Monthly Archives: September 2018

A new start with the old guy

Posted on September 23, 2018 by barczablog

A very long time ago I was a Toronto Symphony subscriber watching Andrew Davis conduct the TSO. We’re both much older now. Tonight’s concert at Roy Thomson Hall was the launch of a new season with a new leader stepping … Continue reading →

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Mozart 40, Tafelmusik 40

Posted on September 22, 2018 by barczablog

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra are at Koerner Hall this week. I can’t be the only one noticing the parallel between the title of tonight’s concert (“Mozart 40”) & a historical note in the program (“Tafelmusik at 40”) Perhaps its an accidental … Continue reading →

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Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique & the fork in the recreational road

Posted on September 19, 2018 by barczablog

I’m responding as much to the serendipity of timing as anything else. Recreational marijuana becomes legal in Ontario next month. The Toronto Symphony are about to begin their 2018-19 season with Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Is there a connection? I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Producers at Lower Ossington Theatre

Posted on September 15, 2018 by barczablog

I just saw The Producers at the Lower Ossington Theatre. I have so many different sorts of responses, I want to keep them straight. 1. The theatre 2. The play (I know every line of the film, the play is … Continue reading →

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Wagner & Sibelius insights with Margarete von Vaight

Posted on September 13, 2018 by barczablog

There’s so much to know about some repertoire, a little flash of insight about this song or that role can get lost in the massive store-house of knowledge. It used to be said among my circle of friends at university … Continue reading →

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I Call myself Princess

Posted on September 12, 2018 by barczablog

I watched and listened to the second preview of I Call Myself Princess, Jani Lauzon’s impressive new play with opera, presented at Aki Studio in a collaboration between A Paper Canoe Projects, Cahoots Theatre and Native Earth Performing Arts. Genre … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Liszt’s Winterreise

Posted on September 8, 2018 by barczablog

After experiencing the 24 man deconstructed Winterreise from Tongue in Cheek Productions, I’ve had all that Schubert rattling around in my head the past couple of days. Given that I had to return a couple of books anyway, to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Pain in the neck

Posted on September 8, 2018 by barczablog

What is dignity if not a kind of self-respect.  You notice it most when it’s not there, perhaps taking it for granted otherwise. I got my hair cut on the way to a concert. In passing I want to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

24 ways of looking at Winterreise      

Posted on September 6, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight’s event at Lula Lounge from Tongue in Cheek Productions was not your typical song cycle. Yes we did get the 24 songs in Schubert’s romantic Winterreise, or “winter journey”.  But instead of a single singer going along that cold … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments