Monthly Archives: February 2022

Chatting with Bruce McGillivray about the German bow, music and rehabilitation

After a short stay in Mt Sinai after collapsing in early September, my mother went to Bridgepoint Hospital for rehab, gradually seeking to re-cover her mobility with the help of physical therapy. The beautiful view through the window lifts patients’ … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Interviews, Music and musicology, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Toddler masterclass with Brian Cox

I’ve just finished reading Brian Cox’s delightful memoir, subtitled Putting the Rabbit in the Hat. Cox is an actor currently famous for his role as the powerful father Logan Roy, in the tv series Succession, although you might know him … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sky Gilbert talks about Pat and Skee, a dark new comedy about his parents

Pat and Skee opens February 25 at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, a darkly comic memoir of a challenging childhood. Sky Gilbert is a ‘child of divorce.’ Pat and Skee is an homage to Sky’s parents—who did their best to raise … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Gimeno, Schumann’s Spring, Pal’s Scylla at the TSO

What an unusual night for the Toronto Symphony. It’s 11:20 pm as I begin to write this, recalling the headline on CP24 (a picture I snapped at 4:33 pm) about Toronto’s downtown, that says “BREAKING: Traffic is gridlocked in much … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Music of Our Time: John Williams at 90

It can be awe-inspiring to look at a composer’s lifetime of work. We know that JS Bach composed over 1,000 pieces in his 65 years, while Mozart, who lived only 35 years, composed perhaps 600 pieces. Yet we only care … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment