Symphonic Chocolates

Orchestral Sweets in Four Flavours

“An off-the-wall idea that makes classical music more festive. […] Symphonic Chocolates is pure happiness.”
– Radio-Canada, Patrick Masbourian

“An all-encompassing, multisensory experience that has challenged the idea of a traditional classical music concerts – and maybe even how to eat chocolate.”
– The Houston Chron, Lawrence Elizabeth Knox

“An original idea supported by a clever music, immediately pleasant and very cinematographic.”
– Le Devoir, Christophe Huss

“A new experience on a whole other level! ”
–CBC, Daybreak Montreal

“A chocolate tasting at the symphony: Maxime Goulet’s Symphonic Chocolates is a delicious sensory experience.”
– CBC, InTune

“The audience enthusiastically participated in both eating and listening and thoroughly enjoyed both, especially the dark chocolate habanera.”
– Ontario Arts Review

“Symphonic Chocolates should be among the regular repertoire of all orchestras. It has proved a huge success with musicians and audience.”
– Boris Brott

Symphonic Chocolates is a work meant to accompany a chocolate tasting. It’s an orchestral suite in four short movements in which each movement evokes a different flavour of chocolate:
I – Caramel Chocolate: A long lyrical melody supported by a rich and enveloping sonority.
II – Dark Chocolate: An intense habanera of desire and seduction, spiced up with a dissonant bitterness.
III – Mint Chocolate: A delicate freshness with icy cold sonorities.
IV – Coffee-infused Chocolate: An espresso tempo with a Brazilian flavour.
During the concert, the audience is invited to eat four small chocolates while each movement of the corresponding flavour is being played. Learn more about tasting concerts.
Science reveals that music can influence the taste of chocolate. Learn more about these research.

Instrumentation:

Version for classical orchestra: 2.2.2.2 / 2.2.0.0 / 1 perc (optional) / strings
Version for chamber orchestra: 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.0 / 1 perc (optional) / strings
Version for soloist ensemble: 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.0 / 1 perc (optional) / string quintet
Version for string orchestra and piano * (arr. by Maxime Goulet & Eric Jones Cadieux)
Version for string orchestra
Version for string quintet and piano * (arr. by Maxime Goulet & Eric Jones Cadieux)
Version for string quintet
Version for string quartet
Version for wind quintet *
Version for two violins and piano ** (arr. by Maxime Goulet & Eric Jones Cadieux)
Version for solo violin and piano * (arr. by Maxime Goulet & Eric Jones Cadieux)
Version for solo flute and piano * (arr. by Maxime Goulet & Eric Jones Cadieux)
Version for solo clarinet and piano * (arr. by Maxime Goulet & Eric Jones Cadieux)
Version for wind orchestra (arr. by Paul Suchan)

* This version includes only the 4th movement, Coffee-infused Chocolate
** This version includes only the 2nd movement, Dark Chocolate

Duration: 12 minutes

Suggested program:

Symphonic Chocolates is often performed for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day
Soundtrack of the movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” or “Willy Wonka”
Soundtrack of the movie “Chocolat”
Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Bach: Coffee Cantata BWV 211

Commissioned by the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, and their artistic director Boris Brott, as part of a composer residency, for the 25th anniversary of the Brott Music Festival.

Dedicated to Ardyth and Boris Brott to thank them for all the artistic support they have given to the composer.

Premiere: August 2nd, 2012, by the National Academy Orchestra of Canada and the conductor Boris Brott, during the Brott Music Festival, in Hamilton.

Discography: Symphonic Chocolates was recorded by the Prague FILMharmonic Orchestra and maestro Adam Klemens and is featured on the album Chocolats symphoniques, published in 2014.

Official web site of Symphonic Chocolates: www.symphonicchocolates.com

Version for String Quartet

Version for String Orchestra

Performance of the version for string orchestra of Symphonic Chocolates by the B-A-C-H Chamber Ensemble, The Soloists of Russia, at the Museum of Ekaterinburg History, Ekaterinburg, in Russia.

