Author Archives: barczablog

Ethics and aesthetics in the news

Posted on August 13, 2013 by barczablog

It’s an odd week to be sure, as the Political keeps pushing its chin into the picture, rearing its handsome & long-haired head. The biggest controversy I’m currently hearing about is the fortunate convergence of Putin with Tchaikowsky…more on that … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Leave a comment

Political Beethoven: time for truth

Posted on August 13, 2013 by barczablog

Do modern times sometimes upset you? seeking to escape? It’s a nerdy question naturally.  If you’re alive, you’re in modern times, no matter how preoccupied you allow yourself to become, lost in a video-game, biography, opera DVD, soap opera… (you … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Worship through Music, or “This is your soul on music”

Posted on August 10, 2013 by barczablog

This is a blog version of a message I delivered August 4th 2013. The readings (read by someone else) were Joshua 6: 1-21: one of scariest displays of the Old Testament God’s power, music is central to this moment. Psalm … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Omens and portents

Posted on August 10, 2013 by barczablog

I am no soothsayer. A little over a week ago Ontario had five by-elections. Here’s what I expected to hear on August 2nd (the day after the election): If the Liberals got massacred, that they were clinging to power, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | 2 Comments

Whose dream?

Posted on August 5, 2013 by barczablog

We’re in the summer of Wagner’s Bicentennial.  Frank Castorf’s new Ring cycle has opened at Bayreuth, which led to the inevitable boos from the audience. Inevitable?  Two of the greatest Bayreuth productions of the past few decades were booed at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

What a concert is supposed to do

Posted on August 2, 2013 by barczablog

Too much fun in church means that at least one person will guiltily look over their shoulder. The church was Koerner Hall, and the fun was The Minimalist Dream House Project from Toronto Summer Music, Katia and Marielle Labèque plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Perpetual motion and minimalism

Posted on August 1, 2013 by barczablog

It’s time. Recently I wrote about minimalist music in anticipation of Katia et Marielle Labèque playing Toronto Summer Music’s August 1st concert: The Minimalist Dream House project.  While I titled that piece The Geneology (sic) of Minimalism I was not … Continue reading →

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Exoticism –The Music of Karol Szymanowski

Posted on July 31, 2013 by barczablog

Earlier this summer I let someone pick the play I saw, observing how it’s valuable to let someone else choose what one will see and/or hear.  We circumscribe ourselves with our menu choices, our viewing habits, our purchases, boxing ourselves … Continue reading →

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The End, Mr Trotsky

Posted on July 28, 2013 by barczablog

I went to see This is the End, a very funny movie about the end of the world.  It’s full of famous actors I know and love: Seth Rogen, of Funny People, Superbad and Knocked Up James Franco, of the … Continue reading →

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Diva distress

Posted on July 27, 2013 by barczablog

Nothing is quite so delicious as a delicacy imperilled.  We love our rare wines, cheeses, hard to find films & DVDs.  Part of the enjoyment is in boasting of your exclusive enjoyment. It’s summertime, when some go to see operas … Continue reading →

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