Monthly Archives: June 2018

Oundjian Ode to Joy

Posted on June 30, 2018 by barczablog

Tomorrow will be the last concert in this month-long celebration of Peter Oundjian’s tenure with the Toronto Symphony. I would have gone tomorrow but unfortunately I have to be somewhere else, and will miss that last encounter between orchestra & … Continue reading →

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100 years ago tonight: The Llandovery Castle

Posted on June 28, 2018 by barczablog

Composer Stephanie Martin & playwright Paul Ciufo are collaborating on their first opera, The Llandovery Castle.  They’re telling the story of the sinking of an unarmed hospital vessel of that name exactly 100 years ago. On the night of June … Continue reading →

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Plummer, Shakespeare & Oundjian

Posted on June 27, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight’s concert, the latest in the month-long Toronto Symphony celebration of Peter Oundjian, was like a cross between a pops concert and a play reading, titled “Christopher Plummer’s Symphonic Shakespeare”. It was like “Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits”, a series of textual … Continue reading →

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The People’s Purcell

Posted on June 25, 2018 by barczablog

Michael Slattery & La Nef are back with another recording from ATMA. A few years ago they collaborated on Dowland in Dublin. On that occasion their project took the music  in a new direction, reminding me of folk music or … Continue reading →

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Mozart & Mahler @ TSO

Posted on June 24, 2018 by barczablog

The final week of Peter Oundjian’s tenure leading the Toronto Symphony is here, so tantalizing because there’s a genuine rapport between the players & their leader. The future conductors who lead the ensemble, whether as guests or residents, may never … Continue reading →

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Ermanno Mauro: “Great Tenor Arias”

Posted on June 21, 2018 by barczablog

Sometimes recordings can open a window on the past. I’ve got a “new” CD, actually an old one that’s only new to me. Forgive me if I choose to write about something that’s not easily available but the CD immediately … Continue reading →

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Vaughan Williams recording: a joyful valedictory for Oundjian

Posted on June 19, 2018 by barczablog

The last month of Peter Oundjian’s tenure with the Toronto Symphony is unfolding as a celebration.  We’re partway through a series of concerts, with three more programs to come in the next fortnight. In addition Chandos have released a TSO … Continue reading →

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Oundjian and TSO: the long goodbye

Posted on June 14, 2018 by barczablog

It was the first in a series of concerts for the month-long celebration of Peter Oundjian’s achievement with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, as he finishes his fourteen year tenure as music director.  In his introduction Oundjian explained some of the rationale … Continue reading →

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What I learned from Bourdain

Posted on June 10, 2018 by barczablog

Anthony Bourdain, a man of contradictions, has died.  Yes he ended his life, but he seemed to know more about how to enjoy life than anyone I can think of.  As I watch CNN’s marathon of favourite episodes of Parts … Continue reading →

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The Little Match Girl Passion

Posted on June 8, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight was the second & concluding performance for Soundstreams presentation of David Lang’s The Little Match Girl Passion, paired on the program with the world premiere of James Rolfe’s song cycle I Think We Are Angels at Crow’s Theatre. I … Continue reading →

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