Tag Archives: classical-music

Talking to Jennifer King about Souvenance, her new piano album

Posted on March 26, 2025 by barczablog

Spirited and sensitive, Jennifer King is a versatile pianist who enjoys exploring the world of classical music in the 21st century through the presentation of new music and the revisiting of past musical gems. She has established herself as a sought-after talent … Continue reading →

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

Baroque and Folk: adventures with Tafelmusik and Miloš Valent

Posted on March 8, 2025 by barczablog

I was completely blown away by the latest Tafelmusik concert I saw and heard tonight. It’s a reminder that, while we associate Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra with music from long ago, that doesn’t mean they can’t surprise you with something new. … Continue reading →

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

Wonder women: Sarah Hagen talks about her celebration of female composers

Posted on March 6, 2025 by barczablog

Sarah Hagen describes herself as a “recovering pianist”.  As a collector with a ridiculously big library of scores maybe I need to admit I have a problem, and someone like Sarah can help people like me. Next week Sarah delves … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Illia Ovcharenko recital in Toronto

Posted on March 5, 2025 by barczablog

Tonight Illia Ovcharenko played at the Jane Mallett Theatre in Toronto. I can give you the list of items in the program, but it can’t possibly convey the experience, between the pieces you might know and the ones we’ve never … Continue reading →

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

Thomas Adès leads Toronto Symphony on interplanetary voyages

Posted on February 27, 2025 by barczablog

The program for tonight’s Toronto Symphony concert conducted by Thomas Adès was a fascinating mix. In a concert bearing the title “Holst’s The Planets”, for the well-known work that would conclude our evening, we heard two of Adès’s big recent … Continue reading →

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

Alexandra Delle Donne discusses their Mozart – Menotti double bill

Posted on February 24, 2025 by barczablog

When I heard that soprano Alexandra Delle Donne was producing a twin-bill of one act operas, I wanted to know more. The night of Saturday March 8th and the afternoon of Sunday March 9th Alexandra will be singing in Menotti’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Interviewing pianist Illia Ovcharenko

Posted on February 20, 2025 by barczablog

Young pianist Illia Ovcharenko, winner of the 2022 Honens International Piano Competition, made a great impression at the Toronto Summer Music Festival in 2023. I remember expressing my hope that he would return. And he’s coming back Tuesday March 4th … Continue reading →

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

Jan Lisiecki plays Beethoven concerti

Posted on February 6, 2025 by barczablog

I’m going to stop calling Jan Lisiecki a young pianist. I just looked up his birthday, saw that on March 23rd he turns 30. But it’s not about the numbers. Tonight I heard the first of two concerts from Jan … Continue reading →

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

Auspicious beginning to (unofficial) TSO Beethoven festival

Posted on January 23, 2025 by barczablog

This week the Toronto Symphony offer the first in a series of concerts featuring the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most popular and best loved of all classical composers. Wednesday night’s performances were a brilliant start. No … Continue reading →

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

Alceste on Bloor

Posted on January 13, 2025 by barczablog

After half a century at the Jane Mallett in St Lawrence Centre on Front St, Voicebox – Opera in Concert presented Gluck’s opera Alceste today at their new venue, Jeanne Lamon Hall in the Trinity-St Paul’s Centre on Bloor St … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment