SCRUTINY | Yannick Nézet-Séguin Brings His Signature Dazzle to Toronto

By Michael Vincent on April 25, 2015

Superstar conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin brings Montreal's Orchestre Métropolitain to Koerner Hall with Stéphane Tétreault with for their Toronto debut.

THE CLASSICAL TRAVELER | André Previn and Elgar Well-Served in Texas (Review)

By Paul E. Robinson on April 20, 2015

Review: André Previn premieres his Double Concerto for Violin and Violoncello in Austin, Texas.

THE CLASSICAL TRAVELER | A Music Man on a Mission

By Paul E. Robinson on January 22, 2015

Tucson, Arizona | I caught up with conductor Roger McMurrin recently in Tucson, Arizona. In a few weeks time he was scheduled to make a return visit to Bishkek, Kyrgystan for a series of concerts, but home these days is Kiev, Ukraine where he has been making music and preaching the Gospel for the past 22 years...

FITS & BURSTS | Why Messiah - Forever and Ever?

By Michael Vincent on December 15, 2014

At any given time during the holiday season, hundreds of choirs will amass in churches and various concert halls across the world, to perform Handel’s Messiah . With the exception of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, no other choral work has been so fixed into western musical culture. In fact for many, the tradition of going to a performance of the Messiah is as dear as beautifying the Christmas tree in the family living room. But why?

THE VOICE | Gianandrea Noseda Tells All

By Neil Crory on December 3, 2014

The dynamic Italian conductor, Gianandrea Noseda, needs little introduction to Torontonians. Since his local debut in April 2002, he has conducted nearly a dozen programmes with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. For his upcoming appearance, however, Noseda is bringing his own orchestra and chorus from the Teatro Regio Torino in Italy, together with twelve soloists for a single, not-to-be-missed performance of Rossini's epic William Tell (or, more appropriately, Guglielmo Tell).

THE CLASSICAL TRAVELER | A Conversation with Leon Major

By Paul E. Robinson on November 2, 2014

Many years ago, in 1979 to be exact, Leon Major and I worked together at the St. Lawrence Centre in Toronto. Leon was the General Manager and directed most of the plays, and I was the incoming director of music programming, succeeding Franz Kraemer. For me it was a great opportunity to broaden my approach to music programming. I was to continue my work as music director at CJRT-FM and as conductor of the CJRT Radio Orchestra, but with Leon I could see new challenges. Alas, it was not to be. After ten years of working together, Leon and his board were ready to part ways, and he left just after I arrived. Without Leon at the helm, the St. Lawrence Centre seemed far less idealistic and far less interested in taking artistic risks. I too soon moved on.

FITS & BURSTS | The Brass Blat!

By Michael Vincent on August 18, 2014

Video: The dancing conductor

By Michael Vincent on August 5, 2014

THE CLASSICAL TRAVELER | Lorin Maazel (1930-2014): A Conductor’s Legacy

By Paul E. Robinson on July 23, 2014

THE CLASSICAL TRAVELER | Riccardo Muti and the Critics

By Paul E. Robinson on July 20, 2014