Category Archives: Music and musicology

Four Weddings, a Funeral and a Coronation

Posted on December 1, 2017 by barczablog

That headline is the fanciful title for Tafelmusik’s latest concert.  While it may remind you of a certain British film, it’s a fair description of the evening’s program: one of such remarkable variety, as to constitute a veritable smorgasbord of … Continue reading →

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Tafelmusik Complete Beethoven Symphonies

Posted on November 29, 2017 by barczablog

Tafelmusik have released their recording of the nine Beethoven Symphonies. Before I start going into detail, getting philosophical, getting all mushy about Beethoven, let me say that if you’re looking for a gift for the music-lover in your life, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 2 Comments

Runnicles’ Mahler 6

Posted on November 26, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight’s Toronto Symphony concert led by guest conductor Donald Runnicles was an affirmation of the value of live music. There are things you do in person that you simply can’t capture on video let alone on CDs.  Tonight we heard Mahler’s … Continue reading →

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Angela Hewitt’s Keyboard Workout

Posted on November 19, 2017 by barczablog

That was quite a workout tonight, watching Angela Hewitt leading the orchestra while playing four different concerti on one concert programme with the Toronto Symphony at Roy Thomson Hall. She had a very busy evening, playing note-perfect as far as … Continue reading →

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Martin Geck: Beethoven’s Symphonies

Posted on November 8, 2017 by barczablog

Sometimes the release of books and records seems serendipitous.  If I look closer at the process I might start to feel cynical. I will cling to the positive magic implicit in serendipity, naive though it may seem.  For instance, here … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Musik für das Ende

Posted on November 4, 2017 by barczablog

I’m late coming to the party, seeing something near the end of its run. After seeing Musik für das Ende tonight at the beautiful Guloien Theatre, one of the spaces at Streetcar Crowsnest, Crow’s Theatre’s new facility, I had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 4 Comments

Israel Philharmonic and Zubin Mehta

Posted on October 29, 2017 by barczablog

You knew this had to be a different concert from the beginning, the second half of an exchange, that had begun with the Toronto Symphony’s visit to Israel last year.  Roy Thomson Hall was really full, including the seats behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 5 Comments

Sir Michael’s lesson in intellectual property

Posted on October 27, 2017 by barczablog

The painting is called Sir Michael’s Tarp, by Orion Martin, 36 inches by 72 inches. When I was shown the painting, it didn’t seem familiar right away.  If I hadn’t been told I would never have made the connection to … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Leave a comment

Tribute to Maureen Forrester

Posted on October 20, 2017 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony presented the first of two concerts titled “A Tribute to Maureen Forrester” tonight, a celebration of a great Canadian artist, and two premieres. It felt a bit like a radio program, given that Ben Heppner was “host” … Continue reading →

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Adizokan images

Posted on October 8, 2017 by barczablog

I’m adding a bit to what I posted last night. I can’t deny that my understanding of Adizokan is only partial.  I wanted to mention the dancers, namely Eddie Elliott, Lonii Garnons-Williams, Julie Pham, and Jera Wolfe, plus Michel Muniidobenese  … Continue reading →

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