Category Archives: Music and musicology

Four Last Songs: aging, creativity and the meaning of life

Posted on May 18, 2015 by barczablog

The cover picture shows Giuseppe Verdi sitting with a reflective expression on his face while he plays the piano. The book’s title is Four Last Songs: Aging and Creativity in Verdi, Strauss, Messiaen and Britten, the latest collaboration between Linda … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

10 Questions for Alex Fallis

Posted on May 9, 2015 by barczablog

Alex Fallis is a Toronto native who has been a part of the Canadian professional theatre for over thirty years. He is an actor, director, singer and teacher. As a performer and director, he has experience in opera, musical theatre, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

TSO on the road with Lau, Mendelssohn and Bruckner

Posted on May 7, 2015 by barczablog

Tonight’s Toronto Symphony concert was a kind of farewell before going on a short tour to Ottawa & Montreal. The Roy Thomson Hall audience heard the programme they’re taking on the road. Each of the three works represents a special … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

Questions for Augustin Hadelich

Posted on May 2, 2015 by barczablog

I’m fascinated to have recently discovered the brilliant, busy young violinist Augustin Hadelich. Augustin Hadelich’s first major orchestral recording featuring the violin concertos of Jean Sibelius and Thomas Adès (Concentric Paths) with Hannu Lintu conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | 1 Comment

Towards a new theatre vocabulary: Lepage, Cavalia and the legitimacy of aerials

Posted on May 1, 2015 by barczablog

It’s aerial week in Toronto: Robert Lepage’s pair of brief operas (Bluebeard’s Castle / Erwartung) for the Canadian Opera Company open May 6th at the Four Seasons Centre, including moments when you can’t tell which way is up Robert Lepage’s Needles … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | 5 Comments

Ararat: Music of Armenia

Posted on April 22, 2015 by barczablog

That’s better! Peter Oundjian is back in the saddle leading the Toronto Symphony with his easy authority, and once again there is an intersection between political and musical spheres, but without the friction we saw last time. Those parts of … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Krisztina Szabó

Posted on April 13, 2015 by barczablog

My stereotype of Krisztina Szabó is inaccurate of course. My questions may have made her laugh, even though she’s too polite to send me packing. In cobbling together a few questions –concerning a pair of 20th century compositions—I was far … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What does this Requiem do? Ivany meets Mozart

Posted on April 2, 2015 by barczablog

The calendar reminds us of the relationship of our society and religion.  This week is one of those times of year when people may make their only annual visit to a church or synagogue, while those who are regular attendees or church … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Slattery & La Nef bring “Dowland in Dublin” to Toronto

Posted on March 28, 2015 by barczablog

The concept was discovered almost by accident. At a Christmas Party a few years ago, members of La Nef attempted to play the music of John Dowland as though he were Irish. It turns out that there’s evidence that Dowland … Continue reading →

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Michael Slattery’s voices

Posted on March 26, 2015 by barczablog

I’ve been listening to Dowland in Dublin, Michael Slattery’s collaboration with La Nef, for a few years now.  I was lucky that someone brought it to my attention.  Since that time it’s been a regular feature on the CD player … Continue reading →

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