Category Archives: Music and musicology

Glimpses of The Eternal Feminine with Barbara Hannigan

Posted on February 15, 2019 by barczablog

When I posted that photo at lunch earlier today from last night’s Toronto Symphony concert, I joked that Barbara Hannigan is a precedent setter. Even so I understated what we saw & heard tonight. With one exception, the five works … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Barbara Hannigan on Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2019 by barczablog

Happy Valentine’s Day. Tonight I’ll be listening to the Toronto Symphony celebrate the day under the leadership of Barbara Hannigan, who will also be singing. Here’s the program: Debussy: Syrinx for solo flute [3′] Sibelius: Luonnotar for Soprano and Orchestra [10′] Haydn: Symphony No. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fierabras in concert

Posted on February 4, 2019 by barczablog

Voicebox /Opera in Concert offered a highlight in a splendid week of music theatre in Toronto, reminding us of why they are such a crucial part of the mix in this city with their concert performance of Schubert’s Fierabras today.  Hook … Continue reading →

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

TSO: Sir Andrew Davis Conducts Wagner

Posted on February 1, 2019 by barczablog

If you’re a fan of the music of Richard Wagner chances are you’re fully aware that the Toronto Symphony are showcasing some of his best known music this week, in a concert tonight that repeats Saturday Feb 2nd. After three … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The Harlequin Salon

Posted on January 19, 2019 by barczablog

In a week juxtaposing new (21C festival) and old (the Toronto Symphony playing Mozart with Pinchas Zukerman), I came finally to see The Harlequin Salon by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, including a great deal of theatricality to complement their music. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Julie Tepperman & Chris Thornborrow: Hook Up

Posted on January 18, 2019 by barczablog

How do people meet, and what’s involved in making connections? I keep asking this question about the arts because in case you haven’t noticed, you can’t do it alone. Yes there are people like Beethoven who work in solitude, people … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, University life | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Zukerman, Mozart and the TSO

Posted on January 18, 2019 by barczablog

While tonight’s Toronto Symphony all-Mozart concert, conducted by violinist Pinchas Zukerman was 180 degrees in the opposite direction from what they were up to yesterday at Koerner Hall, launching the 21C Festival of new music, there were some interesting points … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

21C – TSO – Goodyear

Posted on January 17, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight the Toronto Symphony joined forces with members of the Glen Gould School to launch the 21C Festival at Koerner Hall. We heard six works including two world premieres to conclude: Terry Riley: “Half-Wolf Dances Mad in Moonlight” (string orchestra) … Continue reading →

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

Kiviuq Returns: truly an Inuit Epic

Posted on January 14, 2019 by barczablog

I came out of the matinee of Kiviuq Returns: An Inuit Epic in an altered state of reality. It’s new but it’s old, it soothes you even as it challenges you. They set the bar very high for what’s to come … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Pollyanna and the lessons of 2018

Posted on January 5, 2019 by barczablog

In past years my annual review was out in December, but this time it’s later than usual: because I’ve had a real holiday this year, more sleep and more silence than usual, dodging the viruses & germs pursuing other members … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews, University life | 3 Comments