Category Archives: Personal ruminations & essays

Fortresses and tears

Posted on April 18, 2011 by barczablog

Today in church we sang “A Mighty Fortress is our God,” a hymn that has powerful associations for me. I am going to speak of three incarnations of that tune. FIRST?  The original version is Luther’s great hymn of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | 2 Comments

On a desert island…in Toronto.

Posted on April 1, 2011 by barczablog

There you are on a desert island, the place where what-if questions are always posited.  One is asked impossible hypotheticals, such as “If you were on a desert island, and you could only take one book, one DVD, one beverage, … Continue reading →

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The Nerds Shall Inherit the Earth

Posted on March 20, 2011 by barczablog

My friend Joseph So recently shared a link on Facebook that started a conversation about conductors. “Carlos Kleiber has been named the greatest conductor of all time in the April issue of BBC Music Magazine…  In a poll, 100 conductors including Sir Colin … Continue reading →

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Honeymoon Song

Posted on March 14, 2011 by barczablog

Today I visited my Mother’s house after church.  I had stayed late  for a rehearsal of the big piece we’re performing in April, namely  Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service. It’s funny how things sometimes seem to follow patterns, whether in reality … Continue reading →

Posted in My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | 2 Comments

December 30, 1960

Posted on December 30, 2010 by barczablog

December 30th, 2010 is a date of personal interest, the anniversary of the day my father succumbed to leukemia, at the very end of 1960.   I understand he had been sick for a few years. I don’t think of … Continue reading →

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Self-promotions

Posted on November 19, 2010 by barczablog

When I have a show or some event to promote this is one place where i’d promote it. As of Autumn 2012, I am working days at the University of Toronto singing or playing the organ at Hillcrest Church living … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 4 Comments

Welcome to Verbo City

Posted on November 19, 2010 by barczablog

November 19th… Seems like as good a day as any to start this blog. Hm… I’ve been toying with the idea for literally ages.  I grew up in a world where you got other people to publish your words, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 7 Comments