Category Archives: Music and musicology

Jonathan Stuchbery: Diapente’s concert Time’s Eldest Son on the 400th Anniversary of John Dowland’s passing

Posted on February 7, 2026 by barczablog

On February 20th, 1626 English lutenist and composer John Dowland died in London, leaving behind a legacy that brought him fame across Europe, and left him as one of the most recognizable names in renaissance music to this day. Jonathan … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | Tagged Alexander Cappellazzo, Benjamin Britten, classical-music, Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet, Elizabeth I, Felix Deak, guitar, interview, Jane Fingler, John Dowland, Jonathan Stuchbery, Martin Gomes, music, Peter Koniers, Renaissance Music, Sting, Sylvain Bergeron, Time's Eldest Son | Leave a comment

Tafelmusik Brandenburgs

Posted on January 30, 2026 by barczablog

I saw & heard an astonishing concert last night at Jeanne Lamon Hall from Tafelmusik playing a program of well-known music by Johann Sebastian Bach. I heard four of the six Brandenburg concertos and a version of his majestic E-flat … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged Arnold Schoenberg, Brandenburg Concertos, Carl Morey, Dominic Teresi, Ferruccio Busoni, Genevieve Gilardeau, Helmut Walcha, Jeanne Lamon Hall, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johanna Novom, JS Bach, Kathryn Montoya, Keiran Campbell, Margaret Day, Micajah Sturgess, Michael Unterman, piccolo violin, Rachel Podger, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Todd Williams, transcription, Voyager | Leave a comment

Musing on Mandle Cheung’s orchestral adventures: an interview

Posted on January 30, 2026 by barczablog

I can’t stop thinking about Mandle Cheung, the successful tech entrepreneur who paid the Toronto Symphony for the privilege of conducting Mahler’s 2nd Symphony last summer. I wrote a review of the concert for the Globe & Mail, and couldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | Tagged Bugs Bunny, Carl Flesch, classical-music, Gilbert Kaplan, Globe and Mail, Gustav Mahler, Mandle Cheung, Mandle Philharmonic, Naomi Buck, Norman Lebrecht, orchestra, Roy Thomson Hall, Steve Jobs, The Maestro Myth, Toronto Life, Toronto Symphony | 6 Comments

Lawrence Wiliford shaping art song’s future

Posted on January 13, 2026 by barczablog

Tenor Lawrence Wiliford joined with pianist Steven Philcox and together founded the Canadian Art Song Project (CASP) in 2011. Someday I hope to interview pianist Steven Philcox, who has partnered Lawrence on his CASP journey. A few years ago Lawrence … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera, University life | Tagged Bobby Hull, Canadian Art Song Project, CASP, Cecilia Livingston, Chor Leoni, Erick Lichte, Hamilton, Helmuth Rilling, Jocelyn Morlock, John Williams, Jonelle Sills, Keith Lam, Lawrence Wiliford, Linda and Michael Hutcheon, Measha Bruegergosman-Lee, Peter Puck, Philippe Blanchard, Steven Philcox, Toronto Metropolitan University | Leave a comment

Tafelmusik Messiah sounds new through the drama of live performance

Posted on December 20, 2025 by barczablog

While there’s something comforting in being able to return to a classic text year after year, I always hope to find ways to make it a fresh experience. Tafelmusik’s first 2025 Messiah on Thursday December 18th at Koerner Hall had … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged Baroque, Benjamin Done, classical-music, George Frideric Handel, Handel, Ivars Taurins, Jonathan Woody, Kathryn James Adduci, Koerner Hall, Krisztina Szabó, Massey Hall, Messiah, music, Nicholas Scott, opera, Singalong, Stefanie True, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Tafelmusik Chamber Choir | 2 Comments

Interview with William Fedkenheuer, new Artistic Director of Toronto Summer Music

Posted on December 13, 2025 by barczablog

William Fedkenheuer is a Canadian violinist, fiddler, and educator, second violinist for the Grammy-nominated Miró Quartet recognized internationally for chamber music and performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall. William has begun his new role as Artistic Director of Toronto … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | Tagged classical-music, fiddle, Jonathan Crow, Miro Quartet, string quartet, Toronto Summer Music, Toronto Summer Music Academy, Toronto Summer Music Festival, violin, William Fedkenheuer | Leave a comment

Double Dixit delivers

Posted on November 29, 2025 by barczablog

This week Tafelmusik’s Chamber Choir began their season with a concert titled Double Dixit, a wonderful warm-up for the Messiah, coming in three weeks. The singers in that choir are professionals at the highest level, among the best soloists collected … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged adaptation, Agostino Steffani, Antonio Lotti, Dixit Dominus, Double Dixit, George Frideric Handel, Ivars Taurins, Kate Helsen, Messiah, Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, Turner Classic Movies | 1 Comment

Discovering the brilliant virtuoso Tony Siqi Yun

Posted on November 24, 2025 by barczablog

“I am a lucky guy.” That’s my mantra as a person seeking to live a life of gratitude: and sometimes it has proven to be true. My friends Gary & Bill left town for a family bris, giving me tickets … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged classical-music, Ferruccio Busoni, Franz Liszt, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, JS Bach, Koerner Hall, Luciano Berio, piano, Tony Siqi Yun, Tony Yun, Wasserklavier | Leave a comment

Mendelssohn Choir — Brahms German Requiem

Posted on November 9, 2025 by barczablog

Friday night Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & Musicians of Kitchener – Waterloo Symphony presented Brahms German Requiem in a sold out Koerner Hall to rapturous applause. I had been initially concerned that this massive work employing a big choir & orchestra … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged A German Requiem, As I Lay Sleeping, chamber orchestra, Charlotte Siegel, classical-music, composition, Ein deutsches Requiem, Jean-Sébastien Vallée, Joachim Linckelmann, Johannes Brahms, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Koerner Hall, orchestration, R Murray Schafer, Russell Braun, Stephanie Martin, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Vanessa McKernan | 1 Comment

Talking to Sarah Mole about singing and Toronto Summer Music

Posted on October 25, 2025 by barczablog

It’s now mid October, and the worst of our July heat is a memory, but I remember Sarah Mole dashing about doing a million things at the Toronto Summer Music Festival in her role as Communications & Public Relations Manager. … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | Tagged J’Nai Bridges, John and Mary Sidgwick, Jonathan Crow, Orpheus Choir, Russell Thomas, Samuel Barber, Sarah Mole, Sidgwick Scholar, Sondra Radvanovsky, Thomas Burton, Toronto Summer Music, William Fedkenheuer | Leave a comment