Version for Wind Quintet

Performance of the wind quintet version of the 4th movement of Symphonic Chocolates by musicians of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Other videos of Symphonic Chocolates

Maxime Goulet introduces Symphonic Chocolates during a tasting concert with the Orchestre symphonique du Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean

Interview with Maxime Goulet about Symphonic Chocolates

Coverage about Symphonic Chocolates concerts in Switzerland

Coverage about Symphonic Chocolates concerts in France

Caramel Chocolate performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser

Coffee-infused Chocolate performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser

Performances of Symphonic Chocolates

2026, Apr. 18 | Carmel Symphony Orchestra | Carmel, IN, United States
2026, June 20 | Stadtorchester Schlieren, Hugo Bollschweiler | Singsaal Reitmen, Schlieren, Switzerland
2026, June 19 | Stadtorchester Schlieren, Hugo Bollschweiler | Singsaal Reitmen, Schlieren, Switzerland
2026, Jan. 26 | Symphony of the Redwoods, Bryan Nies | Cotton Auditorium, Redwoods, CA, United States
2026, Jan. 25 | Symphony of the Redwoods, Bryan Nies | Cotton Auditorium, Redwoods, CA, United States

2025, Dec. 12 | Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra, Matthew Jones | Etobicoke, Toronto, ON, Canada
2025, June 29 | Oerlikon Orchestra Association (OVOE), Oscar Mario Echeverry | Reformierte Kirche Oerlikon, Zürich, Switzerland
2025, May 28 | Oerlikon Orchestra Association (OVOE), Oscar Mario Echeverry | Orchestra Festival at Avignon, France
2025, Apr. 6 | Quatuor Sauvage | Paris, France
2025, Feb. 14 | Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, William Rowson | Place des Arts, Sudbury, ON, Canada
2025, Feb. 9 | Kingston Symphony, Evan Mitchell | Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Kingston, ON, Canada
2025, Feb. 8 | Albany Symphony Orchestra, Claire Hillard | Doublegate Country Club, Albany, NY, United States

2024, Dec. 8 | Orchestre de Ribaupierre, Maxime Pitois | Salle Paderewski – Casino de Montbenon, Lausanne, Switzerland
2024, Dec. 6 | Orchestre de Ribaupierre, Maxime Pitois | Salle Del Castillo à Vevey, Switzerland
2024, Nov. 16 | Harvard Pops Orchestra, Allen Feinstein | Harvard’s Lowell Lecture Hall, Cambridge, MA, United States
2024, Aug. 2 | Auckland Grammar School Symphony Orchestra | Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland, New Zeland
2024, Aug. 1 | Auckland Grammar School Symphony Orchestra | Auckland Grammar School Centennial Theatre, Auckland, New Zeland
2024, July 19 | Orchestra of the Academia Claud Brendel, Claude Brendel | Galpão Theatre, Espace culturel Renato Russo, Brasilia, Brazil
2024, July 13 | Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Rodolfo Barráez | Singapore Botanic Gardens, Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore
2024, July 12 | Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Rodolfo Barráez | Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore
2024, July 10 | Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Rodolfo Barráez | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School, Singapore
2024, Apr. 14 | Kammerochestrer Kloten, François Girard-Garcia | Catholic Church of Kloten, Kloten, Switzerland
2024, Apr. 13 | Kammerochestrer Kloten, François Girard-Garcia | Protestant Church of Seinmaur, Steinmaur, Switzerland
2024, Mar. 20 | Orchestre symphonique de Québec | Salle Albert Rousseau, Sainte-Foye, QC, Canada
2024, Mar. 1 | Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Evan Mitchell | Italian Cultural Centre, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
2024, Feb. 17 | New Texas Sinfonia, Weston Jennings | First Presbyterian Church, Tyler, TX, United States
2024, Feb. 16 | New Texas Sinfonia, Weston Jennings | First Presbyterian Church, Tyler, TX, United States
2024, Feb. 15 | Mid-Texas Symphony, Akiko Fujimoto | New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center, New Braunfels, TX, United States
2024, Feb. 13 | Orchestre classique de Montréal | Salle Picasso, Hôtel Sofitel, Montréal, QC, Canada

2023, Dec. 22 | Orchestre Symphonique de Mâcon, David Hurpeau | Église Saint-Vincent, Mâcon, France
2023, Dec. 21 | Orchestre Symphonique de Mâcon, David Hurpeau | Église Saint-Vincent, Mâcon, France
2023, Dec. 2 | Intersection, Kelly Corcoran | Green Door Gourmet, Nashville, TN, United States
2023, Dec. 1 | Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Jonas Ehrler | École communale à Dolembreux, Belgium
2023, Nov. 30 | Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Jonas Ehrler | École Saint-Joseph à Herve, Belgium
2023, Nov. 29 | Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Jonas Ehrler | Salle La Bodega à Comblain-au-Pont, Belgium
2023, Nov. 28 | Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Jonas Ehrler | AR Agri à Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse, Belgium
2023, Oct. 8 | Intersection, Kelly Corcoran | 21c Museum Hotel, Louisville, KY, United States

