Tag Archives: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

10 Questions for John Relyea

John Relyea?  I remember hearing that one of Canada’s great singers, Gary Relyea, had a son who was making a name for himself in the USA, first at the Merola program of the San Francisco Opera and inevitably at the … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Mahler’s decade

Michael Sanderling led the Toronto Symphony in a program of works from the first decade of the twentieth century featuring soprano Simone Osborne. We heard a diverse assortment of musical styles represented even though the works have a few things … Continue reading

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

Psycho and the art of horror with the Toronto Symphony

For Halloween the Toronto Symphony presented their latest film with a live accompaniment, namely Psycho. A film buff might call it “Hitchcock’s Psycho.“ A film-music buff might prefer “Bernard Herrmann’s Psycho” which is closer to how I see it. Without … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hannigan conducts the Toronto Symphony

Soprano Barbara Hannigan is also Conductor Barbara Hannigan.  We knew she could sing. Tonight she sang and conducted the Toronto Symphony, her first time conducting an orchestra in North America.  This wasn’t just a concert to enable her to plant the … Continue reading

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Toronto Symphony – Pan American Rhythms

This weekend the Toronto Symphony began a summer of the arts celebrating the Pan Am Games coming to Toronto. There’s much more to come, for example… Toronto Summer Music celebrate their tenth year with a festival titled “The New World” … Continue reading

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

Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony with the TSO

It’s been a long time between Mahler 2nds with the Toronto Symphony. I heard Andrew Davis lead them with Maureen Forrester in Massey Hall, one of several cherished memories from the old days on Shuter Street, aka the 1970s. Given … Continue reading

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

Andrew Davis – Verdi Requiem

The Toronto Symphony are celebrating a 40 year relationship with Sir Andrew Davis, their one-time music director (from 1975-1988) and currently their Conductor Laureate, with a series of concerts over the next couple of weeks. Tonight’s concert featured Verdi’s Requiem, … Continue reading

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

What does this Requiem do? Ivany meets Mozart

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

Tafelmusik’s Beethoven: the romance continues

Let’s begin by saying I’m not your typical Tafelmusik fan.  Yes I love their work with Opera Atelier under David Fallis & at Messiah time with Ivars Taurins (aka Herr Handel), but I am often frustrated by them.  Tafelmusik could … Continue reading

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

Ten Questions for Jonathan Crow

Jonathan Crow is a young violinist making in impact on several fronts. This fall will be Crow’s fourth season as Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony. He is also an avid chamber musician, including his role as a founding member of … Continue reading

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