec (2017)
• Tone Deaf, Modern Fuel, Kingston, Ontario (2016)

• Hörlursfestival, Sollefteå, Sweden (2013)^[45]
• City Sonic and Park in Progress, International sound art festival, Mons, Belgium (2013)^[46]
• Installation sur le Slinky version pour la Croatie, Vrijeme nakon 2011, Gallery Kortil, Rijeka, Croatia (2011)^[47]
• Leytonstone Arts Trail, London (2010)^[48]
• Interactive Sound Installation on Living Room Scale Installation by Takako Jin, during Leytonstone Art Trail, London (2009)^[49]
• A Cup of Tea Solves Everything, London (2009)^[50]

Discography

• Sonia Paço-Rocchia, Improvisation For Bicycle^[51]
• LIO LEO LEON, Emanem Disc^[52]
• Cornelius Cardew – The Great Learning^[53]
• Hutch Demouilpied – Otherness Album^[54]
• Avant-garde-robe^[55]

Awards and recognition

• Finalist for the Artiste de l'année des Laurentides award from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec^[56]
• Winner of the Excellence in performing arts award from the for her work Ode au métal, her research and her international outreach^[57]
• Winner of the Mécénat Musica's 3 FEMMES award 2020-2021^[58]
• Finalist in the "Creation of the Year" category of the for her work Trouée in 2020^[59]
• Winner of the, in the category "Creation of the Year" for the work Ode to Metal in 2019
• Winner of the, in the category "Concert of the year, new and electroacoustic music" for her work Ode au métal en 2019
• Winner of the Prix Jeune relève in visual art, in 2018 for her work as a whole^{[60] [61] [62]}

External links

• Canadian Music Centre, composer's page
• RAAV/CARFAC artist's page

References

Sources

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2021-03-29. en. Nominations et diplômés à l'honneur – mai 2020. reseau.umontreal.ca.
2. Web site: 2021-03-09. 2020-01-20. fr-FR. Les lauréats du gala des prix OPUS 2020. Le Canal Auditif.
3. Web site: 2021-03-10. Radio-Canada: Ici Alberta. fr. Hélix au Centre d'arts visuels de l'Alberta. .
4. Web site: 2021-03-10. fr. ICI Radio-Canada Première Balados, livres audio. Radio-Canada.
5. Web site: 2021-03-10. 2018-01-09. Sophie. fr-FR. Poisson. Rebondir. Journal Métro.
6. Web site: 2021-03-10. fr-CA. Sonia Paço-Rocchia - Helix - Exposition à Victoriaville – Le Carré 150. www.lecarre150.com.
7. Web site: 2021-03-10. 2013-07-03. en-US. 11.07.2013 – Opening of the installation "Hélix" of Sonia Paço Rocchia – Site des anciens abattoirs, Mons.
8. Web site: 2021-03-29. CQM > Activités et services > Prix Opus > Archives. cqm.qc.ca.
9. Web site: Kate McMillan. en. The Moment of Disappearance.
10. Web site: 2021-03-09. en. musicians. www.londonimprovisersorchestra.co.uk.
11. Web site: 2021-03-09. en. Cafe OTO → The Twentieth Anniversary London Improvisers Orchestra, 1–3 December 2018. www.cafeoto.co.uk.
12. Web site: 2021-03-09. 2010-07-17. en-US. Sunday 18 July 2010. Mopomoso.
13. Web site: 2021-03-26. 2020-02-11. fr-FR. Prix Opus 2020: deux récipiendaires issus du cégep de Saint-Laurent!. Cégep de Saint-Laurent.
14. Web site: 2021-04-21. 2019-07-27. fr. Sonia Paço-Rocchia. Quasar.
15. Web site: 2021-03-09. en. John Driscoll, Phil Edelstein, and Sonia Paço-Rocchia. www.wherevent.com. 20 November 2016 .
16. Book: 2022-12-02. fr. Justine et les machines.
17. Instrument invented and designed by Sonia Paço-Rocchia
18. Web site: 2021-03-10. 2020-11-25. NOUVELLE Découvrez qui sont tous les finalistes des prochains Prix Opus!. Ludwig Van Montreal.
19. Web site: 2021-03-09. fr. Logique respectée aux prix Opus. Le Devoir. 20 January 2020 .
20. Web site: 2021-03-09. 2020-01-25. fr-FR. Prix Opus du Conseil Québécois de la Musique. Centre de musique canadienne au Québec.
21. Web site: 2021-03-10. 2019-12-16. en. Si on l'ouvrait. Ensemble Paramirabo.
22. Web site: 2021-03-10. en. Carte blanche James O'Callaghan. Électroprésence.
23. Designed and coded by Sonia Paço-Rocchia
24. Web site: 2021-03-10. fr. Les Symphonies portuaires. pacmusee.qc.ca.
25. Web site: 2021-03-10. 2017-01-26. fr-FR. Sonia Paço-Rocchia : présentation informelle de résidence. Ada x.
26. Web site: 2021-03-29. L'association. www.foudebasson.com.
27. Web site: 2021-03-26. Sonia Paço-Rocchia OBORO. www.oboro.net.
28. Web site: 2021-03-26. fr-FR. Sonia Paço-Rocchia – Culture Laurentides.
29. Web site: 2021-03-29. fr-CA. février 2016. La Croche oreille. 22 February 2016 .
30. Book: 2021-03-29. fr. Il Temps-te.
31. Web site: 2021-03-09. fr-ca. Ville de Montréal - Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur. ville.montreal.qc.ca.
32. Web site: 2021-03-29. Chambre Blanche. www.chambreblanche.qc.ca.
33. Web site: 2021-03-29. 2018-08-09. en-US. Ouverture de la résidence de Sonia Paço-Rocchia, le jeudi 4 février à 17h à La Chambre Blanche. Réseau Art Actuel.
34. Web site: 2021-03-09. fr-FR. Lames seules dans les bois.
35. Web site: 2021-03-09. 2020-11-10. fr-FR. Une promenade poétique virtuelle. L'info du Nord Sainte-Agathe.
36. Web site: 2021-03-10. fr. Traverse. Atelier de l'île.
37. Web site: 2021-03-10. fr-FR. Réflexion de Sonia Paço-Rocchia. Réseau Art Actuel.
38. Web site: 2021-03-10. 2017-10-26. fr-FR. À perte de vue / Endless Landscape : faire exister le paysage. EX_SITU.
39. Web site: fr-FR. INTERSTICES - parcours d'oeuvres sonores, lancement le mercredi 12 juillet à 19h à DAÏMÔN. Reseau Art Actuel.
40. Web site: 2021-03-10. en-CA. Lames @ NAISA by Sonia Paço-Rocchia. Huntsville Doppler.
41. Web site: 2021-03-10. Lames@NAISA – Canadian Art. canadianart.ca.
42. Web site: 2021-03-10. en. past. Modern Fuel.
43. Web site: 2021-03-10. fr-ca. Sara. 2017. fimav.qc.ca. 16 December 2015 .
44. Web site: 2021-03-29. en-US. LINEUP. Electric Eclectics Festival.
45. Web site: Pierre Jolivet. fr. Hörlursfestival.
46. Web site: 2021-03-29. City Sonic 2013]-Festival International des Arts. fr-FR. Sonores. Parcours sonore au centre ville – Anciens abattoirs [City Sonic 2013] - Festival International des Arts Sonores].
47. Web site: 2021-03-29. 2011-03-25. Vrijeme Nakon 2011-Time. After 2011. Vrijeme nakon 2011 - Time after 2011: SONIA Paço-ROCCHIA. Vrijeme nakon 2011 - Time after 2011.
48. Web site: 2021-03-29. Info : Frances Bowman. www.francesbowman.com.
49. Web site: 2021-03-26. 2019-05-15. en. ISCM. Paço-Rocchia, Sonia. ISCM.
50. Web site: 2021-03-29. 2009-02-19. en. TAS at Art Exhibition. Tea Appreciation Society.
51. Web site: 2021-03-09. en. AUDITION RECORDS INTERNATIONAL DATABASE DOCUMENTARY RELEASES 2010-2015. auditionrecords.com.
52. Web site: 2021-03-09. Psi 2011 CD releases. www.emanemdisc.com.
53. Web site: 2021-03-09. Bôłt – New Music in Eastern Europe. www.boltrecords.pl.
54. Web site: 2021-03-09. en-us. Hutch Demouilpied - Otherness FLAC album. FLAC albums download - havanas.ee.
55. Web site: 2021-03-09. Avant-garde-robe, by eric normand chante. eric normand chante.
56. Web site: 2022-12-02. 2022-11-03. fr-FR. Invitation à la soirée et dévoilement des finalistes. Culture Laurentides.
57. Web site: 2022-12-02. fr-FR. Grands Prix de la culture - Lauréats. Culture Laurentides.
58. Web site: 2021-03-10. fr. Prix 2020/21. Musique 3 Femmes.
59. Web site: 2021-03-10. 2020-11-25. NOUVELLE Découvrez qui sont tous les finalistes des prochains Prix Opus!. Ludwig Van Montreal.
60. Web site: 2021-03-10. La 29e édition des Grands Prix de la culture des Laurentides Journalinternet.com est un incontournable, plus de3,000 personnes nous suivent. journalinternet.com.
61. Web site: 2021-03-10. 2018-11-15. Publié par: Émilie. fr-FR. Corbeil. Grands Prix de la Culture. Journal des Citoyens.
62. Web site: 2021-04-21. fr-FR. Grands Prix de la culture. Culture Laurentides.