By Michael Vincent on November 3, 2014
Arguably Eglar’s strongest work, the Dreams of Gerontius is a kind of sacred cantata-oratorio conjured up from the depths of pre-world War I turmoil. It is an important creative triumph for Elgar, and proved he could write religious music on par with the greats, such as Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven and Verdi.
The piece is rarely heard outside of Europe, and seeing it on the Toronto Symphony Orchestra season’s line-up against the usual pork and beans repertoire is pleasant surprise for those of us who would like to hear more than his Pomp and Circumstance Marches or Enigma Variations.
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By Michael Vincent on November 3, 2014
James Parker is a one of Toronto’s true musical gems. He is at once a soloist, a chamber musician, and pianist with an incredible facility for both chamber music and solo performance. He is a founding member of Canada’s premiere ensemble, the Gryphon Trio. He has performed with nearly every major orchestra in Canada, including, the Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Quebec City, Edmonton, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. He has won a total of three JUNO Recording Awards, and is an Associate Professor, and Rupert E. Edwards Chair in Piano Performance at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.
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By Michael Vincent on October 29, 2014
I’ll give it to the Canadian Opera Company, they put on a brave face.
The Canadian Opera Company released its 2014 annual report on Monday afternoon, and after four years of declining attendance and ticket revenues, besides a few upsides to report, there is little to be optimistic about.
What the COC described as “impressive endowment growth, growing attendance and subscription figures,” is really negligible growth in attendance and major financial losses. After three years of serious declines, they continue to deteriorate with the worst numbers they have ever reported...
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By Michael Vincent on October 27, 2014
Our weekly Critic’s Picks are a fully curated list of some of the best concerts happening now through the end of the week. Of course this is not to say we are the provocateurs of taste, but simply seek to provide a good weekly summary. For a look at the full breadth of what’s available in and around Toronto, check out the comprehensive concert listings from our friends at Wholenote Magazine.
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By Michael Vincent on October 26, 2014
This is 1735, and the plot is slightly drunken, (Handel, after all). The Elgin Theatre’s gilded balconies shimmer as the patrons wander in from the un-seasonably warm October evening, hinting of unease for good Opera.
Other than an errant spring in the Theatre’s 100-year-old aging seats, this was Opera Ateliers night to shine. In a city that adores all things early music, (even the Canadian Opera Company has jumped on that bandwagon), it was a sure fire hit – or was it?
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By Michael Vincent on October 25, 2014
In this short video, discover the legendary Glenn Gould and the vision for this "Nobel Prize of the Arts" given in his name. Narrated by past Juror, Stephen Fry. This years nominations are open until Nov 15, 2014...
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By Michael Vincent on October 25, 2014
While Canada begins to come to terms with the shooting rampage that left one soldier lifeless at the foot of the National War Memorial, and a gunman shot dead in the Parliament buildings, members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra have been had to do so from afar.
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By Michael Vincent on October 24, 2014
German-born, Anne-Sophie Mutter is one of the greatest violin virtuosos of our time. At the age of 13 she performed as a soloist at the renowned Salzburg Festival, under conductor Herbert von Karajan. Two years later, she made her recording debut with Karajan, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Besides being an interpreter of traditional classical repertoire, she is a avid supporter of contemporary music. She has premiered works by Henri Dutilleux, Sofia Gubaidulina, Witold Lutoslawski, Krzysztof Penderecki, Sir André Previn and Wolfgang Rihm. After going on to win four Grammy Awards and countless prizes, she founded The Mutter Virtuosi -- a group made up of some of the best alumni of the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation.
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By Michael Vincent on October 22, 2014
What does it say about the state of Canada’s recording industry when eight seconds of digital noise accidentally released by a super star reaches #1 on the Canadian iTunes music charts? On Tuesday, Oct 21, American singer Taylor Swift released a title called “Track 3” on iTunes for $1.29. By the end of the day, it beat-out everyone (actual music), reaching #1...
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By Michael Vincent on October 21, 2014
Guelph, Ontario born Edwin Huizinga is a familiar face around Toronto’s classical, baroque, jazz, and indie music scene. Besides playing for period ensembles Tafelmusik, and ACRONYM, he is a member of the popular Toronto based indierock band Wooden Sky. Edwin is also one of the founders of the Classical Revolution. What started as a project to make chamber music more accessible, it has gone on to inspired the creation of over 30 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Edwin currently resides in Toronto and is a former student of violinist, Mark Fewer.
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