Category Archives: Music and musicology

Cinematic rockstars

Posted on September 12, 2019 by barczablog

I wish I could somehow reclaim my innocence.  Sometimes sophistication & experience get in the way. No you can’t believe everything you read, especially when you overthink (….guilty). When will I learn? I came to Rocketman this past weekend more … Continue reading →

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

Robert Wilson and Turandot

Posted on September 8, 2019 by barczablog

I’ve been reading a bit about Robert Wilson in anticipation of the new Canadian Opera Company Turandot that is to launch the 2019-2020 season at the Four Seasons Centre, a co-production with Teatro Real & Lithuanian National Opera. Online pictures … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Toronto Symphony’s new Berlioz CD

Posted on August 23, 2019 by barczablog

Did they know when they programmed the Toronto Symphony Concert for September 2018 featuring Berlioz works conducted by Sir Andrew Davis that it was going to make a good recording? Here I am now thrilled to be able to listen … Continue reading →

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Macho mystery: Till Havs

Posted on August 21, 2019 by barczablog

I’ve been listening to a song since childhood even though I still don’t really know what it means. Imagine if the most impressive song you had ever heard was in a foreign language. So please picture the most impressive song … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The miraculous simplicity of Hearing Beethoven

Posted on August 14, 2019 by barczablog

I’m very grateful for the serendipity that led to Robin Wallace’s book even if the fate governing its creation is cruel indeed. A shy and short-sighted musicologist named Robin married a nurse named Barbara. She was losing her hearing.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Funeral for Father Owen Lee Saturday, August 10th

Posted on August 7, 2019 by barczablog

The funeral for Father Owen Lee will take place on this Saturday, 10th August 2019 at 10 a.m. at St Basil’s Church, Bay Street at St Joseph. All lovers of music are encouraged to attend. Although not a member of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Press Releases and Announcements, Spirituality & Religion, University life | Leave a comment

SOLT, The Importance of

Posted on August 5, 2019 by barczablog

This afternoon I saw the closing matinee of EARNEST, The Importance of Being, presented by Summer Opera Lyric Theatre and Research Centre (aka SOLT), at the Robert Gill Theatre. It’s an operetta based on Oscar Wilde’s play with music by … Continue reading →

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

Song of the Earth

Posted on August 2, 2019 by barczablog

I can’t help noticing symmetry in 2019’s Toronto Summer Music and its Beyond Borders theme. The Festival opened July 12th with a concert featuring a Mozart sonata including the famous rondo “alla Turca” and a 20th century song cycle in … Continue reading →

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Crow Comes Out

Posted on July 30, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight’s concert at Walter Hall –“Europe and the New World”—in the Toronto Summer Music Festival put artistic director Jonathan Crow into the spotlight.  He seems very comfortable there. That’s what I’m getting at with the headline. Our concert was sold … Continue reading →

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New beginnings in snakeskin

Posted on July 27, 2019 by barczablog

It has been a week of new beginnings. Today was Benjamin Kidd’s ordination. As of Saturday July 27th he is no longer a student. I wonder if we’re now supposed to call him “Reverend Ben”? Perhaps that comes out as … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | Leave a comment