This series features Schulich School of Music faculty presenting a selection
of books and music that they are exploring – for edification, inspiration, or
distraction – during these long months of social isolation. These short
interviews seek to emulate the spontaneous interactions that our patrons
enjoyed in the Music Library discussing their current reads or the recordings
that they had recently discovered (or rediscovered!). Tune in to learn about
new works and old favourites, and let us know what you are reading and
listening to!

Our sixth post in this series features Isabelle Cossette, Associate Professor, Music Education.

Q. What are you currently reading?

A. I am currently reading a book from Luca di Fulvio. I really liked the first one I read from him, Les enfants de Venise. Now I’m reading Le gang des rêves. It is a bit darker but is still interesting, it is set in New York around 1920, and highlights class differences. I will soon start reading another book by di Fulvio, Le soleil des rebelles.

Another book I have been reading is Performing Music Research, which was recently launched by Aaron Williamon and other colleagues! Professor Williamon has held the position of Schulich Distinguished Visiting Professor and Dean’s Chair in Music for the past two years. Anyone interested in performance research should definitely check out this book!

Q. What have you been listening to these days?

A. I have listened quite a lot to the relatively new Jean Leloup Album: L’étrange pays. He is a fabulous poet. At the end of February, I listened to a great virtual concert produced by Les nuits d’Afrique, which focused on the diversity and kindred ancestral ties between Africa and the First Nations. The performance featured Djely Tapa, Anachnid et Mi’gmafrica.

Q. Have you attended any conferences or events lately?

A. This past week, I attended the opening movie of Le Festival International du Film sur l’Art: the film, Beijing Spring, reveals the role a small group of avant-garde Chinese artists, the Stars, had on Beijing Spring, a brief period of political liberalization and freedom of expression in China in the late 70s and early 80s.

This online Festival will also feature Les frontières de l’art, a film written and produced by my husband on the Quebec art world and in which I performed.

Q. What are you most looking forward to post-Covid?

A. What I am most looking forward to post-Covid is seeing my parents and family, going out on terrasses, eating in restaurants, and having dinners with friends!