Category Archives: Music and musicology

Colorature: a CD from Marie-Eve Munger, soprano

Posted on December 30, 2014 by barczablog

My favourite lines in the film The Blues Brothers? The moment when The Brothers arrive at their gig, pretending to be “The Goodtime Boys”, and enquire what sort of music this establishment usually offers. “oh we got both kinds: country AND … Continue reading →

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Toronto Operetta Theatre’s Mikado

Posted on December 28, 2014 by barczablog

Although I haven’t seen many shows from Toronto Operetta Theatre, tonight’s is timely, after the social media debates between armchair Artistic Directors concerning management strategies. In the years to come we’re likely to see a scaling back of the boldest … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 2 Comments

Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Messiah opens

Posted on December 17, 2014 by barczablog

It’s Messiah season in Toronto.  I understand there are other towns that present Handel’s oratorio, but does any city go quite as nuts as Toronto?  Everywhere I turn it’s happening.  I sang a bit at my church, a friend conducted … Continue reading →

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2014 CD and DVD reviews

Posted on December 16, 2014 by barczablog

I am way behind in reviewing the CDs & DVDs i have been receiving in the mail, or the ones i have been buying.  This little summary may be too late for Christmas shopping although there are also the gifts we … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Saying #Uncle: more on AtG’s latest

Posted on December 13, 2014 by barczablog

I barely scratched the surface in my review of Against the Grain’s #UncleJohn from late Thursday night.  With one prominent exception I barely mentioned anyone.  I am cocooning Saturday because of the cold that burst in on me like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 2 Comments

Glenn Gould: extra hands

Posted on December 11, 2014 by barczablog

Thank you Edward Johnson Building library, once again I found treasure in the collection that never disappoints. I’d grabbed a great mass of scores in anticipation of a couple of gigs, never knowing fully what to play, but wanting to … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Colin Balzer

Posted on December 4, 2014 by barczablog

I’ve never seen tenor Colin Balzer in person, but I did watch his Don Ottavio twice in the broadcast of Tcherniakov’s Don Giovanni presented by TFO less than a year ago: when it was becoming evident that the COC would … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Brett Polegato

Posted on November 29, 2014 by barczablog

Brett Polegato is a baritone with a beautiful voice. He’s a capable interpreter of songs, for example, in the recent Canadian Art Song Project concert: “I was more delighted by Brett Polegato’s loveliness of tone –one of the nicest baritones … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | 4 Comments

A fit of Christmas musick against Christmas music: Toronto Consort’s The Little Barley-Corne

Posted on November 23, 2014 by barczablog

Come for the rant, stay for the review. If you’re like me, you’re conflicted about Advent, a period before Christmas. While the season of Advent isn’t quite here yet (meaning the four Sundays before Christmas, ergo, Sundays Nov 30 + … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged | 2 Comments

Beethoven, Nielsen and Mozart: TSO & Jan Lisiecki

Posted on November 23, 2014 by barczablog

Tonight was the last of the mini-festival of three programs / five concerts from the Toronto Symphony ostensibly featuring the music of Carl Nielsen & two of his big influences, namely Mozart & Beethoven. It’s as though there were two … Continue reading →

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