A major event which it is hoped will bridge the gap between new music festivals in Europe and North America was announced in Huddersfield yesterday.

Graham McKenzie, artistic director of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music festival, said the first CartelMTL, as the new venture will be called, will be held in Montreal over four days next June.

He said: “This will be an opportunity for festivals in Europe and from Quebec and North America to meet, discuss and look at the potential for co-promoting and co-commissioning to tour works across the Atlantic and for Montreal to be in a position to be a gateway to America and Europe.”

The 36th HCMF opened on Friday night and in its 10-day run will host 31 world premieres and 94 UK premieres.

Developing and presenting the very best in new music from around the globe is key to HCMF’s reputation.

It is the largest international festival of contemporary and new music in the UK and has earned its international reputation by championing both new and established composers, artists and ensembles.

Members of the BBC Singers in composer Cecilie Ore's Come To The Edge which received its world premiere at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
Members of the BBC Singers in composer Cecilie Ore's Come To The Edge which received its world premiere at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

And nowhere is that more evident than in the partnerships the festival has nurtured with artists from across the globe and its support for emerging talent.

Free Monday sums up at least part of that ethos with 15 short performances running at the festival from 11am until midnight today.

All of them showcase work by established artists and by emerging new talent offering the latter a chance to appear at this award-winning festival.

The future may now see some of that talent crossing the Atlantic with some performers, composers and artists hopefully seeing their work travelling in both directions.

That seems to be the vision encompassed by this new initiative.

HCMF has three partners in CartelMTL. They are Suoni Per Il Popolo, one of Canada’s leading new music festivals, Groupe Le Vivier, a Quebec-based network of new promoters and the Bozzini Quartet, Canada’s leading new music string quartet.

More in Friday’s Examiner about festival events, including the BBC Singers in a new piece which incorporates transcripts from the controversial trial in Russia of punk band Pussy Riot.

Sound Installation at the Byram Arcade, Huddersfield as part of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
Sound Installation at the Byram Arcade, Huddersfield as part of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.