Category Archives: Music and musicology

Toronto Consort’s Utopian Kanatha/Canada: First Encounters

Posted on February 4, 2017 by barczablog

I totally loved what I saw tonight from Toronto Chamber Choir in collaboration with the Toronto Consort led by their artistic director David Fallis, so much so that I’m taking a moment to double-check. I’m writing about something very complex, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

Götterdämmerung

Posted on February 3, 2017 by barczablog

When I did my year-end review of the highlights of 2016, I cited the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Wagner’s Siegfried in January. Here we are beginning 2017 and once again I’ve experienced something that will be hard to beat. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

TSO Eruption

Posted on January 29, 2017 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony have taken to giving brief powerful titles to their concerts. Last night it was “Eruption”, taking the name from one of the works being presented.  But for all the primeval force implied by that word, we were … Continue reading →

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Brahm Goldhamer plays Schubert Sunday January 29th

Posted on January 26, 2017 by barczablog

Last year around this time Brahm Goldhamer played a recital of Schubert at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.  At the end he promised that he would do it again. Lo and behold, he is as good as his … Continue reading →

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Canadian Panorama: World Premiere Recordings CD launch

Posted on January 22, 2017 by barczablog

I am such a lucky guy. I live in this country where we can march in protest without fear. Today and always I am so happy to be a Canadian. And while it’s rumor rather than fact at this point, … Continue reading →

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Busy Labadie

Posted on January 21, 2017 by barczablog

As I mentioned in my review of Magic Flute from last night, Bernard Labadie is a busy guy. He’s been alternating between the COC’s Magic Flute (dress rehearsal Tuesday and opening night Thursday) and the Toronto Symphony’s Mozart @261 festival … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology | 4 Comments

Mozart Forever Young @261

Posted on January 12, 2017 by barczablog

To hear and see the Toronto Symphony Concert tonight was to be confronted with some ageless questions about age. Mozart, that avatar of youthful brilliance, is indestructible, no matter how he’s played. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear what the … Continue reading →

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Mysterious Satie: Socrate, Hannigan and de Leeuw

Posted on January 7, 2017 by barczablog

People may think they know you.  They can have expectations of you, and be surprised when you don’t behave in the usual way.  I don’t like being boxed in, stereotyped by old friends who think they know me better than … Continue reading →

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Fialkowska: Schubert’s Bohemian Rhapsody

Posted on December 30, 2016 by barczablog

This review has had a long gestation. But let me say first, Schubert is not usually understood as any sort of mystery, and maybe that’s a problem. When I open my Schubert impromptus or sonatas, having heard others play these … Continue reading →

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The mysterious politics of the TSO

Posted on December 23, 2016 by barczablog

Why a series of pieces with the word “mystery”? Sometimes a person may feel clueless. There are times when I feel satisfied with myself and my abilities. I go to a concert or watch a production in a theatre, and come … Continue reading →

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