The Latest
By Robin Roger on March 9, 2015
The onset of daylight savings time is usually a bit disorienting but it has been particularly peculiar since 2007, when it was moved to the second Sunday in March . In Toronto this means a misfit between late afternoon and early evening light that evokes a sense of summer (or used to) occurring when the weather remains frigid. One might call this climactic dissonance...
(Continue reading)
By Ludwig Van on March 9, 2015
Maestro | noun | \ˈmī-(ˌ)strō\ | The term originates from the Italian "maestro", meaning "master" or "teacher"). It is used as an honorific for prominent classical music and opera conductors, and less so for solosts, and teachers. In Italian opera, the term is used for musicians who act as répétiteurs (accompanist, tutor or coaches) as well as assistant conductors during performances (maestro sostituto or maestro collaboratore)...
(Continue reading)
By Michael Vincent on March 9, 2015
An analysis of the contents of a musician’s pockets...
(Continue reading)
By Michael Vincent on March 8, 2015
It’s early March, which means it’s time to step out of the winter boots and into a season where the air no longer hurts your face. This time of year also marks the annual New Creations Festival, which included one of the most-talked-about and hippest operas going: Written on Skin by British composer George Benjamin...
(Continue reading)
By Colin Eatock on March 7, 2015
On Friday evening in Walter Hall, the spotlight was on Peter Togni. The Elmer Iseler Singers, under Lydia Adams, presented an entire program of music by the Halifax-based composer and broadcaster...
(Continue reading)
By Tyler Versluis on March 6, 2015
March is the month for Toronto’s new music warhorses, with our concert recommendations coming from New Music Concerts, Tapestry Opera and Continuum Contemporary music. From the intrigue of unusual collaborations- including unusual percussion and organ group Duo Szathmáry/Tzschoppe and “opera singer/DJ” pairing Carla Huhtanen and Nicole Lizée, to the 30th anniversary concert of Continuum Music, this month’s concert recommendations celebrates both the unfamiliar and the established in Toronto’s new music community, as well as one lone pianist who communicates with her fists and arms rather than her fingers...
(Continue reading)
By Paul E. Robinson on March 6, 2015
On the day that I played this new DVD celebrating the opening of the new Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, world news networks were reporting that prominent Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov had been murdered on the street near the Kremlin in Moscow. Yet another example of the ruthlessness of the Putin regime? Perhaps...
(Continue reading)
By Michael Vincent on March 5, 2015
This June, the Luminato Festival will present Apocalypsis, a truly epic sized oratorio written by Canadian composer and prolific author R. Murray Schafer...
(Continue reading)
By Ludwig Van on March 4, 2015
An indispensable tool for musicians, this Moleskine notebook is made for musicians. Perfect for jotting down harmonies, melodies, musical ideas...
(Continue reading)
By Michael Vincent on March 4, 2015
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...
(Continue reading)
