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Author Archives: barczablog
Provocative TSO program: a glimpse of Gimeno
It’s fun getting to know the new music director of the Toronto Symphony, Gustavo Gimeno. I’m excited both by the programming and the performances. Assembling concerts involves a curating process, picking & choosing pieces for performance. Forgive me for repeating … Continue reading
Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera
Tagged 2001: A Space Odyssey, Atmosphères, Charles Baudelaire, Christina Volpini, Claude Debussy, Franz Josef Haydn, Godfather, Gustavo Gimeno, Gyorgy Ligeti, Lohengrin, Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Wagner, Sarah Polley, Stanley Kubrick, sturm und drang, subito con forza, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Unsuk Chin, Yefim Bronfman
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Sarah Polley – Run Towards the Danger
I have just finished reading Sarah Polley’s Run Towards the Danger, a book like none I’ve ever read before. It might be the most authentic autobiography I’ve ever encountered. Except that it’s not an autobiography. I notice too that while … Continue reading
Tear-drop garden
Of all the photos on my iphone, half are pictures of Sam, the dog whose life ended in the spring. When I look at her I feel connected to her even if she’s gone. No wonder I hesitate to delete … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, domestic & wild
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Gemma New, Kerson Leong and the TSO: “allez grand ou rentrez chez vous”
Last night I heard the first of the Toronto Symphony’s weekend of romantic works, responding passionately to their guest conductor, the New Zealand-born Gemma New. I noticed her intense display of commitment, yet so respectful of every collaborator in this … Continue reading
The Drawing Room from Confluence
The Drawing Room is “a dialogue for three voices and a messenger,” Music by composer Ian Cusson, Text by André Alexis. Its 20 minutes of words & music concluded Confluence Concerts opener to their fifth season. It’s something like a … Continue reading
Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Reviews
Tagged André Alexis, Confluence Concerts, Ian Cusson, King Lear, The Drawing Room
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Handel’s London
The concept of Tafelmusik’s latest concert, titled “Handel’s London” channels some modern ideas through the baroque composers. It’s also a good excuse for listening to lovely baroque music. Keyboardist Avi Stein, who was both the curator and guest director, explained … Continue reading
Posted in Personal ruminations & essays
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Electrifying opener for Gimeno and TSO
Tonight’s concert by the Toronto Symphony was a fitting beginning to their centennial season, a genuinely celebratory evening. The program message from Music Director Gustavo Gimeno is very promising: “The creation of contrast is at the heart of what I … Continue reading
Mary Trump’s Reckoning
The title of the book is The Reckoning: Our Nation’s Trauma and Finding a Way to Heal. It’s to be understood as a reckoning for America, but perhaps also a personal one for the author. After watching the Royal Funeral … Continue reading
A Window To A Dream
A Window To A Dream breathes new life into opera favourites Unprecedented program brings fresh Farsi translations of opera essentials to the stage at Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts September 23rd, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Richmond Hill, Ontario — Although … Continue reading
Posted in Personal ruminations & essays
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