Category Archives: Music and musicology

Fire & Ice: Shostakovich, Sibelius and TSO specialties

Posted on November 18, 2024 by barczablog

When an artist tells you their goals & objectives one should listen. Gustavo Gimeno’s “European Soundscapes” essay in the current Toronto Symphony program gives us some great clues as to what we should expect from the orchestra. No they are … Continue reading →

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

Stunning serendipity as John Adams Returns

Posted on November 7, 2024 by barczablog

The concert is titled “John Adams Returns”. Toronto Symphony seemed prescient in welcoming the composer this week to conduct a program including some of his own works. It’s uncanny. By the serendipity of the calendar tonight’s concert had a special … Continue reading →

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

Nabucco not as written

Posted on October 23, 2024 by barczablog

I had another chance to see the Canadian Opera Company’s Nabucco last Saturday, this time using my subscription seat. The first time courtesy of the COC comp ticket I watched and listened as a reviewer, while this time it was … Continue reading →

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

A natural high from Tafelmusik’s Feast of Unknowns

Posted on October 19, 2024 by barczablog

Tafelmusik have outdone themselves this time. This concert titled Feast for the Senses was an exploration of new flavours presented with the assistance of Amandine Beyer, guest director and violin soloist, a genuine feast. Baroque for most people means Bach … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Everlastingness: Micah Schroeder and Stéphane Mayer in concert October 22nd– POSTPONED

Posted on October 15, 2024 by barczablog

UPDATE from Micah Schroeder (via Facebook)  “It is with a heavy heart that due to unforeseen personal circumstances of one of our performers, we are no longer able to present our recital Everlastingness on Tuesday October 22. I was so … Continue reading →

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

Sankofa: The Soldier’s Tale Retold, and Andrew Burashko’s farewell to Art of Time

Posted on October 9, 2024 by barczablog

For the last 25 years, Art of Time Ensemble has been on the cutting edge of the performing arts in Canada, fusing music with theatre, dance, film and literature in unique and unprecedented ways. The list of illustrious artists who … Continue reading →

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

Rachel Fenlon talks about her self-accompanied Winterreise

Posted on October 8, 2024 by barczablog

It sounds so simple: a self-accompanied Winterreise. It’s already a significant achievement to either sing the songs or play the piano part of Franz Schubert’s romantic song-cycle of the lonely winter wanderer. But doing both at the same time? A … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A seriously playful TSO program

Posted on October 5, 2024 by barczablog

The search for fun can be a serious pursuit. Play is the operative word for a Toronto Symphony program titled “Spirited Overtures:” Gioachino Rossini–Overture to The Barber of SevilleIgor Stravinsky–Jeu de cartes (Card Game)–intermission–Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart–Violin Concerto No. 3 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Picture this: challenging showcase as TSO season-opening concert

Posted on September 29, 2024 by barczablog

The concert was titled “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Roy Thomson Hall was full Saturday night for a fun evening at the Toronto Symphony. It was a showcase for the TSO. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno’s program notes suggest that he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tafelmusik get Podger who gets Mozart

Posted on September 28, 2024 by barczablog

As I look at this stylish picture of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart I wonder. Through the decades I have been listening to his music there are a variety of approaches, sometimes so respectful as to put Mozart on an impossible pedestal. … Continue reading →

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