December 2005/January 2006

Transcription

Here is an Acrobat PDF Web version of the December 2005/January 2006 combined issue
of WholeNote Magazine. Our special holiday double issue contains over 750 event
listings. This Web version contains the entire magazine, including all advertisements.
You may view our magazine using the Bookmarks at the left of your screen as a guide.
Click on a Bookmark to go to the desired page. Where you see a “+” sign, click on it and
you will find sub-topics underneath.
To view our advertising, click here for a special Index of Advertisers. Then click on the red
page number(s) next to any advertiser to be directed to their ad. To return to the ad index,
click the boxed link at the bottom of the page. For the magazine’s own Table of Contents,
click here.
For another view of the magazine you may click on the Pages tab at the left for a thumbnail
view of each individual page. When you click on the thumbnail that full page will open.
Selected advertisers or features have hot links to a Web site or email address, for faster
access to services or information. Look for a page, article or advertisement with a red border
around it, or an e-mail address with a red underline, and click this hot link.
Readers are reminded that concert venues, dates and times sometimes change from those
shown in our Listings or in advertisements. Please check with the concert presenters for up-todate information.
Enjoy!
David Perlman, Editor
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WHOLENOTE INDEX OF ADVERTISERS DECEMBER 1, 2005 - FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Click Red Page Numbers to go to a specific ad by one of our advertisers.
Academy Concert Series 54
Acrobat Music 79
Aldeburgh Connection 38 51 55
Alexander Kats 68
All the King's Voices 46
Amadeus Choir 47
Analekta 13
Art of Time Ensemble 56
Associates of the Toronto Symphony 58
ATMA Classique 5 39 46
Bach Children's Chorus 41
Bata Shoe Museum 52
Bay Bloor Radio 88
Borderless Song 42
BraVado 24
Canadian Children's Opera Chorus 33
CanClone Services 79
Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra 41 57
CBC Records 81
Christ Church Jazz Vespers 31
City of Toronto Museums 65
Coalition of New Music Presenters 28
Colin Ainsworth 50
Colwell Arts Management 65
Continuum Contemporary Music 29
Cosmo Music 69
Counterpoint Chorale 43
Dave Snider Music Centre 21
Deer Park concerts 49
Dr. Katarina Bulat 66
Elisabeth Pomès 58
Elmer Iseler Singers 25
Exultate Chamber Singers 40
Festival Wind Orchestra 44
George Heinl 20
Gillmore Music 72
Glenview Presbyterian Church 25
Great Holiday Mega-Launch 87
Gros Morne Summer Music 45
Hamilton Philharmonic 20
Hannaford Street Silver Band 48 57
Harknett Musical Services Ltd. 32
Heliconian Hall 66
High Park Choirs 46
Honest Ed's Optical 66
I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble 22
Janet Catherine Dea 68
Karl Machat 79
Kingsway Conservatory 69
La Belle Danse 22
L'Atelier Grigorian 77
Les Amis 42
Li Delun Music Foundation 51
Lockridge HiFi 76
Long & McQuade 30
Maestro Enterprises 45
Marjorie Sparks 70
Marquis Classics 75
Michael Ierullo 26
Mikrokosmos 84
Mississauga Choral Society 24
Mozart Society 64
Music at St. Marks 51
Music for Young Children 67
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Music Gallery 30
Music Toronto 9 39 52 54 55
Naxos of Canada 73
Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Cong. 40
New Music Concerts 29 51
North Toronto Institute of Music 67
NUMUS 51
Off Centre Music Salon 38
OnStage at Glenn Gould Studio 11
Opera in Concert 55
Opera Ontario 59
Opera York 50
Opera-IS 33
Orchestra Toronto 43
Orchestras Mississauga 47
Orpheus Choir 49
Pasquale Bros. 66
Pattie Kelly 68
Pax Christi Chorale 37
Peter Mahon 25
Phillip L. Davis Luthier 27
Poculi Ludique Societas 41
Rebecca Enkin 44
Recorder Centre 20
Remenyi House of Music 19
Research Division Baycrest Centre 70
Riverdale Youth Singers 44
Roy Thomson Hall 3
Royal Conservatory of Music 15
Royal St. Georges College 49
S&B Entertainment Inc. 58
Scaramella 39
Sharlene Wallace 49
Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras 64
Sine Nomine 45
Sinfonia Toronto 17 21 54
Sound Post 27
Soundstreams Canada 52
SRI Canada 4
St. James' Cathedral 26 44
Studio 92 79
Studio Sixteen 42
Sue Crowe Connolly 68
Syrinx 43 56
Tafelmusik 23 47
Tallis Choir 37
Theatre of Early Music 74
Toronto All-Star Big Band 32
Toronto Consort 40
Toronto Masque Theatre 56
Toronto Massed Choir 53
Toronto Opera Repertoire 34
Toronto Operetta Theatre 50
Toronto Symphony 6 7 8
Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir 26 40
True North Brass 32
TrypTych Productions 2 43
U of T Faculty of Music 36
U of T Opera School 53
Universal Music 83 85
Victoria Scholars 48
VocalPoint Chamber Choir 43
Women's Musical Club of Toronto 52
Yamaha Music School 69
Vol 11 #4
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photo: Bruce Zinger
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D ECEMBER 1 2005 - F EBRUARY 7 2006
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RECORDS OF THE YEAR
in Gramophone Magazine
These fabulous four recordings and artists were set aside from the rest as
the best of the year in each of their categories—have you heard them yet?
Best of category (Baroque Vocal),
Gramophone Award winner and best
record of the Year from any category 2005
Best of category (Choral) and
Gramophone Award winner 2005
Haydn The Seasons
Marlis Peterson; Werner Güra;
Dietrich Henschel; RIAS-Kammerchor;
Freiburger Barockorchester / René Jacobs
Bach Cantatas Vol. 1
Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra
Sir John Eliot Gardiner
SDG101
801929/30
Editor’s choice 2005
Gramophone Magazine
Artist of the Year 2005
Gramophone Magazine
Michael Tilson Thomas
Rachmaninov Piano Concertos;
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini;
Stephen Hough;
Dallas Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton
We invited our readers to vote for the 2005 Artist of
the Year—from the six nominations,
the San Francisco Symphony's music director,
Michael Tilson Thomas, swept to victory...
CDA67501/2
SFS6009
FOR STORE LOCATIONS PLEASE EMAIL info@sricanada.com
4
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Volume 11 #4, December 1, 2005 - February 7, 2006
Pam Margles
catches up with
Steve Reich 18
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The International Label from Canada
ACD2 2365
MEREDITH HALL
Canadian soprano
Meredith Hall joins La Nef
in a new recording of
Celtic music for the Nativity
Meredith Hall’s 2004 best-seller,
also with La Nef:
songs of Robbie Burns
Celebrating 10 years of great Canadian music-making
GREAT ARTISTS
GREAT MUSIC
GREAT SOUND
IN THIS ISSUE
Jim Galloway
interviews jazz great
Phil Nimmons 14
ATMAclassique
ACD2 2336
EDITORIALLY SPEAKING
Opener and Editor’s Pick by David Perlman
10
Be our guest: Mini Survey
10
FEATURES
Jazz talk with Phil Nimmons by Jim Galloway
14
CCOC “Dickens” breaks ground by mJbuell
17
Recently in town: Steve Reich by Pam Margles
18
Pick your Messiah Part Two
26
DISCOVERIES
CD Editor’s Corner by David Olds
12
Vocal and Opera
72
Early Music and Period Performance
74
Classical and Beyond
77
Modern and Contemporary
78
Jazz and Improvised
79
Pot Pourri
82
Old Wine New Bottles by Bruce Surtees
84
Discs for the Season
86
CONCERT NOTES
Quodlibet by Allan Pulker
20
Early Music by Frank Nakashima
22
Choral Scene by Larry Beckwith
24
World View by Karen Ages
27
NEW MUSIC: TORONTO HEAR & NOW
Some Thing New by Jason van Eyk
28
New Music Coalition News by Keith Denning
30
JAZZ and BAND
Jazz Notes by Jim Galloway
31
Inside the Jazz Listings by Sophia Perlman
31
Band Stand by Merlin Williams
32
OPERA
On Opera by Christopher Hoile
33
Opera at Home by Phil Ehrensaft
34
MUSICAL LIFE
Contest: Music’s Children by mJ Buell
35
How I Met My Teacher – Nadina Mackie Jackson
67
Toronto Musicians Association News by Brian Blain
70
Book Shelf by Pamela Margles
71
LIVE LISTINGS
Concerts: Toronto & nearby
36
Concerts: Further afield
58
Opera and Music Theatre
61
Jazz Clubs
62
Announcements, workshops, etcetera
64
OTHER ELEMENTS
Index of Advertisers
8
Contact information and deadlines
9
Unclassified Ads
66
Music’s Child:
Who is he now? 35
Discs for the
Season 86
WWW .THEWHOLENOTE . COM
w w w. a t m a c l a s s i q u e . c o m
5
5
treat yourself
to a little TSO!
Hough Plays
Brahms
Kavakos Plays
Sibelius
Wednesday, November 30 at 8pm
Thursday, December 1 at 8pm
Saturday, December 3 at 8pm
Wednesday, December 7 at 8pm
Thursday, December 8 at 8pm
Toronto favourite, Thomas Dausgaard, conducts
Strauss’ Don Quixote! Pianist Stephen Hough
makes his much-anticipated return to the TSO,
performing Brahms’ B-flat Major Piano
Concerto.
Toronto’s BEST
Messiah!
December 14, 15, 17, & 19 at 8pm
Sunday, December 18 at 3pm
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without
Handel’s glorious masterpiece! Buy your tickets
early to assure yourself of fantastic seats!
Dec. 15 sponsored by
Leonidas Kavakos performs Sibelius’s Violin
Concerto! Maestro Thomas Dausgaard conducts
Bruckner’s radiant Second Symphony.
Dec. 7 sponsored by
Christmas Favourites
Ring in the season with a Christmas concert of
traditional favourites and timeless holiday
classics from Broadway and film. Maestro
Kunzel and friends present music of joy,
inspiration and holiday romance sure to put
you in the mistletoe mood!
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KUNZEL
Pops Concert Series
To ro n t o S y m p
6
K AVA KO S
Tuesday, December 20 at 8pm
Part of the
TIPPET-RICHARDSON
CONCERT SEASON
DAUSGAARD
Mozart@250
festival
The Singing Voice
Wednesday, January 18 at 8pm
Thursday, January 19 at 8pm
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Viktoria Mullova, violin; Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano
Whether for instruments of voice, Mozart’s music “sings,” and in this
concert, we revel in Mozartean melody with two of his most innovative
interpreters, Viktoria Mullova and Canadian Isabel Bayrakdarian.
The Symphonist
Saturday, January 21 at 7:30pm
Yefim Bronfman, piano
Peter Oundjian conducts Mozart’s “Jupiter” symphony. World reknowned pianist, Yefim Bronfman performs Piano Concerto No. 22.
Mozart: A Life in Letters
Thursday, January 26 at 8pm
Friday, January 27 at 8pm
call (416)593.4828
visit www.tso.ca
Concerts at Roy Thomson Hall.
Colm Feore, actor; Donna Feore, stage director
Karina Gauvin, soprano; Michael Schade, tenor
Russell Braun, baritone
Join us for a celebration of Mozart the artist and man, in a very
special birthday concert as portrayed in his own letters and the vocal
music they inspired.
Peter Oundjian, Music Director
hony Orchestra
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The Conductors' Podium
is proudly sponsored
by Ogilvy Renault
7
Polar Express
The
Sunday, December 11 at 3pm
Rob Kapilow, conductor
Bach Children’s Chorus
Mozart
Experience
Saturday, January 28 at 1:30 & 3:30pm
Based on the best selling book
The Polar Express. Programme
also includes Michael Rosen's
story for Chanukah and
Christmas, Elijah's Angel.
Young People's concerts are created
especially for children ages 5 to 12.
Aaron Schwebel, violin
Magic Circle Mime Company
call
416.593.4828
visit
www.tso.ca
An impetuous street musician and
her conductor companion guide the
audience through Mozart’s incredible
life. Part of the Mozart@250 festival!
Check out our website for
details!
Concerts at Roy
Thomson Hall.
Peter Oundjian, Music Director
To ro n t o S y m p h o n y O rc h e s t ra
TIPPET-RICHARDSON
CONCERT SEASON
Young People’s Concert Series
The Conductors' Podium
is proudly sponsored
by Ogilvy Renault
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS: WholeNote wishes to thank its advertisers for their support in the past and in the future.
ACADEMY CONCERT SERIES 54
ACROBAT MUSIC 79
ALDEBURGH CONNECTION 38, 51, 55
ALEXANDER KATS 68
ALL THE KING’S VOICES 46
AMADEUS CHOIR 47
ANALEKTA 13
ART OF TIME ENSEMBLE 56
ASSOCIATES OF THE TORONTO SYMPHONY 58
ATMA CLASSIQUE 5, 39, 46
BACH CHILDREN’S CHORUS 41
BATA SHOE MUSEUM 52
BAY BLOOR RADIO 88
BORDERLESS SONG 42
BRAVADO 24
CANADIAN CHILDREN’S OPERA CHORUS 33
CANCLONE SERVICES 79
CATHEDRAL BLUFFS SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA 41, 57
CBC RECORDS 81
CHRIST CHURCH JAZZ VESPERS 31
CITY OF TORONTO MUSEUMS 65
COALITION OF NEW MUSIC PRESENTERS 28
COLIN AINSWORTH 50
COLWELL ARTS MANAGEMENT 65
CONTINUUM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC 29
COSMO MUSIC 69
COUNTERPOINT CHORALE 43
DAVE SNIDER MUSIC CENTRE 21
DEER PARK CONCERTS 49
DR. KATARINA BULAT 66
ELISABETH POMÈS 58
ELMER ISELER SINGERS 25
EXULTATE CHAMBER SINGERS 40
FESTIVAL WIND ORCHESTRA 44
GEORGE HEINL 20
GILLMORE MUSIC 72
GLENVIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 25
GREAT HOLIDAY MEGA-LAUNCH 87
GROS MORNE SUMMER MUSIC 45
HAMILTON PHILHARMONIC 20
HANNAFORD STREET SILVER BAND 48, 57
HARKNETT MUSICAL SERVICES LTD. 32
HELICONIAN HALL 66
HIGH PARK CHOIRS 46
HONEST ED’S OPTICAL 66
I FURIOSI BAROQUE ENSEMBLE 22
JANET CATHERINE DEA 68
KARL MACHAT 79
KINGSWAY CONSERVATORY 69
LA BELLE DANSE 22
L’ATELIER GRIGORIAN 77
LES AMIS 42
LI DELUN MUSIC FOUNDATION 51
LOCKRIDGE HIFI 76
LONG & MCQUADE 30
MAESTRO ENTERPRISES 45
MARJORIE SPARKS 70
MARQUIS CLASSICS 75
MICHAEL IERULLO 26
MIKROKOSMOS 84
MISSISSAUGA CHORAL SOCIETY 24
MOZART SOCIETY 64
MUSIC AT ST. MARKS 51
MUSIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN 67
MUSIC GALLERY 30
MUSIC TORONTO 9, 39,52,54,55
NAXOS OF CANADA 73
NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CONGREGATION 40
NEW MUSIC CONCERTS 29, 51
NORTH TORONTO INSTITUTE OF MUSIC 67
NUMUS 51
OFF CENTRE MUSIC SALON 38
ONSTAGE AT GLENN GOULD STUDIO 11
OPERA IN CONCERT 55
OPERA ONTARIO 59
OPERA YORK 50
OPERA-IS 33
ORCHESTRA TORONTO 43
ORCHESTRAS MISSISSAUGA 47
ORPHEUS CHOIR 49
PASQUALE BROS. 66
PATTIE KELLY 68
PAX CHRISTI CHORALE 37
PETER MAHON 25
PHILLIP L. DAVIS LUTHIER 27
POCULI LUDIQUE SOCIETAS 41
REBECCA ENKIN 44
RECORDER CENTRE 20
REMENYI HOUSE OF MUSIC 19
RIVERDALE YOUTH SINGERS 44
ROY THOMSON HALL 3
ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC15
ROYAL ST. GEORGES COLLEGE 49
S&B ENTERTAINMENT INC. 58
SCARAMELLA 39
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SHARLENE WALLACE 49
SHERATON CADWELL ORCHESTRAS 64
SINE NOMINE 45
SINFONIA TORONTO 17, 21, 54
SOUND POST 27
SOUNDSTREAMS CANADA 52
SRI CANADA 4
ST. JAMES’ CATHEDRAL 26, 44
STUDIO 92 79
STUDIO SIXTEEN 42
SUE CROWE CONNOLLY 68
SYRINX 43, 56
TAFELMUSIK 23, 47
TALLIS CHOIR 37
THEATRE OF EARLY MUSIC 74
TORONTO ALL-STAR BIG BAND 32
TORONTO CONSORT 40
TORONTO MASQUE THEATRE 56
TORONTO MASSED CHOIR 53
TORONTO OPERA REPERTOIRE 34
TORONTO OPERETTA THEATRE 50
TORONTO SYMPHONY 6, 7, 8
TORONTO WELSH MALE
VOICE CHOIR 26, 40
TRUE NORTH BRASS 32
TRYPTYCH PRODUCTIONS 2, 43
U OF T FACULTY OF MUSIC 36
U OF T OPERA SCHOOL 53
UNIVERSAL MUSIC 83, 85
VICTORIA SCHOLARS 48
VOCALPOINT CHAMBER CHOIR 43
WOMEN’S MUSICAL CLUB OF TORONTO 52
YAMAHA MUSIC SCHOOL 69
GREAT CHAMBER MUSIC DOWNTOWN
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The Toronto Concert-Goer’s Guide
Volume 11 #4, December 1, 2005 - February 7, 2006
Copyright © 2005 WholeNote Media Inc.
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Columnists: Karen Ages (World View);
Larry Beckwith (Choral); Brian Blain
(TMA); mJBuell (Musical Life); Keith
Denning (New Music); Phil Ehrensaft
(Opera at Home); Jim Galloway (Jazz);
Christopher Hoile (Opera); Pamela
Margles (Books); Frank Nakashima
(Early Music); David Perlman (Opener
and Editor’s Pick), Sophia Perlman (Jazz);
Allan Pulker (Quodlibet); Jason van Eyk
(New Music)
Features (this issue) mJBuell, Jim
Galloway, Nadina Mackie Jackson,
Pamela Margles
CD Reviewers (this issue) Alex Baran,
John Beckwith, Larry Beckwith, Don
Brown, Simone Desilets, Phil Ehrensaft, Eli
Eisenberg, Seth Estrin, Daniel Foley, Jim
Galloway, Janos Gardonyi, John Gray,
Tiina Kiik, Pamela Margles, Heidi
McKenzie, Gabrielle McLaughlin, Alison
Melville, Lesley Mitchell-Clarke, Frank
Nakashima, Ted O’Reilly, Cathy Riches,
Jamie Parker, Ezra Perlman, Sophia
Perlman, Cathy Riches, Annette Sanger,
Tom Sekowski, Andrew Timar, Robert
Tomas, Dianne Wells
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DATES AND DEADLINES
Next issue is Volume 11 #5 covering
February 1 - March 7, 2006
Free Event Listings Deadline: 6pm
Sunday, January 15
(covering period Feb. 1- March 7)
Display Ad Reservations Deadline:
6pm Monday, January 16
Colour Ads must be received by
Tuesday, January 17
Black and White Ads must be
received by Wednesday, January 18
Publication Date:
Monday, January 30
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For its first Toronto
concert in more than
7 seasons, the
renowned Takács
Quartet brings a
programme of
Haydn, Borodin &
Debussy – and a new
violist
Thursday December 8 at 8 pm
SOLD OUT
T
w
S
J
MOZART CHAMBER MUSIC 2
with the TOKYO
STRING QUARTET
and clarinettist
SABINE MEYER
Just once in a lifetime!
Thursday January 19
at 8 pm
M
SOLD OUT
Soprano
SHANNON MERCER
sings a wonderful varied
programme: Mozart, Wolf,
Debussy, Villa-Lobos and
new songs of Andrew Ager
Thursday January 26 at 8 pm
CCAB Qualified Circulation,
March 2005: 33,402
Additional Copies Printed and
distributed this month: 5,598
Total copies printed and
distributed this month: 39,000
TA
D
German pianist
MARKUS GROH
plays Kurtag, Ligeti,
Prokofiev, Liszt – and
introduces a work of his
contemporary Charlotte
Seither
Tuesday January 31
at 8 pm
Printed in Canada by Couto Printing
and Publishing Services
Canadian Publication Product Sales
Agreement 1263846
ISSN 14888-8785 WHOLENOTE
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OPENER & Editor’s Pick
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR LOOKED FORWARD TO with way more dread than
happy anticipation by this particular slave in the WholeNote saltmines. It’s the dreaded “Year-End Double Issue”, with two months
of listings instead of one.
Sure, combining issues gives our staff and contributors a break. Sure
it allows for family time and all that humbug. But none of that is
worth it in the face of the trouble it makes for me.
I’m the one who’s holding up the presses, dear reader.
The press crew is waiting.
The forty or so people who’ve put their words and work into the
issue so far are waiting to go home, cheering madly every time I
complete a sentence.
The forty others who will meet the magazine at our printer, three
days hence, to carry it to you, are raring to go.
And I’m sitting here trying to decide if what I’m writing here is the
party piece, or the sober reflections bit. Or the mandatory Year-inReview. Or (shudder) the dreaded list of resolutions.
The “party” part is easy enough. Our live music listings start page
36 and include more than 750 events. Two thirds of them happen in
the first three weeks of December. One weekend day during that time
has 47 concerts. (Larry Beckwith paints a great picture in Choral
Scene, page 24, of the celebratory communal work that goes into
putting on any one of these concerts.)
And then for a couple of weeks the concert scene slumbers. Except
it’s a comforting thought that during at least some of those days
when no-one is putting on music formally, we’re all a bit more likely
to have the time to be doing some social singing and playing of our
own.
On the “sober reflections” front, writing in these pages last
December, organist Chris Dawes commented wryly that “Christmas
can make you sick, or well, or both … the retailer or freelance
musician who must crazily earn 25-30% of an annual income in the
last 10% of the year then starts all over again in the quiet cold of
January.”
Chris’s solution to the crazy December/January mood swing was to
suggest readers pick a pair of concerts, but not just any pair. Rather,
what he called a “Janusian pair” – after two-faced Janus for whom
January is named. Choose two concerts, Chris said, “one in December,
one in January: one, your retreat from the old year’s tortured deaththroes, and the other, your celebration of the new year’s birth.” I’m
not sure about the “death-throes” bit. But I recommend the exercise. It
doesn’t hurt, at a time of year where solitude can both bless and cut
like a knife, to remind oneself that for every state of mind there can
be music.
I’ve already chosen one of my “Janusian pair” of concerts (courtesy
Karen Ages’ World View column, page 27). She writes about:
“the 70-plus member Echo Women’s Chamber Choir presenting
Songs of Resistance and Hope, December 11 at Church of the Holy
Trinity. On the program are anti-apartheid songs from South Africa,
songs of the Armenian exile, songs in Hebrew and Tamil, and two
Roma songs: Oshwitsate (Auschwitz) is a musical memorial to the
Roma population nearly wiped out in the second world war; and
Dureme Zhe is a song that calls for inclusiveness, first sung at
demonstrations against the ultra-right in 1990’s Eastern Europe.”
It’s an opportunity to hear songs of the kinds that get sung when all
the concert halls have fallen silent.
As to “years-in-review” and “resolution lists” I guess all I can do at
this stage is to promise to put a decent year-end review on next year’s
resolution list.
David Perlman, Editor
Be Our Guest
Be our guest! Mini-Survey
Here at WholeNote, we are always telling you, our readers, about the music world as we see it. Well, we thought that it might
be nice to start something a little different. We want to start finding out, regularly, more about our readers: what you think
about music in our neck of the woods, what you would want us to continue doing, commence doing, and stop.
So, take the plunge! Fill out our mini-survey (either online, at www.thewholenote.com, or send your answers by email to
editorial@thewholenote.com, or by mail at the address in the masthead on page 9). Be our guest!
Speaking of guests, today’s topic was inspired by a line from Pamela Margles’ conversation with composer Steve Reich on his
recent visit to Toronto (page 18). Pamela writes: “ At the talk, a student had asked Reich what his ideal listener would get from his
Click here for direct link to on-line Mini-Survey.
music. ‘Tears of joy,’ he said, smiling.’”
1)
How often are you moved to tears by music?
a) always
b) often
c) sometimes
d) rarely
e) never
3)
If ever, on what occasions (circle any)
a) a live concert
b) a favorite recording
c) film or tv
d) radio
e) other_____________
2)
If ever, by which of the following?
a) orchestral
b) choral and vocal
c) operatic
d) anthems
e) other _____________
4)
Control question: Do you eat breakfast?
a) always
b) often
c) sometimes
d) rarely
e) never
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OnStage is heard on
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CBC Radio Two - Sundays at 2 p.m. and
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Hosted by Shelley Solmes
WORLD
STUDIO JAZZ
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17/06 – 8 P.M.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6/05 – 8 P.M.
TAKE YOUR PICK
EAST MEETS EAST
Jake Langley, guitar
Rob Piltch, guitar
George Koller, bass
Terry Clarke, drums
JAKE LANGLEY
MARY JANE LAMOND
No longer Canada’s best kept jazz secret, Ottawaborn, Toronto-based Jake Langley was selected as
Guitarist of the Year in the 2004 National Jazz
Awards and was chosen as Music Director in 2005.
He spent a year studying in New York with jazz
guitar legends Joe Pass and Pat Martino, and now
he joins veteran jazzman and fellow guitarist Rob
Piltch for an evening of acoustic and electric duets.
“…this is comfort jazz, warm music with light
grooves and strong effervescence. Langley’s polished lines have their own innate sweetness.”
Globe and Mail
ROB PILTCH
GEORGE KOLLER
KIRAN AHLUWALIA
SHAHID ALI KHAN (
NAIDA COLE
RUSSIAN
Mary Jane Lamond (Cape Breton/Canada)
Kiran Ahluwalia (India/Canada)
Shahid Ali Khan (Pakistan/Canada)
“The duty of Qawwali is to reduce the distance
between the Creator and the created” quotes
Shahid Ali Khan. Qawwali is the marriage of rapturous, spiritual poetry to mesmerizing singing and
music. Kiran Ahluwalia’s Ghazals explore the many
aspects of the human condition, while her Punjabi
folk songs celebrate them. Mary Jane Lamond presents unique interpretations of Scottish Gaelic traditions from the North Shore of Cape Breton
Island. Joined by Rez Abbasi, guitar; Ravi
Naimpally, tabla; Ashok Bidaye and Mombasher,
harmoniums; and other special guests, these extraordinary singers explore connections and collaborations between modern and ancient.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28/06 – 8 P.M.
TUESDAY, MARCH 7/06 – 8 P.M.
HORN OF AFRICA
RUSSIANS IN EXILE
Andrew Burashko, piano
The Art of Time Ensemble
Joaquin Valdepeñas, clarinet
ANDREW BURASHKO
FADUMA NKRUMAH
Moscow-born pianist Andrew Burashko leads his
ensemble in works by Russians abroad: Glinka,
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works is the ghostly Piano Quintet, composed in
memory of his mother.
JOAQUIN VALDEPEÑAS
An acoustic evening of traditional and contemporary music from North-East Africa.
Instrumentation will include oud, bongos and the
ancient krar. These three exceptional singers, recognized in many countries of the world, are best
known in Canada within their particular communities, performing often at weddings, cultural
occasions, festivals, and nightclubs. Together they
wish to share their music with a wider Canadian
audience, and each other.
EID ISMAEL
DANNY
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18/06 – 8 P.M.
SECOND SHOW ADDED
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19/06 – 7 P.M.
AFRICAN GUITAR SUMMIT
TUESDAY, MARCH 28/06 – 8 P.M.
RUSSIAN VIOLA
Rivka Golani, viola
John Lenehan, piano
and guest Douglas Perry, viola
RIVKA GOLANI
Rivka Golani is recognized by BBC Music magazine as one of the great violists and musicians of
modern times. She is featured in monumental
Russian literature written (or transcribed) for the
viola: the radiant Sonata in G minor, Op. 19 of
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Viola Sonata. Op. 147; and a virtuosic transcription of Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet,
arranged for 1 or 2 violas and piano.
JOHN LENEHAN
DOUGLAS PERRY
cbc.ca/gould
Faduma Nkrumah (Somalia)
Eid Ismael (Sudan)
Danny (Eritrea)
OUMOU SOUMARE
MUNA MINGOLE
Glenn Gould Studio
Box Office
Tel (416) 205-5555 • Fax (416) 205-5551
AFRICAN GUITAR
SUMMIT II
With guest vocalists:
Oumou Soumare & Muna Mingole
The winners of the 2005 Juno Award for World
Music Album of the Year return with all-new
material. From Guinea, the smooth guitar fire of
Alpha YaYa Diallo, with Naby Camara on balafon;
from Ghana, the elder master of the guitar, Pa Joe,
with ‘golden voice’ Theo Boakye, and the heartbeat of drummer Kofi Ackah; From Kenya, the
Fiesta guitar of Professor Adam Solomon; from
Burundi/Rwanda, the bluesy Mighty Popo; and
from Madagascar, the quicksilver guitars and harmonies of Donné Robert and Madagascar Slim.
Glenn Gould Studio is located at:
250 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario
The Glenn Gould box office counter opens 2 hours prior to performance for
in-person sales and pre-ordered ticket pick-ups for that evening’s event only.
Single tickets: $40 each • Entire series: $94 per series • Seniors and students series: $74 per series
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11
C
D
OVERIES
DISCOVERIES
C
EDITOR’S CORNER
As the holiday season approaches
we welcome back Sarah B. Hood
with her “round-up” of Christmas
discs in an extended “Peace and
Joy” article in the DISCS OF THE
SEASON section. And several of
our other reviewers, in particular
Bruce Surtees in his “Old Wine,
New Bottles” and Tiina Kiik in her
look at Marie-Nicole Lemieux’s
new disc, seem to have kept gift
shopping in mind while writing their
reviews. I would also draw your attention to Ezra Perlman’s report on
a couple of CDs that will make excellent gifts of music for the youngsters on your list: “Seasons’ Greetings from Vivaldi” and the new Tafel
Kids disc “Baroque Adventure”.
This month I am very pleased to
welcome renowned Gryphon Trio
pianist Jamie Parker to our ranks.
At a recent fundraising event that
featured the Gryphons, Jamie mentioned to WholeNote editor David
Perlman that music he often listens
to for pleasure is the late string quartets of Beethoven, with a particular
fondness for Op.132. David inquired
whether he would be interested in
writing a review of the quartets if
the occasion arose and the answer
was yes. As you will see, a new recording by the Hagen Quartet provided that opportunity sooner than
Jamie might have expected and I’m
very pleased with the result.
While conceding that Beethoven’s
set of “late quartets” is likely the
most important contribution to the
repertoire, and in fact laid the foundation for everything that has followed in the genre over the past two
centuries, I must confess that my
own personal favourite for sheer listening pleasure is actually the first
of Beethoven’s “middle quartets”,
Op.59, No.1. It was therefore easy
for me to hold back the new Tokyo
String Quartet recording of this
work and its companion pieces, the
three “Razumovsky” quartets, for
myself this month. The Tokyo has a
discography of more than 30 discs,
but this is the first release on the
Harmonia Mundi label [HMU
807423.24] (except for an appearance on a 2003 disc with clarinetist
Joan Enric Lluna performing the
Brahms Clarinet Quintet). The Tokyo Quartet are of course frequent
visitors to Toronto, with annual appearances on the Music Toronto
series, and the Brahms and
Beethoven discs also mark their first
recordings with Canadian violinist
Martin Beaver at their helm. Beaver joined the group as first violinist
in 2002, having previously held that
chair in the Toronto String Quartet,
and incidentally, he still performs
with Jamie Parker as the BeaverParker Duo, an ensemble that has
the distinction of having given the
inaugural concert in the Discovery
series at Music Toronto. But back
to the quartet… Celebrating the
composer’s 250th anniversary, the
Tokyo Quartet will perform three allMozart concerts on the Music Toronto series this season. The first
has come and gone, and the second,
with clarinetist Sabine Meyer on
January 19th, is already sold out. So
if you want to hear them at all this
year I suggest you order your tickets now for the March 16 performance (with Cyprien Katsaris and
Steven Dann). Now did I mention
their new CDs? The Tokyo’s take
on the Razumovsky quartets is every bit as exhilarating as you would
expect, with excellent sound captured in the Skywalker Sound studio (yes, a George Lucas company)
in California. Surprisingly, the thing
that impressed me the most was not
the music nor the performance, but
the production that actually leaves
sufficient space, elsewhere considered “dead air”, between the quartets to let you breathe and absorb
the fact that one piece has come to
its natural conclusion before rushing into the next.
[Breathe…] Well the next disc has
a Toronto connection as well, though
perhaps a bit more tenuous. It is a
connection that must mean a lot to
the young cellist featured on the CD
though, as the first line in his biographical sketch reads: “In November 2002, Jean-Guihen Queyras
received from both Pierre Boulez
and the Glenn Gould Foundation, the
City of Toronto Glenn Gould International Protégé Prize in Music.” On
the occasion of the presentation of
that award Queyras performed Boulez’ Messagesquisse for solo cello
and an ensemble of six of this region’s finest cellists at Glenn Gould
Studio with the composer (himself
the winner of the Glenn Gould Prize)
at the podium. He was also featured
performing that work on a Deutsche
Grammophon recording with Boulez and an ensemble of Parisian cellists that is available in the Boulez
2000 series, but that is not the disc I
want to tell you about here. Harmonia Mundi has just released
Queyras’ performance of the Dvorak Cello Concerto (HMC
801867) with the Prague Philharmonia under the direction of Jiri
Bélohlavek. It is encouraging, but
not surprising, to learn that this young
Canadian-born cellist is just at home
with the standard cello repertoire as
he is with the extreme demands of
the music of Boulez. And that he
brings his own personality to the performance, adding personal touches
that are still in keeping with Slavic
temperament of the work. The concerto is aptly paired with the “Dumky” Trio, in which the cello (and the
cellist) is given ample opportunity to
shine. Shine? Queyras positively
glows! He is ably assisted in this endeavour by violinist Isabelle Faust
and pianist Alexander Melnikov.
As anyone who reads this column
regularly will have surmised by now,
I have a personal penchant for contemporary music. And so it was as
if Christmas came early for me with
the arrival of three new releases on
the ATMA label last month. Two of
these involve international young
composers competitions with a
plethora of new voices, previously
unheard on record, and the third
celebrates a, no the, senior Spanish
composer of the 20th century, Luis
de Pablo.
12
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I’ll begin with one of my favourite
ensembles, the Quatuor Molinari,
and their “Concours 2003/2004”
(ACD2 2323). This was the Molinari’s second international competition for composers under 40 and the
response was impressive: 129 string
quartet scores from 38 countries,
narrowed down to four winners by
a jury that included composers José
Evangelista, Alexina Louie and
Michael Matthews and the members of the Molinari quartet. I doubt
you will have heard the winners’
names (or music) before, but I would
dare to suggest that if you are interested in the art music of the 21st
century you may hear them again.
They are: Tazul Izan Tajuddin
(b.1969, Malaysia); Eun-Hwa Cho
(b.1973, South Korea); Alexios
Porfyriadis (b.1971, Greece); and
Sixto Manuel Herrero Rodes
(b.1965, Spain). Pick up this CD and
be “the first one on your block” to
experience the future of the string
quartet. The call for scores is now
open until April 1, 2006.
qm@quatuormolinari.qc.ca.
The other two discs feature the
Nouvelle Ensemble Modern under Lorraine Vaillancourt’s direction.
The first, “Forum 2004” (ACD2
2375) features the winners of
NEM’s 7th international forum for
young composers. As with the Molinari Concours, the seven winners
are all unfamiliar to me, including the
one Canadian, Julien Bilodeau
(b.1974, Quebec) whose abrasive À
coups is a highlight of the two disc
set. The others are Ondrej Adamek
(b.1979, Czech Republic), Guilherme
Carvalho (b.1974, Brazil), Du Yun
(b.1977, China), Derek Johnson
(b.1976, USA), Sampo Haapamäki
(b.1979, Finland) and Laurent Torres
(b.1975, France). All of the selections are, as I am wont to say, “good
old-fashioned new music”, so if you
are someone who, in the words of
Laurie Anderson, likes to “sit boltupright in that straight-backed chair”
and enjoy a “difficult listening hour”
or two, these discs are for you.
Post-modern is the term I would use
for the music of Luis de Pablo, who
was one of the guest jurors for “Forum 2004”. I guess it is not a coincidence that NEM has chosen to
record an entire CD of de Pablo’s
compelling music at this time
(ADC2 2353). I find it interesting
to note that de Pablo’s 1991-1992
Paradiso y tres danzas macabras
brought Canadian composer John
Rea’s music to my mind and it turns
out that Rea is a permanent member of the Forum jury. I don’t mean
to suggest that they were “feathering the nest” with “birds of a feather”, simply that it is interesting to
find kindred spirits in the sometimes
disparate world of contemporary
music.
The timing of the release of these
three important discs is a bit unfortunate. They risk being “lost in the
shuffle” as the market focuses on
the Christmas season, to which they
definitely do not relate. Any one of
them however would make a marvellous stocking-stuffer for the more
adventurous souls on your list.
These three contemporary music
discs all originate in Montreal, but
of course Toronto has its fair share
of new music specialists too, as witnessed each month in our Some
Thing New and New Music Coalition News features. In our next issue we look forward to reviews of
C
D
new releases by two active participants on the Toronto new music
scene: Arraymusic and Evergreen
Club Contemporary Gamelan. We’ll
also have reviews of a number of
other Toronto-based ensembles with
diverse musical foci including I
Furiosi (with reviewer Gabrielle
McLaughlin) and Aradia, who will
band together with the Caliban
Quartet of Bassoonists (see Sarah
B. Hood’s review) for a multi-CD
launch party at the Great Hall on
December 4, and Ensemble Polaris featuring DISCoveries contributors Alison Melville and Colin
Savage, who launch their new disc
“Not much is worse than a Troll”
at the Edward Day Gallery on
December 21.
