The Latest
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.
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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.
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By Michael Vincent on November 10, 2014
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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...
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By Michael Vincent on November 7, 2014
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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.
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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.
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By Michael Vincent on November 5, 2014
After filling in for an indisposed soprano at the Metropolitan Opera in 1984, Aprile Millo got her big break as Amelia, in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra. The reviews rolled in, calling her “the Verdi soprano we’ve all be waiting for.” Performing in over 160 performances across 15 different, she has since gone on to become one of the most essential spinto sopranos of our time. She has performed alongside Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, Ben Heppner, Herbert von Karajan, Riccardo Muti, James Levine, and Giuseppe Sinopoli (to name a few). Franco Zeffirelli chose her as the singing voice of Elizabeth Taylor in the bio film, “Young Toscanini”. Her career has been nothing short of remarkable, and based upon a single foundation: her voice.
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By Michael Vincent on November 5, 2014
(via) Released just today, virtuoso violinist Lara St. John has taken up the challenge to rework Nicki Minaj’s latest hit “Anaconda”. Renaming it “Anachorda", St. John hired out a number of well-known Vancouver musicians to help her bridge the great style divide. Her approach was to focus on the rhythmic element, rather than the controversial lyrics, which have received some criticism. The original is inspired by Sir Mix-a-Lot’s Baby Got Back, which is all about celebrating a “big butts”...
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By Member on November 5, 2014
Acclaimed as “a world-class ensemble”, Sinfonia Toronto is one of Canada’s finest chamber orchestras. Its repertoire includes all the major works for string orchestra from baroque to contemporary, and it has premiered many new works. It presents its concerts two of the finest concert halls of Toronto: at the CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio, where many of its concerts have been recorded for national broadcast and in the George Weston Recital Hall in North York. The orchestra has recorded for its own label, Marquis Classics EMI, Cambria and Analekta on iTunes.
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