Category Archives: Music and musicology

Chamber Works by Robert Müller-Hartmann from ARC Ensemble

Posted on December 3, 2023 by barczablog

For the fan of chamber music seeking something beautiful but unlike their usual music, for the collector who needs something new and different, this is an ideal gift. About a year ago I was thrilled to attend a concert by … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mahler, Berg and more at the EJB Library

Posted on November 26, 2023 by barczablog

Thursday Nov 23rd felt like a Thanksgiving celebration. I found a free parking spot on Bernard for one hour. The first 15 minutes were spent walking down Bedford Rd & then Philosopher’s Walk to the Edward Johnson Building for my … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, University life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mahler’s Fifth and Berg’s early songs

Posted on November 24, 2023 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony’s program for this week is a surprisingly powerful combination. We open with 17 minutes of passionate singing by mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, seven songs composed by Alban Berg (1885-1935) between 1905 and 1908. After intermission we settle in … Continue reading →

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

Remembrance Day lessons from Mr Bull and Barkley

Posted on November 12, 2023 by barczablog

I played the organ at Hillcrest Church last Sunday. Some years All Saints (November 1st) and Remembrance Day (November 11th) get separate commemorations. In 2023 Remembrance Day (Nov 11th) falls on a Saturday, making it logical to combine the All … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Toronto Symphony’s virtuoso Beethoven

Posted on October 26, 2023 by barczablog

Last night’s Toronto Symphony concert titled “Beethoven’s Seventh” was another chance to watch the ongoing romance between the TSO and their new music director Gustavo Gimeno. Whether it’s a love of Beethoven or delight in the ongoing lovefest between orchestra … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apocryphonia: GinasterAmirov

Posted on October 2, 2023 by barczablog

When I interviewed Alex Cappellazzo a few weeks ago I asked: what does “Apocryphonia” mean? But tonight I found myself thinking about another question (and seeing the answer before me), namely what do we understand by “authenticity?” It came up … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tafelmusik Beethoven 4 and 5

Posted on September 25, 2023 by barczablog

Tafelmusik launched their 45th season with a concert titled “Beethoven 4 and 5“ at Koerner Hall, perhaps in echo of their anniversary. We not only heard a wonderful concert, but witnessed a moving reunion between the ensemble and their regular … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TSO Rite of Spring, making a statement

Posted on September 22, 2023 by barczablog

You know you’re at a special concert when you can’t identify the highlight, between pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet’s flashy reading of the Gershwin Concerto in F before intermission, or an overwhelming Rite of Spring filling Roy Thomson Hall with sound. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Interviewing Alexander Cappellazzo – Apocryphonia and Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet

Posted on September 17, 2023 by barczablog

I first encountered Alexander Cappellazzo in the title role of L’Amant anonyme by Joseph Bologne for Voicebox- Opera in Concert back in March of this year, when he sang “a passage in the first scene that contains an obscene number … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Days of Happiness / Les Jours heureux #tiff23

Posted on September 12, 2023 by barczablog

It’s a pleasure and privilege to watch a film at tiff followed by a talkback, where directors and performers respond to our questions. A woman in front of me asked writer & director Chloé Robichaud the question I would have … Continue reading →

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