Category Archives: Personal ruminations & essays

Stewart Goodyear replaces Valentina Lisitsa

Posted on April 7, 2015 by barczablog

A change has been announced for the Toronto Symphony concerts this week on April 8 & 9, a concert I was eagerly anticipating, wanting to hear Valentina Lisitsa in person (as I wrote yesterday). But today the announcement was made … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 4 Comments

Virtual virtuoso: Valentina Lisitsa to play Rachmaninoff with Toronto Symphony this week

Posted on April 6, 2015 by barczablog

I’ve been thinking about the way that concert performances idealize a work.  Even the most elaborate productions of opera require short-cuts, some sort of suspension of disbelief when fully staged.     The question about concert performances of opera is really a … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 2 Comments

What does this Requiem do? Ivany meets Mozart

Posted on April 2, 2015 by barczablog

The calendar reminds us of the relationship of our society and religion.  This week is one of those times of year when people may make their only annual visit to a church or synagogue, while those who are regular attendees or church … Continue reading →

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

Michael Slattery’s voices

Posted on March 26, 2015 by barczablog

I’ve been listening to Dowland in Dublin, Michael Slattery’s collaboration with La Nef, for a few years now.  I was lucky that someone brought it to my attention.  Since that time it’s been a regular feature on the CD player … Continue reading →

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Pockets picked: the inspiring story of Pocket Opera

Posted on February 4, 2015 by barczablog

The show must go on, and it usually does (from Janos Gereben in California). Pocket Opera ( http://www.pocketopera.org/ ), Donald Pippin’s inimitable 38-year-old performing organization, has always lived on pennies, but now – thanks to clueless thieves the day before … Continue reading →

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Deep in the Vienna Woods

Posted on February 4, 2015 by barczablog

There’s a well-known waltz-tune by Johann Strauss Jr called Tales from the Vienna Woods.  It begins with an air of mystery, suggestions of the country, woods, birds, and also the use of unsophisticated instruments such as the zither. It’s an … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, University life | 3 Comments

Old review of Egoyan’s Die Walküre

Posted on January 27, 2015 by barczablog

I posted this –a review of the current production in a different theatre from a decade ago– on a different website.  I am re-posting it because i won’t be able to see the opening of the new production at the … Continue reading →

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Maus in the haus: Art Spiegelman retrospective at AGO

Posted on December 19, 2014 by barczablog

I saw Art Spiegelman interviewed at the media preview for his retrospective at the Art Gallery of Ontario.  I suppose if I were like a typical critic I’d just start talking without a preamble, because (nervous cough) everyone knows his … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Stewart Goodyear and Czerny’s four boxes

Posted on November 13, 2014 by barczablog

Do you read liner notes?  I always begin to do so.  If there’s something of substance, not only do I read them but I cherish them, making them part of the big conversation that is the work of art.  Nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Leave a comment

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