The Latest
By Michael Vincent on December 10, 2014
In an attempt to gain insight in the stunning and sad turn of events for Orchestra London (see original story here), we contacted London Orchestra Executive Director, Joe Swan for an exclusive interview. It was a candid conversation, which started with Swan apologising for his current state of anxiety. He had been preparing for a meeting with the orchestra musicians and was in crisis mode.
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By Michael Vincent on December 10, 2014
Today we dive into the fascinating minimalist score to Steve Reich's 1972 Clapping Music. The premiss is simple: a one-bar rhythm that shifts one eighth note at eight bar intervals. Watch the video to see the score in action - from a musicians point of view. We tried performing it at the MT office, but sounded more like a bunch of frat boys watching a hockey game. Your mileage may vary.
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By Michael Vincent on December 9, 2014
According to AM 980, Orchestra London has confirmed that the seventy-seven year-old orchestra will cease operations effective Tuesday, 16 December 2014. The planed closure is due to a massive budget shortfall, to the tune of nearly half a million dollars...
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By Michael Vincent on December 9, 2014
Musical Toronto’s 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 Paul E. Robinson on December 8, 2014
It’s that time of year again when we are inundated with those all too familiar Christmas songs that we once loved and now loathe. It is simply too much to have canned Christmas music coming at us everywhere we go. How about some peace and quiet? And wasn’t that the original message of Christmas i.e. Peace on Earth?
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By Michael Vincent on December 7, 2014
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By Lev Bratishenko on December 7, 2014
How do you bring a 188-member orchestra and chorus, their equipment and a dozen soloists from Italy to North America? You buy a ship, crew it, and like the Ark, stock two of every musician. Half will be eaten on the journey. Though historical precedents suggest it may be unsustainable, such extravagance was worth it. To the families of the eaten: we salute you. William Tell was a triumph.
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By Michael Vincent on December 5, 2014
Just released from ATMA Classique is a cool video from organist Vincent Boucher’s recording session at St Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal. The video has some really trippy shots of the Beckerath organ.
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By Michael Vincent on December 4, 2014
Grammy Award Winner James Ehnes is one of Canada's most beloved violinists. He has performed in over 30 countries on five continents, and appears regularly with some of the most celebrated orchestras and conductors. He has an incredibly large discography of over 35 recordings featuring music ranging from J.S. Bach to John Adams.
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By Michael Vincent on December 4, 2014
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