Category Archives: Music and musicology

The TSO 100, alongside the speedway 

Posted on January 9, 2016 by barczablog

Daytona Beach was the location for the latest instalment of the Toronto Symphony tour.  I heard them play at Peabody Auditorium, not far from the famous speedway that’s the site of the Daytona 500.  In speaking of the venue I … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Orpheus in the underworld: Lisiecki’s romance

Posted on January 9, 2016 by barczablog

From the headline you might never guess that this is an analysis of musical performance.  Friday I had my second listen to Jan Lisiecki playing Beethoven’s 4th piano concerto with the Toronto Symphony conducted by Peter Oundjian. Listening to JL and … Continue reading →

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

TSO: road to Miami

Posted on January 8, 2016 by barczablog

As I try to find a parallel to my experiences tonight, I’m thinking back to the hockey series I saw on TV in September 1972 (when Canada defeated the Soviets). It’s not hockey but music, and the only Russian involved … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Questions for Brahm Goldhamer: playing Schubert

Posted on January 2, 2016 by barczablog

I know Brahm Goldhamer as a collaborative pianist of exceptional sensitivity. Of all the Toronto pianists I’ve heard in the concert-opera mode—where piano must stand in for all the instruments of the orchestra—his performance in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande in … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

10 Questions for Chris Walroth

Posted on December 30, 2015 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony’s new year begins on tour in Florida. It’s tough enough when a hundred well-rehearsed players take the stage at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, where we all presumably eat & sleep; quite another to undertake playing Beethoven … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Pollyanna looks back at 2015

Posted on December 28, 2015 by barczablog

The year isn’t quite over yet, but already we’re looking back at 2015 as 2016 draws closer.   When we remember Pollyanna’s credo –“if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”—no wonder we look back.  As the dollar … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Leave a comment

Toronto Symphony goes to Florida

Posted on December 23, 2015 by barczablog

It’s a story with many players, and not just those who play musical instruments. If it were the first time it would be more dramatic. But by now it seems that they’ve figured out how to do it, after many … Continue reading →

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

Donald Trump: crossover artist

Posted on December 22, 2015 by barczablog

What is the rationale behind crossover and why is it attractive? Sometimes it’s an escape, no longer being required to follow the rules of your old realm, as you visit a new one. Sometimes it’s the insight, the expertise in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Andrew Davis’ big beautiful Messiah

Posted on December 21, 2015 by barczablog

Today I was fortunate to attend the last of the Toronto Symphony’s annual performances of the Messiah with the Mendelssohn Choir, employing Andrew Davis’ new (2010) orchestration. I missed it when they offered it last time but hope that Jeff … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Leave a comment

Tafelmusik Messiah

Posted on December 17, 2015 by barczablog

There is a trinity of Messiahs this week in different venues running until the weekend. Although there are two others—Toronto Symphony in Andrew Davis’s re-orchestration employing the Mendelssohn Choir and Against the Grain’s choreographed version — I went to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 2 Comments