Category Archives: Music and musicology

10 Questions for Rachel Andrist

Posted on October 28, 2014 by barczablog

Canadian pianist Rachel Andrist studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Ann Epperson and Warren Jones. In 1997, she moved to Europe and joined the music staff of the Theatre Royale de la Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium. Since then … Continue reading →

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Stewart Goodyear: Diabelli Variations

Posted on October 27, 2014 by barczablog

While Stewart Goodyear might be the greatest pianist in the world today, as a Canadian he lives under the radar as Canadians so often do. Not only does each country have their favourite son or daughter, but Canadians are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology | 3 Comments

Continuum Souvenir

Posted on October 20, 2014 by barczablog

Continuum Contemporary Music are celebrating 30 years this season. I’m an admirer of ambitious projects, and they don’t get much bigger than this.  Jennifer Waring’s note in the program explains Souvenir, Continuum Contemporary Music’s collaboration with film-maker Gary Popovich presented … Continue reading →

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Esprit’s brassy Polaris

Posted on October 17, 2014 by barczablog

Tonight was the opening concert in Esprit’s Orchestra’s 32nd season. Esprit & their Music Director Alex Pauk are champions of new Canadian music, presented alongside excellent compositions from around the world. Tonight’s program is a perfect illustration. The first half … Continue reading →

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Colin Ainsworth, Stephen Ralls and the songs of Derek Holman

Posted on October 7, 2014 by barczablog

Today’s free noon-hour concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre was a rarefied affair, offering us a glimpse of some intimate relationships.  Yes a concert is a public event in front of hundreds of people, but that’s only after several stages.  … Continue reading →

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Kayla Wong – Allure

Posted on October 5, 2014 by barczablog

I’ve been listening to Kayla Wong’s CD Allure incessantly in my car for the past couple of weeks. Wong emailed me to tell me about herself and the recording. I listened to a couple of samples, deciding that yes this … Continue reading →

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Girl with Flaxen Hair goes to the opera

Posted on October 4, 2014 by barczablog

What’s the reality underlying the music? People write music & perform music, and the notes & phrases are parts of our day, parts of our lives. Last night I wanted to leave early to go to the opera. It was … Continue reading →

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

Oundjian, TSO: Beethoven and Rachmaninoff

Posted on September 26, 2014 by barczablog

It’s been roughly a decade now that Peter Oundjian has been the Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a time of renewal if not rebirth for the ensemble & its audience.  If tonight’s concert is any indication they’re headed … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 4 Comments

Waverley’s Aura and the Romance of Scotland

Posted on September 19, 2014 by barczablog

It’s the morning after.  The world is waking up from something. Was it a nightmare or a fantasy?  Scotland will not separate from the United Kingdom after all. This morning –knocked a bit senseless by a cold, sniff sniff cough … Continue reading →

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Canadian Premiere of Dvorak’s JAKOBIN Oct 24

Posted on September 6, 2014 by barczablog

CANADIAN PREMIERE OF DVORAK’S JAKOBIN SET FOR OCTOBER 24, 2014. The Canadian Institute for Czech Music, in collaboration with Opera by Request, will present the Canadian premiere of Dvorak’s semi-comic opera Jakobin on Friday, October 24, 2014, 7:30 pm, at … Continue reading →

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