Category Archives: Music and musicology

Adizokan

Posted on October 8, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight I was present for the premiere of Adizokan, a collaboration between Red Sky Performance and the Toronto Symphony as part of Canada 150. It was much easier surrendering to the sounds and sights of this multi-media multi-disciplinary work than … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

TSO, Reineke and Williams

Posted on October 4, 2017 by barczablog

Roy Thomson Hall was jammed tonight, fans of every age including parents & their children. The programme presented by the Toronto Symphony was a small sampling of the film music of John Williams. There’s no mistaking the interest. In 2016 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology | Leave a comment

A Joyous Welcome for Elisa Citterio

Posted on September 27, 2017 by barczablog

I’ve been on vacation for the past few weeks, taking a break from blogging. I had to miss some marvelous concerts last week such as Mychael Danna’s new piece with the TSO and Elisa Citterio’s debut as the new Music … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Inter-textual Strauss

Posted on September 4, 2017 by barczablog

Composer Richard Strauss often dropped subtle references to other works into his scores. We’re accustomed to this in poetry, drama or film, where a quote can add depths to our experience, but it’s especially powerful when we recall how abstract … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera | Leave a comment

Beethoven’s five minute sermon

Posted on August 20, 2017 by barczablog

Nothing changes your perspective on a piece of music like repurposing it. The new context may strain the original to its breaking point. A happy tune works well at a party, perhaps not so well at a funeral. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | 2 Comments

Syrinx: The way the future used to sound

Posted on August 15, 2017 by barczablog

One can’t write objectively about friends, especially when those old friends are beloved pieces of music. I’m very fortunate to get all sorts of wonderful recordings through the mail.  One of the best things about the summertime, when there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Popular music & culture | 4 Comments

Toronto Summer Stoicism

Posted on August 4, 2017 by barczablog

Summer festivals can be a challenge.  Bayreuth may be the ne plus ultra for Wagner but you sit on hard seats as your reward for having traveled around the world.  Tonight’s Toronto Summer Music Festival concert (in Walter Hall, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Jonathan Crow and Philip Chiu

Posted on August 1, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight’s Toronto Summer Music Concert featured violinist Jonathan Crow & pianist Philip Chiu. The first guy is the draw.  Jonathan Crow is the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster, and in his first season as the artistic director of Toronto Summer Music … Continue reading →

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James Ehnes: a one-man show

Posted on July 18, 2017 by barczablog

This was the one I’ve been looking forward to for months, as James Ehnes played a full program of unaccompanied violin music in Koerner Hall.   I swear Ehnes played more notes than what he’d be required to play in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

Arthur Wenk and Story Cartel

Posted on July 15, 2017 by barczablog

Have you ever heard of The Story Cartel? It’s a new way of promoting books. Here’s how they explain it: The books you see on Story Cartel are all free in exchange for your honest review. Discover your next favorite book and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment