Author Archives: barczablog

Talking to Jennifer King about Souvenance, her new piano album

Posted on March 26, 2025 by barczablog

Spirited and sensitive, Jennifer King is a versatile pianist who enjoys exploring the world of classical music in the 21st century through the presentation of new music and the revisiting of past musical gems. She has established herself as a sought-after talent … Continue reading →

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Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra’s Joy

Posted on March 23, 2025 by barczablog

Tonight Erika joined me to hear the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert featuring joyful works by Beethoven and Bruckner. No wonder they titled it “Joy!” Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, William Shatner, and Dave Keon were all born on … Continue reading →

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Gustavo Gimeno wears his heart on his sleeve in Mahler’s Fourth with Toronto Symphony and Anna Prohaska

Posted on March 21, 2025 by barczablog

Last night the Toronto Symphony celebrated an honour to their music director Gustavo Gimeno from his homeland, while affirming connections to Toronto, his new home. Gimeno was appointed Commander of the Order of Civil Merit (Encomienda de la Orden del … Continue reading →

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Baroque and Folk: adventures with Tafelmusik and Miloš Valent

Posted on March 8, 2025 by barczablog

I was completely blown away by the latest Tafelmusik concert I saw and heard tonight. It’s a reminder that, while we associate Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra with music from long ago, that doesn’t mean they can’t surprise you with something new. … Continue reading →

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Wonder women: Sarah Hagen talks about her celebration of female composers

Posted on March 6, 2025 by barczablog

Sarah Hagen describes herself as a “recovering pianist”.  As a collector with a ridiculously big library of scores maybe I need to admit I have a problem, and someone like Sarah can help people like me. Next week Sarah delves … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Ronald Royer, composer and artistic director of Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra

Posted on March 6, 2025 by barczablog

My interest in Ronald Royer is complex. Ron was a teacher at my school, although I was only dimly aware of that because Ron arrived at the school long after I left. I encountered Ron as Artistic Director of the … Continue reading →

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Illia Ovcharenko recital in Toronto

Posted on March 5, 2025 by barczablog

Tonight Illia Ovcharenko played at the Jane Mallett Theatre in Toronto. I can give you the list of items in the program, but it can’t possibly convey the experience, between the pieces you might know and the ones we’ve never … Continue reading →

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Toronto Operetta Theatre’s Gondoliers prescription for what ails you

Posted on March 1, 2025 by barczablog

I arrived at the Jane Mallett Theatre in a bad mood. I don’t think I’m the only one finding the news on television hard to take. Between the arguments between Zelensky and the White House, or the outcome of the … Continue reading →

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Thomas Adès leads Toronto Symphony on interplanetary voyages

Posted on February 27, 2025 by barczablog

The program for tonight’s Toronto Symphony concert conducted by Thomas Adès was a fascinating mix. In a concert bearing the title “Holst’s The Planets”, for the well-known work that would conclude our evening, we heard two of Adès’s big recent … Continue reading →

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Alexandra Delle Donne discusses their Mozart – Menotti double bill

Posted on February 24, 2025 by barczablog

When I heard that soprano Alexandra Delle Donne was producing a twin-bill of one act operas, I wanted to know more. The night of Saturday March 8th and the afternoon of Sunday March 9th Alexandra will be singing in Menotti’s … Continue reading →

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