Author Archives: barczablog

Toronto Symphony: last moment program change

Posted on April 8, 2015 by barczablog

From a press release: “The TSO has taken a decision to remove Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 from this week’s programme.  The concert for Wednesday, April 8  and Thursday, April 9  will focus entirely on Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.  The concert … Continue reading →

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TSO controversy: it’s not about the music anymore

Posted on April 7, 2015 by barczablog

The similarities between Valentina Lisitsa and Justin Bieber were noted years ago. They’re self-made stars They get millions of hits on youtube Their overconfidence has led them into trouble Perhaps Lisitsa needs to have a celebrity roast, as she seeks … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

Stewart Goodyear replaces Valentina Lisitsa

Posted on April 7, 2015 by barczablog

A change has been announced for the Toronto Symphony concerts this week on April 8 & 9, a concert I was eagerly anticipating, wanting to hear Valentina Lisitsa in person (as I wrote yesterday). But today the announcement was made … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 4 Comments

Virtual virtuoso: Valentina Lisitsa to play Rachmaninoff with Toronto Symphony this week

Posted on April 6, 2015 by barczablog

I’ve been thinking about the way that concert performances idealize a work.  Even the most elaborate productions of opera require short-cuts, some sort of suspension of disbelief when fully staged.     The question about concert performances of opera is really a … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 2 Comments

What does this Requiem do? Ivany meets Mozart

Posted on April 2, 2015 by barczablog

The calendar reminds us of the relationship of our society and religion.  This week is one of those times of year when people may make their only annual visit to a church or synagogue, while those who are regular attendees or church … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Louise in Concert

Posted on March 30, 2015 by barczablog

Concert performances of opera can be a wonderful alternative considering the expense of fully staged productions. Works that would otherwise rarely see the light of day –such as Rossini’s William Tell (hard to sing) or Benjamin’s Written on Skin (recently  composed) —are … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Slattery & La Nef bring “Dowland in Dublin” to Toronto

Posted on March 28, 2015 by barczablog

The concept was discovered almost by accident. At a Christmas Party a few years ago, members of La Nef attempted to play the music of John Dowland as though he were Irish. It turns out that there’s evidence that Dowland … Continue reading →

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Michael Slattery’s voices

Posted on March 26, 2015 by barczablog

I’ve been listening to Dowland in Dublin, Michael Slattery’s collaboration with La Nef, for a few years now.  I was lucky that someone brought it to my attention.  Since that time it’s been a regular feature on the CD player … Continue reading →

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Escher & Farmer at National Gallery

Posted on March 23, 2015 by barczablog

Gallery attractions are sometimes from a permanent collection, sometimes brought in from elsewhere.  When you visit the National Gallery in Ottawa next month you’ll be able to see the Alex Colville show that was seen in Toronto at the AGO … Continue reading →

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Opera Lyra’s Marriage of Figaro

Posted on March 22, 2015 by barczablog

As the climax of their thirtieth season Opera Lyra present Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, beginning with tonight’s opening performance.  This is an opera company that has come back from the brink, bouncing back from financial difficulty with a series … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments