Category Archives: Music and musicology

And after Rota

Posted on December 4, 2013 by barczablog

The concert was titled “The Unknown Chamber Music of Nino Rota”. How could I resist, being already a fan of Rota’s film compositions?  This is the man who gave us the iconic Godfather music.  My favourite is his score for … Continue reading →

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

The great Canadian opera

Posted on December 3, 2013 by barczablog

It’s such a funky headline, almost an oxymoron.  The book of Canadian operas is a slim volume indeed, but the list of great Canadian operas?  Hm, are there any? Even one? I have two names bouncing in my head right … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | 14 Comments

Beatriz Boizán: Pasión

Posted on November 19, 2013 by barczablog

Sometimes artists show two or more sides.  The different roles played in a concert hall or in a recording studio bring out different aspects of a creative personality, at least as masks if not as divergent personalities. That’s how I’m … Continue reading →

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

Esprit /Evergreen: O Gamelan

Posted on November 18, 2013 by barczablog

“O Gamelan” is both José Evangelista’s composition & a handy name for tonight’s program by Esprit Orchestra, suggesting a genuine reverence for the Balinese ensemble of that name.  Many of the works on the program employed some or all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bogdanowicz & Ramirez: a common language

Posted on November 2, 2013 by barczablog

I met some new people tonight.  Some of them were singers, some were composers, and everyone got along beautifully in several languages. Tonight Michèle Bogdanowicz and Ernesto Ramirez sang a quintessentially Canadian program at Gallery 345, with pianist Rachel Andrist. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Feral piano: Beatriz Boizán

Posted on October 19, 2013 by barczablog

It’s a truism that some artists are different in live situations than on record.  The presence of an audience can inspire & illuminate a performance in a way that doesn’t happen in a studio. That’s what I experienced tonight.  When … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

10 Questions for Beatriz Boizan

Posted on October 8, 2013 by barczablog

Considered “One of the brightest new lights in the classical world” (The Vancouver Sun), pianist Beatriz Boizán is admired for her vibrant personality, charismatic stage presence, unique musicianship and innate talent to deliver breathtakingly authentic innovative performances of Spanish and … Continue reading →

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

Tafelmusik Beethoven 1 & 2

Posted on September 20, 2013 by barczablog

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra could drop the word “baroque” if they wanted.  Tonight I heard more evidence that they can play just about anything. Their program was all Beethoven, namely the first and second symphonies, plus the overture to Creatures of … Continue reading →

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

The Patriarch

Posted on September 16, 2013 by barczablog

David Warrack is writing an oratorio on the life of Abraham, the Biblical patriarch.  I’m thrilled to be participating in a concert presentation of excerpts.  We’ve had some rehearsals, with about a week to go until the concert at Metropolitan … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adam Klein – Winterreise

Posted on August 26, 2013 by barczablog

On his Vimeo webpage Eric Solstein says  “This amazing performance by Adam Klein & Craig Ketter of the Schubert song cycle will be the soundtrack to a film I’m just finishing. It’s too powerful not to be available on its … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments