Tag Archives: Roy Thomson Hall

2021 TSO Messiah

Posted on December 16, 2021 by barczablog

As Kevin Bazzana observes in his Toronto Symphony Orchestra program note, “there is no one definitive Messiah.” It’s an ironic turn of phrase considering the religious implications one might give that phrase. Indeed when I look at the bizarre mockeries … Continue reading →

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TSO Winds, Brass & Percussion Spotlight

Posted on November 20, 2021 by barczablog

We’re still in the earliest days of Gustavo Gimeno’s tenure as music director of the Toronto Symphony, enjoying the pandemic protocol of smaller groups onstage playing for smaller groups in Roy Thomson Hall, in 60 minute concerts. That’s why we … Continue reading →

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TSO String showcase and what’s to come

Posted on November 18, 2021 by barczablog

In this the second week of Gustavo Gimeno’s tenure as music director of the Toronto Symphony, we’re already seeing some exciting programming choices. Someone thought to limit the number of players onstage to around 50 as a safety measure, affording … Continue reading →

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TSO and Gimeno return

Posted on November 11, 2021 by barczablog

This Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert was a happening. They’re back! The audience clapped when the players appeared. And we clapped when Gustavo Gimeno came out for his first appearance as our New Music Director. The occasion was special for several … Continue reading →

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TSO Messiah via Mozart

Posted on December 21, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight I heard something different from the Toronto Symphony. The TSO’s annual Messiah in Roy Thomson Hall with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir may seem like a ritual, but it actually varies from year to year. Every time we get different … Continue reading →

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How to Singalong

Posted on December 13, 2019 by barczablog

I don’t presume to know how one does the Singalong Messiah thing.  I am no expert. [morning after emendation… There are different sorts of experts. Singers? organists, conductors, musicians? or the textual scholars, people who really know Handel?  I avoid … Continue reading →

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Toronto Symphony play for Gimeno

Posted on October 10, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight’s Toronto Symphony concert reminded me of someone I haven’t thought of in ages, a piano teacher in my teen years. At every lesson we’d begin with small-talk, and then he’d say “now play for me!” It was a wonderfully … Continue reading →

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Dynamic Duo: Hannigan & Storgårds

Posted on September 20, 2019 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony’s opening concert welcomed the “dynamic duo”, soprano Barbara Hannigan and violinist John Storgårds. Each did some conducting, and each took a turn as a soloist. While it was not a long evening it felt like a lot … Continue reading →

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TSO + Davis = Mahler magic

Posted on May 17, 2019 by barczablog

I marked this one down on my calendar a long time ago, even though tonight on May 16th is a key date for other reasons… It’s COC’s Operanation It’s the world premiere of Shanawdithit, the co-pro from Tapestry / Opera … Continue reading →

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Sing-Along Messiah 2018

Posted on December 23, 2018 by barczablog

You can change the location but the song remains the same. Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir led by Herr Handel himself gave us their annual sing-along Messiah. The previous 37 have been at Massey Hall, but this time renovation … Continue reading →

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