FITS & BURSTS | Jan Lisiecki’s star shines brightly with TSO: review

By Michael Vincent on November 14, 2014

A symphony concert featuring Beethoven and Mozart is as regular as regular gets. But when you combine it with the young piano dynamo Jan Lisiecki, visiting Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard and clinch it with Carl Nielsen’s Fourth Symphony, you have something much more interesting.

REVIEW | The Dover Quartet flexes their brawn at the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto

By Robin Elliott on November 14, 2014

SCHMOPERA | Opera for Kids

By Jenna Douglas on November 12, 2014

WHO'S WHO | International Resource Centre for Performing Artists

By Member on November 11, 2014

The International Resource Centre for Performing Artists is a dedicated service organization for Musical Artists. It was incorporated in 1985 to (a) support freelance performers in the music field to make the transition from student to professional and to assist them to reach their goals at various stages in their careers, and (b) To inform and inspire audiences with increased knowledge and appreciation of the development of Canadian musical performing artists. Programs are designed to enable performers to grow in their artistry and gain access to international contacts of the highest standards, in order to be employed at home and abroad.

THE CLASSICAL TRAVELER | Anne Akiko Meyers Celebrates the American Masters

By Paul E. Robinson on November 11, 2014

Anne Akiko Meyers made news last year when an anonymous donor gifted her the lifetime use of one of the world’s great violins, the ‘Ex-Vieuxtemps’ Guarneri del Gesu, crafted in 1741. This year she’s in the news again for putting her Guarneri to excellent use in the service of exceptional works by American composers in an album called The American Masters. This album features world premiere recordings of the Violin Concerto by Mason Bates and Lullaby for Natalie by John Corigliano. Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto (1939), an established classic, rounds out the disc. For the record, Anne made his first recording of the Barber 26 years ago, in 1988.

CRITIC’S PICKS | 10 Musical Outings You Absolutely Must Do This Week

By Michael Vincent on November 10, 2014

REVIEW | A near-perfect blending of music, poetry and whimsy

By Michael Vincent on November 8, 2014

In a 1950s interview with Robert Craft, Igor Stravinsky was asked to give his opinion about the use of music as accompaniment to recitation. His response: “Do not ask, sins cannot be undone, only forgiven.” Despite Stravinsky’s misgivings, the Art of Time Ensemble (whose aim is to go beyond the classical repertoire) opened its 15th season on Friday night, with a fascinating and varied look at how music and the written word have collided and intersected throughout the ages. Following a series of recited poems, sung poems, tone poems, poets as musicians and musicals inspired by poetry, it was a variety show approach that rapidly swung back and forth from light entertainment to deeply affecting music...

Q&A | 26 Questions for Richard Reed Parry

By Michael Vincent on November 7, 2014

REVIEW | The Unforgettable Tanya Tagaq

By Robin Elliott on November 7, 2014

“Live Music is Best.” That is the motto of the musicians’ union, and it could well be the motto of Tanya Tagaq as well. No amount of familiarity with Tagaq’s recordings and videos can prepare one for the impact of witnessing her in live performance.

COFFEE BREAK | Danish Orchestra attempts to play after eating red hot chili peppers (Video)

By Michael Vincent on November 6, 2014

The Danish National Chamber Orchestra did a little experiment last week. They were curious to see (and hear) what Tango Jalousie by Jacob Gade would sound like after eating one of the worlds hottest Chili Peppers. Watch what happens.