2022, June 5 | Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra | Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, AB, Canada (Online concert)
2022, Mar. 6 | Pasadena Philharmonic, James Park | San Jacinto College Central – Slocomb Auditorium, Pasadena, TX, United States
2022, Feb. 5 | Lakeland Symphony Orchestra String Quartet | Ritz, Winter Haven, FL, United States

2021, Dec. 31 | Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Christopher James Lees | Belk Theater, Charlotte, NC, United States
2021, Dec. 11 | Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Bahman Saless | Boulder Seventh-Day Adventist Church, NV, United States
2021, Nov. 21 | Orchestre de Chambre Sérénade, Philippe Ménard | Église Saint-Édouard, Montreal, QC, Canada
2021, Sept. 22 | Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, Nathanaël Iselin | Symphonic Hall, Musikhuset Aarhus, Danmark

2019, Dec. 31 | Black Hills Symphony Orchestra, Bruce Knowles | Performing Arts Center, Rapid City, SD, United States
2019, Dec. 8 | Orchestre d’harmonie de Chenôve, Maxime Pitois | Cèdre à Chenôve, Bourgogne, France
2019, Dec. 7 | Orchestre d’harmonie de Chenôve, Maxime Pitois | Cèdre à Chenôve, Bourgogne, France
2019, Nov. 3 | Ensemble Symphonique Neuchâtel, Benjamin Levy | Théâtre du Passage, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
2019, Oct. 5 | Enigma Orchestra, Rupert Bond | St Christopher’s Church, Hinchley Wood, Esher, United Kingdom
2019, Aug. 22 | Tahoe Academy Orchestra, Timm Rolek | West Shore Café, Homewood, CA, United States
2019, June 9 | Orchestre Serenade, Philippe Ménard | Le Ministère, Montreal, QC, Canada
2019, May 8 | Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Jean-Pierre Haeck | Salle Philharmonique, Liège, Belgium
2019, Apr. 21 | B-A-C-H Chamber Ensemble, The Soloists of Russia | Museum of Ekaterinburg History, Ekaterinburg, Russia
2019, Feb. 23 | Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Lucas Waldin | Centre In The Square, Kitchener, ON, Canada
2019, Feb. 22 | Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Lucas Waldin | Centre In The Square, Kitchener, ON, Canada
2019, Jan. 27 | Orchestre de chambre fribourgeois | Musée d’art et d’histoire Lapidaire, Genève, Switzerland

2018, Nov. 1 | Orchestre de la FAMEQ, Amélie Bois | Salle Henri Gagnon, pavillon Casault, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
2018, June 14 | Chameleon Chamber Ensemble, International Multisensory Research Forum | University of Toronto, ON, Canada
2018, May 20 | Parkway Concert Orchestra, Geneviève Leclair | Saint Susanna Parish, Dedham, MA, United States
2018, Mar. 24 | Orchestre symphonique de Sherbrooke, Stephane Laforest | Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
2018, Mar. 4 | Parkway Concert Orchestra, Geneviève Leclair | Holy Name Upper Church Parish, West Roxbury, MA, United States
2018, Feb. 13 | Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra | Setnor Auditorium, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States

