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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.
(Continue reading)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.
(Continue reading)By Neil Crory on October 20, 2014
The much-anticipated Toronto debut of the $300,000.00 pianist - Rafał Blechacz - took place on Sunday afternoon at Koerner Hall. The near capacity audience was treated to a somewhat old-fashioned programme which included Bach's Italian Concerto, Beethoven's "Pathétique" Sonata and, after intermission, a collection of diverse works by Frédéric Chopin.
(Continue reading)By Michael Vincent on October 18, 2014
As some have already heard - I have recently been asked to join the Toronto Star to contribute reviews and advise them on upcoming shows. I will keep Music Toronto readers up to speed as they appear. Unfortunately I am not allowed to print it in full on Musical Toronto, but we can post an excerpt and link.
(Continue reading)By Margaret Lam on September 26, 2014
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By Curtis Perry on September 25, 2014
Ottawa's electroacoustic music scene? After one discovers it exists, one realizes how vital and vibrant it is. Jeff Morton greeted the supportive and sizeable crowd on the evening of Saturday September 13th at the University of Ottawa's Freiman Hall in an appropriately mixed combination of grey blazer with dirty red sneakers. "There's a lot to be seen on this stage, but there's a lot of mystery too," he enthused, before promptly giving way to the music...
(Continue reading)By Michael Vincent on September 23, 2014
The Toy Piano Composers turned seven last weekend. To celebrate, they treated an audience to a program of chamber music based on the premise of integrating homemade/invented instruments. It was an evening full of whispers, creaks, rustles, hums, crackles, and rubbing. The turnout was good, and even the Music Gallery’s exceedingly uncomfortable pews didn’t detour a wholehearted gathering...
(Continue reading)By Lev Bratishenko on September 22, 2014
I spent most of the ride to Kingston trying to control my blinking. I don’t want to scare people. They already expect weird things from journalists, but I always maintain high standards of appearance and behaviour to correct the stereotype of us as boozing half-starved apes. Unfortunately I had been up until dawn drinking and digging for beetles to eat. And now it was raining. Or I was crying, I’m not sure. Functionally non-human, I hurtled towards Kingston in a grey damp tunnel. It was hopeless—there was nothing to look forward to, the concert was Ravel and Schumann with Dvorak after for those who endured the first half. If I had been able to stand up, I should have thrown myself from the train.
(Continue reading)By Michael Vincent on September 15, 2014
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By Michael Vincent on August 17, 2014
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