Category Archives: Music and musicology

TSO and Walton’s Decade

Posted on June 4, 2017 by barczablog

I can’t be the only one who made the connection, watching the Toronto Symphony tonight at Roy Thomson Hall.   It felt like a special concert. Sir Andrew Davis was just announced this week as the TSO’s interim Artistic Director for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Reviews | 2 Comments

TSO: Sir Andrew Davis to be interim Artistic Director, Peter Oundjian Conductor Emeritus

Posted on May 31, 2017 by barczablog

May 31, 2017: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) announces today that Sir Andrew Davis will act as Interim Artistic Director for two seasons following the conclusion of Peter Oundjian’s 14-year tenure as Music Director at the end of the 2017/18 … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Press Releases and Announcements | 1 Comment

TSO: back in Toronto, eh?

Posted on May 28, 2017 by barczablog

After an exciting tour to Israel and Europe, the Toronto Symphony are back in Canada. “Back in Toronto eh” could just as easily be “back in Toronto A” given what we heard tonight, a program consisting of a pair of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 1 Comment

Cavalli’s Elena from Toronto Consort

Posted on May 13, 2017 by barczablog

Francesco Cavalli’s Elena received its Canadian premiere tonight at the Jeanne Lamon Hall in a partially staged performance that was still more than enough to charm the audience in attendance. As my companion observed it was a nerdy bunch, ready … Continue reading →

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

Tafelmusik: now wait for next year

Posted on May 6, 2017 by barczablog

Tafelmusik are finishing their 2016-17 season with a series of concerts this weekend at Koerner Hall: that portend great things for next year. And maybe that’s what they wanted to do, leaving us all hot and bothered in anticipation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 1 Comment

On the road again: TSO prepare to tour

Posted on May 4, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight was the first of two farewell concerts for the Toronto Symphony before a two week tour taking them to Tel Aviv & Jerusalem, and then Prague for a residency that Conductor Peter Oundjian spoke of, to honour Karel Ancerl, … Continue reading →

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JS Bach’s St Mark Passion according to Heighes

Posted on April 15, 2017 by barczablog

In addition to the two well-known passions by JS Bach (the ones based on the gospels according to St Matthew and St John) there’s also the Passion according to St Mark that we know to have been performed at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 1 Comment

TSO Maundy Thursday matinee

Posted on April 14, 2017 by barczablog

Today I had the pleasure of hearing the Toronto Symphony in an afternoon concert, repeating most of last night’s program. The energy is different in the middle of the day especially mid-week. The matinee extends a win-streak of wonderful playing … Continue reading →

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Robert Lepage speaks white in 887

Posted on April 8, 2017 by barczablog

Although I missed Robert Lepage’s 887 the first time it came to Toronto in 2015 (during the Pan Am Games) I’m glad I was able to see it today with Canadian Stage at the Bluma Appel, in a short run … Continue reading →

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

Dausgaard leads TSO

Posted on April 8, 2017 by barczablog

Judging by the way the Toronto Symphony are responding to their current series of guest conductors, I have to wonder. Are they better than we realize? Perhaps it’s unrealistic to expect so much excitement from a resident music-director. Or then … Continue reading →

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