2017, Nov. 19 | River Oaks Chamber Orchestra | Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston, Houston, TX, United States
2017, Oct. 29 | Conway Symphony Orchestra, Israel Getzov | Reynolds Performance Hall, Conway, Arkansas, United States
2017, Oct. 25 | Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rivard | Italian Cultural Centre, ON, Canada
2017, Aug. 26 | OCTavo | Meteor Theatre, Hamilton, New Zealand
2017, Aug. 4 | National Academy Orchestra of Canada, Boris Brott | Koerner Hall, Toronto, ON, Canada
2017, July 23 | Orchestre Gens du Pays, Amélie Bois | Eurochesterie, Auditorio do Campus Muscambinho, Sobral, Brazil
2017, July 22 | Orchestre Gens du Pays, Amélie Bois | Eurochesterie, Theatro São João, Sobral, Brazil
2017, July 20 | Orchestre Gens du Pays, Amélie Bois | Eurochesterie, Igreja de Taperuaba, Sobral, Brazil
2017, July 18 | Orchestre Gens du Pays, Amélie Bois | Eurochesterie, Igreja do Jordao, Sobral, Brazil
2017, July 17 | Orchestre Gens du Pays, Amélie Bois | Eurochesterie, North Shopping, Sobral, Brazil
2017, May 6 | Orchestre Gens du Pays | Salle André Gagnon, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, QC, Canada
2017, Apr. 9 | Orchestre Régional de Normandie, Jean-Pierre Haeck | La Sall’In, Cabourg – 14, Normandie, France
2017, Apr. 8 | Orchestre Régional de Normandie, Jean-Pierre Haeck | Salle des fêtes, Villedieu les Poëles – 50, Normandie, France
2017, Apr. 7 | Orchestre Régional de Normandie, Jean-Pierre Haeck | La Renaissance, Mondeville – 14, Normandie, France
2017, Apr. 4 | Orchestre Régional de Normandie, Jean-Pierre Haeck | Théâtre de l’Arsenal, Val de Reuil – 27, Normandie, France
2017, Apr. 2 | Orchestre Régional de Normandie, Jean-Pierre Haeck | Le Rex, Saint-Hilaire du Harcouët – 50, Normandie, France
2017, Apr. 1 | Orchestre Régional de Normandie, Jean-Pierre Haeck | Abbaye, Saint-Sauveur Le Vicomte – 50, Normandie, France
2017, March 30 | Orchestre Régional de Normandie | Collège Fontenelle, Rouen-76, Normandie, France
2017, March 29 | Erreur de type 27 | Pavillon Pierre Lassonde du MNBAQ, Québec, QC, Canada
2017, March 19 | Sinfonia de Lanaudière, Stéphane Laforest | Théâtre Hector-Charland, L’Assomption, QC, Canada
2017, March 16 | Stellae Boreales | Solon Dorado, Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2017, March 15 | Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Kalle Kuusava | Grand Théâtre de Québec, Quebec, QC, Canada
2017, March 15 | Stellae Boreales | Museo De Arte Hispanoamericano Isaac Fenandez Blanco, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2017, March 15 | Stellae Boreales | Lincoln International School, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2017, March 13 | Stellae Boreales | Tigre School, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2017, March 13 | Stellae Boreales | Northlands School, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2017, March 11 | Stellae Boreales | Villa Casa Central, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2017, March 5 | Sinfonia de Lanaudière, Stéphane Laforest | Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne,Terrebonne, QC, Canada
2017, March 4 | Stellae Boreales | National Arts Centre of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
2017, Feb. 25 | International Symphony Orchestra, Douglas Bianchi | Northern High School Performing Arts Center, Port Huron, ON, Canada
2017, Feb. 24 | International Symphony Orchestra, Douglas Bianchi | Imperial Theatre, Sarnia, ON, Canada

2016, June 4 | Myriam Genest-Denis Trio | Église Trinity United de Cookshire-Eaton, QC, Canada
2016, May 15 | Oakville Symphony Orchestra, Roberto De Clara | Oakville, ON, Canada
2016, May 14 | Oakville Symphony Orchestra, Roberto De Clara | Oakville, ON, Canada
2016, Apr. 10 | Orchestre d’Harmonie de la Ville de Luzy, Yann Bail | Cinéma Le Select, Saint-Honoré-Les-Bains, France
2016, Apr. 9 | Orchestre d’Harmonie de la Ville de Luzy, Yann Bail | Salle Marcel Joyeux, Luzy, France
2016, Feb. 28 | Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, William Eddins | Edmonton, Enmax Hall, Winspear Centre
2016, Feb. 21 | Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Symphonic Orchestra, Geneviève Leclair | Théâtre Banque Nationale, Saguenay, QC, Canada
2016, Feb. 13 | Fountain Inn Symphony Orchestra, Michael Moore | Youth Center for Performing Arts, North Carolina, United States
2016, Feb. 14 | McGill Chamber Orchestra, Boris Brott | Picasso Hall of Sofitel, Montreal, QC, Canada
2016, Feb. 11 | Empire State Youth Orchestras, David C. Beck | Capital District, New York, United States

2012, Aug. 2 | National Academy Orchestra of Canada, Boris Brott | Brott Music festival, Burlington (premiere)

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