Category Archives: Music and musicology

Thomas Søndergård leads the TSO

Posted on October 21, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight was the second of two consecutive concerts of the Toronto Symphony conducted by Danish maestro Thomas Søndergård, a spectacular program devoured by an eager audience showing off the strengths of the orchestra: Thomas Adès: Dances from Powder Her face … Continue reading →

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Questions for Colin Ainsworth: Actéon and Pygmalion

Posted on October 13, 2018 by barczablog

Tenor Colin Ainsworth is one of the most versatile performers I know. While he regularly stars in period performance he has done lots of new works, including Victor Davies’ The Transit of Venus and Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna.  He has had … Continue reading →

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Han-Na Chang, Javier Perianes: photos from Nick Wons

Posted on October 4, 2018 by barczablog

I have these three great pictures from Nick Wons to add to yesterday’s review of the Toronto Symphony conducted by Han-Na Chang, I figured I’d simply post them this way, which gives them–and him– a bit more oomph, some extra … Continue reading →

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Han-Na Chang and Javier Perianes: Mahler & Ravel

Posted on October 4, 2018 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony played a mid-week concert tonight to a rapturous reception. The TSO are in a transition, awaiting their new music director while playing either with their interim Artistic director Andrew Davis, or with a series of guests.  There … Continue reading →

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A new start with the old guy

Posted on September 23, 2018 by barczablog

A very long time ago I was a Toronto Symphony subscriber watching Andrew Davis conduct the TSO. We’re both much older now. Tonight’s concert at Roy Thomson Hall was the launch of a new season with a new leader stepping … Continue reading →

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Mozart 40, Tafelmusik 40

Posted on September 22, 2018 by barczablog

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra are at Koerner Hall this week. I can’t be the only one noticing the parallel between the title of tonight’s concert (“Mozart 40”) & a historical note in the program (“Tafelmusik at 40”) Perhaps its an accidental … Continue reading →

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Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique & the fork in the recreational road

Posted on September 19, 2018 by barczablog

I’m responding as much to the serendipity of timing as anything else. Recreational marijuana becomes legal in Ontario next month. The Toronto Symphony are about to begin their 2018-19 season with Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Is there a connection? I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wagner & Sibelius insights with Margarete von Vaight

Posted on September 13, 2018 by barczablog

There’s so much to know about some repertoire, a little flash of insight about this song or that role can get lost in the massive store-house of knowledge. It used to be said among my circle of friends at university … Continue reading →

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Liszt’s Winterreise

Posted on September 8, 2018 by barczablog

After experiencing the 24 man deconstructed Winterreise from Tongue in Cheek Productions, I’ve had all that Schubert rattling around in my head the past couple of days. Given that I had to return a couple of books anyway, to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

24 ways of looking at Winterreise      

Posted on September 6, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight’s event at Lula Lounge from Tongue in Cheek Productions was not your typical song cycle. Yes we did get the 24 songs in Schubert’s romantic Winterreise, or “winter journey”.  But instead of a single singer going along that cold … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments