Author Archives: barczablog

Missing church

Posted on January 1, 2022 by barczablog

The last thing I posted had the word “missing” in the title. A few days ago I wrote a rambly thing as I thought about a canceled show and one of its canceled performers, pushed off the stage by contagious … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Missing Greg

Posted on December 26, 2021 by barczablog

In the final week of 2021 I ponder the year that’s passed and contemplate the one that lies ahead. We all may have something we miss doing, something or someone that we wish we could see or hear. Re-reading Dickens’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion, Sports | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A gift from Mel Brooks

Posted on December 21, 2021 by barczablog

It’s been a brutal week of artistic companies facing eviction, shows postponed or cancelled on both side of the Atlantic, an upward spiral of statistics inspiring the panicky pursuit of boosters, masks and safety. It’s not what you expect in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment

Ninth Annual Elizabeth Krehm Memorial Concert on Boxing Day

Posted on December 19, 2021 by barczablog

CANZONA CHAMBER PLAYERS PRESENTSTHE NINTH ANNUAL ELIZABETH KREHM MEMORIAL CONCERT MAHLER & BEETHOVEN ON BOXING DAY A VIRTUAL RECITAL FOR ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPITAL Sunday December 26th, 5:30 pm ET – YouTube.com/CanzonaChamberPlayersDirect link –  In lieu of concert tickets, Canzona Chamber Players asks for … Continue reading →

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2021 TSO Messiah

Posted on December 16, 2021 by barczablog

As Kevin Bazzana observes in his Toronto Symphony Orchestra program note, “there is no one definitive Messiah.” It’s an ironic turn of phrase considering the religious implications one might give that phrase. Indeed when I look at the bizarre mockeries … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun

Posted on December 12, 2021 by barczablog

This is more appreciation than review. If you’ve never seen a Wes Anderson film this will read differently than to those familiar with his style. The title, subject and structure of Wes Anderson’s film The French Dispatch of the Liberty, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Cinema, video & DVDs, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Confronting mortality: AtG /COC Mozart Requiem

Posted on December 4, 2021 by barczablog

The pandemic is simultaneously new in its requirements and yet old in once again reminding us of our ultimate destiny. Modern science may blind us to history’s lessons. The images on the tray in this picture come from Täby kyrka, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dogs are right about winter

Posted on November 28, 2021 by barczablog

This morning I had that magical experience of taking my dog outside after the first snowfall last night. I remember my home room teacher (sorry can’t recall his name) chewed me out in grade 7 when I blurted out “it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Food, Health and Nutrition, Personal ruminations & essays | 2 Comments

A Tafelmusik Christmas

Posted on November 26, 2021 by barczablog

Do you remember how, at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life (that great film encouraging us to be grateful, to appreciate what we have): George Bailey celebrates and appreciates a return to normalcy after the end of his nightmare? … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

TSO Winds, Brass & Percussion Spotlight

Posted on November 20, 2021 by barczablog

We’re still in the earliest days of Gustavo Gimeno’s tenure as music director of the Toronto Symphony, enjoying the pandemic protocol of smaller groups onstage playing for smaller groups in Roy Thomson Hall, in 60 minute concerts. That’s why we … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments