Author Archives: barczablog

Toronto Summer Stoicism

Posted on August 4, 2017 by barczablog

Summer festivals can be a challenge.  Bayreuth may be the ne plus ultra for Wagner but you sit on hard seats as your reward for having traveled around the world.  Tonight’s Toronto Summer Music Festival concert (in Walter Hall, not … Continue reading →

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Jonathan Crow and Philip Chiu

Posted on August 1, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight’s Toronto Summer Music Concert featured violinist Jonathan Crow & pianist Philip Chiu. The first guy is the draw.  Jonathan Crow is the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster, and in his first season as the artistic director of Toronto Summer Music … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane

Posted on July 29, 2017 by barczablog

I posted a few pictures to Facebook at the opening of SOLT’s all-Canadian program of two operas at the Robert Gill Theatre, one by John Beckwith who turned 90 earlier this year, one by a later generation in the person … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, University life | Leave a comment

Canadian double delight

Posted on July 29, 2017 by barczablog

Rare as it may be to encounter a full evening of opera from Canadian composers, that’s what Summer Opera Lyric Theatre offered tonight in their season opener.  The Robert Gill Theatre was packed with a receptive crowd for a double … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Reviews | Leave a comment

Not so Silent Film at TIFF

Posted on July 28, 2017 by barczablog

“The Enchanted Screen: Fantasy in Silent Film” at TIFF represent two matinees assembled from the silent era with live accompaniment. 1) Digital restoration of Fritz Lang’s Destiny (1921) with piano accompaniment by Marilyn Lerner. August 5 at 1:00 p.m 2)Herbert … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

The art and business of beauty with Cheryl Lone & Co.

Posted on July 27, 2017 by barczablog

“Lone & Co.” is actually Cheryl Lone and her team of associates, now one of the most popular places to go for a haircut, colouring, beard trim, or even a heart-to-heart conversation. While I may be due for another haircut … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Interviews, Psychology and perception | 2 Comments

Forensic Composition, or when the script is like a CSI

Posted on July 25, 2017 by barczablog

That headline is dead serious and no joke.  I was brought in twice way back in the 1970s as a composer by directors looking with puzzlement at play scripts.  It would happen again later.  These formative projects changed the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Popular music & culture, University life | 1 Comment

James Ehnes: a one-man show

Posted on July 18, 2017 by barczablog

This was the one I’ve been looking forward to for months, as James Ehnes played a full program of unaccompanied violin music in Koerner Hall.   I swear Ehnes played more notes than what he’d be required to play in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

Arthur Wenk and Story Cartel

Posted on July 15, 2017 by barczablog

Have you ever heard of The Story Cartel? It’s a new way of promoting books. Here’s how they explain it: The books you see on Story Cartel are all free in exchange for your honest review. Discover your next favorite book and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

St Lawrence Quartet gives Toronto Summer Music Sesqui spin

Posted on July 14, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight’s concert by the St Lawrence Quartet launching the 2017 Toronto Summer Music Festival, the first under their new Artistic Director Jonathan Crow, has me wishing I could spend the next few weeks doing nothing but going to TSM concerts. … Continue reading →

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