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Category Archives: Personal ruminations & essays
Handel’s London
The concept of Tafelmusik’s latest concert, titled “Handel’s London” channels some modern ideas through the baroque composers. It’s also a good excuse for listening to lovely baroque music. Keyboardist Avi Stein, who was both the curator and guest director, explained … Continue reading
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A Window To A Dream
A Window To A Dream breathes new life into opera favourites Unprecedented program brings fresh Farsi translations of opera essentials to the stage at Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts September 23rd, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Richmond Hill, Ontario — Although … Continue reading
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Philip Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes
Do you compartmentalize? I ask because it’s common, a given in a modern life. Whether we’re speaking of the things we do for work-life balance, as part of an artistic discipline or simply to get through a busy day, it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Books & Literature, Food, Health and Nutrition, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Psychology and perception, Spirituality & Religion
Tagged discipline, Etudes, Leslie Dala, Mary Trump, Philip Glass, Sarah Polley
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Rebuilding Janise: Andrew Smith’s labour of love
The cover picture is a disturbing metaphor for its subject. In 1992 Andrew and Janise were married. This poem “What Once Was”, is by Andrew Smith, posted in July 2022 on Facebook. what once was; is so long ago.two fools, … Continue reading
To rewild
“No mow May” is over. It’s June which means the back-lawn has had its first complete trim. In front I’ve been able to dodge this question – between protecting pollinators by letting dandelions & weeds grow vs trimming and cutting—by … Continue reading
No words
I need to properly acknowledge a beautiful moment in my life, even as I struggle to find the words. As I glance at the time, I immediately think about Sam’s schedule. At 5:28 my viscera know automatically whether she should … Continue reading
Brian Cox: Putting the Rabbit In the Hat
We had been hearing a lot about the tv series Succession from friends. Tom Power on CBC called it the greatest series ever on an episode of Q, the show he always watches as soon as it’s available. Power’s interviews … Continue reading
Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Personal ruminations & essays
Tagged Achilles, Agamemnon, Brad PItt, Brian Cox, Dustin Hoffmann, Ed Norton, Gary Oldman, Homer, Iliad, Kevin Toolis, Laurence Olivier, Peter O'Toole, Priam, PUTTING the RABBIT in the HAT, Q, Succession, Ted Lasso, TED talk, Tom Power
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Lessons of the Paralympics
As usual I’ve been watching tv with my mom when I visit her to bring her lunch and dinner. During the Winter Olympics she would sometimes get up in the night to watch opening or closing ceremonies, given the time … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Sports
Tagged curling, hockey, James Dunn, physiotherapy
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Chatting with Bruce McGillivray about the German bow, music and rehabilitation
After a short stay in Mt Sinai after collapsing in early September, my mother went to Bridgepoint Hospital for rehab, gradually seeking to re-cover her mobility with the help of physical therapy. The beautiful view through the window lifts patients’ … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Interviews, Music and musicology, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture
Tagged Berlin Philharmonic, Bridgepoint Hospital, Bruce McGillivray, busking, French bow, German bow, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, Martin Heinze, physical therapy, rehabilitation, Sean Bennesch, string bass
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2021 False starts and #BellLetsTalk
That may be the goofiest headline I’ve ever written. I waited to post my review of 2021 until today for a couple of reasons, although the main one is simple. 2021 was not a normal year, not one where I … Continue reading
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