Category Archives: Music and musicology

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

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 →

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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