We welcome your feedback and invite submissions. Catalogues, review copies of CDs and comments
should be sent to: The WholeNote,
720 Bathurst St., Suite 503, Toronto
ON M5S 2R4. We also welcome
your input via our website,
www.thewholenote.com.
David Olds
Editor, DISCOVERIES
discoveries@thewholenote.com
CD Discoveries
continues on pages 72 to 86
72 Vocal and Opera
74 Early Music and Period
Performance
77 Classical and Beyond
78 Modern and
Contemporary
79 Jazz and Imporvised
82 Pot Pourri
84 Old Wine, New Bottles
86 Discs for the Season
Don’t forget...
There are hundreds of other
CD reviews available on
our website:
wwwthewholenote.com
OVERIES
DISCOVERIES
C
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13
Jazz talk: Phil Nimmons
Philip Rista Nimmons was born in Kamloops, BC, on June 3, 1923. He wears
many hats, as composer, arranger, clarinetist, bandleader, and educator.
Honours have been showered on Phil Nimmons and presently there is a flurry
of well-deserved activity, but the achievements have done little to change the
inner man. I sat down recently with Phil Nimmons and talked about some of
the things that matter to Phil, as well as his likes and dislikes..... Here are
highlights from the first hour of the interview, giving an insight into the man
and his music. The entire conversation can be found on the WholeNote website
at www.thewholenote.com and the second part of the interview will be posted
in January at the same time as the January listings.
The Instrument
ALL PHOTOS BY DON VICKERY
interviewed by Jim Galloway
ones start to pall, I think they don’t have the
same ambience, but that’s me, you know. I
don’t know whether my philosophy affects my
PN:...my older sister, who is still alive, I
listening as well (laughs) because life is not
asked her as my source, and fountain of inforperfect, so why do we try and make it perfect,
Early
Days
mation still. She said, “you heard Benny
it would become boring, you know......Well,
Goodman on the air, and that was it, you were PN: I started to play almost immediately on the the Portraits recording we did live, and I think
CBC
in
Vancouver
and
of
course
most
of
my
smitten.”
it was a blessing in disguise because we
activities for a great number of years were all in
When I think back on those days, radio...
couldn’t get enough funding to go into the
the
studios
because
it
was
all
being
supported
you’re fooling around the dials or something, I
studio and so we wound up doing it live.
can’t remember anything specific, but accord- by the CBC.
In
the
beginning,
I
listened
to
both
classical
The Educator
ing to Jane, that’s my sister, she said I was
smitten with Benny Goodman and I wanted to and jazz. I feel that was a blessing. I mean I
JG: If a student comes to you, what do you
didn’t really know what was happening... I
get a clarinet and so that’s how that came
think he should know? What do you expect of a
wasn’t categorized in those terms.... I did a lot student when he comes to you? And if he
about.
of work in casuals and dance bands out in
doesn’t know, where would you guide him?
JG: I think younger people today perhaps
Vancouver, and when I came to Toronto we
don’t realise, but radio was so important.
played some great music in those days. Maybe PN: Ideally, I would like a student to be openminded, and also, if we are talking about muthe solos were only eight bars long or sixteen
PN: Oh yes, and I think in a very profound
sic, if he accepts the fact that he hasn’t used his
way because we had to use our ears. And that bars long but the charts were great that were
ears enough (laughs). I am not trying to be
being
written
for
the
bands
in
those
days.
started right from the beginning, and I think
facetious, but there are a lot of people I have
having a highly motivating and inspiring relaRecording
taught that do not have the aural approach to
tionship to what you’re hearing on the radio is
something....eventually I found out when Ben- JG: How do you feel about playing in a studio things consistently, all the time.
I think you look for a dedication, and a
as opposed to before an audience?
ny Goodman was broadcasting on the Camel
commitment, you know, and it is quite imporCaravan (or Artie Shaw), and those were both PN: Oh, I’d much rather play before an auditant to me when I am teaching that I have to try
influences on me. I just preferred Benny Good- ence. I feel that they are a part of the formula
and find a way to connect with every student.
man’s sound.
with the performer and that they are a part of
They’re not the same, so you have to have a
JG: Were there any other players out there you the whole process. God, you’ve got to have a
pretty open mind about some different apconversation, it’s not only with yourself.
liked?
proaches to look after different people. And it
JG: Well, it’s the same for me. I would rather helps a big deal if you get somebody with an
PN: Oh, well I liked all those guys, Irving
record before an audience and I would accept open mind and I don’t mean to the extent that
Fazola, Barney Bigard, Buster Bailey, Jimmy
they stop having a personality, but you have to
flaws in the recording, because of the other
Hamilton, Buddy DeFranco.
be able to receive some information and procpluses.
JG: Does the fact that the clarinet became
ess it without losing your own identity. I try as
PN: I have always felt that -- right from the
unfashionable bother you?
a teacher to just open doors and not get in the
beginning. There are people who really dig
way, and without them knowing, lovingly
PN: Oh yeah, it was The instrument.
going into studios, that’s another approach.
mold them in certain ways.
This is just my opinion: when I listen to the
JG: But then it went right out the window.
live recordings over the years opposed to ones The Voice
Nobody was playing clarinet for a long time.
from studios, for me, I could keep listening to JG: What about singers?
PN: Things change (with a hearty chuckle).
the live recordings always always. The other
JG: Why clarinet?
There’s a lot of things that become unfashionable (both men laugh). And it takes some adjusting to in a lot of ways.
14
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G R E AT A R T I S T S
Piano Mastery
Mostly Mexican
Li Wang piano
Joaquin Valdepeñas clarinet
With friends from The Glenn Gould School faculty
Program to include
LISZT Mephisto Waltz No. 1
MUSSORGSKY Pictures at an Exhibition
Program to include music by HERAS, CHAVEZ
and MARQUEZ
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 8 PM
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Simon Streatfeild conductor
Anagnoson & Kinton piano duo
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 8 PM
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FREEDMAN Duke
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RAVEL Daphnis et Chloe Suite I & II
416.872.1111
www.rcmusic.ca
The Guest Conductor Program
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RBC Foundation
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Official Wine Sponsor
15
PN: I wrote for voices out west and I was just
so fortunate in many ways with the CBC. I
wrote for choirs, things like sea shanties for J.
Frank Willis, and you know, I wrote some
songs when I was studying at the Conservatory, and I have three or four songs to Russian
poets, and then Anne Marie Moss sang with
Nimmons and Nine and so did Tommy Ambrose.
I have the greatest respect for the human
voice because I think that it is the primary
human instrument. I have always felt that, and
as a matter of fact I have wished that we could
put all of our jazz programme students into a
choir and make all of the instrumentalists sing,
because it is one of the most profound experiences that I ever had when I went to study at
Juilliard. They put all the instrumentalists (we
sat out in the theatre, there must have been
about seven hundred of us) in a choir, and we
had two choral conductors the three years I
was there, one was Igor Buketoff and the other
was Robert Shaw. And with Igor Buketoff, I
had just arrived from Vancouver you know,
and was there to study, and (laughs) here I am,
singing. I never sang before in my life. To
make a long story short, we gave a performance of the Bach B Minor Mass and I was one
of 100 basses. It was a great happening for me
because I had never been exposed to anything
like that before.
colours to create an impact on either your viewer or your listener? So, those were all influences. And there were big milestones outside
of the beginning. I will never forget the first
time I heard Claude Thornhill, that stands out,
and also when I heard Charlie Barnett for the
first time, who in my mind contributed a certain sound quality or orchestration that was a
little different.
a great photographer. He said, you’ve gotta
have a camera so we went to the Drake Delta,
(a camera store that was on Yonge Street) and
found a Leica M3 that somebody had brought
back in and Oscar said I’d better buy that, so I
bought an M3 for $300 bucks, which was a lot
in those days - it was 1962 - and I took a lot
of pictures with that and if I got a good one of
somebody I would put it on a big piece of
poster board with some graphic artwork around
Food and Fellowship
it. And then, when I stopped drinking, theraJG: What is your favourite food? What do you peutically I think, I started carving with a little
like to eat?
pen knife. The first thing I carved was a SlaPN: I like pasta, which is kind of weird. Com- lom ski with all the trappings and I’ve done
several pieces since then. I thoroughly enjoy it.
ing from an old Anglophone home in KamI use Cedar. I did something for Oscar and
loops, BC where it was pretty well meat and
potatoes. I dig that too, but I developed a taste Rob (McConnell) and for Ed (Bickert), Tony
Thompson, the Leon family, Peter Herndorf.
for pasta, starting in Vancouver with Nick
They could be anything from this size (demonFiore, who was first flautist with the Vancouver Symphony; before he came to Toronto with strates a small piece with his hands) and I dig
it. And as a matter of fact I think that if anythe TSO we were close friends. My pasta
thing happened to the chops (gestures to his
heaven developed here in Toronto at the Dell
Tavern on Elm Street. Willie and Joe De Lau- mouth) I think I would get into carving because
you know what? You can see it happening.
rentis. Willie is still alive. Joe, we were close
When you write music, you sit there, and
friends. He was Holly’s godfather, and they
nothing happens until it’s played, but when
actually kept me in food when my cheque
didn’t arrive from Vancouver (laughs). We had you are painting or sculpting anything, whether
a lot of good times at the Dell; that’s where we it’s carving or sculpting, it happens right in
front of you and you are getting a sense of
introduced Ray (Brown) and Oscar (Peterson)
satisfaction out of the effort. When you’re
to golf. We went in there one night after the
composing music or, I guess, writing a book
Paddock I think and we were going to have
or a script or something there’s no sense of
the Dell golf tournament the next morning at
Composers and Arrangers
feedback, there is always this apprehension...is
7:00am, and Oscar and Ray said they would
JG: What other composers or arrangers interbe there - and they got up and were there! Ray this going to be OK?
est you? Who else do you like?
- that really turned him on. It was his first golf The Honours
PN: Going right back to the beginning, I guess game and he just became a fanatic. Oscar, I
JG: You’ve had a lot of honours heaped upon
Fletcher Henderson, Sy Oliver, and Duke, and think, bought a great set of clubs and that was
you, and it seems like you have a burgeoning
they would be the early ones. I didn’t really
the only time he ever used them!
career AGAIN!
know why at the time, but I certainly related to
But The Dell was a great place, we had
it. That was in the jazz world, but the other
baseball tournaments, all the musicians used to PN: (laughing) My career is really taking off
influences were people like Stravinsky and
hang out there... baseball games, there was a
right now.
Tchaikovsky, in the beginning, Ravel, and
baseball field next to Tip Top. I remember one
JG: That’s right. Not exactly overnight.
Debussy, and those were all things you dug or time, the Niosi family, Bert, Joe and John,
(laughs) But how does it feel? Did you ever
related to, so all that was kind of rubbing off
Joe was a big guy. You knew Joe? I’ll never
think that you would be honoured, and, I
on you at that time as far as composition and
forget Joe getting a hit and running to first
might add, rightly so?
orchestration were concerned. I think that one
base, and his tummy was going back and
of the great things about the CBC was that
forth, he could hardly run straight because of
PN (shaking his head): No, not really for one
depending on the budget, the instrumentation
the weight, you know. We were the opposing minute. Of course I’ve thought about it since
on a dramatic show would be different, and the team just cracking up and he got a home run
the first... I don’t think anybody can help havcontent or the textures of the music would be
because we all fell down laughing. We had a
ing some kind of a response when you receive
different, and I would have to come up with
lot of great times. They were great hangouts. I something. I feel very lucky and blessed ...
things creatively to do that. So I would end up don’t know where the musicians go now, I
all the awards; but I’m just a representation for
writing for a great variety of instrumentations
guess the Rex, and the Bistro.
all those wonderful people I’ve worked with; I
and also content, emotional content, in the
strongly feel that , whatever I’ve achieved,
scripts, which could be pictorially motivated or Phil-ing Time
really. I am certainly offering something by
emotionally motivated. All those things were in JG: Do you have any interesting hobbies?
performing, but it takes several people to do
a sense orchestration classes. Like painting a
that. I also have had the respect of my peers,
PN: Oh yeah, I used to at one point like phocanvas; what do you do with all these great
tography very much and as you know Oscar is and that was a very wonderful thing to have.
16
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To the Holidays ...and beyond
Celebrating
CCOC “Dickens” breaks ground
MOZART
@250
BY MJBUELL
PHOTO BRUCE ZINGER
PAST
Founded in 1968 by
Ruby Mercer and
Lloyd Bradshaw, the
Canadian Children’s
Opera Chorus (CCOC)
is unique in Canada as
the only permanent
children’s opera chorus
which develops and
produces new operas
left to right, front: Sarah Saccomanno, Dov Houle,
for children. Tradition- Ezra Perlman, Nicole Lindsay-Mosher; back:
ally they perform a
Amanda Mesquita, Gordon Hecht, Marysia Parry
busy season of con- “This is not a stand-and-sing choir. The kind of kid
certs, provide for the who comes to the CCOC is a kind of stage animal.
needs of the Canadian You need to discipline that in rehearsal. But you
Opera Company when have to walk a fine line. Because when they get on
children are required, stage that’s exactly the energy you want.” (Ann
Cooper Gay in conversation with Tamara
and collaborate with
many other organiza- Bernstein, 2004)
tions. The CCOC season has always culminated in a fully-staged
lyric theatre production in the spring. Preparing a staged work in December and competing for audience attendance in the busiest month
of the season is brave and new.
PRESENT
Artistic Director Ann Cooper Gay commented that this season she was
searching for a classic story with a timeless message for all ages, providing the CCOC with an opera worthy of an annual holiday presentation. “Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was an obvious choice. It begs for
operatic treatment”. The commission allowed for a new collaboration
between two long-standing members of the community: composer Errol
Gay (Orchestra Toronto, Toronto Symphony Orchestra) and librettist
Michael Patrick Albano (Opera Division, University of Toronto).
“Although there are extant several musical settings of this wellknown story, I think that Michael and I have been given a gift by
the CCOC”, commented composer Errol Gay. “They asked for an
operatic treatment: the first, I believe, that features primarily a cast of
children – who are, after all, the true focus of Dickens’ timeless
tale.” He proposed that “this might add to our understanding of the
real reasons behind our winter holiday traditions.”
Mr. Albano maintains much of the language of the Dickens original; and Dr. Gay has provided a score that evokes not only an early
nineteenth-century “past” and late nineteenth-century “present”, but
also the early twentieth-century “future”, by quoting stylistically (and
occasionally, literally) from familiar opera composers of these eras.
The ghosts of Christmas Past and Christmas Present are portrayed
by treble voice semi-choruses. The CCOC’s Youth Division provides SATB “Greek Chorus” introductions to the three dreams that
persuade the miserly Scrooge to mend his ways.
FUTURE
Astonishingly, the funding for this commission was provided by private donors, philanthropists Doug Ludwig and Karen Rice. In this
season for giving, and at a time when music education is seriously
undervalued, we are reminded that the larger music-giving public
must be challenged to invest in the musical future of our children.
A Dickens of a Christmas: an operatic adaptation of Charles Dickens’
“A Christmas Carol”. Canadian baritone Mark Pedrotti (Scrooge) and
tenor Ryan Harper (Bob Cratchit) perform with 200 choristers aged
five to nineteen. (Harbourfront Centre Theatre, Queen’s Quay West,
December 10 and 11, 2 pm and 7:30 pm, with special performances
for young audiences December 8 and 9 at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.)
WholeNote writer mJbuell is a 12-year volunteer with the CCOC and
the proud mother of one of two Tiny Tims, 10 year old Ezra Perlman.
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VIVALDI! THE FOUR SEASONS!
Saturday, Dec. 3 8 pm $25, $20, $10
GIUSEPPE LANZETTA, Conductor
Etsuko Kimura, Konstantin Popovic,
Leonid Peisahov, Liana Bérubé, Violinists
Walmer Centre 188 Lowther Av.
VIVALDI The Four Seasons
PENTLAND Holiday Suite
MANFREDINI Christmas Concerto
416 499 0403 or sinfoniatoronto.com
MICHAEL ESCH, Pianist
Saturday, Feb. 4 8 pm $21, $32, $40
Glenn Gould Studio 250 Front St. W.
MOZART Eine kleine Nachtmusik
STRAUSS Metamorphosen
BRAHMS Piano Quintet arr. Arman
BEVERLEY JOHNSTON, Percussionist
Saturday, March 4 8 pm $21, $32, 40
Glenn Gould Studio
BURGE Flanders Fields Reflections
(world-premiere)
VIVALDI Marimba Concerto arr. Johnston
HATZIS Love Among the Ruins
(in the aftermath of 9/11)
TCHAIKOVSKY Quartet No. 1 arr. Arman
Strauss & Swing A Viennese Masked Ball
March 25, 2006 Arcadian Court $130 before Dec.25!
‘Mozart in Jeans’ Series
Jan. 28, Feb. 25, Apr. 1, Apr. 29 Walmer Centre
416 499 0403 www.sinfoniatoronto.com
17
Steve Reich
in conversation with Pamela Margles
In late October, American composer Steve Reich came to the University of Toronto as the Roger D. Moore Distinguished Visitor in Composition. Instead of the customary lecture, he played from the new
recording of his most recent piece, You Are (Variations), then answered questions.
It is difficult to believe that Reich is turning seventy next year, his
enthusiasm and vitality are so palpable. The audience, younger members especially, were impressed by his genial candour. Any advice he
gave was indirect, such as, ‘If you don’t enjoy yourself as a composer, you are in trouble.’
He remains one of the most recorded and most performed composers around –with two Grammy awards, and numerous other honours. His compositions, both new and old, are constantly being performed around the world. His music offers many levels of access, with
its catchy rhythms and mesmerizing textures. But it is able to surprise,
fascinate, provoke and disturb.
would listen,
and still does.
‘I became a
composer because I loved
Bach, Stravinsky, be-bop and
John Coltrane.
When I started
music school in
the late fifties
there was one
way to write
music – no
pulse, no tapping your feet,
no melody, no
American composer Steve Reich
harmony. These
were specifically forbidden. New music concerts were like bitter pills.
Of course most audiences stayed away in droves, so you had a bunch
of composers listening to other composers. I felt very out of it.’
‘I was part of a generational change, reacting to how complicated
music had become. Philip Glass, Terry Riley, Lamonte Young, John
Adams, and in a different way, Arvo Pärt in Europe, we all said,
“Enough of this – it is ugly, it’s not human.” We wanted to get back
to basics….in a new way.’
‘There are composers today who go back and sound like Mahler. I
think that’s a mistake. You can’t just go back. Mahler did it better than
they do.’
If neo-romantic music is not of interest to Reich, even less interesting is romantic music. ‘It isn’t what you do, it’s how you do it. I
don’t want to hear romantic music of any sort. Brahms, Mahler, Sibelius are great composers, but I don’t want to hear a note of their music.
I just don’t like that style.’
PHOTO: WONGE BERGMANN
recently in town
THE HIGHLIGHT of Reich’s visit to Toronto was a concert of his works
presented by Soundstreams in the MacMillan Theatre. The concert
sold out, and there were long lineups for tickets as I went in. Even
more untypical for a concert of new music in this city were the standing ovations and cheers from the audience after each work.
I spoke to Reich the next morning. ‘I thought it was a wonderful
concert – one of the best I’ve been at of my music. There have only
been five or six performances of You Are so far, although many
more are planned. I think it’s one of the best pieces I’ve ever done.’
You Are (Variations) is an exuberant work, rich in texture and high
in spirits. The Toronto performance was the first involving Nexus, the
renowned Toronto percussion group. Three of its members, Russell
Hartenberger, Bob Becker and Gary Kvisted are
‘Ultimately I care for Boulez, Stockhausen
longstanding members of Reich’s own ensemble,
‘IT COULD BE MY MUSIC, IT and Berio. If you’re going to write that kind of
Steve Reich and Musicians.
music they do a very good job, and that’s
COULD BE JOHANN SEBASTIAN
The concert also featured one of Reich’s most
innovative works, Drumming, written in 1971
BACH’S – THE LIVE PERFORM- ultimately what survives in music.’
for large percussion ensemble and voices. ‘There
In his talk, Reich had said, ‘My music’s
ANCE IS THE MUSIC.’
have been hundreds of performances of Drumlifeblood is rhythmic vitality and clarity’. But
ming, but having Nexus made this performance
in our interview he acknowledged another equalabsolutely superb – especially in the bongo section when it’s just those ly fundamental dimension. ‘The main voice of my music is melody.
guys playing, and having a good time. That’s the real deal. When There - I’ve said it. Stravinsky said it too. You heard Music for Pieces
you’re that good and that confident, you can also be funny, and take of Wood last night. If those claves weren’t pitched that way, then all
liberties, especially with accents.’
those little rhythmic interactions wouldn’t mean anything. It would be
In Music for Pieces of Wood, from 1973, Reich joined the four very boring. But because they form a hocketed melodic pattern they
Nexus members on stage. ‘Playing with them is just great. Sometimes become really interesting, and that grabs your ear.’
when I’m asked to be guest performer, especially with the earlier piecReich emphatically rejects all labels – but especially minimalism. ‘I
es, I feel like I am carrying this load of people who sort of know what never liked the term minimalism. It’s a term Michael Nymen took from
they are doing. But with Nexus it’s like being carried along.’
painting and sculpture, back in the early seventies. He was disgusted
During the performance of Drumming, the performers walked with the serial music of the time. Maybe it’s slightly descriptive of my
around, exchanged positions, signalled each other, and played musical music up to Drumming. But certainly by Music for 18 Musicians
chairs with two facing rows of chairs, making it feel, at times, like a (1976) no-one would ever use that word for my music. It’s poison.
sacred ceremony. ‘Drumming is just percussion, but there is a lot of Whenever a composer uses that word I say “Stop! Don’t apply some
switching around. That is not something I was concerned with in label and put yourself in a box.”’
writing the piece but it is a natural byproduct. It does certainly make it
‘The artificial wall between pop and classical has come down. Ininteresting to watch.’
struments from the pop world have become standard, and that’s a good
‘It could be my music, it could be Johann Sebastian Bach’s – the thing. But now when young people go to music school, they can do
live performance is the music. I love recordings. I was brought up on anything they want. I don’t know whether they’re better off or worse.
recordings. I’m involved in all the details of my recordings. But if the You need resistance, something to push against. Where’s the real you?’
music can’t come off in performance, there’s something wrong with
Many of Reich’s innovations are rooted in renaissance and baroque
the music, and it’s just been doctored on the recording.’
music. ‘There are certain universal truths in composing. If you are
I WAS TAKEN ABACK when Reich said, ‘If someone heard You Are writing a line against another line then studies in species counterpoint
(Variations), and then the next day they heard Pieces of Wood, they are going to help you. Good voice leading is just absolutely basic to
would never assume it was the same composer.’ I had just heard those anything. The Beatles knew about that.’
‘Very often I mark the beginning of a score mf. But I explain that
two works on the same program. His passionate, endlessly creative
voice was unmistakable. His materials and techniques have changed; mf doesn’t just mean mezzo forte – it also means matter of fact. In my
but right from the beginning, what grabbed audiences, and sidelined music, dynamics stay the same. When more people play, it’s louder,
critics, was how new his music sounded. He spoke to everyone who and when less people play, it’s quieter. But this comes from baroque
18
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PHOTO: MARILYN BROWN
music.
‘If someone
recommends a
musician to me
by saying they
play a lot of
new music, I
think to myself
“Do they mean
Stockhausen
and Boulez?”
But if they tell
me this guy
plays a lot of
Bach, I think
“Oh, good,
I’m sure he’ll
work out just
fine”.’
Roger D. Moore presenting the Distinguished
‘There was
Visitor Award to Steve Reich recently at the
a lot of discusUniversity of Toronto.
sion with the
string players in You Are while I was here. I mark my scores poco
vibrato. That means to warm it up, but don’t be in a tizzy about nailing
the pitch. On the other hand, you’re not playing Mahler or Sibelius.
What I want is a warm full-bodied string sound with no wobble in the
pitch. And although I do have accents, I have very few crescendi and
decrescendi. Basically either you suddenly get louder and suddenly get
softer, or more people play and then less people play – most of it is
terraced dynamics. Which is all baroque.’
‘To me the greatest composer who ever lived is Johann Sebastian
Bach - there’s no-one close. His spiritual yearnings were titanic – the
depth of that man surpasses anyone whoever lived and wrote music, as
far as I’m concerned. Every Sunday he had a deadline. But in his
writings you don’t hear anything from him except ‘I need a tenor, I
need more firewood, I need a new trumpet player… I need more firewood’. I love that. I can totally relate to it.’
REICH IS NOW WORKING on Daniel Variations, about Daniel Pearl,
the Wall Street Journal bureau chief who was murdered by Islamic
extremists in Pakistan three years ago.
‘Danny Pearl’s father, Judea Pearl, put together a foundation which
supports mutual religious understanding. The guy’s a saint. I don’t
know if I could be so generous. Danny Pearl was a fiddle player –
he played bluegrass and jazz. So when his father asked me to write
a piece for them, I said, “absolutely”.’
Reich has a gift for choosing texts which are remarkably succinct,
sound great when set in his distinctively personal style, and resonate
with meaning. Some are directly linked to his deep Jewish faith, some
have political ramifications, and some stir up social issues.
Daniel Variations uses four short texts. The first and third are
from the Book of Daniel, where Nebuchadnezzar dreams about his
own destruction. ‘I live four blocks from the World Trade Center in
New York, so that’s me - and I think it’s a lot of us right now. We are
living in a very dark, dangerous period.’
The second text is My name is Daniel Pearl. ‘Before they beheaded
Pearl, they made him say, “My name is Daniel Pearl. I’m a Jewish
American from Encino, California.” He was beheaded as a Jew and as
an American.’
‘Pearl once told a friend he didn’t know what happens after you
die, “but I sure hope Gabriel likes my music.” After he was murdered, the friend found in Pearl’s apartment a vinyl recording of
jazz violinist Stuff Smith playing I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music. In Jewish mysticism angels are messengers, and Gabriel’s job
is to carry dreams. So the last movement says I sure hope Gabriel
likes my music.’
At the talk, a student had asked Reich what his ideal listener would
get from his music. ‘Tears of joy,’ he had said, smiling. ‘I just feel
that I’ve been enormously fortunate,’ he told me, before he headed
home to New York.
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19
QUODLibet
by Allan Pulker
.OBLE4HEMES
Toronto Music Expo
I spent part of the November 1920 weekend at the Metro Convention Centre manning WholeNote’s
booth at the Toronto Music Expo,
which was optimistically but not
entirely accurately described in its
promotional material as “everything
music under one roof.” The fact
that the show took place at all,
however, was such a positive indication that there is recognition of
the size and economic clout of the
music community. While there
were “glitches” like amplified
bands belting out their wares at 140
decibels, making a good working
knowledge of sign language indispensible, there were also interesting and valuable contacts to be
made. Now that musicians are recognizing that they are, for the most
part, self-employed entrepreneurs,
there will be enormous value in
WholeNote’s community having a
much stronger presence at next
year’s show.
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Musicians Taking
Charge of their Destinies
Speaking of entrepreneurial musicians, six local performers/ensembles have worked together to produce an innovative initiative, the
“Great Holiday Mega-Launch” on
December 4 at the Great Hall at
Queen and Dovercourt. The six
collaborators, The Caliban Quartet, Kevin Mallon, the Aradia Ensemble, I Furiosi, Deborah Quigley and Martin Gould, and Musica
Franca, have put the event together to launch seven CDs.
This kind of collaboration addresses not only the obvious financial one, that by sharing one
sixth of the expenses an event of
this sort becomes considerably
more affordable than it would otherwise be, but also the reality that
there are very few people with the
time to attend six separate launches, so it will be able to attract a
larger and more diverse audience
than any one could have separately. The music at the event will be
as varied as the participating musicians, who will be joined by guests,
including soprano, Mary Lou Fallis, Canadian folk music legend
Valdy, jazz chanteuses Bonnie
Brett and Heather Bambrick, Georgian music expert Alan Gasser,
jazz trumpet star Guido Basso,
trombonist Alain Trudel, trumpeter Guy Few and jazz drummer
Brian Barlow.
20
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Aradia’s Kevin Mallon
Seasonal Brass
There are probably literally hundreds of choral concerts listed in
December. Voices blending in fourpart harmony are probably the
sound most universally associated
with the music of the Christmas
season. The other musical sound
closely associated with the season
is the brass ensemble. A close look
at the listings reveals quite a
number of concerts offering brass,
all but one in combination with a
choir or choirs. If the sound of
brass raises your spirits, then
check our pre-December 25 listings. There are plenty to choose
from.
Christmas with Bach
As many before me have observed, Christmas is both a sacred
and a secular celebration in our
society. You would never guess
from our current observances, for
instance, that Advent, the month
or so leading up to Christmas, was
originally a time rather like Lent
of fasting and prayer. The religious dimension of Christmas does
live on, however, through music.
Handel’s oratorio, Messiah, which
encapsulates the entire New Testament narrative, will be performed
many times throughout December.
The Christmas music written by
J.S. Bach also lives on to remind
us of the more serious side of the
season. The Bach Consort has really started a new tradition in Toronto, that of performing Bach’s
Christmas Oratorio in its entirety a
week or so before Christmas. The
performers donate their services so
that income generated by the event
can be donated to charities such as
Out of the Cold. This year’s Christmas Oratorio, conducted by YanD ECEMBER 1 2005 - F EBRUARY 7 2006
Russell Braun, on January 15 at the Centre in
the Square in Kitchener
and January 22 at Hamilton Place, in Opera
Ontario’s Great Singers Recital Series).
Toronto International
Chamber Music
Festival
The intrepid and apparThe Toronto International Chamber
Music Festival in January 2006 features ently inexhaustible team
of TrypTych Producsuch distinguished guests as the
tions have repositioned
renowned Eastman Brass ensemble.
their Toronto Internanick Nézet-Séguin, will take place tional Chamber Music Festival,
at Eglinton St. George’s United which was for the past few years
Church on December 16. The same on the Canada Day weekend, to
evening, alas, Les Violons du Roy, late January.
Having observed from experiLa Chapelle de Québec [choir] and
soloists under the direction of Ber- ence that the out of town festivals
nard Labadie perform four Christ- make the summer festival circuit
mas Cantatas by J.S. Bach at Roy very competitive, they came up
Thomson Hall. The conflict, iron- with January, when there is a lull
ically, is completely understanda- in concertizing after the December
ble; this will be one of the few surge, and when tourism to Toevenings available for the TSO ronto is low. The fact that the Delta
players who are the core of the Chelsea Hotel has come on board
as a sponsor sends a strong mesBach Consort Orchestra.
sage from the hospitality industry.
Mozart’s 250th Birthday
The Toronto International ChamJanuary 27 will be the 250th anni- ber Music Festival’s mandate is to
versary of the birth of Wolfgang present musical performances, preAmadeus Mozart. There are more performance talks and master classconcert-tributes to Mozart than can es, entertaining, educating, and probe mentioned here. (We have in- viding a context for artists, students
cluded a “Mozart at 250” Quick- and audiences to interact, and share
Picks in our listings section, page the experience of beautiful vocal
63, to make them easier to find. and instrumental chamber music.
Something that really stands out, The Festival’s emphasis on the art
however, is the Toronto Sympho- of singing makes it different from
ny Orchestra’s “Mozart@250” other comparable festivals, which
three-concert series, which will all too frequently have a very mifeature among many other fine so- nor vocal component. With 5 of
loists the stellar voices of soprano, the 6 concerts featuring voice, they
Isabel Bayrakdarian, tenor, are doing something about this sitMichael Schade and baritone, Rus- uation. The programming is varsell Braun. The TSO also has a ied and diverse, including everyfourth concert, not part of the se- thing from Italian Renaissance
ries but nevertheless devoted to the madrigals to Hindemith’s quirky 12
music of Mozart, designed for chil- minute opera Hin und Zuruck and
dren and called “The Mozart Ex- just about everything in between!
perience.” In these concerts, colThis inaugural January festival
laborations with the Magic Circle will also be a 250th birthday celeMime Company, an impetuous bration for one of the greatest comstreet musician and her conductor posers of music for the human
companion guide the audience voice, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
through Mozart’s incredible life. In fact, the opening concert falls
What better way to introduce chil- on his birthday on January 27,
dren to or deepen their interest in 2006. It will feature several distinMozart and art music than by tak- guished guest artists, including piing them to these concerts on Jan- anist Felicitas Keil from Vienna,
uary 28 at 1:30 and 3:30.
the Vienna Symphony Virtuosi and
(Ms. Bayrakdarian, whose per- the celebrated Eastman Brass.
formances with the Toronto SymAll six concerts take place in the
phony are on January 18 & 19, is comfortable and convenient Isabel
the subject of a documentary film Bader Theatre at the University of
that will premiere on CBC Televi- Toronto. I hope that many
sion’s “Opening Night,” January WholeNote readers will get out to
19 at 8pm. There will be two oth- support and be part of this splener opportunities to hear her and did undertaking.
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Strauss & Swing
A Viennese Masked Ball
Saturday, March 25, 2006
7 pm to 1 am Arcadian Court
Dine in Continental splendour and dance the
night away to Viennese waltzes by
Sinfonia Toronto and favourites by the
Toronto All-Star Big Band
We’ll be in period costume with
glittering jeweled masks
Masks will be available at the door
Period dress and masks are optional
$130 per guest until Dec 25; $150 after Dec. 25;
$130 per guest for reservations of 8 and more
Buy online www.sinfoniatoronto.com or 416 499 0403
Dave Snider Music Centre
3225 Yonge St. PH (416) 483-5825
eMail: snidermusic@snidermusic.com www.snidermusic.com
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21
EARLY Music
by Frank Nakashima
So where are the women?
Women musicians of the 16th, 17th
and 18th centuries are conspicuously
underrepresented in today’s concert programs, recording and catalogues. Yet, though they were
banned from the church and theatre stage, and somewhat ignored
in the general musical milieu, women of the time were highly accomplished in music, dance and other
arts.
Now, in our efforts to right (at
least some of) the wrongs of the
past, many involved in historical
performance in particular are doing their best to acknowledge the
talents of musical women. You
should note the music publications
of ClarNan Editions, named after
pianist/composer Clara Wieck
Schumann and the distinguished
keyboard builder Nanette Streicher, the daughter of Johannes Stein
who revolutionized the keyboard
(fortepiano) in the 18th century.
Their catalog includes over 40 publications (well, hey, that’s a start!)
of historic music by women - relatively familiar names like Barbara
Strozzi and Maria Theresia von
Paradis, alongside new discoveries like Isabella Leonarda (composer of masses and religious motets)
and Camilla de Rossi (composer
of oratorio).
Viol Virtuosity
You’ll be hard pressed to find a
connection with “women in music” in either the rock band Violent Femmes or Scaramella’s Dec
8 program Viol n’ Femmes – except that the latter features four very
accomplished women viol players
(Joanna Blendulf, Julie Jeffrey,
Joëlle Morton and Annalisa Pappano) as well as the very accomplished Liam Byrne, in consort
music by Purcell, Lawes, Holborne
and Bach, and a few contemporary gems. The bowed string instrument known as the viola da
gamba has long been a favourite
of performers of Renaissance music, both men and women. In capable hands, it draws in the listener by virtue of its musical allure.
This concert is especially interesting because it will be a chance
to hear some rarely played instruments: the Hart House Viols, a
chest of six viols purchased ca 1930
by the Massey Foundation and the
Arts and Letters Club. The viols
became the sole property of Hart
House in 1935, and their use has
been restricted to “experienced
string musicians for rendering
music appropriate to them”.
www.scaramella.ca
beautiful music
for this purpose.
The Tallis
Choir celebrates
the 500 th anniversary of the
birth of their
namesake with a
reconstruction of
a 16 th -century
vespers service
(December 3) The Tallis Choir, shown here in 2003 performing
at St. James Cathedral, celebrates the 500th
which will culanniversary of Tallis’ birth on December 3.
minate in a performance of the incomparable 40- presents a program of sacred and
part motet, Spem in Alium. secular medieval music for this
season which is one of expectawww.tallischoir.com.
And with recorders, violins, cor- tion in many senses - the natural
netti, theorbos, keyboards and world braces itself for winter and,
voices, the Toronto Consort re- in the sacred world, everything
creates the celebration of Christ- looks forward to the Nativity (Demas vespers from the Church of cember 16).
www.pims.ca/sinenomine
San Marco in 17th-century Venice
Maybe I’m carrying this “wom(December 9, 10), with music by
the also-incomparable Claudio en in early music” thing too far,
Monteverdi. With works from his but another thing that reminds me
1641 collection of sacred music, of women is shoes. The Musicians
I’d have to say “It’s beginning to In Ordinary (soprano Hallie
Fishel and lutenist John Edwards)
sound a lot like Christmas.”
are giving a concert relating to obwww.torontoconsort.org
jects from the Bata collection, inSpeaking of women, as we are cluding the 17th century courtesan’s
about to enter the season of Ad- platform shoes and the newly-acvent, we are reminded of the ap- quired stockings of Charles I at the
pearance of the angels unto the Bata Shoe Museum (January 20) Virgin Mary. Sine Nomine in addition to their own series at
Sounds of Vespers and Angels,
Shoes and Stockings
As the evening service of divine
– ClarNan Editions, 235 Baxter
Lane, Fayetteville, AR 72701-2104, office, Vespers has long had a central place in the daily worship of
fax: 479-443-3856, e-mail:
women’s religious orders as well
clarnan@ipa.net, phone 479-4427414, website: http://clarnan.com. as men’s. Usually featuring
hymns, psalms and antiphons, this
bit of Catholic liturgy, as distinct
from the Mass, offered inspiration
to several composers who wrote
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22
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Heliconian Hall, and their appearance in the Toronto Early Music
Centre’s “Musically Speaking”
series (January 8).
www.batashoemuseum.ca
More Early Music Concerts
The “Renaissance voices” of Studio Sixteen, a choir directed by
Kevin Komisaruk, performs a free
noon hour concert in Roy Thomson Hall’s “Choir & Organ” series (December 13). Komisaruk, a
specialist in early organ repertoire
will perform works from Flanders
and Amsterdam on the hall’s magnificent Gabriel Kney instrument.
In their own series, Studio Sixteen
performs early English Renaissance
sacred polyphony such as John
Taverner’s Missa Gloria Tibi Trinitas plus motets by Sheppard, Parsons and Tallis (December 10).
www.studiosixteen.ca
The recent appearances of Les
Violons du Roy, led by their
founder Bernard Labadie, have
been a special treat for Toronto
early music fans. This ensemble
from Quebec City performs a program of J.S. Bach’s beloved cantatas for Christmas and the New
Year (Nos. 63, 110, 151, 171)
with superb soloists Karina Gauvin, Christophe Dumaux, Christoph Prégardien, and Brett Polegato (December 16).
www.roythomson.com
18th-century Dresden was an influential and bustling metropolis,
in fact, often compared to Florence,
due to its artistic and architectural
achievements. The extraordinary
music of Zelenka, Fasch, and other prominent Dresden musicians
reflects this cosmopolitan energy
(January 15). Baroque Music
Beside the Grange has invited
players from various cultural cen-
T he
tres – Montreal, Toronto and
Bloomington (Indiana) – to participate in this program: Washington
McClain & Kathryn Montoya
(oboes), Dominic Teresi (bassoon),
Joelle Morton (bass), and Avi Stein
(harpsichord).
Frank T. Nakashima
(franknak@interlog.com) is the President of the Toronto Early Music
Centre, a non-profit charitable organization which promotes the appreciation of historically-informed performances of early music
www.interlog.com/~temc
Experience
B a ro q u e O rc h e s t ra | J e a n n e L a m o n , M u s i c D i re c t o r
Amadeo:
Mozart in Italy
The
Intimate
Featuring Michael Maniaci, male soprano
Fri & Sat, Feb 3 & 4 at 8pm
Sun Feb 5 at 3:30pm
Wed Feb 8 at 7pm
Thurs Feb 9 at 8pm
Baroque
Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre
Call 416.964.6337
Join us for a free pre-concert lecture one hour before
this concert at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre.
Tues Feb 7 at 8pm
Thurs – Sat Jan 19 – 21 at 8pm
Sun Jan 22 at 3:30pm
George Weston Recital Hall in
the Toronto Centre for the Arts
Call 416.872.1111
Call 416.964.6337
Warm up your January, and explore the
rich and passionate tradition of
chamber music from Austria and Germany
– the soulful music of Buxtehude, Biber,
Telemann and Bach. Features the intimate
tones of the viola da gamba, viola d’amore,
recorder, flute, lute, harpsichord
and baroque strings.
Join us for a rollicking journey to Italy with
the young Wolfgang and his father Leopold.
It was here that Mozart wrote his first operas,
early symphonies, and his hugely popular
Exsultate, jubilate. Hear Exsultate as it
would have sounded in Mozart’s day, sung
by natural male soprano Michael Maniaci.
This concert features actors who bring
Wolfgang and Leopold to life!
Feb 4 & 9 sponsored by
Feb 7 sponsored by
2005/2006 Season
Presenting Sponsor
Margaret
and Jim Fleck
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23
MISSISSAUGA CHORAL SOCIETY
Chrys A. Bentley~ Artistic Director
CHORAL Scene
by Larry Beckwith
2005-2006 Concert Season
Subscribe to 3 magnificent concerts $65 - $75
Messiah G.F. Handel
Chrys A. Bentley Artistic Director & Conductor
Leslie Fagan, soprano
Anita Krause, mezzo soprano
Dennis Giesbrecht, tenor
Bruce Kelly, baritone
with The Sinfony Players
Give your holiday season a joyful start by joining
us for this awe-inspiring masterpiece performed in
Hammerson Hall at the Living Arts Centre.
Sunday, December 11, 2005 3:00 pm
Tickets $20 - $35 In person or by phone at the
Living Arts Centre Box Office 905-306-6000
A Mozart Celebration
Chrys A. Bentley Artistic Director & Conductor
Coronation Mass, K. 317
Mehgan Atchison, soprano
Karen Olinyk, mezzo soprano
Eugene Burke, tenor
Jesse Clark, baritone
Favourite arias and choruses featuring:
Jesse Clark, baritone
Michael Downie, baritone
Jason Nedecky, baritone
Mehgan Atchison, soprano
with The Sinfony Players
A tribute to Mozart’s choral and operatic works.
The choir’s superb team of professional soloists
will be introduced by Stuart Hamilton of CBC’s
Saturday Afternoon at the Opera.
Sunday, February 26, 2006 3:00 pm
Tickets $20 - $35 In person or by phone at the
Living Arts Centre Box Office 905-306-6000
O Clap Your Hands, Too!
A programme of beloved anthems, hymns and
solos drawn from the rich repertoire of timehonoured religious music will be performed in
the grandeur of St. Patrick’s Church in
Mississauga.
Saturday, May 6, 2006 7:30 pm
Purchase your tickets as part of the subscription series through the Living Arts Centre Box
Office or individually $20 by calling the
Mississauga Choral Society at 905-278-7059.
Visit www.oclapyourhands.ca to register your
favourite.
AUDITIONS: Mississauga Choral Society will hold
auditions in January 2006. Call us at 905-278-7059 to
arrange your audition or apply online at
www.misschorsoc.com
Whether it’s Channukah, Advent, the holiday season or humbug, the choirs in Toronto start
celebrating early and continue almost all the way through December, then hibernate for the month
of January, except for a few special events.
It makes me misty-eyed to consider the well-over 100 choral
events planned for the last month
of the year. These events are primarily not-for-profit, featuring
amateur singers giving their time
and energies, not only as singers,
but as setter-uppers of chairs and
risers, bakers of cookies, organizers and sellers of tickets, decorators of halls, members of the unsung clean-up crew, etc. The effort that goes into these events is
Herculean and so important to the
community life of our city. Whether one follows the creeds and dogma of an organized religion or not,
the themes of peace, joy, mystery,
fellowship and goodwill – not to
mention new life and hope – have
to resonate within even the most
hard-hearted of us. And somehow
the miraculous sound of voices
raised together in song is the surest way to move us out of our
immediate and ordinary preoccupations into considerations of the
eternal.
Each weekend in December features at least a couple of dozen
choral events, with slightly fewer
during the week, but I daresay
every choral singer in the city is
donning gay apparel at least once,
and most likely many times to climb
up onstage and perform a major
seasonal work, or a collection of
carols from around the world, or a
program dedicated to the Virgin
Mary, or the themes of peace, joy
and hope.
What follows, then, is a handful of recommendations on the un-
derstanding, dear reader, that you
will peruse the complete listings
carefully and promise to get out to
as many of these energetic offerings as you can….you won’t regret it.
Children’s choirs are in full flight
this month, including the Mississauga Children’s Choir on December 3rd, the Oakville Children’s
Choir on the 9th,10th & 18th, and
the Canadian Children’s Opera
Chorus, who are premiering a stage
work by Errol Gay and Michael
Albano commencing on December
10th. The Bach Children’s Chorus is in action on the 10th and the
17th (with the Amadeus Choir),
Teri Fowler’s York Region Children’s Chorus on the 10th (with
the Bell’Arte Singers) and the Riverdale Youth Singers, under their
new conductor Alkividadis Leontarakis, performs “Winter Tails”
on December 12th. The Toronto
Children’s Chorus fills Roy Thomson Hall on December 17th and
the High Park Choirs perform in
the west end that same day.
Slightly older “youth” are asingin’ as well: the University of
Toronto downtown choirs give a
holiday concert on December 2nd
and the Scarborough campus choirs
on the 3rd. Also in concert on the
3rd is the Etobicoke Youth Choir
and U of T Gospel Choir. The
Hart House Singers perform on the
4th. The St. Michael’s Choir
School begins its annual run of
concerts at Massey Hall on December 9th and the Mississauga
Festival Youth Choir performs on
the 10th. The Moscow Boys Choir,
directed by Leonid Baklushin, is
on tour in Ontario this month as
well, performing excerpts from
Handel’s Messiah, among other
things.
All of our chamber choirs are
showcased this month, also, with
BRAVADO
Director Wanted for
This Barrie-based “show-choir”, an excellent
group with wide-ranging styles, seeks a new
musical director starting Sept 2006.
For job description and choir information
contact Charlie Carswell (705) 727-0473.
chasec@look.ca
Application deadline Jan. 15, 2006
24
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seasonal offerings from Quodlibet
(December 2nd), the Annex Singers and Voices (Dec. 3rd), Toronto Chamber Choir (Dec. 4th),
Lachan Jewish Chamber Choir
(Dec. 6th), Exultate Chamber Singers (Dec. 9th), Healey Willan Singers and Studio 16 (Dec. 10th),
VocalPoint (Dec. 11th), Nathaniel
Dett Chorale (Dec. 14th) and Victoria Scholars (Dec. 18th).
If you’re more partial to larger
choirs, you can take in the Etobicoke Centennial Choir on December 2nd, Tallis Choir singing a
Marian program featuring their
namesake’s classic “Spem in Alium” on December 3rd, the Pax
Christi Chorale performing lush
English music from the 20th century and premiering Missa Pax
Christi by Derek Holman on Dec.
3rd and 4th and the Peel Choral
Society in concert in Brampton on
December 4th. The Mendelssohn
Choir presents its Festival of Carols on December 7th, the Oakville
Choral Society, Toronto Welsh
Male Choir and the Palestrina Choir
are all at separate venues on December 9th and the Oakham House
Choir and Alexander Singers perform concerts on Dec. 10th. The
North 44o Ensemble performs with
an arsenal of brass on Dec. 13th,
the Amadeus Choir give their annual carol-fest on Dec. 17th and
the Orpheus Choir will fill Eglinton-St. George’s United Church on
December 20th with music of the
season, featuring Healey Willan’s
Mystery of Bethlehem.
Two programs that caught my eye
are the Penthelia Singers’ concert
on December 4th and the Echo
Women’s Choir’s show on the
11th. Mary Legge’s Penthelia Singers are connected rather strongly
with Rosedale Presbyterian Church,
but they are moving to the larger
venue of St. Paul’s Basilica on
Queen St. East for a concert entitled “Songs of Mary”. The program will feature some spatial experimentation, lots of chant, and
an eclectic mix of music that will
ada Choristers
(December
2nd) and Jenny
Crober’s East
York Choir
(Dec. 3rd and
again on the
17th), the Toronto Consort
recreates a Vespers service
with music by
Claudio Monteverdi on DeToronto’s Penthelia Singers
cember 9th and
“endeavour to highlight an oft-ne- 10th , the Toronto Classical Singglected aspect of this woman’s ers perform Magnificat by J.S.
dedication and unusual life”. Echo Bach and the TrypTych Chamber
Choir Conductor Alan Gasser wel- Choir tackles Saint-Saens’ Christcomes guest conductor Teodora mas Oratorio on December 11th.
Georgieva and guests Suba SankaWith so much going on, there is
ran and Ed Hanley from autorickbound to be a colossal conflict and
shaw in a concert of historical antiindeed that happens on December
apartheid songs, prisoners songs,
16th. The Bach Consort offers its
Armenian, Roma, Hebrew and
annual benefit performance of the
Tamil songs. They can always be
Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach,
counted upon to shake things up
with wonderful soloists under the
and offer great repertoire energetidirection of Yannick Nezet-Seguin
cally sung that will challenge and
and more Bach will be heard at
inspire.
Roy Thomson Hall that same night
If you are in the mood for larger with the performance of four Christworks, you can catch several per- mas cantatas by La Chapelle de
formances of Antonio Vivaldi’s Quebec, with equally wonderful
Gloria, notably by the Upper Can- soloists, conducted by another
penthelia singers
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All this and Messiah too! Yes,
there are several performances this
month, as you can see from our
“choose your Messiah” coverage,
next page).
Starting Dec 14th, the Toronto
Symphony and Tafelmusik begin
their multi-night runs of the work.
The marketing departments of these
organizations (and others) go into
overdrive to try to attract audiences, with over-the-top claims that
have nothing to do with the music. The fact is that these are two
drastically different, perfectly legitimate presentations of Messiah. If
you want an intimate, immediate,
powerful performance with a small
period instrument orchestra and
choir in an 800-seat hall, go to
Tafelmusik. If you want a grand,
majestic, powerful performance
with a larger modern instrument
orchestra and choir in a 2000-seat
hall, go to the Symphony. There’s
very little common ground on which
to compare them. Either way,
you’ll experience great soloists, a
first-rate conductor and some very
moving music. (Tafelmusik has issued an invitation to G.F. Handel
CONTINUES
Lydia Adams, Conductor
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Friday, December 2, 2005 8:00 pm
Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E., Toronto
Soloists: Meredith Hall, soprano; Marianne Bindig,
mezzo-soprano; Colin Ainsworth, tenor; Gary Relyea, bass
with orchestra.
PETER MAHON
Sales Representative
416-322-8000
pmahon@trebnet.com
www.petermahon.com
BARITONE SOLOIST/SECTION LEAD REQUIRED
vThursday rehearsal
vSunday service
vSpecial services
vGood music programme
vExcellent remuneration
For information contact Chrys Bentley
416-461-5846 or chrysbentley@yahoo.ca
Quebecois phenom, Bernard Labadie. Flip a coin!
Tickets $45 and $40.
J.S. BACH’S ST. JOHN PASSION
Friday, February 3, 2006 8:00 pm
Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E., Toronto
Soloists: Leslie Fagan, Soprano
Christine Stelmacovich, Alto
Floyd Gadd, Evangelist
Lawrence Wiliford, Tenor
John Avey, Bass / Christus
with orchestra.
Concert Sponsor
Tickets $35 / $30 Seniors/Students;
2180 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3K7
Canada Council Conseil des Arts
du Canada
for the Arts
arts
FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, TICKETS OR BROCHURE
CALL 416-217-0537 Monday to Friday 9 am - 5 pm
25
The Cathedral Church Of St. James
CHORAL MUSIC
St. James Cathedral’s music programs are
as diverse and as rich as the community we serve
– combining the reverence and rich history of
the Anglican Church choral tradition with
the dramatic counterpoint and contemporary influence
of opera, orchestral, jazz, and interpretive performance.
We announce several professional vocal vacancies
in the following sections:
COUNTERTENOR • TENOR
BASS/BARITONE
Contact Cathedral Organist and Director of Music
Michael Bloss for further information
and to schedule an audition.
The Cathedral Church of St. James
King & Church, Toronto
416-364-7865 ext 231
music@stjamescathedral.on.ca
www.stjamescathedral.on.ca
MUSIC DIRECTOR WANTED
Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir
This 60-member choir, formed in 1995, seeks an experienced
Music Director to commence duties in 2006.
The Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir is a not-for-profit corporation
committed to maintaining a male choir of world class reputation.
Our goal is to promote Welsh culture through music, and to
delight audiences with our joy of singing.
The choir’s repertoire includes Welsh hymns, folk songs from
around the world, spirituals, operatic choruses and Broadway
show tunes.
We perform 10-12 concerts each season, mostly within GTA, and
rehearse each Wednesday from 7.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. at Dewi
Sant Welsh United Church, 33 Melrose Avenue (Lawrence &
Yonge).
In addition to the Music Director, the Choir has 3 professional
music staff.
The successful candidate must be dynamic, and be able to work
in harmony with the Choir in developing music programs in
keeping with Welsh choral tradition. Knowledge of Welsh music
would be an advantage, but not necessarily a requirement.
Salary is to be negotiated.
Qualified applicants should submit their resume before 5 pm on
15th January 2006 to the General Secretary - David Riches, 25
Carlton Road, Unionville, Ontario, L3R 1Z4. For more information,
consult our Website at www.twmvc.com or call David Riches at
905-477-3257.
month, and, try singing yourself.
Most of us have vocal chords that
vibrate. Most of us have the ability to breathe in and out. Most of
us carry around too much stress in
There are many other events I
our bodies. Try singing, if only in
have not had room enough to menthe shower….I can almost guarantion. I mostly want to congratulate
tee it will bring you joy.
Toronto’s choirs and thank them
for their hard work. You are en- Wishing us all a season of peace,
couraged to go out and hear as hope, meaning, good times with
much choral music as you can this loved ones…..and lots of music!
himself to come and conduct a
sing-along performance at Massey
Hall on December 18th. Dust off
your score and give it a whirl.
A Multitude of Messiahs
by Catherine Muir
Handel is reported to have said “I did think I did see all Heaven before
me and the great God himself” about the 24 days in the late summer of
1741 he spent, at the suggestion of a friend, composing his most beloved piece, Messiah. Messiah was performed for the first time in Dublin,
April 13, 1742, and since then has become one of the most widelyperformed pieces of music of all time.
Messiah is divided into three parts representing Christ’s birth, death,
and resurrection, each part comprising a series of arias and choruses
based on Biblical passages. After the initial Messiah, Handel toured
Great Britain and Ireland performing the piece, often changing elements
of the oratorio to suit the librettos or the concert location.
In WholeNote’s region, Toronto and southwestern Ontario, there are
so many versions of Messiah in so many different locations available to
attend in December that even Handel would be hard-pressed to tour
them all. This month there are over 35 performances, in whole or in
part, by 20 organizations. In our QuickPicks section (page 63), we give
a short listing of each of these, so they can be hunted down in our
comprehensive concert listings, commencing page 36.
A few quotes about Messiah performances around town from audience
members of years past conjure some of the magic, and devotion, the
work evokes. An audience member at Arcady’s Messiah said “After
three Arcady Baroque Messiahs in eight days I was still disappointed
that there would be no more until next year. Each had a life and personality of its own. Each revealed something new about Arcady and about
the work itself. And Arcady’s Messiah has become an essential part,
possibly THE essential part of my advent experience and preparation.”
An attendee at Fanshawe Chorus London’s Messiah reported afterwards that “[Fanshawe’s] Messiah is truly a masterpiece. It has everything a concert goer would want - fabulous soloists, world-class choir,
an insightful conductor, gorgeous orchestration. Londoners are very
fortunate”.
A fan of Tafelmusik’s Messiah: “I knew what to expect but for me it
meant something more. I heard this beautiful work in a beautiful setting
and performed by the ONE group that I know that plays and sings so
beautifully, and for me, it was a worship service.”
If you have never attended a Messiah concert, consider going this
year. If you are a seasoned veteran, thinking of abandoning ship, you
would do well to remember this quote above all others about the Messiah this season: “Despite its popularity, the Messiah is a masterpiece.”
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26
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WORLD View
by Karen Ages
Before launching into my usual
“what’s coming up” in world music as we head into winter, a significant congratulatory mention is
in order.
Dr.George Sawa
On November 18 in Cairo, our
own Dr. George Sawa was presented his native country’s highest
lifetime achievement award in recognition of contributions to Arabic music. Past winners of this
award have included the likes of
the great Egyptian vocalist Oum
Kaltsoum (1904-1973). Many
know Dr. Sawa as the inspiration
behind the careers of Toronto musicians such as the members of
Arabic/Greek ensemble Maza
Mezé, Maryem Tollar and others.
In addition to having taught at
the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, the Arabesque Academy and privately, Dr. Sawa’s
scholarly work includes a book on
Music Performance Practice in the
Early Abbasid Era (750-932 AD),
dealing with aspects of performance around mediaeval Baghdad,
another on the Theory and Practice of Rhythm in Mediaeval Arabic Music (750-950 AD), and an
ongoing project with his wife Suzanne, on the 10th century anthology The Grand Book of Songs.
Congratulations Dr. Sawa on your
achievement!
Also on a congratulatory note,
Toronto’s Ensemble Noir, led by
South African born music director
and composer Bongani Ndodana,
makes its New York debut on January 20. The Ensemble, whose
mandate is to perform contemporary works with an emphasis on
African composers (see WholeNote Nov 04) has been invited to
perform at the world-renowned
Miller Theatre. The program will
feature selected works of Ndodana,
who, at the tender age of only 30,
has numerous compositions under
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his belt including symphonies,
operas, chamber and vocal music,
with performances all over the
globe.
Closer to home, the Indian fusion ensemble Tasa, led by tabla
player Ravi Naimpally, performs
December 1 at Walter Hall (part of
U of T’s Faculty of Music noon
hour concert series) and December 9 at the Red Guitar (603
Markham St.); December 1 at halfpast noon, York University’s
Cuban and African drum ensembles
perform in McLaughlin Hall, and
December 2, the York University
Orchestra and Chinese Orchestra
perform in the same venue.
Husband and wife team Vineet
Vyas (tabla) and Bageshree Vaze
(Kathak dance) present Taalworks, An Evening of Rhythm
and Dance from North India, December 4 at Harbourfront Centre
Theatre. Both have trained with
some of the top artists in their
fields, and Bageshree was recently named MTV India’s “rising
star”. Also on December 4, The
Great Holiday Mega Launch, so
called because it features 6 different groups all of whom have new
CD’s to release, takes place at The
Great Hall (1087 Queen St. West);
of interest to readers of this column, the program includes Irish
music duo Deborah Quigley (uillean pipes) and Martin Gould (guitar), both active in Toronto’s Celtic music scene.
December 5 at noon, U of T’s
Faculty of Music presents its anual end-of-term world music ensembles concert, in Walter Hall;
The Echo Women’s Choir performs on December 11 at Church of
the Holy Trinity
this year’s line-up includes tabla,
Balinese gamelan, Japanese taiko
drumming and the Georgian choir.
The Koffler Salon Series
presents a Chanukah concert featuring the Lachan Jewish Chamber Choir and Sisters of Sheynville,
December 6 at the Leah Posluns
Theatre; the same evening, OnStage at Glenn Gould Studio
presents “East Meets East”, as
Juno award winning Punjabi ghazal
singer Kiran Ahluwalia shares the
stage with Cape Breton musician
Mary Jane Lamond and others.
The 70-plus member Echo
Women’s Chamber Choir
presents “Songs of Resistance and
Hope”, December 11 at Church of
the Holy Trinity. On the program
are anti-apartheid songs from South
Africa, songs of the Armenian
exile, songs in Hebrew and Tamil,
and two Roma songs: Oshwitsate
(Auschwitz) is a musical memorial to the Roma population nearly
wiped out in the second world war;
and Dureme Zhe is a song that calls
for inclusiveness, first sung at demonstrations against the ultra-right
in 1990’s Eastern Europe.
December 16, Toronto’s traditional Bluegrass band, The Foggy
Hogtown
Boys,
(see
www.foggyhogtownboys.com)
present “A Very Foggy Christmas” at the Silver Dollar Room;
donations to the Food Bank get you
reduced admission.
Described as an “Arctic fusion
band”, Ensemble Polaris, specializing in Nordic music, performs at
the Edward Day Gallery on December 21. Well known Toronto
musicians that you will recognize
from other ensembles play a variety of instruments including harp,
mandolin, bowed psaltery, hurdy
gurdy, recorders, seljefløyte and
percussion, with singer Katherine
Hill.
Visit www.ensemblepolaris.com
for more info.
Further ahead, on January 28,
OnStage presents “Horn of Africa”, with traditional and contemporary music on oud, bongos and
krar (5 or 6 stringed lyre), featuring musicians from Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea. And, fun for the
whole family on January 28, the
RCM Community Concert Series presents children’s entertainers, singer/songwriter/actor Rick
Scott and Harry Wong, Hong Kong
musician, magician and educator,
who celebrate cultural understanding in English and Cantonese
through a variety of musical styles.
Wishing you all a happy holiday season! See you in February.
Karen Ages is a freelance oboist
who has also been a member of
several world music ensembles.
She can be reached at 416-3232232 or by e-mail at worldmusic@
thewholenote.com.
PHILIP L. DAVIS
Luthier
Formerly with J.J. Schröder: Frankfurt,
West Germany
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27
SOME THING New
by Jason van Eyk
I suppose it is not surprising that
in an artistic field known as “new
music” any ties to conventions and
traditions are limited at best. This
is why, despite the season, you
will find little mention of holiday
music here. Rather, what drives
this community is a desire to explore beyond established boundaries for something new.
An important part of this pursuit is the thrill of discovering original voices, both in the creation and
interpretation of new concert music. These voices come from many
sources – from inside hidden pockets of our own community and from
underrepresented international artists – but are almost always from
the emerging generation, that alluring draw of youth. And I suppose it isn’t surprising that this
continual hunt for the New extends
beyond original creation and interpretation into a search for new
frames and different spaces, those
things that offer interesting possibilities for the presentation of these
voices. Such is the drive for some
thing new.
RIGHT OFF THE TOP
This drive can be seen and heard
off the top of the month, when
Esprit Orchestra ventures out to
explore the sound of a new space.
On December 1st the Orchestra
will present Mystery and Illusion
at Metropolitan United, a church
well known as a venue for choral
music but rarely used by instrumental groups. Esprit is planning
to employ this resonant chamber
to its full potential (including the
rare 64-foot stop on the church’s
organ) to present the striking and
unusual Ice Fields by American
spatial music pioneer Henry Brant.
John Rea
This work is complemented by
others which explore this relationship between sound and space,
such as John Rea’s sonic homage
to the op-art paintings of Vasarely. In Rea’s work the performers
are to be mapped out on a stage
grid that Esprit will attempt to
stretch out over the audience. The
concert closes with the ethereal and
mystical Postludium by Ukrainian
composer Valentin Silvestrov. His
work will complement the church’s
religious nature through its spiritual qualities and maximize its reverberant acoustics with long,
flowing and resonant melodies.
For more information,visit
www.espritorchestra.com.
That same week Danforth’s Eastminster United Church will ring
with performances of contemporary Canadian music by talented
young musicians. Contemporary
Showcase, a national festival that
encourages young musicians to
explore the music of our country’s
composers, presents their final
Toronto showcase concert on December 4th. Be sure to catch the
torontohearandnow.com
and WholeNote Magazine
invite you to participate in our forum
New Music at the Crossroads, a
discussion about the state of new music
in Toronto today.
Visit www.torontohearandnow.com
for listings, forums, information, and more.
harp) and Murphy’s own heritage.
The work is Murphy’s first commission for children, and it couldn’t
be in better hands. Despite the
ominous title, drawn from a 16thcentury Irish text, no doubt it will
be an intriguing holiday treat.
Closer to the middle of the month,
For more information, visit
the hibernating neither/nor collecwww.torontochildrenschorus.com.
tive resurfaces with an aptly titled
Obscurity festivette. Veering off the
As we enter the New Year,
beaten track, neither/nor brings
themes of youth and voice move
together some of Toronto’s best
out into international waters to exexperimental composers (including
plore unknown Icelandic talents and
John Sherlock, who was featured
epic tales. On January 8th at the
as one of MacLean’s 100 CanadiBetty Oliphant Theatre, New Muan Leaders and Dreamers in 2005)
sic Concerts presents Grettir, a
to engage in a radicalism shaped
new chamber opera by composer
by “a complete commitment to
Thorkell Sigurbjornsson and libretone’s own uniqueness.” From Detist Bödvar Gudmundsson. Gretcember 9 -11, the festivette will
tir was premiered at the venerable
inhabit spaces in the Darling BuildBayreuth Festival in 2004 under
ing, which is known primarily for
the auspices of the Young Artists
its visual arts studios. This one
Festival. The opera is based on the
promises some very interesting lismedieval Icelandic Saga from 1000
tening, and possibly some visual
AD of Grettir the Strong, a poetsurprises. For more, visit
warrior and fugitive outlaw. The
www.neithernor.com.
Icelandic environment is a central
As we approach the week before feature of the musical drama, inChristmas we do get one holiday- voked visually, aurally and literalthemed new music concert, thanks ly through recent sound recordings
to the Toronto Children’s Cho- of various soundscapes. Volcarus. On December 17th at Roy noes, glaciers, mysterious caves,
Thomson Hall, the Chorus will lava fields, hot-springs, waterfalls
present a mixed programme of 20th and the high winds of the Northand 21st Century music. This tal- Atlantic all play their role. This
ented young group of singers is Canadian premiere, featuring the
no stranger to performing new cast of the Bayreuth Youth Festiworks, having premiered compo- val itself, will receive only one persitions by some of Canada’s best formance in Toronto. So, don’t
choral composers. For this occa- forget to book your tickets well in
sion they will premiere a newly advance. For more, visit
commissioned work by Ottawa- www.newmusicconcerts.com.
based Kelly-Marie Murphy. Dr.
On January 14th Southern OnMurphy is one Canada’s leading
tario’s NUMUS uncovers other
early career composers. Her com- unknown musical voices of Europe
mission, The Darkest Midnight in
when it presents MoEns, the preDecember for treble voices and
miere new music ensemble of
harp, was inspired by a visit to Prague, at the Music Gallery. EsDublin with harpist Judy Loman,
tablished in 1995, MoEns provides
and a resulting connection to Irea permanent platform for the proland’s national instrument (the fessional performance of new muvoices of Canada’s next great musical talents before they shoot off
into international careers. Just remember - Scott and Lara St. John
got their starts here. For more, visit
www.acnmp.ca.
Celebrating Harry:
A Tribute to Harry Freedman
Join the Toronto music community in paying
tribute to composer Harry Freedman,
with music by performed by:
New Music Concerts, Esprit Orchestra,
Soundstreams Canada, the Elmer Iseler
Singers, Phil Nimmons and the Dave McMurdo
Jazz Orchestra and more.
Glenn Gould Studio • 250 Front St. W.
January 20, 2006, @ 7:30 • $10
28
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New Music Concerts 2006 Events
35th Anniversary Season • Robert Aitken, Artistic Director
Sunday January 8, 2006 • Grettir — an Icelandic Saga
music by Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson
libretto by Bödvar Gudmundsson
Cast of the Bayreuth Youth Festival.
Betty Oliphant Theatre | 230 + 800 Performances
Sunday February 26, 2006 • New at New Music
with Robert Aitken and pianist James Avery.
Premieres by Palmer, Ristic, Dion & Wuorinen.
Glenn Gould Studio| 715 Intro • 800 Concert
Ensemble contemporain de Montréal
sic, especially that of the younger
generation of Czech composers.
The ensemble’s touring and international residencies are now broadening that platform beyond the
Czech Republic into North America. This concert, which follows on
the heels of MoEns’s residency at
Wilfrid Laurier University, will
give us a peek into the current
musical developments from Central European voices. For more,
visit www.numus.on.ca.
By the middle of the month we
return to the resonant space of
Metropolitan United Church with
Soundstreams Canada. On January
17th, Soundstreams brings together the BIT20 Ensemble of Norway in their first Canadian appearance with the Ensemble contemporain de Montréal. Both ensembles have enviable reputations as
chamber groups devoted to new
music. Soundstreams takes advantage with an ambitious slate of
works for double chamber orchestra. World premieres include commissions from Paul Frehner of
Montreal and Jon Oivind Ness of
Norway. Artistic Director Lawrence Cherney felt these two composers were a good match - although both are early in their careers, they have had a lot of experience writing for chamber orchestra, and have become adept at manipulating instrumental colour and
texture. We will hear their craft and
imagination at work as they seize
the acoustical potential of this
unique combination of space and
ensemble. The programme will be
rounded out with works by some
of new music’s international heavy
hitters, including America’s John
Adams, Norway’s Magnus Lindberg, and Scotland’s James Macmillan. Altogether, it promises an
incredible aural experience. For
more, visit www.soundstreams.ca.
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Finally, the University of Toronto, which has proven itself at developing talented composers, runs
its four-concert New Music Festival January 18-21 at Walter Hall.
While past versions have incorporated a distinguished visiting composer, this year’s festival shines the
spotlight solely upon the University’s student ranks. A special treat
will be the presentation of the
Karen Kieser Prize on January 18th.
This relatively young award is given to commemorate Karen Kieser,
a distinguished triple-graduate of
the Faculty of Music and a former
Head of Music at CBC Radio.
Friends and colleagues endowed
this Prize as a tribute to her life,
her work and her passionate devotion to the cause of Canadian music and musicians. Past winners
have included Abigail Richardson
(who has won top prize at the 2004
International Rostrum of Composers), Andrew Staniland (who recently took First Prize in the 2005
Pierre Mercure Award), and Craig
Galbraith (who has had numerous
high-profile commissions including
the combined Elmer Iseler Singers
and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and the Gryphon Trio.)
Whoever wins next will certainly
be marked for a successful career
launch. For more information, visit
www.music.utoronto.ca.
Sunday April 30, 2006 • Baltic Currents
Guest composer Raminta Serksnyte curates a concert of
works by Ciurlionis, Martinaitis, Tulve, Dzenitis & Serksnyte.
Glenn Gould Studio| 715 Intro • 800 Concert
Saturday+Sunday May 27/28, 2006 • Elliott Carter at 97
Two concerts of recent works and a biographical film.
The Music Gallery (27th) | 715 Film • 845 Concert
Glenn Gould Studio (28th) | 800 Concert
Friday June 9, 2006 • Music of Iannis Xenakis
One of the most important composers of the 20th century.
Glenn Gould Studio | 715 Intro • 800 Concert
Programs, artists and venues subject to change without notice.
Visit www.NewMusicConcerts.com for updates and full season details.
Admission: $25 regular | $15 seniors |$5 students (Cheapseats)
Box Offices: Music Gallery 416 204–1080 | Glenn Gould Studio 416 205–5555
For Betty Oliphant tickets, information and special packages call
New Music Concerts at 416 961–9594 | nmc@interlog.com
So make a break with tradition and
explore new voices. Venture out
into new spaces for some thing
new.
Jason van Eyk is the Canadian
Music Centre’s Ontario Regional
Director. He can be reached at
416-961-6601 x. 207 or jasonv@
musiccentre.ca.
PLAYING IN TONGUES
Sunday February 5, 2006 8pm
Music Gallery, St. George the
Martyr, 197 John Street, Toronto
Taking form & technique to the
breaking point: world premieres
from Peter Hatch, Michael
Oesterle & Patrick Saint-Denis.
Continuum celebrates 20
years of bold music-making.
A signal season of new works
played by the virtuosic and
fearless Continuum ensemble.
Tickets: $20, $10 seniors+arts
workers, $5 students
Music Gallery box office:
416 204 1080
www.continuummusic.org
29
News Roundup: Coalition of New Music Presenters
by Keith Denning
Harry Freedman tribute
The new music community in Toronto, across the country, and
around the world, was saddened
by the recent passing of Canadian
composer Harry Freedman at the
age of 83. Freedman played English horn with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for 24 years, leaving in 1970 to devote himself fully
to composing.
Freedman is one of our most frequently performed composers, having composed for solo voice, choir,
orchestra, and many other ensembles. He has also composed for
theatre, dance, film, television, and
composed a number of jazz charts.
He was a founding member of the
Canadian League of Composers,
and was made an officer of the
Order of Canada in 1984.
The Toronto music community
has stepped up and planned an
evening entitled Celebrating Harry - A Tribute to Harry Freedman.
The celebration will take place on
January 20th at 7:30 at the Glenn
Gould Studio, and involves the
CMC, CBC, Elmer Iseler Singers,
A tribute to Harry Freedman
Toronto Children’s Chorus, New
Music Concerts, Esprit Orchestra,
Soundstreams, Phil Nimmons and
the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra, and a number of prominent soloists. A reception will follow a
concert of Freedman’s classical,
choral, and jazz music. A limited
number of tickets are available at
$10.
There is not a great deal of new
music in December, as everyone
seems to be making way for
the annual crush of Messiah
performances and other
Christmas concerts. However, there are a few:
On December 1, Esprit Orchestra presents a concert
entitled Mystery and Illusion
at the Metropolitan United
Church. This concert includes works by John Rea,
Henry Brant, and Charles
Ives’ seminal work The Unanswered
Question.
Neither/Nor is a composers
collective headed up by Eldritch Priest and John Mark
Sherlock. The collective is
presenting an intriguing
three-day “festivette” which they
have titled “obscurity.” The program includes works by Priest,
Sherlock, Josh Thorpe, Colin
Clark, Marc Couroux, and Doug
Tielli, among others. The festivette
runs from December 9th through
the 11th at 8:00, in suite 506 of
the Darling Building, 96 Spadina
Avenue.
Immediately after this, the Music Gallery presents the Madawaska String Quartet, their ensemblein-residence. On December 12th
from 10 until 5, there is an open
workshop for emerging composers. Feel free to drop in and participate in group discussions about
musical creation. Then there is an
open rehearsal on Friday December 16th from 1 till 4, followed by
their concert on December 17th at
8:00, where they will perform
works by Ives, Lutoslawski and
Nancarrow.
30
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Finally, on Sunday December
18th at 7:00, the Glass Orchestra
and the Singing Saw Shadow Show
will perform at the Music Gallery’s
Fundraiser. Please come out and
give your support to the Music
Gallery!
That’s about it for December,
but after the requisite holiday cheer
and so on, you can clear your head
in January with Grettir: An Icelandic Saga. New Music Concerts
presents this ambitious chamber
opera by Icelandic composer Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson at the Betty Oliphant Theatre on Jarvis St. The
opera is presented twice on Sunday January 8th, at 2:30 and 8:00.
On January 14th, NUMUS
presents a concert of contemporary
Czech music at the Music Gallery.
The show starts at 8:00.
On Tuesday, January 17th,
Soundstreams presents music for
a big space, which features works
for a double chamber orchestra
comprisng the BIT20 Ensemble
and the Ensemble Contemporain de
Montreal. Programmed works include premieres by Frehner and
Ness. The concert takes place at
the Metropolitan United Church and
starts at 8:00.
I am really pleased that the University of Toronto has its annual
New Music Festival. This year,
the festival runs from January 18th
to the 21st, and includes a number
of free concerts featuring new
works by undergraduates, graduate composers, new opera. Check
the listings for more detailed information.
Jazz Notes
Well, getting back to that huge It is either too soon or too late,
pool of talent in Toronto, you have depending on when you read this
the opportunity to hear four super- column, to wish you all the comby Jim Galloway
lative guitarists at The Mod Club pliments of the season. But it is
Theatre on January 9th when Jake never too early to wish you happy
Langley, Lorne Lofsky, Reg listening. May the coming year be
Schwager and Ted Quinlan let their full of the sounds of music and
The year is drawing to a close, a with Gene Ammons, (now there’s fingers do the walking through a may much of it be enjoyed listenyear in which I became even more a great tenor player who is largely tribute to the guitar.
ing to live jazz.
aware of the astonishing number overlooked), and Lester Young.
of great musicians who live in this He toured and recorded with Dicity - and just how difficult it is nah Washington, recorded with
for them to earn a comfortable liv- Aretha Franklin and he has espeby Sophia Perlman
ing making music; never mind a cially fond memories of working
comfortable living - just getting by with Dizzy Gillespie’s band.
If you want to see some
His Windy City background fantastic jazz to ring in the New
is a challenge. The standard of
musicianship has never been high- steeped him in the blues tradition,
Year, there are lots of great
er, but more than ever income from elements of which permeate
opportunities in Toronto this
playing has to be supplemented by through everything he plays and,
other means. A goodly number turn sitting at the Bistro bar I marvelled month. Some of the bands
to teaching, turning out a yearly at how well Archie and Don playing as the clock strikes 12
batch of new aspirants looking for merged with his music, picking up will include Sum of 5ive (Gate
work in a saturated and diminish- on phrases and nuances so that the 403), Café Cubano (Lula
three became one. An object les- Lounge), The Bob Brough
ing market.
It is not only a localised prob- son on what jazz is all about. He’ll Quartet (Pilot Tavern), Corry
lem. In the course of the year I be back next year and I’ll be there. Sobol (The Red Guitar),
Another spot in town that is Grooveyard (The Rex), and
have travelled widely and hear the
same story everywhere I go. Ex- great value for a modest outlay is WholeNote’s own Jim Galloway
cept for a fortunate few, the road the Rex Jazz and Blues Bar. Most- with his Trio (Montreal Bistro).
is indeed a rocky one. It is harder ly local groups - 16 bands a week!
Many clubs sell tickets
Carlos Del Junco headlines a
to get people off the couch and into It is very much a musicians’ hang to their New Year events, or
jazzier
Hugh’s room this month.
a club or concert hall than it used with an easygoing pub atmosphere offer special packages including
to be. There is more leisure time making it a friendly, inexpensive dinner and champagne, but many of these sell out well in advance,
but more ways of filling it, wheth- and casual spot for listening to jazz. so be sure to check websites, or call ahead.
er it be watching tv or surfing the
Another celebration this month to include is the Happy Pals
net or any number of other pasAnnual X-Mas Bash. This fixture of the Toronto Jazz scene
times. I would like to be optimiscelebrates the holidays at Grossman’s Tavern, December 11.
tic, but it isn’t easy.
Hugh’s Room is offering a great range of jazz this month
On a more positive note, one of
including blues harmonica player Carlos Del Junco, pianist Michael
the things I learn from my travels
Kaeshammer and vocalist Sophie Milman. Ticket prices vary and are
in the States and abroad is just
listed on their website.
what a bargain Toronto is when it
And finally, a note to musicians and venues! We understand
comes to hearing live jazz.
it’s sometimes difficult to get listings to us one month in advance,
With the demise of The Top O’
let alone two! So we will be updating the jazz listings on our
The Senator, The Montreal Biswebsite to include shows in January that we didn’t receive in time
tro is the only club in town at the
for this special combined Dec/Jan issue. Send your events to
moment which presents out of town
jazz@thewholenote.com before December 18th, for listing at
“name” players on a fairly regular
www.thewholenote.com. Have a great holiday season!
basis. There is a cover charge, but The first great jazz guitarist was
it is always reasonable and, unlike Eddie Lang. Before the electrical
New York for example, it is not a recording process was invented, in
per-set charge and no two-drink the days of acoustic recording the
minimum. The sight lines are fa- banjo was king because its percusvourable, the atmosphere pleasant, sive sound could cut through and
the food is reasonably priced and be heard. In those days the musigood and the music consistently su- cians played in a studio with a large
Featuring some of Toronto’s best jazz musicians
perior. Folks, it is a good value horn sticking out of the wall to pick
with a brief reflection by Jazz Vespers Clergy
for your hard earned dollar. Last up the sounds with the loudest inmonth I spent an evening there lis- struments placed farthest from the
Sunday, January 8th - 4:30 pm
tening to music that was stimulat- horn. Electrical recording changed
Sunday, December 4th - 4:30 pm THE LAURIE BOWER TRIO
ing and uplifting, performed by all of that and opened the door for
JOE SEALY & PAUL NOVOTNY
Sunday, January 22nd - 4:30 pm
Archie Alleyne on drums and Don the guitar. Enter Eddie Lang, creGEORGE KOLLER & MARILYN LERNER
Thompson on bass, accompany- ating a new role for the guitar and
Sunday, December 18th - 4:30 pm
ing one Julian Clifford Mance, Jr., changing the sound of popular
BARLOW BRASS & DRUMS
Sunday, February 5th - 4:30 pm
better known as simply “Junior” music. (Eddie Lang, by the way,
THE RUSS LITTLE QUARTET
Mance. He is a native of Chicago, also recorded under the pseudonym
but now living in New York, and of Blind Willie Dunn). Then, in
Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge Street
hearing him play is an object les- the 1930s Eddie Durham invented
(north of St. Clair at Heath St.) 416-920-5211
son on how to play jazz piano. His the amplified guitar, paving the way
Admission is free.
early experiences included playing for everyone else who followed.
Toronto a bargain for jazz
Inside the Jazz Listings
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31
BAND Stand
by Merlin Williams
Holiday season is worth it,
if only for the bands...
You can count on Christmas. Yes, every year it comes, the day after
Halloween and it stretches on these days until the coming of the first
credit card bill in January. It’s a time of giving and receiving, a time
of incessantly repeated medleys of “Holiday Favorites”.
I venture out to shop wearing earmuffs on Monday mornings in the
hopes of a) not being able to hear the horrible piped-in Christmas
dreck and b) not having to spend too long in the store trying to find
gifts.
Don’t get me wrong – I like Christmas, it’s just that I like it to be
just the Eve and the Day, without all of the lead up and wind down.
There are some Christmas music
events I like to get out to if possible though. The Annual Christmas Tuba Festival at Nathan Phillips Square is one of them. This
year’s is on Dec 7th starting at
12:30pm. I’ve played in it several
times (yes, I can play tuba well
enough to get by) and I’ve enjoyed
it quite a bit. It’s an amazing sound
when sixty or seventy tuba players cut loose on a carol. You really should hear something like that
at least once in your life. Unlike
most other heavy metal concerts,
admission is free!
There are about twenty other
community band Christmas concerts scheduled this month, all of
them listed here in The
WholeNote. Have a look at the
complete listings for all of the
details.
The Canadian Band Association (Ontario) Chapter will present
the second Annual Festival of
Concert Bands to be held on Sat-
urday February 4th, 2006 in the
auditorium of Crescent School,
2365 Bayview Avenue. The event
will feature performances of some
of Ontario’s finest community
bands in competition. This event
will run from 10am until 8pm. The
focus will be to showcase the musical presentation of the bands and
celebrate the great sounds of Concert Band Music.
Each band will be adjudicated by
a team of two highly qualified and
respected music educators. Music
industry displays will be available
along with food and beverage concessions. A day pass at the door
or in advance will be $10.00 for
adults and $5.00 for students and
seniors.
The Ontario Band Association
is presenting the Annual Wind Conductors’ Symposium on Saturday
March 4th with guest clinician Colonel Timothy Foley of the United
States Marine Band. Registration is
$50 before February 3rd, so get over
to the OBA site (www.onband.ca)
or call 905-479-2787 ext. 549 to
register.
The Hannaford Street Silver
Band is presenting a concert on February 5th entitled “Bollywood
Brass”. The HSSB’s guest ensemble for this unique event is the renowned world beat musical group,
autorickshaw
Autorickshaw. This promises to
be one of the most interesting combinations that Hannaford has put
on stage, and I for one don’t plan
to miss it.
I hope that all of you manage to
get some enjoyment out of the holiday season, in whatever manner
you choose to. If you’re feeling
bummed out by the whole thing
and need a laugh, might I recommend a book? Check out “Hogfather” by the English writer Terry
Pratchett. Look in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section of your bookstore.
Best wishes until next year.
Woodwind doubler Merlin Williams
is an Artist/Clinician for Jupiter
Music Canada. If you would like
an upcoming band event to be featured in the Bandstand column, feel
free to contact Merlin by e-mail,
merlinwilliams@sympatico.ca or
phone 416-803-0275.
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On OPERA
Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus
ANN COOPER GAY, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
by Christopher Hoile
presents
Music by Errol Gay
Libretto by Michael Patrick Albano
Conductor: ANN COOPER GAY
Director: MICHAEL PATRICK ALBANO
Set/Costume Designer: PATRICK KROBOTH
Lighting Designer: RENÉE BRODE
Featuring the CCOC Chamber Ensemble
ILLUSTRATION
BY STEF LENK.
Like the shadow of
Fafner, the giantturned-dragon, one
opera looms over all
the rest for the next two
months in Toronto.
That is “Gotterdammerung”, the final
installment in the firstever Canadian Ring
Cycle. Yet, before that
mammoth opera arrives
at the end of January,
there are quite a
number of varied
works of music theatre to entertain those
especially who like to
stray off the beaten
track.
On Sunday, December 4, Opera in Concert presents Camille
Saint-Saens’s bestknown opera “Samson
et Dalila” (1877). The
New work for a new year” Mezzo
opera includes the faFides Krucker and dancer Dan Wild
mous Bacchanal and
in TPM’s “Yours to Break”
the Dalila’s wellknown aria of seduction “Mon co- sing the role of the Father. Mary
eur s’ouvre a ta voix”. The opera Lou Fallis of “Primadonna” fame
stars Gabrielle Prata, Keith Klas- will play the Mother. Alain Trusen and Luc Lalonde with Nath- del will conduct the Opera York
alie Doucet-Lalkens as music di- Orchestra. Performances take place
rector and pianist.
at the new St. Elizabeth PerformThree works in December mine ing Arts Centre in Vaughan. For
a vein of fantasy. The first and further
information
see
most seasonal is the world premiere www.operayork.com.
of “A Dickens of a Christmas” preFinishing off the old year and
sented by the Canadian Chil- ringing in the new is Toronto Opdren’s Opera Chorus on Decem- eretta Theatre’s production of
ber 10 and 11. “Dickens” is a mu- “Wiener Blut” by Johann Strauss,
sical adaptation of “A Christmas Jr., running from December 28,
Carol” by Errol Gay to a libretto 2005 to January 8, 2006. Literally
by Michael Albano. Baritone Mark translated as “Viennese Blood” or
Pedrotti, the sole adult cast mem- figuratively as “Vienna Love” or
ber, plays Scrooge. Next the COC “Vienna Life”, the operetta was
Ensemble Studio celebrates its constructed by Adolf Muller, Jr.,
25th anniversary with Mozart’s from some of Strauss’s best“The Magic Flute” on December known melodies when it became
16, 18 and 20. The work will be apparent that Strauss himself, who
presented in the English transla- died before the premiere in 1899,
tion of famed musicologist Andrew was too infirm to do so. The proPorter, who will also direct. The duction stars Jackalyn Short, Katbad news is that even though the erina Tchoubar, Carla Huhtanen,
opera will be presented at the 815- Mark DuBois and Sean Watson.
seat MacMillan Theatre on the U. Guillermo Silva-Marin directs and
of T. campus, it is already sold Kevin Mallon will conduct.
out. There is a waiting list.
For more information see
As the second offering in its ex- www.torontoperetta.com.
panded 2005-06 season, Opera
York presents the Engelbert Hump- The new year begins approprierdinck favourite “Hansel and Gre- ately enough with new work.
tel” on December 26, 28 and 30. From January 5-29, Theatre PasFormer COC Ensemble member se Muraille presents “Yours to
Andrew Tees will both direct and Break”, “an erotic opera/dance creD ECEMBER 1 2005 - F EBRUARY 7 2006
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SCHOOL PERFORMANCES:
December 8 & 9, 2005 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
D
RL RE
PUBLIC PERFORMANCES:
O
W MIE December 10 & 11, 2005 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
E
PR Harbourfront Centre Theatre, BOX OFFICE 416.973.4000
or more information visit us at: www.canadianchildrensopera.com
Commissioned by
Douglas L. Ludwig, Karen J. Rice & Family
OPERA - IS
2006
Opera Courses
and
Opera Tours
with
Iain Scott
2006 COURSES
What to listen for in
German and French Opera
A winter weekend seminar
“Götterdämmerung”
In Quest of Operatic Dons
The Five Key Themes of
Wagner’s Ring
4 weeks
Jan 10 – 31
weekend
Jan 21 – 22
4 weeks
week
Feb 14 – Mar 7
July 16 – 21
At Classical Pursuits
2006 TOURS
Barcelona – Madrid – Seville – Lisbon
Berlin – Dresden – Prague – Vienna
Vienna – Ludwig’s Castles – Munich
5th Annual Verdi’s Italy
Chautauqua and Glimmerglass
www.opera-is.com
March 14 - 28
April 11 – 22
April 22 – May 2
June 20 – July 3
Aug 3 – Aug 10
416-486-8408
33
ation” by mezzo-soprano Fides Krucker
in collaboration with
dancer Dan Wild with
words from poet
Helen Humphreys’
first novel “Wild
Dogs”
(2004),
where, according to
TPM, “a cabin in the
woods becomes an
arena for intimacy and
instinct”.
See www.
passemuraille.on.ca.
OPERA at Home
by Phil Ehrensaft
Mary Had a Baby
PHOTO: GARY BEECHEY.
Paul Robeson’s Spirituals and John Adams’ El Niño
On Sunday, January
8, New Music Concerts presents the Canadian premiere of the
Icelandic chamber
opera “Grettir” by
Thorkell SigurbjornsTOT’s 2003-04 Season production of DIE
son with a five-memFLEDERMAUS by Johann Strauss with
ber cast drawn from
Mark DuBois as Alfred and Guillermo
the Bayreuth Youth
Silva-Marin as Frosch. DuBois returns in
Festival, who premiered the work in
“Wiener Blut”. Silva-Marin directs.
2004. The Englishlanguage libretto, based on the 14- Then on from January 29 to Febcentury “Saga of Grettir the ruary 12 comes the end of the
Strong”, focusses on Thorsteinn world, “Gotterdammerung”, the
Dromund, who has gone to Con- Twilight of the Gods. Michael
stantinople to avenge the death of Levine is again the designer. The
his outlaw brother Grettir only to director this time is Tim Albery,
be placed in prison where he acts who recently directed “Rodelinda”
out his brother’s story.
and “Peter Grimes” for the COC
For more information see and the entire Ring Cycle for Scotwww.newmusicconcerts.com. tish Opera. Frances Ginzer returns
as Brunnhilde, Christian Franz as
On Sunday, January 29, Opera in Siegfried and Richard Paul Fink as
Concert presents a baroque rarity Alberich. Other singers from “Siegin the form of “La Griselda” (1735) fried” return in different roles.
by Antonio Vivaldi. The plot tak- Mette Ejsing who sang Erda will
en from Boccaccio’s “Decameron” play the First Norn and Laura
tells of a husband’s extreme test- Whalen who sang the Forest Bird
ing of his wife’s fidelity. The pro- will play one of the three Rheinduction features Colin Ainsworth, maidens. Richard Bradshaw conCarla Huhtanen, Lynne McMurtry ducts. The running time is approxand Marion Newman. Kevin Mal- imately 5 hours and 30 minutes
lon conducts the Aradia Ensem- with two intermissions. For more
ble. For more information see information see www.coc.ca.
www.operainconcert.com.
Donizetti's
L'Elisir d'Amore
It was the wine talking. Or was it?
Feb 10, 15,
18, 24 7:30pm
African-American
churches became musical
wombs for, first, the creation of spirituals that are
an ur-source for contemporary American music.
Then, within the enforced confines of racial
segregation formal and
informal, this folk form
was transformed into art
music of the highest order. The closest parallel
is Jewish cantorial music, where a segregated
out-group independently
created vocal techniques
that shared many characteristics black self-help gospel that educawith voices from the golden age tion and working three times as
hard as anyone else would bring
of opera.
the walls of segregation down. He
German lieder provide the paral- also received musical training in his
lel to African-America’s vocal art father’s church.
The young Paul Robeson purmusic. Its most characteristic form
was a duet of singer and pianist. sued the American dream with a
During the first decades of the vengeance: the top of his class at
twentieth century, a series of very Rutgers and All-America football
impressive performers took their player to boot; then Columbia UniAfrican-American lieder out of the versity Law School; and the first
ghetto onto concert stages and into African-American hired by a marecording studios. The principal jor New York law firm. One of
pioneers were Roland Hayes, John the firm’s stenographers refused to
Payne, Marion Anderson, and that take dictation “from a nigger,” and
the firm allowed her to get away
force of nature, Paul Robeson.
Robeson’s father was an ex- with it. Robeson concluded that
slave who had courageously es- he was ready for the big league in
caped from Southern bondage to American law, but American law
relative freedom in the North. He was not ready for him.
Robeson turned to the theatre
was a Presbyterian minister in New
Jersey, married to a school teach- and concert stage. His performer, when Paul was born in 1898. ance of Othello established
The Robesons realized early on that Robeson as one of the great ShakePaul was a wunderkind. He grew spearian actors of his time. Beup in a household preaching the tween 1925 and 1936, Robeson
&
Puccini's
Suor
Angelica
Pergolesi's
Maid Becomes Mistress
Feb 8, 11, 17,
22, 25 7:30pm
Feb 19 2:00pm
(La Serva Padrona)
Double Bill: Sin Redeemed & Uppity Help
For more information call (416) 698-9572
or visit www.toronto-opera.com
Feb 12, 26
2:00pm
Bickford Centre Theatre 777 Bloor St W (TTC Christie)
Student $12 Senior $15 Adult $22
Accessible Opera,
since 1946
Operatic March 8 & 9
Plus!
Excerpts
7:30pm
Artistic Director Giuseppe Macina Free, Fun
34
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We are ALL Music’s Children
December’s
Child ….
“By George!
That’s a fine motor
car!”
Photo taken in Boston, Lincolnshire,
England, 1925
Sellars’ path-breaking contemporary opera on Mary’s pregnancy
and
Christ’s
birth,
El
Niño.(ArtHaus/Naxos 100 221)
El Nino is like no opera you’ve
seen and heard, and that is a good
thing. It mingles staging and a
film projected onto a large screen.
The film follows a modern Latino
Joseph and Mary as they seek lodging and safety in the struggling
immigrant neighbourhood of Los
Angeles. If you think that a Mary
with four pierced earrings couldn’t
be beatific, think again.
The shimmering music is by a
minimalist who’s declared himself
bored with minimalism. Adams
and Sellars crafted the libretto from
the Bible, Latin verses, and contemporary Latin American poetry.
The singing is mostly in English
but can shift into Latin or Spanish. Dance is integral to Sellars
staging.
Adams and Sellars tell the story
of Christ’s birth from the perspective of both a pregnant Mary and
God’s decision to create sexuality
and the pain of childbirth as punishment for partaking of fruit from
the tree of knowledge. There are
four principals: soprano Dawn Upshaw, mezzo Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, baritone Willard White,
and dancer Daniela Graca. They
shift roles and switch to narration.
The wise men are counter-tenors
from the Hilliard Ensemble.
It’s weird and truly wonderful.
Adams’ love for jazz is evident in
the strong pulse that drives absolutely gorgeous music. The DVD,
one of the most skilfully filmed
operas I’ve viewed, captures a live
2000 performance at the Theatre
Musical de Paris-Chatelet. The
audience goes rightly bananas after the finale. El Nino deserves a
place under the Christmas tree of
all who love opera.
And for those of
you who enjoy the
challenge of a different kind of clue,
you will find our child’s first and last names at the Pilot Tavern (see
jazz listings). Definitely not seated together, though.
Identify this ever-active and beloved member of our music
community for a chance to win tickets, a WholeNote gift subscription, or a recording. Think you know? Send your best guess to
musicschildren@thewholenote.com.
(Winners will be selected by random draw among entries received by January 15th, 2006.)
November’s Child …. was Karina Gauvin
Canadian soprano Karina
Gauvin, whose unique voice,
remarkable technique, and
accomplished musicianship, now delights audiences and colleagues
worldwide, was born in Montreal and attended Etienne-Brûlé high
school in Toronto. She recalls her very first experience of the opera
world performing in Tosca, while a member of the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus. “It was a very exciting time. It was my first time
in a big ‘adult’ production. I was impressed with the singers ... with
their ‘big’ personalities, the size and magic of the theatre, the sets, the
costumes. I remember taking the subway all the way to Front Street
station and skipping all the way to the theatre singing my part over and
over again. It made me feel completely giddy inside.”
Things started to get serious at McGill University. Someone
told young Karina, studying art history, that she should become a
professional singer. After graduating at the Montréal Conservatory
of Music where she studied with Marie Daveluy, she continued her
studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music (Glascow) with
Pamela Bowden. Recent CD releases include Ariadne by Georg
Conradi (singing the title role) with the Boston early music festival
Orchestra on the CPO label; Hyver (French Baroque Cantatas) with
les Boréades de Montreal on the ATMA classique label; and Tito
Manlio (singing the title role) by Antonio Vivaldi with Academia
Byzantina, Ottavio Dantone conducting, on the naïve label.
Karina Gauvin will sing Bach Christmas Cantatas with Les
Violons du Roy December 16 at 8pm, at Roy Thomson Hall; and
will return for Mozart: A Life in Letters, developed by Michael
Schade, January 26, again at RTH.
And our winner…
“I’m going to have to say Karina Gauvin – one of my favourites!”
Caroline Bonner and a guest are invited to hear Karina perform Bach
Christmas Cantatas with Les Violons Du Roy at Roy Thomson Hall
on December 16th. CONGRATULATIONS Caroline!
Back to Ad Index
by mJbuell
PHOTOMICHAEL SLOBODIAN
took the songs of his people into
recording studios in New York and
London, usually in the company
of pianist Lawrence Brown. Their
78s were best-sellers on both sides
of the Atlantic. Combined with
their concert appearances, they became world emissaries of AfricanAmerican art songs. And those of
many other nations as well.
What explained Robeson’s power to reach the ears and hearts of
people on all continents and of all
faiths? The singing flows with
such ease that it seems like a direct
gift from nature. This is both true
and false. Like Robert Merrill,
Robeson was indeed endowed with
an exceptional instrument. But
Robeson was a prodigiously hard
worker and master actor. The “naturalness” was achieved by thorough control.
Hard experience and refusal to
bow are the other elements.
There’s a direct link between his
Presbyterian father’s eye on the
prize of freedom a’ coming, and
Robeson’s eventual emergence as
a leading voice of the international
left. That stage of Robeson’s life
reinforced his respect for black
Christianity’s thirst for freedom,
and his pride in the psychological
insights of his people’s songs.
Robeson’s defiance also occasioned a very proud moment in
Canadian history. His career was
purposefully destroyed by the U.S.
government during America’s most
brutal witch-hunt. Robeson’s passport was revoked at the same time
that McCarthyism made it virtually
impossible for him to perform in
the U.S. In 1952, the International
Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter
Workers invited Robeson to speak
and sing at its convention in Vancouver. The U.S. government indicated that it would jail Robeson
for five years if he crossed the
border into Vancouver. A sound
system was set up on the American side of the Peace Arch crossing. Robeson performed for
35,000 Canadians on the other side
of the great divide
Naxos has reissued 23 of the
magisterial 1925-37 Robeson recordings, beautifully restored by
Peter Dempsey. (Naxos 8.120638)
This is some of the finest vocal
music ever recorded, period.
“Mary Had a Baby” is a gem
among African-American spirituals. The Robeson-Brown performance is a gem of gems.
Given the season, the Robeson
“Mary” brought immediate associations with John Adams’ and Peter
.
35
LISTINGS
Concerts:
Toronto
& nearby
Plans change!
Always call ahead
to confirm details
with presenters.
PAGE 36
Concerts: Further Afield
PAGE 58
Music Theatre/Opera
PAGE 61
Jazz Clubs, QuickPicks
PAGE 62
Announcements/Lectures
Symposia/Etcetera
PAGE 64
Thursday December 01
— 12:10: University of Toronto Faculty
of Music. Thursdays at Noon: Hindustani
Music Presentation. Tasa. Walter Hall, 80
Queen’s Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
— 12:30: York University Department of
Music. Cuban Ensemble & African Drums
Ensemble. Various directors. McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700 Keele St. 416-7365186. Free.
— 7:00: Brampton Music Theatre Youth
Troupe. Babes in Toyland. Cyril Clark Library
Theatre, 20 Loafers Lake Lane, Brampton.
905-874-0025. $15, $14(sr/st), $12(ch). For
complete run see music theatre listings.
— 7:00: Ross Petty Productions. Snow
White & the Group of Seven. Pantomime with
Sean Cullen, Alan Frew, Ross Petty & others.
Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St. 416-872-5555.
$49-$69, $45(ch), $180(family 4-pack). For
— 7:30: Peel Panto Players. Aladdin. By
Norman Robbins; directed by Alfie Matthews.
Lester B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park
Dr., Brampton. 905-874-2800. $7. For complete run see music theatre listings.
— 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of
Music. 10 O’Clock Jazz Orchestra. Paul
Read, director. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park.
416-978-3744. $13, $7.
— 8:00: CanStage. Crowns. By Regina Taylor. Featuring Jackie Richardson & other performers. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E.
416-368-3110. $36-$77, $51(sr), $26(under
30). For complete run see music theatre listings.
— 8:00: HATCH/Harbourfront. Days of
Mad Rabbits. Music by Alexander Balanescu
& Lucy Rupert. Studio Theatre, York Quay
Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.
$17. For complete run see music theatre listings.
— 8:00: Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. Urinetown: The Musical. By
Greg Kotis & Mark Hollman. David Connolly,
director; Diane Leah, musical director. The
Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst St.
416-872-1111. $22. For complete run see
music theatre listings.
— 8:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.
English Baroque: The Thames Revisited. Handel: two organ concertos; works by Purcell,
Boyce & Avison. Richard Egarr, organ/conductor. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. W.
416-964-6377. $27-$64, $20-$58(sr/st).
— 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Strauss & Brahms. R. Strauss: Don Quixote;
Brahms: Piano Concerto #2. Stephen Hough,
piano; Winona Zelenka, cello; Teng Li, viola;
Thomas Dausgaard, conductor. Roy Thomson
Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828. $34$115.
— 8:00: Yorkminstrels. West Side Story.
By Bernstein & Sondheim. Virginia Reh, artistic director; Ellen Kestenberg, musical director. Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St.
416-291-0600. $27.50, $22.50(sr); $20(st).
Food bank donations invited. For complete run
see music theatre listings.
— 9:00: Esprit Orchestra. Mystery & Illusion. Brant: Ice Field; Ives: The Unanswered
Question; Rea: Hommage à Vasarely; Silvestrov: Postludium. Robert Aitken, guest conductor; Alex Pauk, conductor. Metropolitan United
Church, 56 Queen St. E. 416-366-7723. $32,
$16(sr), $10(st).
36
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Friday December 02
— 12:30: York University Department of
Music. East Meets West. York University
Orchestra: Peggy McGuire, director; York
University Chinese Orchestra: Kim Morris,
Miriam Sue & Patty Chan, directors.
McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700 Keele St.
416-736-5186. Free.
— 6:30: McMichael Art Gallery. Seasonal
Celebration Concert & Tree Lighting. Achill
Choral Society; A. Dale Wood, director.
10365 Islington Ave., Kleinburg. Call 905893-1121 to reserve. $35, $20(sr/st).
— 7:00: Markham Chapters. Adrian Raso,
Guitar. Latin, jazz, pop & gypsy music. John
Cusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore Bortolon, guitar. Woodside Centre, 3175 Highway
7 E. 905-477-1756. Free. Cd sale proceeds to
Children’s Health Foundation of London.
Music. The Joy of Singing! – A Holiday Concert. Works for choir & brass by Bach, Honegger & Raminsh. U of T Choirs; Doreen Rao,
Robert Cooper, Lori-Anne Dolloff, Brainerd
Blyden-Taylor, conductors. St. Basil’s Church,
50 St. Joseph. 416-978-3744. $13, $7.
— 8:00: Elmer Iseler Singers. Handel’s
Messiah. Meredith Hall, soprano; Marianne
Bindig, mezzo soprano; Colin Ainsworth, tenor;
Gary Relyea, bass; Lydia Adams, conductor.
Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E.
416-217-0537. $45, $40(sr/st).
— 8:00: Etobicoke Centennial Choir.
Carols from the Old & New Worlds. Carol
arrangements from Canada, USA & Europe.
Harris J. Loewen, music director. Royal York
Road United Church, 851 Royal York Road.
416-239-1131 ex49. $20.
— 8:00: Heritage Theatre. The Friendly
Rich Show. All ages show by Friendly Rich and
his vaudevillian orchestra The Lollipop People.
Guests: Five Blank Pages & Shatterpoint. 86
Main St. N., Brampton. 905-874-2800. $6.
— 8:00: Northdale Concert Band. Christmas Concert. Stephen Chenette, music director. St. Cuthbert’s (Oakville) Anglican Church,
1541 Oakhill Dr. 905-844-6200. $10, $8(sr/
st).
— 8:00: Quodlibet. What Did You See, Shepherds? Motets by Bach & Poulenc; English,
French, German & Polish carols. Arthur Wenk,
director. St. Leonard’s Church, 25 Wanless
Ave. 416-488-6235. $12, $10.
English Baroque: The Thames Revisited. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre. See Dec 1.
— 8:00: Upper Canada Choristers. Gloria.
Vivaldi: Gloria; seasonal music and traditional
carol sing along. Guests: The Talisker Players;
Laurie Evan Fraser, director. St. George’s United Church, 35 Lytton Blvd. 416-256-0510 to
reserve. $20, $15(advance), free(under 12).
Please bring non-perishable food item.
— 9:00: Hart House. Jazz Ensemble Concert. Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. 416978-2452. Free.
Saturday December 03
— 11:00am & 2:00: Solar Stage Children’s Theatre. Rainbows for the Holidays.
Musical puppet show for ages 2 to 6. 4950
Yonge St. 416-368-8031. $13.
— 2:00: Choir of All Saints’ Kingsway.
Carols with the Choir. Guests: Salvation Army
Band; Choirs of All Saints’ Kingsway, St.
Anne’s & St. Margaret’s. 2850 Bloor St. W.
416-233-1125 ex0. Free.
— 2:00: Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for
Young People. Bunnicula. Lyrics by John
Klein and music by Chris Jeffries. Recommended for ages 5 & up. Mainstage, 165
Front St. E. 416-862-2222. $20, $15(st under 18). For complete run see music theatre
listings.
— 2:00: Runnymede Chapters. Adrian
Raso, Guitar. Latin, jazz, pop & gypsy music.
John Cusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore
Bortolon, guitar. 2225 Bloor St. W. 416-7619773. Free. Cd sale proceeds to Children’s
Health Foundation of London.
— 3:00: U of T at Scarborough Campus.
Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert. UTSC
Wind Ensemble & UTSC Concert Choir. ARC
Theatre, Academic Resource Theatre, 1265
Military Trail. 416-287-7076. Admission
with non-perishable/canned good.
— 7:00: Acoustic Harvest Folk Club. Chris
McKhool: Children’s Christmas Show. Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd. 416264-2235. $10.
— 7:00: Caribbean Chorale of Toronto.
Christmas Celebration. Church of St. Stephen,
2259 Jane St., Downsview. 416-297-5406.
$20.
— 7:00: U of T Gospel Choir. 11th Annual
Christmas Concert. Calvary Church, 746 Pape
Ave. 416-614-4872. Freewill offering. Food
bank item.
— 7:00: Vaughan Chapters. Adrian Raso,
Cusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore Bortolon, guitar. 7040-7054 Yonge St. 905-8812846. Free. Cd sale proceeds to Children’s
— 7:30: Annex Singers. Hodie! Works by
Willan, Landes, Rutter & traditional carols.
Marty Smith, organ; Richard Partington, reD ECEMBER 1 2005 - F EBRUARY 7 2006
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corder. St. Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383
Huron St. 416-968-7747. $15, $12(sr/st),
free(12 & under).
— 7:30: Choralaires. Sing Noel. Works by
Bach, Rutter, Berlin, Handel, Humperdinck &
others. Audience sing-alongs. William Turnbull,
accompanist; Andrew Chung, director. Knob
Hill United Church, 23 Gage Ave. 416-4988993. $10.
— 7:30: Clarkson Community Concerts.
True North Brass Ensemble. Christ Church,
1700 Mazo Cres., Mississauga. 905-8550112. $20, $18(sr/st).
— 7:30: East York Choir. Tidings of Peace
& Joy. Vivaldi: Gloria; seasonal music and
traditional carol sing. Guests: The Talisker
Players; Kimberley Briggs, soprano; Marcia
Whitehead, mezzo; Jenny Crober, conductor.
St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 361 Danforth
Ave. 416-752-3860. $20, $15(sr), $10(st).
— 7:30: Etobicoke Youth Choir. Christmas
Magic. Pascal Du Perron, accompanist; Louise
Jardine, director. Westway United Church, 8
Templar Dr. 416-231-9120. $10, free(under
12).
— 7:30: Mississauga Children’s Choir.
The Advent of Song. Annual Christmas concert. Thomas Bell, director. Westminster United Church, 4094 Tomken Rd., Mississauga.
905-273-9505. $5-$25.
— 7:30: Northern Lights. Annual Christmas
Show. Guests: Hamilton Children’s Choir.
Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E.
866-744-7464. $17, $12(st).
— 7:30: Rashtravani. UTSAV. Première of a
multi-faith, multi-media spectacle. John Bassett Theatre, Metro Convention Centre, North
Building, 255 Front St. W. 416-870-8000.
$45-$125.
— 7:30: Tallis Choir. Vespers of the Virgin
Mary. Tallis: Spem in Alium. St. Patrick’s
Church, 141 McCaul St. 416-533-6179. $25,
$20(sr), $10(st w/id).
— 7:30: Tempus Choral Society. Sleigh
Ride. St. John’s United Church, 262 Randall
St., Oakville. 905-845-0551 ex3. $15,
$10(sr/st).
Music. Symphonic Band. Barnes: Fantasy
Variations on a Theme of Paganini; works by
Bell & Gillingham. Gillian MacKay, conductor.
MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park. 416978-3744. $13, $7.
— 7:30: Yorkminster Citadel Band &
Choir. Community Christmas Concert. Guests:
Bells of Guildwood; Steve King, vocals. Salvation Army Yorkminster Citadel, 1 Lord Seaton
Rd. 416-222-9110. $10, $5(sr/st).
— 8:00: Cantores Celestes Women’s
Choir. Go Tell it on the Mountain. Christmas
concert. Guests: Foggy Hogtown Boys. Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd.
416-236-1522. $20. Part of the proceeds
will go to UrbanPromise Toronto.
— 8:00: Classic Jazz Society of Toronto.
The Purple Jazz Band. With Tom Sharpsteen.
Estonian Hall, 958 Broadview Ave. 416-7779235. $30(non-members), $25(members).
— 8:00: Counterpoint Community Orchestra. In Concert. Bruch: Violin Concerto in
g; Rossini: Wilhelm Tell Overture; Strauss:
Tales from the Vienna Woods; Dvorak: Slavonic Dances 1, 2, 7; Mozart: Three German
Dances, K605. Rebecca Van der Post, violin;
Terry Kowalczuk, conductor. St. Luke’s United
Church, 353 Sherbourne St. 416-925-9872
ex 2066. $15(advance), $18(door).
— 8:00: Etobicoke Centennial Choir.
Carols from the Old & New Worlds. Royal
The Tallis Choir
Peter Mahon, Director
A Tallis Gala
featuring
SPEM IN ALIUM - THE 40 PART MOTET
Saturday, December 3, 7:30 pm
St. Patrick’s Church
141 McCaul Street (north of Dundas)
Adults - $25, Seniors - $20
Special Student price - $10 at the door with ID
For information: www.tallischoir.com
416-286-9798
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37
...CONCERTS
Newman Centre, 89 St. George St. 416-8588899. $20, $15(sr/st).
— 8:30: Trane Studio. A Tribute to the MuYork Road United Church. See Dec. 2.
sic of Duke Ellington. York Jazz Ensemble;
— 8:00: Living Arts Centre. Bowser &
Beverly Taft, vocals. 964 Bathurst St. 416Blue. Music-comedy duo in concert. Hammer- 913-8197. $15 or $40(show & dinner).
son Hall, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. — 9:10: Odd Socks. Saturday Night Swing.
905-306-6000. $29+.
GTA Swing Band. Guest vocalists. 8pm les— 8:00: Mississauga Festival Choir. Noël. son prior. Dovercourt House, 805 Dovercourt
Works by Handel, Charpentier, Rutter &
Rd. 416-537-3337. $20, $25(with lesson).
Vaughan Williams. Andrea Grant, accompaSunday December 04
nist; David Ambrose, conductor. Royal Bank
Theatre, Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts — 11:00am & 2:00: Solar Stage ChilDr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. $20,
dren’s Theatre. Holidays of the Global Vil$18(sr/st), $12(12 & under).
lage. Music by Chris McKhool from Canada’s
— 8:00: Pax Christi Chorale. A Frosty
multicultural mosaic for ages 5 to 8. 4950
Christmas Eve. Music by Britten, Vaughan
Yonge St. 416-368-8031. $13.
Williams, Finzi & première Missa Pax Christi — 1:00: RCM Guitar Ensmbles. Guitar
by Holman. Michael Donovan, baritone; Merry- Concert. William Beauvais, guitar. Royal St.
Anne Hutton, soprano; Erica Goodman, harp;
George’s Chapel, 120 Howland Ave. 416Stephanie Martin, artistic director. Grace
408-2824 ex321. Free.
Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd., 416— 1:30: CAMMAC/McMichael Art Gal494-7889. $25, $22(sr/st), $5(under 12).
lery. Sunday Concert Series. Edith Gardiner,
— 8:00: Peter McCutcheon. Wonderland: A vocalist & guests. 10365 Islington Ave.,
Fairytale Evening of Holiday Favourites. Glenn Kleinburg. 905-893-1121. Admission with
Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-205gallery price: $15, $9(sr/st), $25(family).
5555. $35.
— 2:00: Off Centre Music Salon. Laughing
— 8:00: Royal Conservatory of Music.
Musically: Greeting Winter “Off Centre”
Great Artist Series: Piano Mastery. Works by Style. Mary Lou Fallis, soprano; Peter TiefenBach, Mozart, Liszt & Mussorgsky. Li Wang, bach, Inna Perkis, Boris Zarankin, pianos; Joel
piano. RCM Concert Hall, 90 Croatia St. 416- Quarrington, double bass. Glenn Gould Studio,
408-2824 ex321. $15, $10(sr/st).
250 Front St. W. 416-466-1870. $40,
— 8:00: Sinfonia Toronto. Christmas
$30(sr/st).
Treats. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Pentland:
— 2:00: Toronto Chamber Choir. Love,
Holiday Suite; Manfredini: Christmas Concer- Come Carolling: A Christmas Celebration. Fato. Etsuko Kimura, Leonid Peisahov, Konstan- vourite Christmas carols, carol-singing. David
tin Popovic, Aleksandar Gajic, violin; Giuseppe Fallis, conductor. Christ Church Deer Park,
Lanzetta, guest conductor. Walmer Centre,
1570 Yonge St. 416-690-4681. $23-$25,
188 Lowther Ave. 416-499-0403. $25,
$16-$18(sr/st).
$20(sr), $10(st/ch).
— 2:00: Toronto Parks & Recreation
— 8:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Sunday Concert Series. Harvey Siegel
English Baroque: The Thames Revisited. Trini- Band. Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough
ty-St.Paul’s Centre. See Dec 1.
Dr. 416-396-7398. Free.
— 2:00: Toronto Philharmonia. The Gift of
Strauss & Brahms. Roy Thomson Hall. See
Music. Music by Bach & other seasonal faDec 1.
vourites; traditional carols. Guests: Holy Trini— 8:00: Voices. Appear & Inspire: The Spirit ty Choir; Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir;
of Christmas. Britten: Hymn to St. Cecilia &
Kerry Stratton, conductor. George Weston
other works. P. John H. Stephenson, accompa- Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 416-872-1111.
nist; Ron Ka Ming Cheung, artistic director.
$53-$59, $44.50-$49(sr).
Toronto & nearby
THE
O
N
N
E
C
T
I
O
N
Celebrating
the Art of Song
A Christmas Party
Seasonal songs, followed
by excerpts from Benjamin
Britten’s operetta, Paul
Bunyan with its spirited
Christmas Party!
O
e
music salon
Sunday, December 4, 2005 at 2pm
Laughing Musically:
Greeting Winter “Off Centre” style
Could there be a better way to celebrate the holiday season
than with a prima comedian and a good dose of musical cheer?
Featuring soprano Mary Lou Fallis, pianists Peter
Tiefenbach, Inna Perkis and Boris Zarankin, and double
bassist Joel Quarrington.
“If I were not a physicist,” said the famous Einstein, “I would
probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. It is my violin that brings me the greatest joy
in life.” Featuring violinist Michail Gantvarg, baritone Jason
Nedecky, and pianists Inna Perkis and Boris Zarankin,
bringing to life the music of some of Einstein’s favourite
composers: Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms.
Carla Huhtanen soprano
Colin Ainswort h tenor
Stephen Erickson tenor
Tyler Duncan baritone
Stephen Ralls and
Bruce Ubukata pianos
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2:30 PM — WALTER HALL
Tickets: $45/student rush $10 Call (416) 735-7982
Come and enjoy the intimacy of a 19 th Century Salon
with our “special blend” of music, poetry and pastry.
www.offcentremusic.com
Back to Ad Index
Glenn Gould Studio
250 Front St. W. at John St.
Box Office: 416-205-5555
Single tickets:$40 / $30
adults / seniors-students
Sunday, January 22, 2006 at 2pm
GERMAN SALON: Musicists and Physicists
(A Tribute to Albert Einstein)
with
38
neke Cats, flute; Chris Sewerin, oboe; Gail Van
Nie, violin; Tricia Balmer, cello; Marcia Beach
& Meri Gec, piano. Valleyview Residence,
541 Finch Ave. W. 416-398-0555. Free.
— 3:00: Alliance for Canadian New Music Projects. Contemporary Showcase Concert and Presentation of Awards. Performers
are participants of the Contemporary Showcase Festivals of Toronto and the GTA, performing Canadian works. Eastminster United
Church, 310 Danforth Ave. 416-963-5937.
$8, $5(st/sr/members), free(under 12 & participants).
— 3:00: Hart House Singers. In Concert.
Music by Britten, Vaughan Williams, Holman,
Debussy & others. So Takei, piano; David Arnot-Johnston, conductor. Great Hall, Hart
House, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-6315.
Free. Food bank donations welcome.
— 3:00: Pax Christi Chorale. A Frosty
Christmas Eve. Grace Church on-the-Hill. See
Dec. 3.
— 3:00: Penthelia Singers. Songs of Mary.
Patriquin: Magnificat. Busto: Ave Maria; Palestrina: O Magnum Mysterium; Berkeley:
Salve Regina. Andrew Tees, baritone; Mary
Legge, artistic director. St. Paul’s Basilica, 83
Power St. 416-229-0522. $15, $10(sr/st).
English Baroque: The Thames Revisited. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre. See Dec 1.
— 4:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Afternoon Twilight Recitals. Music by Telemann
& Ager. Victoria Hathaway, oboe; Andrew
Ager, organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865.
Free.
— 4:30: Christ Church Deer Park. Jazz
Vespers. Joe Sealy, piano; Paul Novotny, bass.
11th SEASON
www.aldeburghconnection.org
Aldeburgh
C
— 2:00: Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. Winter Concert. Dvorak: Symphony
#7; Shostakovich: Festive Overture; Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain; excerpts from
Khatchaturian: Concerto for Flute & Orchestra. Teddy Brescacin, flute; Alain Trudel, conductor. MacMillan Theatre, Edward Johnson
Bldg., 80 Queen’s Park. 416-593-7769 ex.
372. $20, $15(sr/st), $10(members soundcheck program).
— 2:30 & 7:30: Scarborough Bel Canto
Choir. Christmas with Bel Canto. Oratorio
selections, carols & seasonal music. Guests:
Salvation Army Brass Ensemble. St. Dunstan
of Canterbury Church, 56 Lawson Rd. 416757-9590. $15.
— 2:30: Aldeburgh Connection. A Christmas Party. German, English and American
songs from Advent and Christmas; Britten:
Paul Bunyan (excerpts). Carla Huhtanen, soprano; Colin Ainsworth, Stephen Erickson,
tenors; Tyler Duncan, baritone. Walter Hall,
80 Queen’s Park. 416-735-7982. $45.
— 2:30: Opera in Concert. Samson et Dalila. By Saint-Saëns. Gabrielle Prata; Keith Klassen; Luc LaLonde; Nathalie Doucet-Lalkens,
piano/music director; Robert Cooper, chorus
director. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E.
416-366-7723. $25-$35.
— 3:00: Trinity Presbyterian Church
Choir & Brass. Deck the Halls. Community
carol sing-along and seasonal favourites. Trinity Presbyterian Church Senior Choir; brass
quartet, organ & piano; Lenard Whiting, director. 2737 Bayview Ave. 416-447-5136. Donation to Toronto food banks.
— 3:00: Alchemy. An Hour of Chamber Music. Telemann, Dvorak, Dring & Bach. Hen-
1570 Yonge St. 416-920-5211. Free; donations welcome.
— 7:00: Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble. Our Annual Christmas Concert. RBC
Theatre, Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts
Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. $15.
— 7:00: Music at Metropolitan. Carols
United. Singalong of old favourites and carols
from around the world with the Metropolitan
Silver Band & organ. Metropolitan United
Church, 56 Queen St. E. 416-363-0331. Admission: donations accepted to benefit the
Metropolitan’s Community Services program.
— 7:00: St. Paul’s Long Branch United
Church. A Celtic Christmas Celebration.
Moira Nelson, harp/vocals; Elena Jubinville,
cello/vocals; Jim Thomson, piper; Gin Lane,
celtic band; Irish & Scottish dancers. The Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Dr. 416259-6541. $15.
— 7:30: Bloor Street Gospel Chorus. Sing
Noel: A Holiday Celebration of Song. Bloor St.
United Church, 300 Bloor St. W. 416-5363076. $10, $5(sr/st).
tional acoustic Arabic music. Suleiman WarMusic/Guitar Society of Toronto. U of T
war, lead dumbek; Bassam Bishara, vocals/
Guitar Ensemble. Music by Haydn, Grieg &
naye/oude; Sebastian Gatto, katim; George
Barbas, dhoholla. Gypsy Co-Op, 815 Queen St. Brouwer. Guests: Henderson-Kolk Guitar Duo;
Noori-Valencia Duo; Jeffrey McFadden, baton.
W. 416-920-5593. $10.
Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Bldg., 80
— 8:00: Church of St. Martin-in-theFields. Annual Advent Carol Service. St. Mar- Queen’s Park Cres. 416-922-8002. Free.
tin’s Choir; Jack Hattey, director; Elisa Mangi- — 8:00: Koffler Salon Series Concerts.
Koffler Celebrates Channukah. Lachan Jewish
na, asst. director. 151 Glenlake Ave. 416Chamber Choir & Sisters of Sheynville. Leah
767-7491. Collection for charity.
Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St. 416-636— 8:00: Markham Theatre. Cherish the
1880. $20. DOWNTOWN
Ladies: A Celtic Christmas.
171 Town CentreMUSIC
GREAT
CHAMBER
— 8:00: OnStage. East Meets East. Cape
Blvd., Markham. 905-305-7469. $49, $45.
Breton Scottish Gaelic tunes and Punjabi folk
Monday December 05
songs in ancient and modern contexts with
guitar, tabla, and harmoniums. Mary Jane
of Music. World of Music: Japanese DrumLamond, Kiran Ahluwalia, Shahid Ali Khan &
ming, Gamelan, Tabla & Vocal Ensembles.
other performers. Glenn Gould Studio, 250
Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978Front St. W. 416-205-5555. $40.
3744. Free.
— 8:00: Smile Theatre. Through the Gable
— 7:30: Cantabile Chorale of York ReWindow. Writings of L.M. Montgomery; mugion. Joy of Christmas. With handbell ensem- sic by Hank Stinson & Dean Burry. Catherine
ble Quintessence; Konrad Harley, organ; Adele O’Brien & Kevin Etherington, performers. Al
Kozak, soprano; Lee Jameson, baritone; Robert Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina
Richardson, conductor. Holy Trinity Anglican
Ave. 416-599-8440. $12.
Church, 140 Brooke St., Thornhill. 905-731— 8:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.
8318. Freewill offering/donation to Richmond English Baroque: The Thames Revisited. Music
Hill Food Bank.
by Handel, Purcell, Boyce, & Avison. Richard
— 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Egarr, organ/director. George Weston Recital
C A L I B A N Music. Chamber Music Series: The Gryphon Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 416-872-1111. $29Trio. Mozart: Piano Trio in E K.542; Shostako- $61.
Quartet of Bassoonists
vich: Piano Trio #2 in e Op.67; Fauré: Piano
— 8:00: Toronto Jazz Orchestra. Music of
Quartet Op.15 in c. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s
the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. GladPark. 416-978-3744. $21,$11.
stone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen St. W.
— 7:30: Walmer Road Baptist Church.
416-899-5299. $10, $5(sr/st).
Carolfest. Christmas music. Toronto Chil— 8:30: Flying Cloud/Fiddles & Frets.
dren’s Concert Choir. 188 Lowther Ave. 416- Mike Compton & David Long. Mandolin duo
924-1121. Free.
concert following workshop. Tranzac Club,
— 8:00: Toronto Theatre Organ Society. 292 Brunswick Ave. 416-410-3655. $18,
Wurlitzer Pops at Casa Loma. Dave Wicker$20, $50(w/workshop).
ham, organ. 1 Austin Terrace. 416-499-6262.
Wednesday December 07
$17.
— 12:30: Coalition for Music Education
Tuesday December 06
in Canada/City of Toronto. Annual ChristGuest artists include Mary Lou Fallis,
— 12:10pm: University of Toronto Facul- mas Tuba Festival. Traditional carols and
Valdy, Guido Basso, Heather Bambrick
and more!
ty of Music. Voice Performance Class: Songs songs. Gillian MacKay, Dale Kroke, conducw w w. a t m a c l a s s i q u e . c o m
of the Season. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park. tors. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St.
416-978-3744. Free.
W. 416-222-8282 ex2174. Free.
— 12:15pm: All Saints’ Kingsway. Mid— 12:30: Yorkminster Park Baptist
— 7:30: Caliban Quartet of Bassoonists. week Organ Recitals. Clement Carelse, organ. Church. Noonday Organ Recital. David PhilGreat Holiday Mega-Launch. Launch of cd Cali- 2850 Bloor St. W. 416-233-1125 ex0. Free.
lips, organ. 1585 Yonge St. 416-922-1167.
ban Does Christmas. Guests: I Furiosi; Musica — 1:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Music at
Free.
Franca; Aradia Ensemble; Kevin Mallon; Debo- Midday. Works by Bach & Franck. Andrew
— 7:30: Etobicoke School of the Arts.
rah Quigley & Martin Gould; Mary Lou Fallis
Ager, organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865. Free. Festive Celebration Concert. 675 Royal York
& other performers. Great Hall, 1087 Queen
St W. 416-461-3471. $15.
— 7:30: Flying Cloud Folk Club. The Boyz
from Borealis. Grit Laskin, Ken Whiteley, Bill
Garrett, Paul Mills. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick
Ave. 416-410-3655. $14, $16.
— 7:30: Leaside United Church. Lessons
& Carols. Music by Palestrina, Vaughan Williams, Ewer, Rutter, Sirett & Eisele. Guests:
C Flats Jazz Band; Choirs of St. Cuthbert’s
Anglican, St. Augustine of Canterbury & Junior and Chancel Choirs of Leaside United
Churches. 822 Millwood Rd. 416-425-1253.
Offering in support of Out of the Cold.
— 7:30: Peel Choral Society. The Christmas Concert. Grace United Church, 156 Main
St. N., Brampton. 416-961-6444. $15,
$12(sr/st), $5(5-10yrs), free(under 4).
— 7:30: Taalworks. An Evening of Rhythm
& Dance from North India. Vineet Vyas, tabla;
Bageshree Vaze, Kathak dance. Harbourfront
Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West. 416973-4000. $12(advance), $15(door), $10(st/
ch).
— 8:00: Arabesque. Layali Arabesque. TradiWWW .THEWHOLENOTE .COM
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Rd. 416-394-6910. $12, $10(sr/st).
— 7:30: Toronto Choral Society. Christmas Music from Hispanic America. Ramirez:
Navidad Nuestra; Misa Criolla. Guests: Cassava. Geoffrey Butler, artistic director. Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. 416410-3509. $20.
— 8:00: Heritage Theatre. Christopher
Cross in Concert. 86 Main St. N., Brampton.
905-874-2800. $49.75, $47.75(sr/st),
$5(eyeGo).
— 8:00: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.
Festival of Carols. With the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Brass; Toronto Mendelssohn
Youth Choir; Matt Dusk, vocalist. Noel Edison,
conductor. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church,
1585 Yonge St. 416-598-0422 ex21. $35$65, $32-$59(sr/st).
Sibelius & Bruckner. Sibelius: Violin Concerto;
Bruckner: Symphony #2. Leonidas Kavakos,
violin; Thomas Dausgaard, conductor. Roy
Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828.
$34-$115.
— 8:00: York Mills Student Stage Productions. Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat. York Mills Collegiate Institute,
490 York Mills Rd. 416-395-3340 ex 20145.
$10, $12. For complete run see music theatre
with guest clarinettist
listings.
— 8:30: Hugh’s Room. Jane Siberry in Concert. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604.
January
$27.50,
$25(adv). 19 at 8 p.m.
Back to Ad Index
T
U
O
LD
SO
TAKÁS QUARTET
M
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December 8 at 8 p.m.
of Music. Thursdays at Noon. Rameau: Pièces de clavecin en concerts; Devienne: Sonata
for Bassoon and Keyboard Op.24 #3; SaintSaëns: Sonata for Oboe and Piano Op.166;
Poulenc: Trio pour piano, hautbois et basson.
James Parker, piano; Cynthia Steljes, oboe;
Michael Sweeney, bassoon. Walter Hall, 80
— 2:00: Northern District Library. Piano
Recital. Beethoven: Sonata Op. 109; Brahms:
Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel;
Crawley: Formations. Ben Smith, piano. 40
Orchard View Blvd. 416-393-7610. Free.
CONCERTS ...
Toronto & nearby
39
...CONCERTS
?
Toronto & nearby
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CHRISTMAS
&RIDAY$ECEMBER
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Festive Celebration Concert. 675 Royal York
Rd. See Dec. 7.
— 8:00: Harlequin Singers. A Harlequin
Christmas. Annual Christmas cabaret with
carols & pop hits. Laura Pin, piano accompanist; Lynn Jamieson, percussion; Ryan Scott,
flute; John Packer, conductor. Drury Lane
Theatre, 2269 New St., Burlington. 905-6373979. $20.
— 8:00: Music Toronto. Takács String
Quartet. Haydn: String Quartet Op. 76 #3;
Borodin: String Quartet #2; Debussy: String
Quartet. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E.
416-366-7723. $39-$43, 18-35 pay your
age, $5 (st), accompanying adult ½ price.
*SOLD OUT*
— 8:00: Scaramella. Viol N’ Femmes: Music of the New-Fangled Age. Music by Purcell,
Lawes, Holborne, Bach & others. Joanna Blendulf, Liam Byrne, Julie Jeffrey, Joëlle Morton,
Annalisa Pappano, violas da gamba. Victoria
College Chapel, 91 Charles St. W., Rm 213.
416-760-8610. $25, $15(st/sr).
Sibelius & Bruckner. Roy Thomson Hall. See
Dec 7.
— 8:00: Via Salzburg Chamber Orches-
The Toronto Welsh
Male Voice Choir
presents its
Annual
Christmas Concert
tra. Mozart and More. Ravel: String Quartet;
Penderecki: String Quartet #1; Mozart: Divertimento in D for strings and two horns. Naoko
Murakosi, dance; Via Salzburg String Quartet;
Mayumi Seiler, artistic director. Glenn Gould
Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-205-5555.
$50; $45/$25(sr/st).
— 8:30: Hugh’s Room. Jane Siberry in Concert. 2261 Dundas St. W. See Dec. 7.
— 9:00: Sabir Mateen Quartet. In Concert.
Sabir Mateen, sax/clarinet/flute; Raphe Malik,
trumpet; Raymond King, piano; Ravish Momin,
drums. Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre,
454 Parliament St. 416-693-7197. $20 at
the door.
Friday December 09
— 7:00: RCM Trumpet Ensembles. Trumpet Concert. RCM Concert Hall, 90 Croatia St.
416-408-2824 ex321. Free.
— 7:30: Church of the Holy Trinity. The
Christmas Story. Musical Nativity pageant.
10 Trinity Square. 416-598-8979 to reserve.
Suggested $15, $5(ch). For complete run see
Festive Celebration Concert. 675 Royal York
Rd. See Dec. 7.
— 7:30: Music at Metropolitan. Christmas
with the Poculi Ludique Societas. Medieval &
Renaissance music and drama of the season:
“Jesuskind: A Christmas Vespers”; “Joseph’s
Trouble about Mary”. Metropolitan United
Church. 56 Queen St. E. 416-363-0331. $20,
$15(sr), $10(st).
— 7:30: Oakville Children’s Choir. A
Canadian Christmas. 20th century Canadian
composers. Mary Lou Fallis, guest; Glenda
Crawford, music director. St. John’s United
Church, 262 Randall St., Oakville. 905-3377104. $20, $15(sr/ch).
— 7:30: Oakville Choral Society. A Glorious Christmas. Rutter: Gloria & other works.
Guest instrumentalists; J. Bev Stainton, artistic director. Glen Abbey United Church,1469
Nottinghill Gate, Oakville. 905-257-7308.
$22, $17(sr/st), $10(12 & under).
— 7:30: Toronto Welsh Male Voice
Choir. The Music of Christmas. Guests: Jennifer Griffiths; Kathryn Tremills, piano; Andrew Ager, organ; Lenard Whiting, assoc. conductor; David Low, conductor. Eglinton St.
George’s United Church, 35 Lytton Blvd. 416410-2254. $20.
Music. Orchestra Series: U of T Symphony
Orchestra. Shin: Gui-Chun for Orchestra; Kurka: Concerto for Marimba Op.34; Tchaikovsky: Symphony #4. Joel Cormier, marimba;
Raffi Armenian, conductor. MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978-3744. $17,
$9.
— 8:00: Canadian Singers. Christmas
Time. Music by Cohen, Fraser, Nickle & Tyson. Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. W.,
Etobicoke. 416-394-8113. $12, $15.
— 8:00: Columbus Centre. The Italian Trilogy: Concerto di Natale. Christmas concert
with Italian repertoire. Palestrina Choir; Sabatino Vacca, musical director. George Weston
Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 416-256-4808.
$20.
— 8:00: Etobicoke Community Concert
Band. Christmas Pops Concert. Guests: Russ
Little, trombone; Sherwood Mills Public
School Junior Choir. John Edward Liddle, mu-
The Toronto Consort
Friday Dec. 9th at 7:30
presents
Eglinton St. George’s United Church
THE MONTEVERDI
CHRISTMAS VESPERS
(Lytton Blvd. & Duplex, Toronto M4R 1L2)
Tickets: $20.00
Tel: 416-410-2254
e-mail: john.hewings@sympatico.ca
Visit us @ www.twmvc.com
Benefit Concert
for AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
OPERA
ARIAS
December 9 & 10, 2005 at 8pm
With recorders, violins, cornetti, theorbos, keyboards and voices, the Toronto Consort recreates
the lavish celebration of Christmas Vespers from
the Church of San Marco in 17th-century Venice,
with music by the incomparable Claudio
Monteverdi! Featuring works from his 1641
collection of sacred music, the rafters and
balconies of Trinity-St. Paul’s will resound with
the glorious sounds of a Christmas celebration
you won’t soon forget. Gloria in excelcis!
www.torontoconsort.org
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2005, 8:00 PM, $15
79 HIAWATHA ROAD (COXWELL & GERRARD EAST)
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: ANTONIO LOPEZRÍOS
416-686-6909
SPONSORED BY NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITARIAN CONGREGATION
For Tickets call 416-964-6337
Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. West
40
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sic director. Etobicoke Collegiate Auditorium,
86 Montgomery Rd. 416-410-1570. $15,
$12(sr), $5(st), free(ch).
— 8:00: Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra. Gifts from the Opera. Music by Weber,
Verdi, Rimsky-Korsakov & Rossini. Tak Ng Lai,
conductor. Humber Valley United Church, 76
Anglesey Blvd. 416-239-5665. $20, $15(sr/
st), free(16 & under accompanied).
— 8:00: Exultate Chamber Singers. An
Italian Christmas. Music by Palestrina, Pergolesi & Respighi. John Tuttle, conductor. St.
Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron St.
416-971-9229. $25, $20(sr), $15(st).
— 8:00: Harlequin Singers. A Harlequin
Christmas. Drury Lane Theatre, Burlington.
See Dec. 8.
— 8:00: Markham Theatre. Christopher
Cross in Concert. 171 Town Centre Blvd. 905305-7469. $56.
— 8:00: Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Benefit Concert
for Amnesty International. Opera arias by Handel, Mozart, Verdi, Puccini & Tchaikovsky.
Antonio Lopezríos. 79 Hiawatha Rd. 416-6866909. $15.
— 8:00: neither/nor. Obscurity. Works by
Priest, Sherlock, Thorpe, Chokroun, Couroux,
Wadham & others. The Darling Building, 96
Spadina Ave. 416-504-2327. $10,$7.
— 8:00: St. Michael’s Choir School. 66th
Annual Christmas Concert: Hodie! The Glory
of Christmas. Works by Bach, Handel, Poulenc,
Willcocks, Rutter, Willan & others. Jerzy Cichocki, Marie-Claire Gervasoni & Brian Rae,
conductors. Massey Hall, 15 Shuter St. 416872-4255. $18.50, $26, $29.
— 8:00: Toronto Consort. The Monteverdi
Christmas Vespers. David Fallis, director.
Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor Street W.
416-964-6337. $20-$48; $15-$40(sr/st).
— 8:00: Via Salzburg Chamber Orchestra. Mozart and More. Glenn Gould Studio.
See December 8.
— 9:00: Red Guitar Arthouse Café. Tasa.
603 Markham St. 416-913-4586. $7 cover.
— 2:00 & 7:30: Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus. A Dickens of a Christmas. Music by Errol Gay; libretto by Michael Patrick
Albano; Mark Pedrotti, baritone; Ann Cooper
Gay, director. Harbourfront Centre Theatre,
235 Queen’s Quay Centre. 416-973-4000.
Two Christmas Plays
presented by PLS.
Joseph’s Trouble about Mary
and Jesuskind.
Dec. 9, 10, 11
For Times, Places: See Listings.
Back to Ad Index
$35, $15(sr/st). For complete run see music
theatre listings.
— 2:00: Toronto All-Star Big Band. A
Christmas Special. The seasonal hits of Louis
Armstrong, Harry Connick Jr., Glen Miller,
Bing Crosby & others. Guests: The TABB Five,
vocals. Jane Mallett Theatre, St Lawrence
Centre, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723. $32,
$27(groups).
— 2:30 & 7:30: Poculi Ludique Societas.
Joseph’s Trouble About Mary & Jesuskind.
Church of the Redeemer, 162 Bloor S. E. 416978-5096. $10-$20.
— 6:00: St. John’s Church Vocal Ensemble. Sounds of Christmas. Charpentier: Midnight Mass for Christmas; Vivaldi: Beatus Vir;
Elgar: The Snow & other works. With string
ensemble; Anita Gaide, organ. St. John’s Latvian Lutheran Church, 200 Balmoral Ave. 416921-3327. $15, $10(st), free(under 13).
— 7:00: Choir of Knox United Church.
The Magic of Christmas. 2569 Midland Ave.,
Agincourt. 416-293-4424. Admission by cash
or food donation.
— 7:00: Common Thread Community
Chorus of Toronto. Let Them Stay: Voices
of US War Resisters in Canada. Featuring video premiere. Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave.
416-598-1222. $15, $7.
— 7:00: Rainbow Voices of Toronto. The
Gifts We Bring. Guy Moreau & Julie Michels.
St. Luke’s United Church, 353 Sherbourne St.
416-925-9872 ex2166. $15-$20, $12$15(sr/st), free(ch w/ adult),
donation(unwaged).
— 7:00: Yorkdale Indigo. Adrian Raso,
Cusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore Bortolon, guitar. 3401 Dufferin St. 416-7816660. Free. Cd sale proceeds to Children’s
— 7:30: Alexander Singers. Festive Concert. Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Christmas
Carols; other works & sing-alongs. Angela
Hawaleshka, director. Celebration Presbyterian Church, 500 Coldstream Ave. 416-3241259. $10, $12.
— 7:30: Bach Children’s Chorus & Chamber Youth Choir. Here We Come A-Whistling. Music by Chilcott, Cohen, Eddleman,
Rutter, Willan & others. Eleanor Daley, accompanist; Linda Beaupré, director. George
Weston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 416870-8000. $20, $24.
— 7:30: Brampton Concert Band. The
Story of Christmas. St. Paul’s United Church,
30 Main St. S., Brampton. 905-451-0174.
$12, $10(sr/st).
— 7:30: Healey Willan Singers. Behold
the Star: A Christmas Celebration. Bach: Wie
Schön Leuchtet der Morgenstern BWV 1 &
other works. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton
Ave. 416-924-0753. $20, $15(sr/st).
— 7:30: Mississauga Festival Youth
Choir. Holiday Gifts from the World of Music. Royal Bank Theatre, Living Arts Centre,
4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-3066000. $15, $12(sr/st).
— 7:30: Oakham House Choir of Ryerson
University. Christmas with Wolfgang. Mozart: Coronation Mass; Regina Coeli. Guests:
members of Toronto Sinfonietta; Eunsil Choi,
Deborah Overes, Avery Krisman & Grant
Aller, soloists; Matthew Jaskiewicz, conductor. Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle
Robert Raines
Principal Conductor
'TIS THE SEASON
with Village Voices
Joan Andrews, Artistic Director
Holiday favourites by Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli
Anderson, Sibelius and Mozart
For details, see listings
for December 10
CONCERTS ...
Toronto & nearby
41
...CONCERTS
Hallelujah Chorus; Vivaldi: Gloria; Anderson:
Christmas Festival; Corelli: Christmas Concerto; Sibelius: Finlandia; Mozart: Ave Verum.
Ave. 416-979-5000 ex7338. $18(advance),
Guests: Village Voices; Joan Andrews, dir.
$22(door).
Stephen Leacock C.I., 2450 Birchmount Rd. 416— 7:30: Oakville Children’s Choir. A
879-5566. $20,$15(sr/st), free (under 12).
Canadian Christmas. St. John’s United Church, — 8:00: Harlequin Singers. A Harlequin
Oakville. See Dec 9.
Christmas. Drury Lane Theatre, Burlington.
— 7:30: Oakville Choral Society. A Glori- See Dec. 8.
ous Christmas. Glen Abbey United Church.
— 8:00: Irish Choral Society of Canada.
See Dec. 9.
Visitors at Christmas. Guest: Reid Taheny
— 7:30: Weston Silver Band. Annual
Band; Matthew Otto, accompanist; Karen
Christmas Concert. Central United Church, 1
D’Aoust, conductor. St. Thomas Aquinas
King St. 416-249-6553. $10, free(under 12). Church, Newman Centre, 89 St. George St.
Food bank donations welcome.
416-653-9102. $20, $15(sr), $10(ch).
— 8:00: Bell’Arte Singers. Christmas with — 8:00: Markham Theatre: Toronto Philthe York Region Children’s Choir. Edward Mor- harmonia Orchestra. Holiday season music.
oney, organ; Teri Fowler, conductor. Grace
Guests: Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir;
Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd. 416-699- Kerry Stratton, conductor. 171 Town Centre
5879. $15-$20.
Blvd., Markham. 905-305-7469. $50, $46.
— 8:00: Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Or- — 8:00: Metropolitan Silver Band.
chestra. ’Tis the Season. Handel: Messiah
Christmas Concert & Sing-along. St. Luke’s
Toronto & nearby
— 2:00: RCM Orchestras. Concert of Orchestral Music. Prepatory, Junior, Baroque &
Chamber Orchestras. 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824 ex321. Free.
Sunday Concert Series. Royal Regiment of
Canada. Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr. 416-396-7398. Free.
— 2:30: Harmony Singers. The Secret of
Christmas. Guest: Etobicoke Citadel Band of
the Salvation Army. Martin Grove United
Church, 75 Pergola Rd, Etobicoke. 416-2395821. $10, $12.
— 2:30: Poculi Ludique Societas.
Joseph’s Trouble About Mary & Jesuskind.
Rosedale Presbyterian Church, 129 Mt. Pleasant Rd. 416-978-5096. $10-$20.
— 3:00: Counterpoint Chorale. Winterlude. Eglinton St. George’s United Church, 35
Lytton Blvd. 416-253-4674. $20, $10.
— 3:00: Hart House. 611th Sunday Concert:
Eybler String Quartet. Music by Eybler, Haydn
& Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. Great Hall, 7 Hart
House Circle. 416-978-2452. Free.
— 3:00: Markham Concert Band. A Seasonal Celebration. Anderson: Christmas Festival; Handel: Hallelujah Chorus; carols and singalongs. Doug Manning, music director.
Sunday December 11
Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd,
— 1:00 & 3:00: Living Arts Centre. A Fam- Markham. 905-305-7469. $20; $15(sr/ch).
ily Christmas with Markus. An interactive
— 3:00: Mississauga Choral Society.
show for ages 3 to 8. RBC Theatre, 4141
Handel’s Messiah. Chrys Bentley, conductor.
Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. Hammerson Hall, Living Arts Centre. 4141
$19, $16(ch).
Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000.
— 2:00: Northdale Concert Band. Christ$25, $35.
mas Holiday Concert. Stephen Chenette, music — 3:00: Mooredale Youth Orchestra
director. St. Jude’s Anglican Church, 10
Concert. Rosedale Heights School, 711 Bloor
Howarth Ave., Scarborough. 905-886-0858.
St. E. 416-922-3714 ext 103. $15.
$10, $8(sr/st), free(under 12).
United Church, 516 The Kingsway. 416-2393401. Free.
— 8:00: neither/nor. Obscurity. The Darling
Building. See Dec. 9.
Academy Symphony Orchestra. Joaquin Valdepeñas, conductor. 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824 ex321. $10, $5(sr/st).
— 8:00: St. Michael’s Choir School. 66th
Annual Christmas Concert: Hodie! The Glory
of Christmas. Massey Hall, 15 Shuter St. See
Dec. 9.
— 8:00: Studio Sixteen. Audivi Vocem:
England’s Heavenly Voice. Music by Tallis,
Weelkes, Parsons; Taverner: Missa Gloria Tibi
Trinitas. Kevin Komisaruk, director. St. Paul’s
Basilica, 83 Power St. 416-559-2586. $20,
$10(sr/st).
— 8:00: Toronto Consort. The Monteverdi
Christmas Vespers. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre.
See Dec 9.
— 8:00: York Symphony Orchestra. Opera Spectacular. Deanna Hendriks, soprano;
Chantelle Grant, mezzo soprano; Jan Vaculik,
baritone. Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria
St., Aurora. 416-410-0860. $22, $17(sr/st),
$5(under 12).
Les AMIS Concerts
23rd Season 2005 - 2006
Michael Pepa, Founding Artistic Director
Lynn Kuo, Chef de l’ensemble Les AMIS
Heliconian Hall
35 Hazelton Ave., Toronto
admission: $20 adults; $15 seniors; $10 students
BACK FROM TRIUMPHANT BALKAN TOUR
Les AMIS opens its season
Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 7:30 pm
Les AMIS Chamber Ensemble
Lynn Kuo, Violin
Emily Marlow, Clarinet
Rafael Hoekman, Cello
Angela Park, Piano
BORDERLESS SONG
presents
...avec piano
Windscape
Christopher Burton, piano
Sunday, Dec 11, 2005
8:00pm
Peter Stoll, clarinet
Christopher Burton, piano
Sat., January 28, 2006 8:00pm
Forest Grove United Church
43 Forest Grove Drive, North York ON
$15 adults, $10 students/seniors
For further information, go to borderlesssong.esmartdesign.com
or call 416 462-9601
Ravel: Piano Trio
Brahms: Clarinet Trio
Pepa: Falstaff Variations
Monday, January 23, 2006 - 8:00 pm
WINTER CHAMBER MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA
Violinist Lynn Kuo and Friends
The Palace, 722 Pape Ave., Toronto
Greek food at reasonable prices served at 6:00 pm
$10 cover charge
Les AMIS Tel: 416 929-6262
42
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E-mail: lesamis@sympatico.ca
www.lesamisconcerts.org
— 3:00: Orchestra Toronto. Afternoon at
the Opera. Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersinger; Puccini: excerpts from Act II of La
Bohème & other works. Peter De Sotto, tenor/
violin; Cynthia Steljes, oboe; Errol Gay, music
director. George Weston Recital Hall, 5040
Yonge St. 416-467-7142. $30, $25(sr/st),
$10(ch/y).
— 3:00: Serenata Choir. Handel’s Messiah.
Gary Heard, conductor. Church of the Transfiguration, 111 Manor Road East. 416-4897798. $30(family), $10, $8(st). Proceeds to
Habitat for Humanity.
— 3:00: Syrinx. Sunday Salon. Music by
Gellman, Strauss & Grieg. Coenraad Bloemendal, cello; Valerie Tryon, piano. Heliconian Hall,
35 Hazelton Ave. 416-654-0877. $20,
$15(st).
Family Christmas Concert. Kapilow: Elijah’s
Angel; Chris Van Allsburg’s Polar Express;
Christmas carol sing-along. Robert Kapilow,
conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St.
416-593-4828. $17-$55, children 5 to 12:
$15-$30.
— 3:30: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Afternoon Twilight Recitals: Now Winter Nights
Enlarge. Marcia Bunston, Jennifer Griffith,
sopranos; Greg Carpenter, tenor; Rebecca
Morton, cello; Andrew Ager, piano. 65 Church
St. 416-364-7865. Free.
— 4:00: Toronto Classical Singers. Bach
& Haydn. Bach: Magnificat; Haydn: St. Nicholas Mass. Guests: Talisker Players; soloists;
Jurgen Petrenko, artistic director. 1570
Yonge St. 416-443-1490. $25, $20(sr),
$15(st).
— 4:30: Yorkminster Park Baptist
Church. Carols by Candlelight. Choirs of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church; Ronald S. Jordan, organ; William Maddox, director of music.
1585 Yonge St. 416-922-1167. Freewill offering.
TRYP
TYCH
www.tryptych.org
All Hayle to the Dayes
Featuring Saint-Saën’s Christmas Oratorio
& Handel’s Harp Concerto (Kirsten Therinault, Harp)
Ensemble TrypTych Chamber Choir
Lenard Whiting, Music Director
Sinfonia TrypTych
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, 7 PM
Trinity Presbyterian Church
— 5:00: Czech Community Centre. George
Grosman’s Swing Noir. Works by Gershwin,
Ellington & others. Restaurant Prague at Masaryktown, 450 Scarborough Golf Club Rd.
416-439-4354, $20, $15(st).
— 7:00: OnStage. 12th Annual Onstage Opera Gala. Popular arias and duets by Rossini,
Bellini, Donizetti, and others. Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano; Marie-Nicole Lemieux, contralto;
Canadian Opera Company Orchestra; Richard
Bradshaw, conductor. Glenn Gould Studio,
250 Front St. W. 416-205-5555. $40.
*SOLD OUT*
— 7:00: TrypTych. All Hayle to the Dayes.
Saint Saëns: Christmas Oratorio; Handel: Harp
Concerto & other seasonal works. Rachael
Harwood-Jones, soprano; Lynn Green, mezzo;
Olenka Slywyska, alto; Jamie Tuttle, tenor;
Tyler Kuhnert, baritone; Ensemble TrypTych
Chamber Choir; Symphonia TrypTych. Trinity
Presbyterian Church, 2737 Bayview Ave.
416-763-5066. $25, $20(sr/st), free(under
13).
COUNTERPOINT
CHORALE
“ Hear... we
grow again!”
new members
welcome in
January 2006
... dedicated
to the community
and to the performing arts.
Counterpoint Chorale presents:
“Winterlude"
a Singing Celebration of Choral Music from: Us to: You
Hosted by - Ms Christina Cherneskey
of CFRB Radio 1010
Sunday, December 11, 2005 @ 3 p.m.
Eglinton/St George United - 35 Lytton St
Tickets $20 & $10
www.counterpointchorale.com
CONCERTS ...
Toronto & nearby
VocalPoint
Chamber Choir
The Talisker Players
Ian Grundy, conductor
Jenni Hayman, soprano
Jillian Yeman, mezzo
Martin Houtman, tenor
Trevor Bowes, baritone
2005-2006 Concert Season
AFTERNOONS AT THE SYMPHONY
ERROL GAY, MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR
Catherine Manoukian, Artist-in-Residence
Charpentier
In Nativitatem H. 416
Messe de Minuit
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 at 3 PM
AN AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA
with Special Guests
SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2005
7:30 PM
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005, 8 PM
St. Martin-in-the-Fields
GRACE CHURCH ON-THE-HILL
Admission: $25/20
416 763-5066/info@tryptych.org
ADMISSION $25, STUDENTS/SENIORS $15
416-484-0185 FOR INFORMATION
"Duetto Gelato"
Cynthia Steljes, oboe
Peter DeSotto,
tenor & violin
Russell Hill Rd. and Lonsdale Ave
performing
Favourite Operatic Excerpts
Edward Franko, William Shookhoff, Lenard Whiting
including
SYRINX CONCERTS
R. Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersinger
G. Puccini: Act II from La bohème
Dean Burry: Suite from The Hobbit (World Premiere)
and
works by famous opera composers
COENRAAD BLOEMENDAL
VALERIE TRYON
Rossini, Massenet, Leoncavallo, & Mozart
cello & piano duo
ALL CONCERTS AT THE GEORGE WESTON RECITAL HALL
TORONTO CENTRE FOR THE ARTS
performing
Gellman, Strauss, Greig
Sunday, December 11, 2005, 3:00pm
Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Avenue
Adults $20 Students $15
For more info call 416.654.0877
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Tickets: Adults $30, Sr/Std $25 at the TCA Box Office or TicketMaster
Special Rates: Children/Youth up to18 years $10 and groups of 20
or more $20. Call Orchestra Toronto at 416 467 7142 for information.
otoronto@on.aibn.com
www.orchestratoronto.ca
arts
Long & McQuade
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
w w w . l o n g
-
m c q u a d e . c o m
43
...CONCERTS
— 7:30: Mariposa. Chris McKhool in Concert. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave. 416-4103655. $10, $12.
— 7:30: Trinity Chamber Ensemble. De— 7:30: Alexander Singers. Festive Concember Dancing. Music by Telemann, Locatelcert. Celebration Presbyterian Church. See
li, Arne & Grainger. Guest: Blake Pouliot.
Dec. 10.
Church of the Transfiguration, 111 Manor Rd.
— 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Floral
416-229-0496. $12, $15.
Hall, Toronto Botancial Gardens, 777 Law— 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of
rence Ave E. 416-250-0177. $15(advance),
Music. World of Music: Percussion Ensem$20(door).
ble. Robin Engelman, director. Walter Hall, 80
— 7:30: Echo Women’s Choir. Songs of
Resistance & Hope. Guests: Suba Sankaran & Queen’s Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
— 7:30: VocalPoint Chamber Choir.
Ed Hanley; Alan Gasser, conductor; Teodora
Christmas Concert. Charpentier: In NativiGeorgieva, guest conductor. Church of the
tatem; Messe de Minuit. Guests: Talisker
Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square. 416-588Players; Jenni Hayman, soprano; Jillian Yem9050 ex3. $12(advance), $15(door),
en, mezzo; Martin Houtman, tenor; Trevor
$8(un(der)waged).
Bowes, baritone; Ian Grundy, conductor. Grace
— 7:30: Les AMIS Concerts. Les AMIS
Church on-the-Hill. 300 Lonsdale Rd. 416-484Ensemble. Music by Ravel, Brahms & Pepa.
0185. $25, $15(sr/st).
Lynn Kuo, violin; Emily Marlow, clarinet; Rafael Hoeckman, cello; Angela Park, piano. Heli- — 7:30: York Symphony Orchestra. Opera
conian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-929-6262. Spectacular. Deanna Hendriks, soprano; Chantelle Grant, mezzo soprano; Jan Vaculik, bari$20, $15(sr), $10(st). See ad previous page.
tone. Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre
Blvd., Markham. 905-305-7469. $22,
$17(sr/st), $5(under 12).
— 8:00: Arabesque. Layali Arabesque. Gypsy Co-Op. See Dec. 4.
— 8:00: Borderless Songs. …avec piano.
Christopher Burton, piano. Forest Grove United
Church, 43 Forest Grove Dr. 416-462-9601.
$15, $10(sr/st).
Teodora Georgieva - Artistic Director
— 8:00: neither/nor. Obscurity. The Darling
Edward Moroney – Accompanist
Building. See Dec. 9.
Aviva Kolet – Assistant Conductor
RCM Orchestras. RCM Preparatory, Junior,
Riverdale Young Singers
Chamber & Baroque Orchestras & the AcadeAlkiviadis Leontarakis – Conductor
my Choir; Kelly Parkins-Lindstrom, Jonathan
Present
Craig, Katharine Rapoport & Markus Howard,
conductors. 90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824
ex321. $10, $5(sr/st), $30(family).
A Choral Evening of Fables
Toronto & nearby
Winter Tails
and Winter Sounds with
Special Guest Actors.
Mon., Dec. 12th 2005
7:30pm- FREE
St. John’s
&
Presbyterian Church
415 Broadview Ave
www.riverdaleyouthsingers.org
Monday December 12
— 7:30: Cantabile Chorale of York Region. A Lighter Side of Christmas. Lona Richardson, accompanist; Robert Richardson, conductor. Thornhill Presbyterian Church, 271
Centre St., Thornhill. 905-731-8318. $10.
— 7:30: Riverdale Youth Singers. Winter
Tails. Choral evening with guest actors. Alkividadis Leontarakis, conductor. St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 415 Broadview Ave. 416875-1587. Free.
— 8:00: Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra.
A Portrait of Phil Nimmons. Fundraiser for the
Orchestra’s New York tour and launch of
Phil’s cd. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St.
W. 416-504-7529. $30.
Tuesday December 13
— 12:00noon: Roy Thomson Hall. Free
Noon Hour Choir & Organ Concert Series: A
Renaissance Christmas. Studio Sixteen. Kevin
Komisaruk, conductor/organ. 60 Simcoe St.
416-593-4822. Free.
— 12:15pm: All Saints’ Kingsway. Midweek Organ Recitals. David Braund, organ.
2850 Bloor St. W. 416-233-1125 ex0. Free.
— 1:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Music at
Midday. Thomas Fitches, organ. 65 Church St.
416-364-7865. Free.
— 7:30: St. James’ Cathedral Choral
Society. Family Messiah & Carols: Part 1 of
Handel’s Messiah. With the Cathedral Choir of
Men & Boys & The Talisker Players. Michael
Bloss, conductor. 65 Church St. 416-3647865. $25, $20(sr/st), $75(family).
— 8:00: Festival Wind Orchestra. Holiday
Magic! Works include excerpts from Suite of
Old American Dances, The Barber of Seville &
seasonal favourites. Christ Church Deer Park,
1570 Yonge St. 905-881-4255. $15,
$10(st).
— 8:00: Heritage Theatre. The Moscow
Boys Choir: Christmas Around the World.
Christmas classics including excerpts from
Handel’s Messiah. 86 Main St. N., Brampton.
905-874-2800. $45; $43(sr/st).
— 8:00: North 44º Ensemble/7th Toronto
Regiment Band, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Repeat the Sounding Joy.
Geoffrey Butler, Graziano Brescacin, music
Gennady Gefter, Conductor
Musical selections include
Suite of Old American Dances,
The Barber of Seville and Seasonal Favourites.
Tuesday, December 13 at 8 p.m.
Christ Church Deer Park
Park, 1570 Yonge Street
(at Heath, 2 blocks north of St. Clair,
close to TTC & municipal parking)
Adults $15; Students $10
To reserve tickets, call 905-881-4255
Fax 416-491-5282
or visit www.festivalwindorchestra.com
Handicapped accessible
Back to Ad Index
Church. Noonday Organ Recital. P. John H.
Stephenson, organ. 1585 Yonge St. 416-9221167. Free.
Handel’s Messiah. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre,
427 Bloor St. W. 416-964-6337. $36-$75,
Rebecca Enkin
“Dancing in the Dark”
Remembering
FRANK SINATRA’s
90th birthday
Wed, Dec. 14
9:00 pm &
10:15 pm
$7
Reservations: 416-658-5687
Mezzetta Café, 681 St. Clair Ave. W.
www.rebeccaenkin.com
AN ANNUAL
CATHEDRAL TRADITION
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
7:30 pm
❖
Holiday Magic
X
Family Messiah
and Carols
FESTIVAL WIND ORCHESTRA
44
directors. St. Clement’s Church, 59 Briar Hill
Ave. 905-764-5140. $20, $15(sr/st). Profits
to charities.
— 8:00: RCM Repertory Chorus & Chamber Choir. Fundraiser Concert. Trinity College, 6
Hoskin Ave. Donations for Out of the Cold.
Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah
Christmas carols
and the ever popular humourous
Christmas anecdote
The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys
The St. James Singers
The Cathedral Choral Society
The Talisker Players
Michael Bloss, conductor
❖
Tickets $25 ($20 students & seniors)
Family $75 (2 adults/2 children 5-13)
available at the Cathedral Gift Shop
in person or by phone: 416-366-1728
Also available at the door
King & Church, Toronto • 416-364-7865
For information visit
www.stjamescathedral.on.ca
$29-$65(sr/st).
— 8:00 & 10:15: Mezzetta Café. Rebecca
Enkin, vocals & Mike Allen, guitar. Music
celebrating Frank Sinatra’s 90th birthday. 681
St. Clair Ave. W. 416-658-5697. $7.
— 8:00: Bruno Cormier. Chantons Noël! A
Christmas Recital. Bruno Cormier, baritone;
Ana Maria Nunes, piano. St. Andrew’s United
Church, 117 Bloor St. E. 416-963-5137. $10.
— 8:00: Living Arts Centre. Roger Whittaker: Christmas Classics & Greatest Hits. Traditional Christmas carols and favourites. Hammerson Hall, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. $45+.
— 8:00: Nathaniel Dett Chorale. An Indigo
Christmas: Great Joy. Arrangements of
Christmas and Kwanzaa music. Brainerd
Blyden-Taylor, conductor. George Weston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 416-872-1111.
$29-$39.50, $26.50-$38.50(sr/st).
— 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra/
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Toronto’s
Best Messiah. Nathalie Paulin, soprano; Susan
Platts, alto; Michael Colvin, tenor; Nathan
Berg, baritone; Noel Edison, conductor. Roy
$35-$95.
— 8:00: TrypTych. All Hayle to the Dayes.
Saint Saëns: Christmas Oratorio; Handel: Harp
Concerto & other seasonal works. Rachael
Harwood-Jones, soprano; Lynn Green, mezzo;
Olenka Slywyska, alto; Jamie Tuttle, tenor;
Tyler Kuhnert, baritone. Ensemble TrypTych
Chamber Choir & Symphonia TrypTych. St.
Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church. 151
Glenlake Ave. 416-763-5066. $25, $20(sr/
st), free(under 13).
— 7:30: Music Students of York Mills
Collegiate. Annual Seasonal Concert. 490
York Mills Rd. 416-395-3340 ex 20145. Call
for ticket prices.
— 7:30: RCM Jazz Choir. Ensemble Concert.
90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824 ex321. Free.
Handel’s Messiah. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre.
See Dec 14.
— 8:00: Living Arts Centre. Roger Whittaker: Christmas Classics & Greatest Hits. Hammerson Hall, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. See Dec. 14.
Best Messiah. Roy Thomson Hall. See Dec
14.
Friday December 16
— 6:00am: CBC Radio One 99.1 FM.
Sounds of the Season. Live music throughout
the day. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W.
416-205-5555. Free with charitable donation,
unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item.
— 6:30: Bach Consort Orchestra & Chorus. Bach Consort’s Fifth Annual Concert &
Dinner Event. Bach: Christmas Oratorio. Monica Whicher, soprano; Elizabeth Turnbull, contralto; Dennis Giesbrecht & Pascal Charbonneau, tenors; Nathan Berg, bass; Bach Consort
Chorus & Orchestra; Yannick Nézet Séguin,
conductor. Eglinton St. George’s United
Church, 35 Lytton Blvd. 416-481-1141
ex250. $50 includes buffet; proceeds to
Delisle Youth Services.
— 7:30: COC Ensemble Studio. Mozart:
The Magic Flute. Richard Bradshaw, conductor; Andrew Porter, director. MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park Cres. 416-363-8231.
$40-$58(subscribers); $45-$65(non-subscribers). For complete run see music theatre listings. *SOLD OUT—WAITING LIST*.
— 7:30: Coro Giuseppe Verdi. Christmas
Choral Celebration. Traditional Christmas music. Giuseppe Macina, conductor; Adolfo De
Santis, organ. Columbus Centre, Lower Gallery, 901 Lawrence Ave. West. 416-7894970. $15.
— 7:30: Humberside Collegiate Institute.
Christmas Concert. Music by Vivaldi, Anderson, Mozart & others. 280 Quebec Ave. 416-
LISTER SINCLAIR
DAVID MAGGS
CONCERTS ...
Toronto & nearby
sine nomine Ensemble for Medieval Music
Angelus ad virginem
Medieval Music for the
Season of Advent
Friday, December 16, 8 pm
Reservations:
St Thomas's Church, 383 Huron St.
Tickets $15 / $10 students, seniors
416-638-9445 / sine.nomine@3web.net
MAESTRO ENTERPRISES presents its
Annual Christmas Celebration
featuring the
NEW SCHOOL CHORALE
and
Celebrated Vocal Soloists
Friday Dec.16 at 8PM and Dec.18 at 2PM
Call 416-927-9800 for reservations and info
or visit www.nscvs.com
Back to Ad Index
45
...CONCERTS
The High Park
Choirs of Toronto
Toronto & nearby
293-8122 ex20100. $4, $5. Food drive.
See Dec 14.
— 8:00: Brampton Festival Singers. Holiday Memories Concert. Paul Chant, guest conductor. Knox United Church, 2976 Charleston
Sideroad, Caledon. 905-450-5659. $20,
$17(sr/st), $10(under 12).
— 8:00: Maestro Enterprises. Annual
Christmas Celebration. New School Chorale &
guest vocalists; Raisa Nakhmanovich, musical
director; Daniel Eby, artistic director. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-927-9800.
— 8:00: Markham Theatre. The Moscow
Boys Choir: Christmas Around the WorldTour.
171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham. 905-3057469. $60, $56.
— 8:00: Nathaniel Dett Chorale. An Indigo
Christmas: Great Joy. George Weston Recital
Hall. See Dec. 14.
Zimfira Poloz, Artistic Director
present
ATMAclassique
Joyful Voices
KARINA GAUVIN
Les Violons du Roy
Create a joyful family tradition with the warm
and heralding tones of The High Park Choirs at our
annual holiday extravaganza! The evening will
include:
Once in Royal David’s City
African Noel
Something Told the Wild Geese
Seven Joys of Christmas
and an audience carol-sing-a-long
SACD2 2342
An evening of holiday music for
the entire family
Bernard Labadie conducts, and Karina Gauvin
sings, Bach’s Psalm 51 after Pergolesi’s Stabat
Mater (with Daniel Taylor) & Ich Habe Genug.
w w w. a t m a c l a s s i q u e . c o m
Saturday, December 17, 2005
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Humbercrest United Church
16 Baby Point Road
— 8:00: Roy Thomson Hall. Bach Christmas Cantatas: Les Violons du Roy. Cantatas
#171, 110, 151, & 63. Karina Gauvin, soprano; Christophe Dumaux, counter-tenor;
Christoph Prégardien, tenor; Brett Polegato,
baritone; La Chapelle de Québec; Bernard Labadie, conductor. 60 Simcoe St. 416-8724255. $25-$75.
— 8:00: Sine Nomine. Angelus et Virginem.
Medieval music for the season of advent. St.
Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron St.
416-638-9445. $15, $10(sr/st).
— 8:30: Living Arts Centre. Denzal Sin-
claire in Concert. Cabaret-style concert. RBC
Theatre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga.
905-306-6000. $25, $30, $39.
— 9:00: Foggy Hogtown Boys. A Very
Foggy Christmas. Guests: Jenny Whiteley,
Justin Rutledge, Alex Pangman & Tom Parker. Silver Dollar Room, 486 Spadina Ave. 416975-0909. $20 or $15+food bank donation.
— 11:00am & 2:00: Solar Stage Children’s Theatre. Bruce the Christmas
Moose. By Tom Vandenberg. Puppet show for
ages 4 to 8 with traditional and seasonal music. 4950 Yonge St. 416-368-8031. $13.
— 12:00noon: RCM. Noon Hour Lobby Concert.
90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824 ex321. Free.
— 2:00: Roy Thomson Hall. Toronto Children’s Chorus: A Chorus Christmas. Murphy:
The Darkest Midnight in December (world
première). With True North Brass; Judy Loman, harp; Susan Hoeppner, flute; Beverley
Johnston, marimba; Jean Ashworth Bartle,
music director. 60 Simcoe St. 416-8724255. $29.50-$39.50.
— 3:30 & 8:00: York Symphony Orchestra. YSO Holiday Concert. Carols, audience
sing-along & other musical offerings. Trinity
Anglican Church, 79 Victoria St., Aurora. 416410-0860. $22, $17(sr/st), $5(under 12).
— 6:30: High Park Choirs of Toronto.
Joyful Voices. Holiday music & carol sing-along. Zimfira Poloz, artistic director. Humbercrest United Church, 16 Baby Point Rd. 416762-0657. $15, $10(sr/under 12).
— 7:30: Amadeus Choir. Compliments of
the Season! Carols & sing-along; carol and
Chanukah song premières. Guests: Bach Children’s Chorus; Eleanor Daley, piano; Linda
Beaupré & Lydia Adams, conductors. Yorkminster Park Church, 1585 Yonge St. 416-4461088. $40, $35(sr/st).
— 7:30: Camerata Tibia. German & Italian
Renaissance & Baroque Music. Janos Ungvary, Takayo Shimoda, recorders; Iris Krizmanic, cello/soprano; Agnes Zsigovics, soprano;
Dora Krizmanic, harpsichord. First Hungarian
Presbyterian Church, 439 Vaughan Rd. 416241-5080. Donation.
See Dec 14.
— 8:00: All the King’s Voices. Christmas
Classics. David J. King, conductor. Willowdale
United Church, 349 Kenneth Ave. 416-2252255. $15, $10(sr/st), $5(ch).
— 8:00: Brampton Festival Singers. Holiday Memories Concert. Paul Chant, guest conductor. Grace United Church, 156 Main St. N.,
Brampton. 905-450-5659. $20, $17(sr/st),
$10(under 12).
— 8:00: Chyrell Samson & Rodney Ronquillo. A Chyrell & Rodney Christmas Card.
8 blocks north of Bloor St. W., on the west of Jane St.
Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors & under 12
To order tickets or for information call:
416-762-0657
Visit us at: www.highparkchoirs.org
email: info@highparkchoirs.org
46
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Guests: Anna Balagtas, Darius Ciria & Jo Ann
Tudor. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416995-7810. $20.
— 8:00: Mississauga Symphony. Tis the
Season: Christmas in the City. Christmas classics; Royer: The Bobsled (première). Mary Lou
Fallis & Anna Madgett, sopranos. Living Arts
Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga.
905-306-6000. $33.50-$43.50.
— 8:00: Music Gallery. Madawaska String
Quartet: Under the Influence. Works by Ives,
Lutoslawski, Volans & Nancarrow. St. George
the Martyr Church, 197 John St. 416-2041080. $20, $15(sr/member), $5(st).
Lydia Adams,
Conductor and Artistic Director
Lydia Adams and the Amadeus Choir wish you
Orchestras
Compliments of the Season!
MISSISSAUGA
Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
1585 Yonge Street
1 block north of St. Clair
A holiday concert for the whole family!
13 delightful, brand new carols and Chanukah songs
by our Competition winning composers, including
Mark Sirett, Brian Holmes and Jason Jestadt
Other seasonal music by Eleanor Daley,
John Gardner, John Rutter, David Willcocks,
and G.F. Handel’s magnificent Hallelujah Chorus
Lydia Adams and Linda Beaupré conduct
The Amadeus Choir
The Bach Children’s Chorus, Linda Beaupré, director
Eleanor Daley, piano
Tickets $40 and $35 (Seniors/Students)
Call the Amadeus Choir: 416-446-0188
Vestcap
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.
Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir
Jeanne Lamon, Music Director
Ivars Taurins, Director, Chamber Choir
Handel’s Messiah
Wed – Sat, Dec 14 – 17 at 7:30pm
Sold Out
Last Year
Call Now!
427 Bloor Street West (one block west of Spadina)
Handel's
Messiah
Ivars Taurins, conductor
Anne Grimm, soprano | Laura Pudwell, mezzo-soprano
Benjamin Butterfield, tenor | Christòpheren Nomura, baritone
Call 416.964.6337
www.tafelmusik.org
Sing-Along Messiah
Sun, Dec 18 at 2pm Massey Hall
“Tafelmusik owns this town when it
comes to Handel’s seasonal classic.”
Let your voice ring out! Join 2700 enthusiastic
choristers as “Maestro Handel” himself conducts
his beloved Messiah. Bring your own score or
purchase one at the performance. Non-singers
always welcome. Great fun for the whole family!
The Globe and Mail
Call 416.872.4255
Go as a Group! For a 20% group discount call 416.593.4822 x225
2005|2006 Season Presenting Sponsor
All Messiah performances are sponsored by
Anne Grimm
Laura Pudwell
Back to Ad Index
Benjamin Butterfield Christòpheren Nomura
47
...CONCERTS
Toronto & nearby
— 8:00: Scarborough Philharmonic. A
Holiday Tradition. Vivaldi: Gloria; Bach:
Brandenburg Concerto #3; Rutter/Wilcox:
Christmas carol arrangements; Handel: Hallelujah; choruses from Messiah & other seasonal favourites. Rennie Regehr, guest conductor;
East York Choir, Jenny Crober, artistic director. St. Boniface Church, 142 Markham Rd.
416-429-0007. $25, $20(sr), $15(youth).
Best Messiah. Roy Thomson Hall. See Dec
14.
Sunday December 18
— 11:00am & 2:00pm: Solar Stage Children’s Theatre. Bruce the Christmas
Moose. 4950 Yonge St. See Dec. 17.
— 12:00noon: RCM Celtic Fiddle Ensem-
ble. Afternoon Concert. 90 Croatia St. 416408-2824 ex321. Free.
— 1:00: Harbourfront Centre. Music with
Bite. Cadence, a cappella vocal group. 235
Queens Quay West. 416-973-4000. Free.
— 1:30: CAMMAC/McMichael Art Gallery. Sunday Concert Series. Zack Moss &
the Vivace Chamber Players. 10365 Islington
Ave., Kleinburg. 905-893-1121. Admission
with gallery price: $15, $9(sr/st), $25(family).
— 2:00: Maestro Enterprises. Annual
Christmas Celebration. New School Chorale &
guest vocalists. Raisa Nakhmanovich, musical
director; Daniel Eby, artistic director. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-927-9800.
— 2:00: Massey Hall. Tafelmusik’s SingAlong Messiah. With Tafelmusik Chamber
Choir & Orchestra. Anne Grimm, soprano;
Laura Pudwell, mezzo-soprano; Benjamin Butterfield, tenor; Christòpheren Nomura, baritone; Ivars Taurins, director. 15 Shuter St.
Christmas
comes anew
Sunday, December 18, 2005
7:30pm
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
3055 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Adults $25 Seniors/Students $20
for tickets call
www.victoriascholars.ca
4 16. 761 .77 76
416-964-6337. $29; $21(sr/st).
— 3:00: Oakville Children’s Choir. Christmas Carol Sing: Tales of a Canadian Christmas. Performances by all OCC choirs; Dinah
Christie, narrator; Glenda Crawford, music
director. St. John’s United Church, 262 Randall St., Oakville. 905-337-7104. $10, all
proceeds to Big Brothers.
Best Messiah. Roy Thomson Hall. See Dec 14
8:00.
— 4:00: St. Andrew’s Church. Lessons &
Carols. St. Andrew’s Choir; Douglas Bodle,
director. 73 Simcoe St. 416-593-5600. Offering.
— 4:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Afternoon Twilight Recitals. Kristen Theriault,
harp; Kirsten Fielding, Natalie Mahon, sopranos. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865. Free.
— 4:30: All Saints’ Kingsway. Lessons &
Carols. Choir of All Saints’ Kingsway. Clement
Carelse, director. 2850 Bloor St. W. 416-2331125 ex0. Free.
Vespers. Barlow Brass & Drums: Chase Sanborn & Brian O’Kane, trumpets; Russ Little &
Terry Promane, trombones; Doug Burrell, tuba
& Brian Barlow, drums. 1570 Yonge St. 416920-5211. Free; donations welcome.
Church. Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols.
Senior Choir of Yorkminster Park Baptist
Church; William Maddox, organ/director of
music. 1585 Yonge St. 416-922-1167. Freewill offering.
— 7:00: Music at Metropolitan. Annual
Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols.
Metropolitan choirs and organ. Metropolitan
United Church. 56 Queen St. E. 416-3630331. Freewill offering.
— 7:00: Toronto Swedish Singers. Swedish Christmas Concert. Agricola Finnish Lutheran Church, 25 Old York Mills Rd. 416229-4489. $12, free(12 & under).
— 7:30: Victoria Scholars Men’s Choral
Ensemble. Christmas Comes Anew. Our
Lady of Sorrows Church, 3055 Bloor St. W.
416-761-7776. $20, $25.
— 8:00: Music Gallery. Glass Orchestra
with The Singing Saw Shadow Show. Gallery
fundraiser. St. George the Martyr Church, 197
John St. 416-204-1080. $20, $15(sr/member), $10(st).
Monday December 19
— 7:30: Arcady. Handel’s Messiah. Guests:
National Academy Orchestra of Canada; Boris
Brott, conductor. St. Christopher’s Anglican
Church, 662 Guelph Line, Burlington. 905525-7664 ex11. $10, $20, $25.
— 7:30: RCM Percussion Ensembles.
Music from Around the World. 90 Croatia St.
416-408-2824 ex321. Free.
— 7:30: Sharlene Wallace. Music for a
Winter’s Eve. Christmas, celtic & classical
music. Sharlene Wallace, harp; Sinead Sugrue,
soprano; Susan Piltch, flute/piano; Paul
Jenkins, keyboards/vocals. Little Trinity
Church, 425 King St. E. 416-346-6600. $10,
$8(sr/st).
— 8:00: Hannaford Street Silver Band.
The Majesty of Christmas. Burges: Angels’
Voices; carol sing-along. Guests: Canadian
Children’s Opera Chorus & Canadian Youth
Opera Chorus, Ann Cooper Gay, director;
presents
The Majesty of Christmas
Monday, December 19, 2005, 8:00 p.m.
Richard Bradshaw, Ann Cooper Gay, Guest Conductors
Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus and Canadian Youth
Opera Chorus, Ann Cooper Gay, Director
Under the inspired baton of Richard Bradshaw, General Director
of the Canadian Opera Company, we once again join forces with
the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus and Youth Chorus for our
annual concert in the acoustic splendour of the Cathedral
Church of St. James. The featured work will be the premiere of
the brass band and children’s choir version of Canadian
composer John Burge’s Angels’ Voices, a celebrated work
inspired by the poetry of William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Richard
Lovelace and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Join in heart-felt
congregational singing of many cherished Christmas carols.
Long & McQuade
Musical Instuments
"Silver-plated music making all the way"
William Littler, The TorontoStar
Call the St. Lawrence Centre Box Office
at 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754
or book on-line at www.stlc.com
Visit us at www.hssb.ca
.
Deloitte
48
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The SOCAN Foundation
la Fondation SOCAN
Tuesday December 20
h-USICFORA
7INTERS%VEv
-ONDAY$ECAT
SHARLENEWALLACECOM
Michael Bloss, organ; Richard Bradshaw, conductor. St. James’ Cathedral, 65 Church St.
416-366-7723. $25, $22(sr), $20(st),
$15(10 +).
— 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Toronto’s Best
Messiah. Roy Thomson Hall. See Dec 14.
— 10:00am & 12:00noon & 2:30pm: Solar Stage Children’s Theatre. Cinderella.
Adapted by William Martyn. Musical play for
ages 3 to 8. 4950 Yonge St. 416-368-8031.
$10 this date only. For complete run see music theatre listings.
— 12:15pm: All Saints’ Kingsway. Midweek Organ Recitals. John Stephenson, organ.
2850 Bloor St. W. 416-233-1125 ex0. Free.
Midday. Michael Bloss, organ. 65 Church St.
416-364-7865. Free.
— 7:30: Orpheus Choir. A Metro Christmas. Willan: The Mystery of Bethlehem. Nativity cantata with multi-cultural carols and
songs. Sidgwick Scholars; Jacqueline Goring,
harp; Edward Moroney, organ; Robert Cooper,
conductor. Eglinton-St. George’s United
Church, 35 Lytton Blvd. 416-530-4428. $30,
$25(sr), $10(st).
— 7:30: RCM Violin from Scratch Class.
Concert. 90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824
ex321. Free.
— 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. A
Very Merry Pops! Holiday classics and singalongs. Guests: Mississauga Choral Society;
Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus; Monica
Huisman, soprano; Fred Love, tenor; Daniel
Expect something different
Narducci, baritone; Erich Kunzel, conductor.
Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-5934828. $30-$91.
— 8:00: Ensemble Polaris. Hello Winter!
Arctic fusion with nordic tunes. Alison
Melville, Colin Savage & other performers.
Edward Day Gallery, 952 Queen St. W. 416588-4301. $15.
— 2:00 & 8:00: Toronto Symphony OrThursday December 22
chestra. A Very Merry Pops! Roy Thomson
Hall. See Dec 20. Note Matinée: $25.25-$60. — 3:00 & 8:00: Roy Thomson Hall. John
— 7:30: Choir of Royal St. George’s Col- McDermott & Friends: A Family Christmas
lege. Service of Lessons & Carols. Choir of
Celebration. Guests: The Mistletones, Roger
Men & Boys. Giles Bryant, organ; Douglas
Jamieson, master of choristers. St. James’
Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-533-9481.
ex276. Freewill offering.
Toronto & nearby
CONCERTS ...
T HE G ENTLEMEN
AND B OYS C HOIR
of
ROYAL ST. GEORGE’S COLLEGE
present
Festival of Lessons and Carols
Featuring
Traditional Music for the Christmas Season
by:
Bainton, Carter, Cleobury, Ord, Rutter, Tavener,
Vaughan Williams, Willcocks, and others.
with Harp, Flute, and Brass Quintet
Giles Bryant, Organ
Douglas Jamieson, Conductor
Robert Cooper, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Edward Moroney, ACCOMPANIST
A METRO CHRISTMAS
Tuesday December 20, 2005, 7.30 p.m.
Eglinton-St Georges United Church - 35 Lytton Blvd
Cathedral Church of St. James
Wednesday, 21 December, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Healey Willan
THE MYSTERY OF BETHLEHEM
Willan’s radiant nativity cantata resounds amidst
the festive sounds of the city...
Sidgwick Scholars of The Orpheus Choir
Jacqueline Goring, harp
Edward Moroney, organ
Robert Cooper, conductor
and celebrate the diversity that is Toronto with
seasonal works from the varied and vibrant cultural
communities of our city: Caribbean, African, South
American, Filipino, Indian, Ukrainian, Israeli and
Chinese with
Waleed Abdulhamid, Faith Amour, Lilac Cana,
Edgardo Moreno and Suba Sankaran
Tickets $30 / Senior $25 / Student $10
Call or email for tickets: Tel (416) 530-4428
orpheuschoir@sympatico.ca
www.orpheus.on.ca
Concert sponsored by:
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49
...CONCERTS
Toronto & nearby
Abbott, Lawrence Gowan, Guido Basso &
Amanda Stott. 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255.
3:00: $29.50-$64.50; 8:00: $34.50-$69.50.
by JOHANN STRAUSS
Kevin Mallon, Conductor
Guillermo Silva-Marin,
Stage Director
Guillermo
Silva-Marin
General Director
Jackalyn Short
Mark DuBois
Katerina Tchoubar, Carla Huhtanen,
Marcel van Neer, Sean Watson
A truly treasured Viennese operetta garnished
with some of the most beautiful melodies of
the Waltz King ... a wonderful Holiday treat
and a perfect gift!
Dec. 27 (preview), 28, 30, 31*,
Jan. 6 & 7 at 8 pm
Jan. 4 & 8 at 2 pm
*ask about our New Year’s Eve Party
Media Sponsor:
Jane Mallett Theatre
416-366-7723
www.stlc.com
Presents
A Holiday Class ic
for the Whole Family
Hansel &
Gretel
by Englebert Humperdinck
Based on the story by
The Brothers Grimm
Under the Artistic Direction of Andrew Tees
Featuring: MARY LOU FALLIS as the nasty witch, Andrew
Tees, Kathryn Knapp, Arlene Alvarado, Jillian Yemen and
Andrea Rebello. With the Opera York Chorus and Orchestra
under the Musical Direction of Alain Trudel.
Friday December 23
— 8:00: Roy Thomson Hall. Canadian Brass
Annual Christmas Concert. Guests: Elmer
Iseler Singers. 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255.
$29-$55.
Church St. 416-364-7865. Free.
Tuesday January 03
Midday. Loralei Kirkpatrick, soprano; Andrew
Ager, piano/organ. 65 Church St. 416-3647865. Free.
Thursday January 05
— 7:30: Hummingbird Centre/Jeffrey
Finn Productions. The Music of Andrew
Lloyd Webber. Includes works from The Phantom of the Opera; Cats; Evita; Jesus Christ
Superstar & others. Michael Burgess, tenor;
— 10:00pm: Deer Park Concerts. A Recital accompanying orchestra. 1 Front St. E, 416of Christmas Music. D’Aquin: Five Noels;
872-2262. $40-$75.
Bach: Canonic Variations on Von Himmel Hoch — 8:00: Theatre Passe Muraille. Yours to
BWV 769; Callahan: A Christmas Suite. WilBreak. By Fides Krucker. Mark Christmann,
liam Wright, organ. Deer Park United Church, director. 16 Ryerson Ave. 416-504-7529.
129 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-481-2979. Free.
$15-$30. For complete run see music theatre
See ad previous page.
listings.
Monday December 26
— 7:30: Opera York. Hansel & Gretel. Music by E. Humperdinck. Andrew Tees, artistic
director; Alain Trudel, conductor. St. Elizabeth
Performing Arts Centre, 525 New Westminster Dr., Vaughan. 905-763-7853. $30,
$25(under 12), $20(each additional child). For
Tuesday December 27
— 11:00am & 2:00: Lester B. Pearson
Theatre. Franklin’s Class Concert. Musical
production with singing, dancing and audience
participation. Recommended for pre-school-gr.
1. 150 Central Park Dr., Brampton. 905-8742800. $25; $16(grp). For complete run see
— 8:00: Toronto Operetta Theatre. Wiener Blut, Vienna Love. Music by Johann
Strauss. Jackalyn Short, Mark Dubois, Sean
Watson, Katerina Tchoubar & Carla Huhtanen;
Kevin Mallon, conductor. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723. Preview:
$35-$55. For complete run see music theatre
listings.
Friday January 06
— 7:00: Markham Chapters. Adrian Raso,
Cusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore Bortolon, guitar. Woodside Centre, 3175 Highway
7 E. 905-477-1756. Free. Cd sale proceeds to
Children’s Health Foundation of London.
Lloyd Webber. 1 Front St. E. See Jan. 5.
— 8:00: Bonne Journée: A Recital. Works by
Poulenc, Beckwith & Johnston. Colin Ainsworth, tenor; Amanda Johnston, piano. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 905-424-2057.
$20, $15(sr/st).
Colin Ainsworth
In Recital
Friday December 30
— 8:00: Brampton Lyric Opera. Die Fledermaus. Music by Johann Strauss. Brampton
Heritage Theatre, 86 Main St. N., Brampton.
905-874-2800. $20+. For complete run see
— 9:00: Red Guitar. Daniela Nardi. With Ron
Davis. 603 Markham St. 416-913-4586. $7
cover.
— 11:00am & 2:00: Markham Theatre.
Franklin’s Family Christmas Concert. Recommended for ages 3+. 171 Town Centre Blvd.,
Markham. 905-305-7469. $19-$23; $15$19(ch).
— 8:30: Old Mill Inn’s Salute to Big
Bands. New Year’s Eve Big Band Swing Celebration. Swing Shift Band. 21 Old Mill Rd.
416-236-2641 to reserve. $155(dinner package).
January 6, 8 pm
Heliconian Hall
Saturday January 07
at the NEW St. Elizabeth Performing Arts Centre,
— 7:00: Richmond Hill Indigo. Adrian
525 New Westminster Drive, Vaughan
Raso, Guitar. Latin, jazz, pop & gypsy music.
John Cusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore
Tickets $30 Adults, Children under 12 $25-$20
Sunday January 01
Bortolon, guitar. 8705 Yonge St. 905-731— 2:30: Roy Thomson Hall. Salute to Vien- 8771. Free. Cd sale proceeds to Children’s
To order tickets call 905-763-7853
na. Music by Strauss & others. Olga Szilagyi, Health Foundation of London.
soprano; Zrinko Soco, tenor; András Deák,
— 7:30: Gilbert & Sullivan Society of
www.operayork.com
conductor. 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255.
Toronto. Annual Songfest. St. Andrew’s Unit$55-$125.
ed Church, 117 Bloor St. E. 416-221-4864.
Thank you to our sponsors:The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canadian
— 4:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Af- Free.
Heritage, Ontario Arts Council, York Region Newspaper Group, RBC
ternoon Twilight Recitals: First Day. Trillium
Financial Group, Miller Thomson, Collins Barrow and Yamaha Music
Brass. Festal Choral Evensong 4:30pm. 65
50
Dec. 26 & 30- 7:30 pm; Dec. 28 - 2:30 pm
Back to Ad Index
— 7:30: Music at St. Mark’s. The Cam McCarroll Trio: All That Jazz. Cam McCarroll,
guitar; Bobby Sui, sax; Mark Cashion, bass.
Music includes Porter & Gershwin. St.
Mark’s Presbyterian Church, 1 Greenland Rd.
416-444-6762. $15, $8(ch).
THE CAM McCARROLL TRIO
Cam McCarroll, guitar
Bobby Sui, saxophone
Mark Cashion, bass
All That Jazz
An evening of classic jazz favourites
including the music of Cole Porter
& George Gershwin
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2006
at 7:30 pm
St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church
1 Greenland Road
(Don Mills Rd. & Donway East)
Adults $15; Children $8
Tickets at door or reserve by phone
at 416-444-6762
— 4:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Afternoon Twilight Recitals. Andrew Ager, organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865. Free.
Vespers. Laurie Bower Trio. Laurie Bower,
trombone; Ian Bargh, piano; Duncan Hopkins,
bass. 1570 Yonge St. 416-920-5211. Free;
donations welcome.
— 4:30: St. Clement’s Anglican Church.
Choral Evensong and Epiphany Carols. 59 Briar
Hill Ave. 416-483-6664. Free.
— 7:00: Kingsway-Lambton United
Church. Sunday Salon Songs. Amy Dodington,
soprano; Vojislav Perucica, piano. 85 The Kingsway. 416-232-9120. Freewill offering.
Tuesday January 10
Guests: Toronto Festival Orchestra; Brampton
Lyric Opera. Toronto Centre for the Arts,
5040 Yonge St. 416-733-9388. $22-$88.
— 8:00: NUMUS Concerts. MoEns. Contemporary Czech music. Music Gallery, St.
George the Martyr Church, 197 John St. 519578-7570. $25, $15(sr/st).
Thursday January 12
of Music. Thursdays at Noon: Viola Ensemble. Mixed program including music by faculty
composers. Kathy Rapoport, director. Walter
Hall, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
Saturday January 14
Sunday January 15
— 12:00noon: Royal Conservatory of Music. Noon Hour Lobby Concert. 90 Croatia St.
416-408-2824 ex321. Free.
— 1:00: Historic Fort York. Queen Charlotte’s Birthday Ball. Multi-event program.
100 Garrison Road. 416-392-6907 ex100.
Call to pre-register & for prices/full day $95.
— 8:00: Li Delun Music Foundation. An
East-Meets-West New Year’s Concert.
— 1:30: CAMMAC/McMichael Art Gallery. Sunday Concert Series. Darren Sigesmund, jazz ensemble. 10365 Islington Ave.,
Kleinburg. 905-893-1121. Admission with
gallery price: $15, $9(sr/st), $25(family).
— 2:00: Shevchenko Musical Ensemble.
Shevchenko Choir & Dancers. Guests: Toronto
Jewish Folk Choir. Columbus Centre, 901
Lawrence Ave. W. 416-533-2725. $17,
$15(sr/st).
Midday. Works by Bach & Guilmant. Andrew
Ager, organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865.
Free.
— 8:00: Mirvish Productions. The Boy
Friend. Jazzy spoof of 1920s musical comedy. Julie Andrews, director. Royal Alexandra
Theatre, 260 King St. W. 416-593-4225. Call
for ticket prices. For complete run see music
theatre listings.
ts
Presen
M oE n s
Sunday January 08
Sunday Concert Series. Harvey Seigel
Band. Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough
Dr. 416-396-7398. Free.
New Music Concerts
GRETTIR
(An Icelandic Saga)
8:00 pm
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Music Gallery, Toronto
Prague’s premiere new music
ensemble presents a concert of
contemporary Czech composers.
numus.on.ca
TTHE
HE
Aldeburgh
C
O
N
N
E
C
T
I
O
N
Celebrating
the Art of Song
Mozart and friends
TWO PERFORMANCES
Sunday, January 8
— 2:30 & 8:00: New Music Concerts.
Grettir: An Icelandic Saga. Chamber opera.
Music by Thorkell Sigubrjörnsson, libretto by
Bödvar Gudmundsson. Cast of the Bayreuth
Youth Festival; Gudmundur Emilsson, director.
Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis St. 416961-9594. $25, $15(sr), $5(st). For complete
run see music theatre listings.
— 3:00: Vesnivka Choir. Ukrainian Christmas Concert. Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Rd. 416-246-9880. $20, $15(sr/
st).
Our celebration of Mozart’s
quarter millennium, set within
the context of his letters, and
including his own songs, opera
and oratorio, and music by
composers he influenced
Nathalie Paulin soprano
Colin Ainsworth tenor
Stephen Ralls & Bruce Ubukata pianos
with the
University of Toronto Opera Chorus
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2:30 PM — WALTER HALL
Tickets: $45/student rush $10 Call (416) 735-7982
Back to Ad Index
51
students perform.CHAMBER
Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s MUSIC
— 8:00: HartDOWNTOWN
House Theatre. The Rocky
GREAT
Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
Horror Show. Music and lyrics by Richard
Midday. Ronald Jordan, organ. 65 Church St.
416-364-7865. Free.
Sunday Concert Series. Brian Rose Little — 8:00: OnStage. Take Your Pick. Acoustic
Big Band. Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Bor- and electric guitar jazz duets. Jake Langley,
ough Dr. 416-396-7398. Free.
Rob Piltch, guitars; George Koller, bass; Terry
— 2:30: Aldeburgh Connection. Mozart
Clarke, drums. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front
among Friends. Songs, opera and oratorio se- St. W. 416-205-5555. $40.
lections. Nathalie Paulin, soprano; Colin Ains- — 8:00: Soundstreams Canada. music for
worth, tenor; U of T Opera Chorus. Walter
a big space I: Double Chamber Orchestra SpecHall, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-735-7982. $45. tacular. Premières by Frehner & Ness; works
— 3:00: Baroque Music Beside the
by Adams, MacMillan, Gonneville & ThoreGrange. The Splendor of Dresden. Music by sen. BIT20 Ensemble & Ensemble ContempoZelenka, Fasch & others. Washington McClain rain de Montreal; Berit Opheim, vocalist. Met& Kathryn Montoya, oboes; Dominic Teresi,
ropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E. 416bassoon; Joelle Morton, bass; Avi Stein, harp- 366-7723. $25, $20(sr), $5(st).
sichord. St. George the Martyr Church, 197
Wednesday January 18
John St. 416-588-4301. $22, $15(sr/st).
— 4:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Af- — 12:10: University of Toronto Faculty
ternoon Twilight Recitals. Kathryn Tremills,
of Music. New Music Festival: Contemporary
piano; Giles Tomkins, baritone. 65 Church St. Opera Showcase. Sandra Horst, conductor.
416-364-7865. Free.
Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978— 8:00: Arabesque. Layali Arabesque. Gyp- 3744. Free.
sy Co-Op. See Dec. 4.
— 12:30: York University Dept. of Music.
Sacha Williamson, Jazz Singer. McLaughlin
Monday January 16
Performance Hall, 4700 Keele St. 416-736— 8:00: CanStage. Letters from Lehrer.
5186. Free.
World première written & performed by Rich- — 12:30: Yorkminster Park Baptist
ard Greenblatt, featuring the words & music Church. Noonday Organ Recital. Michael
of Tom Lehrer. Ross Manson, director. Berke- Bloss, organ. 1585 Yonge St. 416-922-1167.
ley Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. 416-368-3110. Free.
$27-$51, $36(sr), $26(under 30). For com— 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of
plete run see music theatre listings.
Music. New Music Festival. Music of graduate student composers. Gary Kulesha, conducTuesday January 17
tor. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978— 12:10: University of Toronto Faculty 3744. Free.
of Music. Voice Performance Class. Graduate
O’Brien; Elenna Mosoff, director. 7 Hart
House Circle. 416-978-8849. $20, $12(st/
sr). For complete run see music theatre listings.
The Singing Voice. Mozart: Overture to The
Abduction from the Seraglio; Violin Concerto
#4 in D; arias; Symphony #31 in D. Viktoria
Mullova, violin; Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano;
Peter Oundjian, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall,
60 Simcoe St. 416.593-4828. $34-$115.
— 8:00: Tribal Productions. You’re a Good
Man, Charlie Brown. A musical comedy.
Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd.,
Markham. 905-305-7469. $39, $35.
Thursday January 19
Women’s Musical
Club of Toronto
AFTERNOON CONCERT
SABINE MEYER
January 19 at 8 p.m.
of Prussia #2; Clarinet Quintet in A. Sabina
Meyer, clarinet. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27
Front St. E. 416-366-7723, 800-708-6754.
$39-$43, 18-35 pay your age, $5(st), accompanying adult ½ price.
— 8:00: Smile Theatre. Good Morning Cottage Country. Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal
JCC, 750 Spadina Ave. 416-599-8440. $12.
The Intimate Baroque. Works by Buxtehude,
Biber & Schmelzer. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre,
427 Bloor St. W. 416-964-6337. $27-$64,
$20-$58.
The Singing Voice. Roy Thomson Hall. See Jan
18.
The Musicians In Ordinary
Tues January 17, 2006 8 pm
Friday January 20, 2006 at 8 pm
Metropolitan United Church 56 Queen St. East
Soundstreams brings two incredible chamber orchestras together
for an exhilarating evening of big sound in a big space.
Featuring the world premieres of new works by Québec
composer Paul Frehner and Norwegian composer Jon Oivind
Ness, plus works by Rolf Wallin and Magnus Lindberg.
big
Tuneful and Well Measured Song
Music from the Courts of James I and Charles I
TICKETS $25 adult/ $20 senior/ $5 student (with valid i.d.)
Call St Lawrence Centre Box Office
StLC
416.366.7723
Lawrence Cherney, Artistic Director
Hallie Fishel - Soprano
John Edwards - Lute
416.979.7799 ext.242 for more info.
BIT20 Ensemble (Norway) and
Ensemble contemporain de
Montréal (Québec)
SHAN
Janua
Musi
Friday January 20
TAKÁS QUARTET
Music for a
SPACE 1:
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TOKYO MOZART 2
Music TORONTO
Jan. 19, 2006, 1.30 p.m.
JUPITER STRING QUARTET
Musi
T
Escola de Samba. Rick Shadrach Lazar, direc— 1:30: Women’s Musical Club of Toron- tor. McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700
to. Jupiter String Quartet. Works by Mozart, Keele St. 416-736-5186. Free.
— 7:30: Canadian Music Centre. CelebratGrant & Beethoven. Walter Hall, Edward
December
8 atFreedman.
8 p.m.
ing Harry:
A Tribute to Harry
Johnson Bldg., 80 Queen’s Park. 416-923Guests: Toronto Children’s Chorus; Elmer Isel7052. $29.
er Singers with Lawrence Cherney; Esprit
— 8:00: Koffler Salon Series Concerts.
Orchestra; Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra,
Daniel Bolshoy, Classical Guitar. Call 416Phil Nimmons & David Braid; Barbara Hanni636-1880 for location info. $50.
— 8:00: Music Toronto. Tokyo String Quar- gan; Robert Aitken; Linda Ippolito; Dianne
Aitken; Lori Freedman. Glenn Gould Studio.
tet – Mozart Chamber Music 2. Quartet for
Oboe and Strings; String Quartet in B-flat, King 250 Front St. W. 416-205-5555. $10(limited
Soundstreams Canada presents
52
OU
D
L
SO
with guest clarinettist
Banff International String
Quartet Competition Winner
Works by Works by Mozart,
Stewart Grant, & Beethoven
bibig
g
Music TORONTO
Tickets $15 and $12
www.musiciansinordinary.ca
Toronto & nearby
Bata Shoe Museum
327 Bloor Street West
...CONCERTS
MAR
Janua
# tickets).
— 7:00: Music Toronto. Chamber Music at
Lula Lounge. Gryphon Trio & other performers.
1581 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. $20.
— 7:00: RCM Silver Singers. Choral Music
Concert. 90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824
ex321. Free.
Music. New Music Festival. Works by student composers. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s
Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
— 8:00: Bata Shoe Museum. Musicians in
Ordinary: Tuneful & Well Measured Song.
Music from the Courts of James I & Charles I.
Pre-concert talk. Hallie Fishel, soprano; John
Edwards, lute/guitar. 327 Bloor St. W. 416979-7799 ex 242. $12-$15.
— 8:00: Clarkson Music Theatre. Blood
Brothers. Music & lyrics by Willy Russell.
Meadowvale Music Theatre, 6315 Montevideo Dr., Mississauga. 905-615-4720 $21,
$19(sr/st). For complete run see music theatre
listings.
— 8:00: I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble.
Siren Tears. Guest: Katherine Hill, soprano;
Julia Wedman, Aisslinn Nosky, violins; Gabrielle McLaughlin, soprano; Felix Deak, cello/
viola da gamba. Calvin Church, 26 Delisle Ave.
416-892-2328. $20,$10(st/sr/underemployed).
— 8:00: Performing Arts York Region.
Caliban 7. Bassoon quartet with accordion,
violin & percussion guests. Thornhill Presbyterian Church, 271 Centre St., Thornhill. 905881-1941. $25, $20(sr/st).
The Intimate Baroque. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre.
See Jan 19.
Saturday January 21
Korean Ensemble. Charles Hong, director.
McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700 Keele St.
416-736-5186. Free.
— 1:00: Arabesque Dance Company &
Orchestra. Dance Ontario Dance Weekend.
Premiere Dance Theatre, 235 Queen’s Quay
W. 416-204-1082. $5.
— 6:00: Peter McCutcheon. Bard: A Robert
Burns Celebration. Concert and formal dinner.
Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club, 141
Wilson Ave. 416-260-9500. $100.
Mozart: The Symphonist. Mozart: Symphony
#1 in E-flat; Piano Concerto #22 in E-flat;
Symphony #41 in C. Yefim Bronfman, piano;
Peter Oundjian, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall,
60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828. $26.50$68.50.
Music. New Music Festival. Works by student composers. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s
Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
— 8:00: Acoustic Harvest Folk Club. The
Marigolds. Suzie Vinnick, Gwen Swick & Caitlin Hanford, performers. Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd. 416-264-2235. $15.
— 8:00: Guitar Society of Toronto. Jazz
Recital. Gene Beroncini, guitar. Heliconian
Club, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-922-9002. $25,
$20(members), $10(sr/st).
— 8:00: Heritage Theatre. Richard Underhill Quintet. Alto sax jazz performer and composer in concert with his quintet. 86 Main St.
N., Brampton. 905-874-2800. $30; $28(sr/
st).
— 8:00: Markham Theatre. Robert
Michaels: Jazz, Latin, Lively! Flamenco and
Latin jazz guitar. 171 Town Centre Blvd.,
Markham. 905-305-7469. $40, $36.
— 8:00: Mississauga Philharmonic. For
John & George: Lennon & Harrison Remembered. Jeans ‘n Classics Band. Living Arts
Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga.
905-306-6000. $33.50-$43.50.
See Jan 19.
Sunday January 22
— 11:00am & 2:00: Solar Stage Children’s Theatre. Jack & the Beanstalk. Musical marionette puppet show for ages 4 to 6.
4950 Yonge St. 416-368-8031. $13.
— 1:00 & 3:00: Living Arts Centre. Music
101 for Kids with Daniel & Carey Domb. Musical selections, demonstrations and time for
questions. Suitable for ages 5 to 10. RBC Theatre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga, 905306-6000. $19, $16(ch).
— 2:00: Off Centre Music Salon. German
Salon: Musicists and Physicists (A Tribute to
Albert Einstein). Music of Einstein’s favourite
composers: Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms.
Michail Gantvarg, violin; Jason Nedecky, baritone; Allyson McHardy, mezzo. Glenn Gould
Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-466-1870.
$40, $30(sr/st).
— 2:00: RCM Children’s Choirs. Children’s
Chorus Concert. 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824 ex321. Free.
Sunday Concert Series. Peter Glen Band.
Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr.
416-396-7398. Free.
Music, Opera Division. Opera Tea: The Art
of the Prima Donna. Afternoon of opera and
tea. MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park.
416-978-3744. $26.
— 3:00: Hart House. 612th Sunday Concert.
Paul Pacanowski, clarinet; Anna Dynarowska,
piano. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-2452.
Free.
Mozart: The Symphonist. Mozart: Symphony
#1 in E-flat; Piano Concerto #22 in E-flat;
Symphony #41 in C. Yefim Bronfman, piano;
Peter Oundjian, conductor. George Weston
Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 416-870-8000.
$35-$79.75.
See Jan 19.
— 4:00: RCM Lyric Singers & Vox Continental. Choral Music Concert. Royal St.
George’s College, 120 Howland. 416-4082824 ex321. Free.
— 4:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Afternoon Twilight Recitals. Andrew Ager, organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865. Free.
Vespers. George Koller, bass; Marilyn Lerner,
piano. 1570 Yonge St. 416-920-5211. Free;
donations welcome.
— 8:00: Roy Thomson Hall. The Budapest
Festival Orchestra. Wagner: Overture to Die
Meistersinger von Nürnberg; Mendelssohn:
Violin concerto in e; Tchaikovsky: Manfred
Symphony. Renaud Capuçon, violin; Ivan
Fischer, conductor. 60 Simcoe St. 416-8724255. $49.50-$149.50.
Monday January 23
— 12:00noon: Roy Thomson Hall. Free
Noon Hour Choir & Organ Concert Series.
Orpheus Choir of Toronto; Edward Moroney,
organ; Robert Cooper, conductor. 60 Simcoe
St. 416-593-4822. Free.
— 8:00: Les AMIS Concerts. Winter Chamber Music Extravaganza. Lynn Kuo, violin &
other performers. The Palace, 722 Pape Ave.
416-929-6262. $10 cover.
Tuesday January 24
— 8:30am: York University Dept. of Music. Richard Whiteman & his Trio in Concert.
Vanier College, Room 135, 4700 Keele St.
416-736-5186. Free.
— 12:10pm: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Voice Performance Class: First
Year Students Perform. Walter Hall, 80
Midday. Music by Mozart, Ager, Wolf & Schubert. Jennifer Griffith, soprano; Andrew Ager,
piano/organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865.
Free.
Mozart Celebration – York University Chamber Choir. Lisette Canton, director. McLaughlin
Performance Hall, 4700 Keele St. 416-7365186. Free.
Church. Noonday Organ Recital. Paul Grimwood, organ. 1585 Yonge St. 416-922-1167.
Free.
— 2:30: Alchemy. An Hour of Chamber Music. Bach: Sonata for Flute & Piano; Mozart:
Quartet for Flute, Violin, Viola & Cello; Debussy: Syrinx, for solo Flute; Schumann: Quartet for Violin, Viola, Cello & Piano. Sylvia Davis, flute; Gretchen Paxson, violin; Beverlee
Swayze, viola; Tricia Balmer, cello; Meri Gec,
piano. New Horizons Tower, 1140 Bloor St.
W. 416-536-6111. Free.
— 8:00: Heritage Theatre. The Tartan Terrors. Pipes, celtic music and comedy for Robbie Burns Day. 86 Main St. N., Brampton.
905-874-2800. $35; $33(sr/st).
Thursday January 26
— 12:10pm: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Thursdays at Noon: The Lieder of
Mozart. Student performers of the Voice Studies program. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park.
416-978-3744. Free.
— 12:30pm: York University Dept. of
Music. Mozart Celebration – Classical Vocalists & Pianists in Concert. McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700 Keele St. 416-7365186. Free.
— 2:00: Alchemy. An Hour of Chamber Music. Bach: Sonata for Flute & Piano; Mozart:
Quartet for Flute, Violin, Viola & Cello; Debussy: Syrinx, for solo flute; Schumann: Quartet for Violin, Viola, Cello & Piano. Sylvia Davis, flute; Gretchen Paxson, violin; Beverlee
Swayze, viola; Tricia Balmer, cello; Meri Gec,
piano. Northern District Library, 40 Orchard
View Blvd. 416-393-7619. Free.
Mozart: Symphonies and Winds. Symphony #1
in E-flat; Concerto for Bassoon in B-flat; Adagio for English horn and strings; Symphony
#41 in C. Cary Ebli, English horn; Michael
In Concert
“Power Up”
Toronto Mass Choir’s 2nd Annual
Gospel Music Workshop & Concert
Banfield Memorial Church
89 Centre Ave., North York, Ontario
Friday, February 24 &
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Friday
Choir Practice: 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday
Workshop: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Concert: 7:30 p.m.
Early bird Conference Registration fee:
$55.00 per person
After January 31st $65.00 per person
(Cost includes two meals and concert ticket.)
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CONCERTS ...
Toronto & nearby
Toronto
Mass
Choir &
PowerUp
Workshop
Mass
Choir
Tickets available at the door
only ($10.00) for more information visit:
www.tmc.ca or call (905) 794-1139
53
TO
T2
st
R
m.
TO
ET
...CONCERTS
Toronto & nearby
Friday January 27
Anthony Michelli, jazz drummer & his Trio in
Sweeney, bassoon; Peter Oundjian, conductor. Concert. McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700
Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593Keele St. 416-736-5186. Free.
4828. $26.50-$68.50.
— 12:30: St. Andrew’s United Church,
— 6:30: Bata Shoe Museum. Royal ConMarkham. Noonday Organ Recital. Charles
servatory of Music: Two Harps a-Dancing.
Udell, organ. 32 Main St. N., Markham. 905327 Bloor St. W. 416-979-7799. Free.
294-0351. Free.
— 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of — 7:30: Brampton Folk Club. Friday Folk
Music. 10 O’Clock Jazz Orchestra & Renee Night: Robbie Burns Night. With David Leask
Rosnes Trio. MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s and Runesong. Sanderson Hall, St. Paul’s UnitPark. 416-978-3744. $13, $7.
ed Church, 30 Main St. S., Brampton. 647— 8:00: Music Toronto. Shannon Mercer,
233-3655. $10, $8(sr/st).
Music. Faculty Artist Series: Marrying Mozart. Celebration of Mozart’s music & loves
inspired by S.Cowell’s novel. Lorna MacDonald, soprano; Cameron Stowe, piano; Erika
Raum, violin; Peter Stoll, clarinet. Walter Hall,
80 Queen’s Park. 416-978-3744. $21, $11.
Improv Soirée. Students from the studios of
Casey Sokol, Matt Brubeck, Brian Katz, Steve
Koven. McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700
Keele St. 416-736-5186. Free.
— 8:00: Heritage Theatre. The Friendly
Rich Show. All ages show by Friendly Rich and
his vaudevillian orchestra The Lollipop People.
Guests: Quadraplegic 12 & the Haymakers.
86 Main St. N., Brampton. 905-874-2800.
$6.
— 8:00: St. Anne’s Music & Drama Society. Ruddigore. By Gilbert & Sullivan. Brian
Farrow, conductor; Peter Orme, chorus master; Laura Schatz, director. St. Anne’s Parish
Hall, 651 Dufferin St. 416-922-4415. $15.
For complete run see music theatre listings.
— 8:00: Toronto International Chamber
Soprano. Mozart: Songs; Wolf: Selections
from Mörike-Lieder; Debussy: Fêtes Galantes; Music Festival. Opening Night Gala: A Fanfare for Mozart. Music by Mozart and Ager by
Ager: Goddess Excellently Bright (world
première). Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. the Vienna Symphony Virtuosi; Felicitas Keil,
piano; The Eastman Brass; Tom Allen, guest
E. 416-366-7723, 800-708-6754. $12,
host. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W.
$5(st).
416-978-8849. $75(Gala); $105-$230(Festi— 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
val Pass, gala extra).
Mozart: A Life in Letters. Opera and concert
arias by Mozart; developed by Michael
Mozart: A Life in Letters. Roy Thomson Hall.
Schade. Colm Feore, actor; Karina Gauvin,
soprano; Michael Schade, tenor; Russell Braun, See Jan 26.
baritone; Peter Oundjian, conductor. Roy
Saturday January 28
—
1:30
&
3:30:
Toronto Symphony Or$34-$115.
chestra. The Mozart Experience. Themes and
excerpts from Mozart. Magic Circle Mime
Music TORONTO
Company. Recommended for ages 5+. Roy
$16, $25.50.
Community Concert Series: Rick Scott & Harry Wong. Songs from the 5 Elements. 90
Croatia St. 416-408-2824 ex321. $15,
$10(sr/st), $45(family).
— 2:00 & 7:30: Living Arts Centre. You’re
a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Hammerson Hall,
4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-3066000. $25+.
Music Festival. A Day in Prague. Music by
Dvorak, Mozart, Janacek & Suk. Erika Raum,
violin; Madawaska String Quartet; Lenard
Whiting, tenor; Brett Kingsbury, piano & other
performers. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles
St. W. 416-978-8849. $40 or $105$230(Festival Pass).
— 3:30: Sinfonia Toronto. Happy Birthday,
Wolfie! Opening concert of Mozart in Jeans
series. Biber: Battalia; Vivaldi: Autumn (Four
Seasons); Tchaikovsky: excerpts from String
Quartet #1; Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik.
Guests: Leonid Peisahov, violin; Ballet Espressivo; Nurhan Arman, conductor. Walmer Centre, 188 Lowther Ave. 416-499-0403. $25,
$15(st/ch).
MOZART in JEANS
Informal family concerts, spiced with guest
artists and quotes from Mozart’s letters
Saturdays 3:30 - Walmer Centre, 188 Lowther
SHANNON MERCER
Music TORONTO
Intimate Beethoven
MARKUS GROH
m.
“Through his music, Beethoven
speaks to us from
the depths of his soul.”
A concert of some of his most
revealing chamber works
Saturday,
January 28, 2006
Sharon Burlacoff (fortepiano)
Rona Goldensher (violin)
Anthony Rapoport (viola)
Laura Jones (cello)
Trios Op.1 No.3 & Op.9 No.1;
Piano Quartet Op.16
8 pm • Eastminster
United Church •
4 1 6 - 7 7 8 - 0 4 0 0 310 Danforth Ave.
www.academyconcertseries.com reg.$15/sr./st.$10
Jan. 28 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WOLFIE!
Ballet Espressivo / Leonid Peisahov, Violin
Modern choreography by Donna Greenberg to
Eine kleine Nachtmusik!
Feb. 25 - MOZART’S MOODS
Etsuko Kimura, Violin / Live Painting
Colours swirl onto the canvas as our guest translates
music into vivid images
Apr. 1 - MOZART AT PLAY
Rafael Hoekman, Cello / Mime
His mischievous ‘Pantalone and Columbine’ acted by a
real live mime
Apr. 29 - MOZART PAST AND FUTURE
Konstantin Popovic, Violin / Drama
His immortal gifts to future composers
Series pass: $79, $49 ~ Singles $25, $15
Buy online sinfoniatoronto.com or 416 499 0403
54
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Music Festival. Felicitas Keil In Concert.
Music by Eisler, Beethoven, Hauer & Schönberg. Felicitas Keil, piano. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W. 416-978-8849. $40 or
$105-$230(Festival Pass).
— 8:00: Academy Concert Series. Intimate Beethoven. Piano Trio in c; String Trio in
G; Piano Quartet in E flat. Sharon Burlacoff,
fortepiano; Rona Goldensher, violin; Anthony
Rapoport, viola; Laura Jones, cello. Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. 416778-0400. $15, $10(sr/st).
— 8:00: Borderless Songs. Windscape.
Peter Stoll, clarinet; Christopher Burton, piano.
Forest Grove United Church, 43 Forest Grove
Dr. 416-462-9601. $15, $10(sr/st).
— 8:00: OnStage. Horn of Africa. Acoustic
traditional and contemporary music from
North-East Africa with oud, bongos & krar.
Faduma Nkrumah, Eid Ismael & Danny. Glenn
Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-2055555. $40.
Music Festival. A Night in Milan. Music by
Respighi, Mozart, Corelli & others. Quartetto
di Voce, vocals; Jessica Lloyd, alto; Amaro
String Quartet; Vienna Symphony Virtuosi.
Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W. 416978-8849. $40 or $105-$230(Festival Pass).
— 8:30: Living Arts Centre. Jane Bunnett
in Concert. RBC Theatre, 4141 Living Arts
Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. $25, $30,
$39.
Sunday January 29
— 1:00: OnStage. Mozart. Sonata in Bb;
Fantasie in d; Chopin: Variations on Mozart’s
“La ci darem la mano”; Liszt: Concert para-
phrase on themes from Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Louis Lortie, piano. Glenn Gould Studio, 250
Front St. W. 416-205-5555. $40.
Music Festival. An Afternoon in Munich.
Music by Hindemith, Schmelzer, Doppler,
Gulda & others. Vienna Symphony Virtuosi,
Musicians in Ordinary & other performers.
Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W. 416978-8849. $40 or $105-$230(Festival Pass).
— 2:00: Toronto All-Star Big Band. Big
Band by the Lake. Music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman &
others. Lakeside Terrace, Harbourfront Centre,
235 Queen’s Quay W. 416-973-4000. Pay
What You Can.
Sunday Concert Series. Chinese New
Year’s Celebration: Chi Ping Dance Group.
Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr.
416-396-7398. Free.
— 2:30: Opera in Concert. La Griselda. By
Vivaldi. Aradia Ensemble; Marion Newman;
Carla Huhtanen; Lynne McMurtry; Colin Ainsworth; Sean Watson; Kevin Mallon, conductor;
Robert Cooper, chorus director. Jane Mallett
Theatre, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723. $38$50.
— 3:00: Aubergine. Is the Air Not Sacred?
Finzi: Five Bagatelles for clarinet & piano;
Debussy: Première Rhapsodie; Copland: Four
Piano Blues; Trimble: Four Fragments from the
Canterbury Tales. Janet Catherine Dea, soprano; Doriann Forrester, flute; Rita Greer,
clarinet. Louise Morley, piano. Heliconian Club,
35 Hazelton Ave. 416-760-9180. $20,
$15(sr/st/club members), free(12 & under).
Great Artist Series: Music of Latin America.
TOKYO MOZART 2
Works
Chavez, Poulenc &
withby Heras,
guestMarquez,
clarinettist
Martinu. Joaquin Valdepeñas, clarinet; Andrew McCandless, trumpet; Richard Dorsey,
oboe;
Michael Sweeney,
& other perJanuary
19 atbassoon
8 p.m.
formers. RCM Concert Hall, 90 Croatia St.
416-408-2824 ex321. $15, $10(sr/st).
— 3:00: St. Clement’s Anglican Church.
Organ Recital. Music by Bach, Karg-Elert &
Grison. Jonathan Oldengarm, organ. 59 Briar
Hill Ave. 416-483-6664. $15, $20.
— 4:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Afternoon Twilight Recitals. Jennifer Griffith,
soprano; Andrew Ager, piano/organ. 65 Church
St. 416-364-7865. Free.
Music Festival. An Evening of Vocal Splendour. Music by Brahms, Halley, Caldwell/Ivory,
Mozart, Strauss & others. Ensemble TrypTych Chamber Choir, Quartetto di Voce, Mississauga Festival Youth Choir; Anagnoson &
Kinton, pianos. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93
Charles St. W. 416-978-8849. $40 or $105$230(Festival Pass).
— 7:30: RCM Jazz Ensembles. Jazz Concert. 90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824 ex321. Free.
SABINE MEYER
Music TORONTO
La
Griselda
Music TORONTO
?
MARKUS GROH
Monday January 30
at 8 p.m.
—December
1:00: St. James’8Cathedral.
Music at
Midday. Quirino DiGiulio, organ. 65 Church St.
416-364-7865. Free.
— 6:00: Canadian Opera Company. Götterdämmerung. By Wagner. Frances Ginzer,
Christian Franz, Mats Almgren, John Fanning
& other performers; Richard Bradshaw, conductor. 5:15: Pre-Performance Opera Chat.
Hummingbird Centre, 1 Front St. East. 416872-2262. $50-195; $18-$88(17 & under).
For complete run see music theatre listings.
— 8:00: Toronto Organ Club. Colin Cousins.
Hammond X-66. St. James United Church,
400 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W., Etobicoke. 905824-4667. $12, free(under 10).
— 12:10pm: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Voice Performance Class: Student Performances. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s
Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
THE VIVALDI PROJECT
SHANNON MERCER
TAKÁS QUARTET
Tuesday January 31
Guillermo Silva-Marin, General Director
Music/Aldeburgh Connection. Young Artists Recital. Lucia Cesaroni, soprano; Hélène
Couture,
mezzo; Sasha
tenor; Trevor
January
26Bataligin,
at 8 p.m.
Bowes, baritone; Stephen Ralls, piano. Walter
Hall, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978-3744. $15, $10.
— 8:00: Music Toronto. Markus Groh, Piano. Kurtag: 6 pieces from Jatekok; Ligeti: 2
Etudes from Book I; Prokofiev: Sonata #7 in B
flat op 83; Seither: new work; Liszt: Sonata in
b. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E. 416366-7723. $39-$43, 18-35 pay your age,
$5(st), accompanying adult ½ price.
Wednesday February 01
— 12:30pm: York University Dept. of
Music. David Mott, saxophone. Original compositions. McLaughlin Performance Hall,
4700 Keele St. 416-736-5186. Free.
— 12:30pm: Yorkminster Park Baptist
Church. Noonday Organ Recital. William
CONCERTS ...
Toronto & nearby
THE
StLC
Antonio Vivaldi
Based on II Decamerone by Bocaccio
with
Aldeburgh
C O N N E C T I O N
Marion Newman
Carla Huhtanen
Lynne McMurtry
Colin Ainsworth
Sean Watson
Celebrating the art of song
The Faculty of Music
University of Toronto
Young Artists
Recitals
ARADIA ENSEMBLE
Kevin Mallon,
Conductor
Sunday, January 29
Sponsored by
at 2:30 pm
Opera in the Drawing Room
JANE MALLETT THEATRE
416-366-7723
LUCIA CESARONI soprano Sasha Bataligin tenor
Hélène Couture mezzo Trevor Bowes baritone
Istituto Italiano
di Cultura
songs by Rossini, Wolf, Tchaikovsky,
Rachmaninov and Mussorgsky
1-800-708-6754
Sponsored by
www.stlc.com
Back to Ad Index
TUES. JANUARY 31
7:30 p.m.
WALTER HALL
$15/$10 (416) 978-3744
55
...CONCERTS
World Music Vocal Ensemble. Judith Cohen,
director. McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700
Maddox, organ. 1585 Yonge St. 416-922Keele St. 416-736-5186. Free.
1167. Free.
— 8:00: Toronto Wind Orchestra. Spiritual — 7:00: Mirvish Productions. The Lord of
World. Music by Rorem, Benson, Husa & Vin- the Rings. Lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus; music by A.R. Rahman and
cente. Royal Conservatory of Music, 90
Värttinä with Christopher Nightingale. PrinCroatia St. 416-461-6681, $15, $10(sr/st).
cess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. 416Thursday February 02
872-1212. $78-$125. For complete run see
of Music. Thursdays at Noon: David Braid & — 8:00: Civic Light Opera Co. Titanic The
Musical. Music & lyrics by Yeston; Peter
Gary Williamson, Pianos. Jazz standards &
Loucas, Bob Deutsch, David Haines, Bryan
original compositions for two pianos. Walter
Chamberlain & others. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Dr. 416-755-1717.
$17.50. For complete run see music theatre
listings.
Toronto & nearby
— 8:00: Roy Thomson Hall. The Black
Watch & the Band of the Welsh Guard. 60
Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. $49.50-$69.50.
— 8:00: Toronto Masque Theatre.
Masques of Love: Romance & Heartbreak
Through the Ages. Patricia O’Callaghan, soprano; Colin Linden, guitar/vocals; Terry McKenna, lute; Vicki St. Pierre, alto; Michiel
Schrey, tenor; Andrew Tees, baritone. 7:15
pre-concert chat; 11:00 post-concert jam.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen St. W.
416-410-4561. $25.
Prokofiev & Brahms. Sharman: Letters for the
Future; Brahms/orch. Berio: Clarinet Sonata
#1; Prokofiev: Symphony #5. Joaquin Valdepeñas, clarinet; Hans Graf, conductor. Roy
$28.50-$110.
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Friday February 03
Music. Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band.
Gillingham: Waking Angels; works by Wilson
& Husa. Gillian MacKay & Darryl Eaton, conductors. MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park.
416-978-3744. $13, $7.
— 8:00: Art of Time Ensemble. Music &
Dance. In a Landscape/Soudain L’Hiver Dernier/Brute. Andrew Burashko, piano. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 235 Queen’s Quay
W. 416-973-4000. $35, $25(sr/st/artists).
— 8:00: Elmer Iseler Singers. St. John
Passion. Music by J.S. Bach. Leslie Fagan,
soprano; Christine Stelmacovich, alto; Floyd
Gadd, evangelist; Lawrence Wilford, tenor;
John Avey, bass/Christus; Lydia Adams, conductor. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen
St. E. 416-217-0537. $35, $30(sr/st).
Amadeo: Mozart in Italy. Exsultate, Jubilate.
Actors bring Wolfgang & Leopold to life.
Michael Maniaci, male soprano; Jeanne Lamon, director. Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre, 427
Bloor St. W. 416-964-6337. $27-$64; $20$58.
Through the Ages. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom.
See Feb. 2.
Saturday February 04
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Sunday, February 5, 2006, 3:00pm
Adults $20 Students $15
For more info call 416.654.0877
— 6:00: Canadian Opera Company. A
Bite before Twilight. 4pm dinner Bier Markt,
58 Esplanade. 6pm Götterdämmerung, Hummingbird Centre, 1 Front St. E. 416-8722262. $60.
Music. Orchestra Series: U of T Symphony
Orchestra & l’Orchestre Symphonique du Conservatoire de musique de Montreal. Stravinsky: Sacre du Printemps; Shostakovich: Symphony #10. Raffi Armenian, conductor. MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-9783744. $17, $9.
— 8:00: Art of Time Ensemble. Music &
Dance. Harbourfront Centre Theatre. See Feb.
3.
— 8:00: Brampton Festival Singers. Wine
& Roses. Guests: Daniel Rubinoff, sax; Colin
Clarke, conductor. Dinner 6pm. Peel Agricultural Society, 12942 Heartlake Rd., Brampton. 905-450-5659. $30.
— 8:00: Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra. A World’s First. Rimsky-Korsakov:
Capriccio Espagnol; Gray: new work. Stephen
Leacock Collegiate Institute, 2450 Birchmount
Rd. 416-879-5566. $20, $15(sr/st),
free(under 12).
— 8:00: Massey Hall. Colin James in concert. Guests: Cowboy Junkies. 15 Shuter St.
416-872-4255. $29.50-$49.50.
— 8:00: Sinfonia Toronto. Mozart @250!
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik; Strauss:
Metamorphosen; Brahms: Piano Quintet in f,
orchestral version. Michael Esch, piano; Nurhan Arman, director. Glenn Gould Studio, 250
Front St. W. 416-205-5555. $40, $32(sr),
$21(st).
Amadeo: Mozart in Italy. Trinity-St.Paul’s
Centre. See Feb 3.
— 8:00: Toronto Jazz Orchestra. Annual
Fundraising Swing Thing. With Simon
Threlkeld and Odd Socks. Dovercourt House
Main Floor, 805 Dovercourt Rd. 416-8995299. $15 with lesson; $12 dance only.
IN A LANDSCAPE CHOREOGRAPHY BY PEGGY BAKER
MUSIC BY JOHN CAGE DANCED BY TANYA HOWARD
SOUDAIN L’HIVER DERNIER
CHOREOGRAPHY BY JAMES KUDELKA TO JESUS’ BLOOD NEVER
FAILED ME YET BY GAVIN BRYARS
DANCED BY ROBERTO CAMPANELLA & ROBERT GLUMBEK
BRUTE CHOREOGRAPHY BY PEGGY BAKER TO PROKOFIEV’S
SIXTH PIANO SONATA DANCED BY SASHA IVANOCHKO
ANDREW BURASHKO PIANO
February 3rd & 4th 8 PM
Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West
Tickets $35 & $25 seniors/students/artists
Harbourfront Centre Box Office 416 973-4000
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 PM to 8 PM
Syrinx Concerts
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PETER LONGWORTH
in a solo piano recital
featuring
Debussy, Gellman,
Schumann, Beethoven
UJDPDB
56
Back to Ad Index
— 4:00: St. James’ Cathedral. Sunday Afternoon Twilight Recitals. Stillman Matheson,
organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865. Free.
Sunday February 05
Vespers. The Russ Little Quartet. 1570 Yonge
— 1:30: CAMMAC/McMichael Art Gallery. Sunday Concert Series. Canzona, classi- St. 416-920-5211. Free; donations welcome.
cal ensemble. 10365 Islington Ave., Kleinburg. — 7:30: Trinity Chamber Ensemble. In
905-893-1121. Admission with gallery price: Concert. Church of the Transfiguration, 111
Manor Rd. E. 416-229-0496. $15, $12(ch).
$15, $9(sr/st), $25(family).
— 8:00: Continuum Contemporary Mu— 2:00: Chamber Music Society of Missic. Playing in Tongues. Hatch; Saint-Denis;
sissauga. Sunday Family Concert Series:
Oesterle: première works; Benadon: Meet
Return of the Double Reed Duo. Works by
Café. Music Gallery, St. George the Martyr
Strauss, Mozart & others. Lisa Griffiths &
Church, 197 John St. 416-924-4945. $20,
Chris Sharpe, bassoons. Royal Bank Theatre,
Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mis- $10(st/artsworkers), $5(st/cheapseats).
sissauga. 905-306-6000. $24, $18(sr),
$12(st).
Through the Ages. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom.
— 2:00: RCM Orff Ensembles. Orff Program Concert. 90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824 See Feb. 2.
ex321. Free.
Monday February 06
Sunday Concert Series. Syncona. Scarbor- — 7:30: Five Small Concerts. Visions of
ough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr. 416-396- Heaven and Hell. Works by Torke, Vasks &
Schumann. Members of the TSO and guests.
7398. Free.
Carol Lynn Fujino, Virginia Chen Wells, violins;
— 3:00: Hannaford Street Silver Band.
Daniel Blackman, viola; Kirk Worthington, celBollywood Brass. Raham: Urvashi, Urvashi;
lo. Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, 427 Bloor
Sankaran: Bollywood Brass & Saraswati;
St. W. 416-221-8342. $17, $14(sr/st). See
Thygarja: Ganamurthy; Gillespie: A Night in
ad next page.
Tunisia; Ellington: Caravan. Guests: autorickshaw; Curtis Metcalf, conductor. Jane Mallett
Tuesday February 07
Theatre, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723. $30,
$25, $20, $15(groups of 10 or more).
Midday. Music by Mendelssohn & Stanford.
— 3:00: Syrinx. Sunday Salon. Music by
Andrew Ager, organ. 65 Church St. 416-364Debussy, Gellman, Schumann & Beethoven.
7865. Free.
Peter Longworth, piano. Heliconian Hall, 35
Hazelton Ave. 416-654-0877. $20, $15(st).
Amadeo: Mozart in Italy. Trinity-St.Paul’s
Toronto & nearby
Centre. See Feb 3.
Prokofiev & Brahms. Roy Thomson Hall. See
Feb 2.
Robert Raines
Principal Conductor
'TIS THE SEASON
with Village Voices
Joan Andrews, Artistic Director
Holiday favourites by Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli
Anderson, Sibelius and Mozart
For details, see listings
for December 10
CONCERTS ...
presents
Bollywood Brass
Sunday, February, 5, 2006, 3 p.m., Jane Mallett Theatre
Curtis Metcalf, Resident Conductor
Autorickshaw, Guest Ensemble: Suba Sankaran,
Ed Hanley, Rich Brown, Debashis Sinha
The HSSB will collaborate with the award-winning
Autorickshaw in an afternoon of world-inspired musicmaking. A. R. Raham’s Urvashi, Urvashi and Suba
Sankaran’s arrangement entitled Bollywood Brass will
be performed. Autorickshaw will perform Saraswati by
Sankaran and Ganamurthy by Thygarja. Jazz will make
its way into our concert when the brass of the HSSB
are added to Autorickshaw’s unique arrangements of
Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia and Ellington’s Caravan.
Long & McQuade
Musical Instuments
Back to Ad Index
"Silver-plated music making all the way"
William Littler, The TorontoStar
Call the St. Lawrence Centre Box Office
at 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754
or book on-line at www.stlc.com
Visit us at www.hssb.ca
.
Deloitte
The SOCAN Foundation
la Fondation SOCAN
57
...CONCERTS
Toronto & nearby
— 8:00: Columbus Centre/Tafelmusik.
The Italian Trilogy: Amadeo: Mozart in Italy.
Mozart: early operas & symphonies; Exsultate, Jubilate. Michael Maniaci, male soprano; Jeanne Lamon, director. George Weston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 416-2564808. $48.
— 8:00: OnStage. The Melody Lingers On.
Jazz standards and originals. Mike Murley,
Tara Davidson, saxophones; Guido Basso,
trumpet & flugelhorn; Reg Schwager, guitar;
Steve Wallace, bass; string ensemble. Glenn
Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-2055555. $40.
— 8:00: TSO. Classical Favourites. Works by
Dukas, Mussorgsky, Rossini, Bach, Johann
Strauss Jr & Tchaikovsky. Alexandre Da Costa,
violin; Peter Oundjian, conductor. Roy Thomson
Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828. $30-$91.
Stranger Here Myself
LISTINGS
Concerts:
Further
afield
Songs of Kurt Weill
Elisabeth Pomès
Sunday, February 12, 3pm
Heliconian Hall
Plans change!
Always call ahead
to confirm details
with presenters.
PAGE 36
PAGE 58
Music Theatre/Opera
PAGE 61
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Seminars/Etcetera
PAGE 64
In this issue: Ajax, Alliston, Almonte,
Ancaster, Arkell, Aurora, Barrie, Belleville, Bobcaygeon, Bolton, Brantford,
Burlington, Cambridge, Campbellford,
Chatham, Cobourg, Dundas, Elora, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Jordan,
Kingston, Kitchener, Lindsay, London,
Midland, Milton, Newmarket, Orangeville, Oshawa, Peterborough, Pickering, Port Dover, Port Hope, St. Catharines, Uxbridge, Waterloo & Whitby.
— 2:00 & 8:00: Sanderson Centre for the
Performing Arts. The Walters Family. Oldfashioned Christmas show including fiddle
playing and step dancing. Walters Family, choir
and other performers. 88 Dalhousie St,
Brantford. 519-758-8090, 800-265-0710.
$28.
— 2:00: Port Hope Festival Theatre. Little Red Riding Hood. Christmas panto. Capitol
Theatre, 20 Queen St., Port Hope. 905-8851071. $21-$24. For complete run see music
theatre listings.
— 8:00: orchestra@uwaterloo. First Anniversary Concert. Works by Beethoven &
Tchaikovsky. Guests: Romy Shioda, Hector
Vasquez, Boyd McDonald; Erna Van Daele,
music director. Humanities Theatre, Hagey
Hall, Waterloo. 519-888-4908. Free.
Friday December 02
Performing Arts. The Walters Family.
Brantford. See Dec. 1.
— 7:30: Fanshawe Chorus London.
Christmas Celebration. A family concert.
Guests: St. Mary School Choir; Percussion
Trio Rob Inch, Rob Larose & Greg Mainprize;
The Children’s Audience Choirs; Peter Garland,
M.C. Centennial Hall, 550 Wellington St.,
London. 519-433-9650. $15, $5(12 & under).
58
Back to Ad Index
— 8:00: Ancaster Theatre. Guys & Dolls.
Colin Lapsley, Nadia Peressini, Carolyn Bjerno,
Jim Broadley & other performers. Ancaster
High School Theatre Auditorium, 374 Jerseyville Rd. W. 905-304-7469. $20, $17(sr),
$15(st). For complete run see music theatre
listings.
— 8:00: Centenary Concert Series. We
Will Remember Them. Fauré: Requiem. With
massed choir & orchestra. Centenary United
Church, 24 Main St. W., Hamilton. 905-5261147. $20.
— 8:00: County Town Singers. Christmas
Concert. Pickering Village United Church, 300
Church St. N., Ajax. 905-683-4721. $12,
$9(sr/st).
— 8:00: Kitchener Waterloo Symphony.
Shostakovich Centenary. Marquez: Danzon
#2; Shostakovich: Cello Concerto #1; Symphony #1. Yegor Dyachkov, cello; Robert Moody,
conductor. The Centre in the Square, 101
Queen St. N., Kitchener. 800-265-8977.
$15-$50.
— 8:00: Symphony Hamilton. The Messiah. Choir of First-St. Andrew’s Church; Sonja
Gustafson, soprano; Terese Sirek Ng, mezzo;
Ross Dodington, bass; Patrick Jang, tenor;
Paul Merritt, director. First-St. Andrew’s
Church, 350 Queens Ave., London. 905-5266690. $25, $10(sr/st), $5(ch).
— 1:00: Theatre Aquarius. Beauty and the
Beast. By Menken, Ashman & Rice. Holiday
family musical for ages 5-105. Dofasco Centre for the Arts, 190 King William St, Hamilton. 905-522-7529, 800-465-7529. $27$39, $21-$33(sr/st). For complete run see
— 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Ronald
Beckett, music director. Immanuel Orthodox
Church, 2900 4th Ave., Jordan. 905-5635596. $20, $15.
— 7:30: La Jeunesse Youth Orchestras.
Home for the Holidays. Port Hope United
Church, 34 South St., Port Hope. 905-3722210. $15, $12(st), $40(family).
— 7:30: York Chamber Ensemble. Winter
Noël. Boyce: Suite for Strings in A; Monteverdi: Sinfonie e Ritornelli from Orfeo; Charpentier: Messe de Minuit pour Noël. Guests: Trinity
Festival Chorus. Trinity Anglican Church, 79
Victoria St., Aurora. 905-727-6101. $15,
$10(sr/st).
— 8:00: Barrie Concerts. Christmas with
St. Michael’s Choir School. Fisher Auditorium,
125 Dunlop St. W., Barrie. 705-728-1630,
705-726-1181. Call for series ticket prices.
— 8:00: Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Noble Themes. Ager: The Solemn Land;
Haydn: Trumpet Concerto; Holst: St. Paul’s
Suite; Brahms: 4th Symphony. Guy Few, trumpet; Alain Trudel, guest conductor. Hamilton
Place, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton. 905-5267756. $32-$62, $26-$57(sr), $10(st), $5(to
end of high school).
— 8:00: John Laing Singers. Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Traditional Christmas music plus
Wearmouth: Christmas Lullaby; Watson Henderson: Laetetur Jerusalem; Handel: Gloria in
Excelsis Deo. Janet Obermeyer, soprano;
John Laing, conductor. Christ’s Church Cathedral, 252 James St. N., Hamilton. 905-6285238. $22, $19(sr/st).
— 8:00: Kawartha Jazz Society. Jazz
Cuba! Hilario Durán Trio. Market Hall Theatre,
336 George St. N., Peterborough. 705745-1870. $20(advance).
istes, Chorale & Antler River in Concert. Talbot Theatre, 1151 Richmond St., London.
519-661-3767. Free.
— 8:00: County Town Singers. Carols Yule — 8:00: Elora Festival Singers. Handel’s
Know. Salvation Army Temple, 570 Thornton Messiah. Nathalie Paulin, soprano; Alison
Rd. N., Oshawa. 905-728-3386. $15,
McHardy, mezzo; Colin Ainsworth, tenor;
$12(sr/st).
Philip Addis, baritone; Noel Edison, conductor.
Tuesday December 06
— 8:00: Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. St. Mary’s Church, 267 Geddes St. Elora.
— 7:00: Peterborough Children’s ChoChristmas Pops. Daniel Warren, conductor.
519-846-0331, 800-265-8977. $40,$37.
rus. Gloria. Guest: StarFire Brass Ensemble. The Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St. N.,
All Saints Anglican Church, 235 Rubidge St.,
Kitchener. 800-265-8977. $15-$50.
Christmas Pops. The Centre in the Square,
Peterborough. 705-740-6110. $12, $6(st). — 8:00: True North Brass. A Solid Brass
101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. See Dec 9.
— 8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber
Christmas. Old Town Hall, 14 Bridge St, Al— 8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber
Music Society. Rémi Boucher, Guitar. Works monte. 613-253-3353. $32, $17(st).
Music Society. Dave Young Trio. Reg
by Mertz, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Rodrigo, DuSchwager, guitar; Kevin Turcotte, trumpet;
arte & Asencio. KWCMS Music Room, 57
Dave Young, bass. KWCMS Music Room, 57
— 7:00: Chapters Kitchener. Adrian Raso, Young St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673.
Young St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673.
guitar. Latin, jazz, pop & gypsy music. John
$25, $20(sr), $15(st).
$20, $15(sr), $10(st).
Cusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore Bor- — 8:00: Millpond Centre. 21st Year of an
— 8:00: Sanderson Centre for the Pertolon, guitar. 135 Gateway Park Dr., Kitchforming Arts. Musical Comic Duo Bowser
Alliston Tradition: Christmas Jazz. 106 VictoSunday December 04
ener. 519-650-2553. Free. Cd sale proceeds ria St. W., Alliston. 705-435-3092. $15and Blue. 88 Dalhousie St, Brantford. 519to Children’s Health Foundation of London.
758-8090, 800-265-0710. $30.
— 2:30: Quinte Symphony. Joy to the
$17.
— 7:00: Headwaters’ Concert Choir. Han- — 8:00: Oriana Singers. Wassail. Victoria
World. Elizabeth McDonald, soprano; Timothy
del’s Messiah. Shelagh Tyreman, Laura JothStiff, tenor; Gordon Craig, conductor. Empire
Hall Concert Hall, 55 King St. W., Cobourg.
Theatre, 321 Front St., Belleville. 613-969- — 12:00noon: Northumberland Centre of am, Keith Thompson & Dave Pounds, soloists; 905-372-2210. $30.
the Royal Canadian College of OrganRobert Hennig, conductor. Westminster Unit- — 8:00: Renaissance Singers. Carol
0099. $20, $18(sr), $5(st).
ists. Noonhour Advent Concert. Bring your
ed Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville.
— 3:00: La Jeunesse Youth Choirs.
Sweetly Carol. International seasonal music
519-942-6258. $20.
Christmas Concert. Trinity United Church, 15 lunch. St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 240 Coland traditional favourites. St. Andrew’s Pres— 7:30: Amabile Choirs. By Candlelight.
Chapel St., Cobourg. 905-373-9402. Call for lege St., Cobourg. 905-355-3116. Freewill
byterian Church, 54 Queen St. N., Kitchener.
offering.
Junior Amabile Singers. New St. James Pres- 519-745-0675. $20, $15(sr/st), $5(12 &
ticket prices.
byterian Church, 280 Oxford St. E., London. under).
— 3:00: Tapestry Chamber Choir. Tapes- — 12:15: Centenary Midday Concerts.
519-641-6795. $15, $12(sr), $10(st).
try Goes to the Movies. St. Andrew’s Presby- Shawn Grenke, organ. Centenary United
— 8:00: True North Brass. A Solid Brass
Church, 24 Main St. W., Hamilton. 905-522- — 7:30: Chorus Niagara. Welcome Christ- Christmas. Old Town Hall, Almonte. See
terian Church, 484 Water St., Newmarket.
6843. Free.
mas. Willan: The Mystery of Bethlehem; Brit- Dec. 9.
905-836-8589. Call for ticket prices.
— 3:00: Wellington Winds. Getting Ready — 12:30: UWO Faculty of Music. Laudate. ten: Saint Nicholas. Guests: Hamilton ChilSunday December 11
UWO Singers & St. Cecilia Singers. Von Kun- dren’s Choir; Nils Brown, tenor; Sidgwick
for Winter. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 810
ster Hall, 1151 Richmond St., London. 519- Scholars; Lynne Honsberger, organ; Niagara
— 2:00: Oriana Singers. Wassail. Victoria
King St. E., Cambridge. 519-579-3097.
661-3767. Free.
Symphony; Robert Cooper, conductor. Calvary Hall Concert Hall, Cobourg. See Dec. 10.
$20, $15(sr/st).
Church, 89 Scott St., St. Catharines. 905— 2:30 & 7:30: Amabile Choirs. Belles &
— 4:00: Elora Festival Singers. Amahl & — 2:00 Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts. Stardust Follies. Broadway688-5550 ex3257. $30, $28(sr), $15(st).
Pipes. Amabile Youth Singers. First-St. AnThe Night Visitors. Music by Menotti. Noel
drew’s United Church, 350 Queens Ave., LonEdison, conductor. St. John’s Church, Hender- style song-dance and comedy revue with num- — 7:30: Lydian Wind Ensemble. Christmas Concert. Music by Holst, Anderson &
don. 519-641-6795. $15, $12(sr), $10(st).
son & Smith St. Elora. 519-846-0331. $30, bers from the ‘20s to the present. John Dimon, director. 88 Dalhousie St, Brantford.
Smith. Michael Onyschuk, director. Hebron
— 3:00: Elora Festival Singers. Handel’s
$27, $15(12 & under).
519-758-8090, 800-265-0710. $32.50 For Christian Reformed Church, 4240 Anderson
Messiah. St. Mary’s Church, Elora. See Dec
— 6:00: U of T Gospel Choir. 11th Annual
Rd., Whitby. 905-723-9207. $10, $8(sr),
10.
Christmas Concert. Agape Temple Seventh
— 7:30 Kitchener Waterloo Philharmon- free(under 12).
— 3:00: Kitchener Waterloo PhilharDay Adventist Church, 1999 Fairport Rd.,
monic Youth Choir. Christmas Concert.
Pickering. 416-614-4872. Freewill offering. ic Family of Choirs. Annual Christmas Cho- — 7:30: Lyrica Choir of Barrie. Songs of
ral Celebration. Guests: Windjammers, Pops
Peace & Joy. Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on
Nancy Tanguay, conductor. St. John the EvanFood bank item.
Christmas Carols & other works. Burton Ave- gelist Church, Kitchener. 519-578-1570.
— 7:00: McMaster University. McMaster Wind Ensemble, conducted by Harry Currie.
nue United Church, 37 Burton Ave., Barrie.
$15, $8(sr/st), $5(under 14; eyeGo).
University Choir. Westdale United Church, 99 Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St. N.,
Kitchener. 519-578-1570. $10-$18,
705-722-0271. $15, $12(sr/st).
— 3:00: Renaissance Singers. Carol
North Oval, Hamilton. 905-525-9140
$10(st rush), $5(under 14; eyeGo).
— 8:00: Arkell Schoolhouse Concert
Sweetly Carol. International seasonal music
ex24756. Call for ticket prices.
— 7:30: Knox Choir: Holiday Tidings. Knox
Series. Tactus Vocal Ensemble. Christmas
and traditional favourites. Trinity Anglican
— 7:45: Arcady. Christmas with Arcady.
Presbyterian Church, 53 Church St., St. Caconcert. 843 Watson Rd. S., Arkell. 519Church, 72 Blair Rd., Cambridge. 519-745Lighthouse Festival Theatre, 247 Main St.,
763-7528. $25.
0675. $20, $15(sr/st), $5(12 & under).
Port Dover. 519-583-1984. $10, free(under tharines. 905-682-2355. $10.
— 8:00: Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. — 8:00: County Town Singers. Carols Yule — 3:30: Gerald Fagan Singers. Handel’s
12).
The Grand Tour 1763-1766 Part 2: England.
Know. 570 Thornton Rd. N., Oshawa. See
Messiah. With the Concert Players Orchestra;
— 8:00: Achill Choral Society. Sounds of
Music by Handel, Abel, J.C.Bach & Mozart.
Dec. 9.
Christmas. Medieval & Renaissance music.
Jan Overduin, organ; Dorian Wilson, guest
Christ Church Anglican, 22 Nancy St., BolOPERA HAMILTON
conductor. First United Church, 16 William St.
ton. 519-941-5089. $16, $14 (sr/st).
W., Waterloo. 800-265-8977. $12-$26.
& KITCHENER
Music Society. Vadim Serebryany, Piano.
WATERLOO
Works by Beethoven, Scriabin, Chopin, Brahms
Ontario
Opera Hamilton l Kitchener-Waterloo Opera
— 7:30: Perimeter Institute. Turtle Island
& Shostakovich. KWCMS Music Room, 57
OPERA PRESENT
String Quartet: Solstice Celebration. Mike
Young St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673.
Lazaridis Theatre, 31 Caroline St. N., Waterfor
$20, $15(sr), $10(st).
loo. 519-883-4480. $36, $20(st).
— 8:00: Symphony Hamilton. The Messiah. Choir of First-St. Andrew’s Church; Sonja
Friday December 09
Gustafson, soprano; Terese Sirek Ng, mezzo;
— 10:00am & 1:15pm: UWO Faculty of
Ross Dodington, bass; Patrick Jang, tenor;
January 15, 2006 Kitchener Waterloo
Music. Amahl & the Night Visitors. UWO
Paul Merritt, director. Centenary United
Church, 24 Main St. W., Hamilton. 905-526- Opera Workshop; Orchestra London; Amabile
January 22, 2006 Hamilton
Boys Choir; Theodore Baerg, director. St.
6690. $25, $10(sr/st), $5(ch).
Paul’s Cathedral, 472 Richmond St., London.
— 9:00: Cornerstone. Adrian Raso, Guitar.
Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian
Latin, jazz, pop & gypsy music. John Cusinato, 519-679-8778. $8, $15. For complete run
and baritone Russell Braun
see music theatre listings.
drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore Bortolon, guiin recital for the first time.
— 7:30: Fanshawe Chorus London. Hantar. 1 Wyndham St. N., Guelph. 519-827del’s Messiah. With the Concert Players Or0145. Free. Cd sale proceeds to Children’s
Buy now for the best seats.
chestra; Jennifer Enns, alto; Eric Shaw, tenor;
Student and Senior pricing available
John Avey, bass & other performers. CentenMonday December 05
nial Hall, 550 Wellington St., London. 519BOX OFFICE: 905-526-6556 OR 1-800-265-8977
— 12:30: UWO Faculty of Music. Les Chor- 433-9650. $25, $15(st).
59
Shostakovich Centenary. The Centre in the
Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. See
Dec. 2.
— 8:00: Melos Choral Ensemble. Christmas 2005. Handel: Messiah. St. George’s
Cathedral, 270 King St. E., Kingston. 613634-8473. $25, $22(sr), advance discount.
— 8:00: Orangeville Chorus, Sweet Adelines International. Musical Mosaic.
Guests: Achill Choral Society; Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers; Mark Dubois, tenor; Dini
Petty, M.C.; Pat Vipond, director. Orangeville
District Secondary School, 22 Faulkner St.,
Orangeville. 519-942-3423. $25. Net proceeds to Headwaters Health Care Centre.
pera
05.06
The Great Singers Recital Series
Back to Ad Index
...CONCERTS
Christmas Concert. Uxbridge Chamber Choir;
One Voice Community Choir; Monday Morning
Further afield
Singers; Uxbridge Youth Choir; Pineridge Chorus. Trinity United Church, 20 First Ave., UxJennifer Enns, alto; Eric Shaw, tenor; John
bridge. 905-852-7507. $10, free(under 12).
Avey, bass & other performers. St. Peter’s
— 7:30: Kitchener Waterloo PhilharBasilica, 196 Dufferin Ave., London. 519monic Choir. Handel’s Messiah. Nancy Ar433-9650. $25, $15(st).
genta, soprano; Lynne McMurtry, mezzo-so— 4:00: Wellington Winds. Getting Ready prano; Nils Brown, tenor; Russell Braun, barifor Winter. First United Church, 16 William
tone; Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony; Howard
St., Waterloo. 519-579-3097. $20, $15(sr/ Dyck, conductor. Centre in the Square, 101
st).
— 7:30: Brantford Symphony. A Joyful
$33-$39, $10(st rush), $5(under 14; eyeGo).
Christmas with the Amadeus Choir. Guests:
— 8:00: Ancaster Theatre/Old Firehall
Amadeus Choir; Lydia Adams, conductor. Pre- Arts Centre. Broadway Calling. Broadway &
concert chat 6:30. Sanderson Centre for the
American pop standards revue. Lindsay
Performing Arts, 88 Dalhousie St, BrantCroxall, Kara McKee & Roger Girard Quartet.
ford. 800-265-0710. $27-$40, $14334 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. 905-304 8863.
$18(post sec. st), $5 (eyeGO st).
$15.
— 7:30: K-W Singers. Not Your Typical
— 8:00: Burlington Concert Band. Sounds
Christmas. St. George’s of Forest Hill Angliof Christmas III. Guests: Hamilton Harbourcan Church, 312 Fischer-Hallman, Kitchener. town Sounds Chorus and Classic Blend Chap519-576-2129. $8.
ter of Harmony Incorporated as part of a
massed choir with full concert band. Compass
Monday December 12
Point Bible Church, 1500 Kerns Rd., Burling— 7:30: Peterborough Singers. Handel’s ton. 905-637-1661. $15.
Messiah. Monica Huisman, Marianne Bindig, — 8:00: Canadian Orpheus Male Choir.
Mark DuBois & Fr. Paul Massel, soloists.
18th Christmas Concert. Hamilton Children’s
George St. United Church, 534 George St.,
Choir; Hamilton Philharmonic Youth OrchesPeterborough. 705-745-1820. $22,
tra; Margaret Bardos, mezzo; Richard Gale,
$11(st).
M.C. Great Hall, Hamilton Place, 50 Main
St. W. 905-527-7666. $15, $13(sr.st).
Tuesday December 13
— 8:00: Georgetown Bach Chorale. A
— 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Alexan- Williamsburg Christmas. Mary-Katherine
dra Presbyterian Church, 410 Colborne St.,
Finch, cello; Ronald Greidanus, piano. 157
Brantford. 519-753-1602. $20, $10(sr/st), Main St. S., Georgetown. 905-877-8321.
$40(family).
$35.
— 7:30: Peterborough Singers. Handel’s — 8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber
Messiah. 534 George St., Peterborough.
Music Society. Beethoven’s Birthday. The
See Dec. 12.
five Beethoven cello sonatas. Jeremy Findlay,
cello; Elena Braslavsky, piano. KWCMS Music
Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo. 519— 12:00noon: Northumberland Centre of 886-1673. $25, $20(sr), $15(st).
the Royal Canadian College of OrganSaturday December 17
ists. Noonhour Advent Concert. Bring your
lunch. St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 240 Col— 3:00 & 8:00: Resurgence Theatre. The
lege St., Cobourg. 905-355-3116. Freewill Sound of Christmas. Newmarket Theatre, 505
offering.
Pickering Cres., Newmarket. 905-953— 12:15: Centenary Mid-Day Concerts.
5122. $35.
Pippa Lock, soprano. Centenary United Church, — 7:00: Chapters Kitchener. Adrian Raso,
24 Main St. W., Hamilton. 905-522-6843. guitar. Latin, jazz, pop & gypsy music. John
Free.
Cusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore Bor— 8:00: Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. tolon, guitar. 135 Gateway Park Dr., KitchChristmas Pops. River Run Centre, 35 Woolener. 519-650-2553. Free. Cd sale proceeds
wich St., Guelph. 800-265-8977. $37-$41. to Children’s Health Foundation of London.
heads, percussion ensemble. Pre-concert talk
45 mins prior. Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, 500
Glenridge Ave, St. Catharines. 905-6885550 ex 3257. $25-$37, $10(st).
— 8:00: Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. Winter Enchantment. Music by Gershwin, Herbert & others. Brian Finley, piano/
arrangements. Showplace Performance Centre. 290 George St. N., Peterborough. 705742-7469. $28-$31.50, $15(st).
Sunday December 18
— 2:00: Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. Holiday Parade. Music by Herbert,
Bernstein & others. Showplace Performance
Centre. 290 George St. N., Peterborough.
705-742-7469. $15.
— 2:30: Niagara Symphony. Holiday Pops with
the Symphony. Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, 500 Glenridge Ave, St. Catharines. See Dec 17.
— 4:00: Musica St. James. Advent Lessons
& Carols. Choir of St. James & Hamilton Consort of Viols. St. James Anglican Church, 137
Melville St., Dundas. 905-627-1424. Free.
— 7:30: Serenata Choir. Carols by Candlelight. Lessons & Carols. Gary Heard, conductor. St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 307 Third St.
Midland. 866-461-1830. Admission by donation to food bank.
Monday December 19
— 2:00: Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts. Rita MacNeil with the Barra
MacNeils & the Cape Breton Tenors. 88 Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090, 800265-0710. $44.50.
Tuesday December 20
— 7:30: Arcady. Handel’s Messiah. With
National Academy Orchestra of Canada; Boris
Brott, conductor. West Highland Baptist
Church, 1605 Garth St, Hamilton. 905-5257664 ex11. $10, $20, $25.
— 12:00noon: Northumberland Centre of
the Royal Canadian College of Organists. Noonhour Advent Concert. Bring your
lunch. St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 240 College St., Cobourg. 905-355-3116. Freewill
offering.
— 5:00 & 8:00: Elora Festival Singers.
Festival of Carols. Rev. Canon Robert Hulse,
narrator; Noel Edison, conductor. St. John’s
Church, Henderson & Smith St. Elora. 519846-0331, 800-265-8977. $30, $27,
$15(12 & under).
Performing Arts. Franklin the Turtle. 88
Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090.
$15.
Sunday January 08
Music Society. Michael Esch, Piano. Works
by Bach, Liszt, Beethoven & Morel. KWCMS
Music Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo.
519-886-1673. $20, $15(sr), $10(st).
— 8:00: UWO Faculty of Music. Duke Trio.
Von Kunster Hall, 1151 Richmond St., London. 519-661-3767. Free.
Thursday January 12
— 7:30: On Stage Uxbridge. Mame. Uxbridge Music Hall, 16 Main St. S., Uxbridge.
905-852-4282. Call for ticket prices. For
Friday January 13
— 12:30: UWO Faculty of Music. 12:30
Fridays Series. Mussorgsky: Pictures at an
Exhibition. Li Wang, piano. Von Kunster Hall,
1151 Richmond St., London. 519-661-3767.
Free.
Swing! The music of Cole Porter, Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman & others.
Stars of the Drayton Festival; Howard Cable,
guest conductor; Alex Mustakas, director. The
Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St. N.,
Kitchener. 800-265-8977. $15-$50.
— 8:00: Milton Concert Presentations.
Laliberte & McKhool. St. Pauls’ United
Church, 123 Main St. E., Milton. 905-8784732. $30, $25(sr/st).
Saturday January 14
— 8:00: Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Mozart & Beyond. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A; Estacio: Variations on a Memory;
Beethoven: Symphony #7. Stephen Pierre,
basset clarinet; Stéphane Laforest, guest conductor. Hamilton Place, 1 Summers Lane,
Hamilton. 905-526-7756. $32-$62, $26$57(sr), $10(st), $5(to end of high school).
Swing! The Centre in the Square, 101 Queen
St. N., Kitchener. See Jan 13.
Music Society. Trio Vivant. KWCMS Music
Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo. 519886-1673. $20, $15(sr), $10(st).
— 7:30: Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir. Handel’s Messiah. Centre in
— 8:30: James McKenty & the Spades. In the Square, Kitchener. See Dec. 16.
Concert. James McKenty, vocals/guitar; Win- — 8:00: Ancaster Theatre/Old Firehall
chester Street, drums/vocals; Chachi RoSunday January 15
Arts Centre. Broadway Calling. 334 Wilson — 7:00: Musica St. James. Swing Rosie.
bichaud, bass/mandolin. The Aron Cinema, 54 St. E. See Dec. 16.
Guests: Andrews Sisters. St. James Anglican
—
2:00:
Coleman
Lemieux & Cie/PeterBridge St. E., Campbellford. 705-653Church, 137 Melville St., Dundas. 905-627— 8:00: Georgetown Bach Chorale. A
borough New Dance. The Kudelka-Taylor
5446. $10.
1424. $20.
Williamsburg Christmas. 157 Main St. S.,
Project. It Is As It Was (world première); FifGeorgetown. See Dec. 16.
Friday December 16
teen Heterosexual Duets; Soudain, L’hiver
— 8:00: Guelph Chamber Choir. Handel’s
dernier. Excerpts from Vivaldi: Stabat Mater.
— 7:00: Waterloo Chapters. Adrian Raso, Messiah. Kathryn Domoney, soprano; Daniel
— 10:00pm: Sanderson Centre for the
Daniel Taylor, counter-tenor; Theatre of Early
Performing Arts. The Fabulous Crooners.
Lichti, bass; Daniel Cabena, countertenor;
Music & other performers. Showplace PerCusinato, drums; Jason Raso, bass; Lore Bor- Joseph Schnurr, tenor; Musica Viva OrchesCelebrating the crooners of the past century
formance Centre, 290 George St. N., Petertolon, guitar. 428 King St. N., Waterloo.
including Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Pat Boone,
tra; Gary Neufeld, conductor. River Run Cenborough. 705-742-7469. $28, $38.
519-886-4015. Free. Cd sale proceeds to
Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett & others. 88 Daltre, 35 Woolwich St., Guelph. 519-763— 2:00: Opera Ontario. Great Singers ReChildren’s Health Foundation of London.
housie St, Brantford. 519-758-8090, 8003000. $25, $10(st), $5(eyeGO).
cital Series. Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano;
— 7:30: Amabile Choirs. Ye Olde Christ265-0710. $48.50.
— 8:00: Music Makers. Glad Tidings of
Russell Braun, baritone. Centre in the Square,
mas Feaste. Amabile Trebles and Young Men’s Great Joy. Guest: Pine Ridge Brass. Victoria
Sunday January 01
101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. 800-265Ensemble. Greek Canadian Hall, Sarnia Road, Hall Concert Hall, 55 King St. W., Cobourg.
8977. $25-$90.
London. 519-641-6795. $20.
905-372-2210. $14, $12(sr/st), free(under
— 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. St.
Thursday January 19
Salute to Vienna. Helena Holl, soprano; Kurt
12).
John’s Anglican Church, 272 Wilson St. E.,
— 8:00: Niagara Symphony. Holiday Pops Lehmann, tenor; Victor Sawa, conductor. Cen—
8:00:
Kitchener
Waterloo Symphony.
Ancaster. 905-648-2353. $20.
tre in the Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchenwith the Symphony. Kim Selody, narrator;
Lost & Found. Mozart: Oboe Concerto;
— 7:30: Choirs of Uxbridge. A Community Darlene Jussila, contrabassoon; The Malleter. 800-265-8977. $39+.
60
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Beethoven: Oboe Concerto; Brahms: Symphony #1. James Mason, oboe; Alastair Willis,
conductor. River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St.,
Guelph. 800-265-8977. $37-$41.
Friday January 20
Fridays Series. Ossia: Stephen Fox, clarinet;
Ellen Meyer, keyboard & Laura Jones, cello.
Von Kunster Hall, 1151 Richmond St., London. 519-661-3767. Free.
— 8:00: Folk Under the Clock. Oscar
Lopez, Guitar. Market Hall Theatre, 336
George St. N., Peterborough. 705-7433372. $20-$32.50.
Lost & Found. Mozart: Oboe Concerto;
Beethoven: Oboe Concerto; Brahms: Symphony
#1. James Mason, oboe; Alastair Willis, conductor. The Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St. N.,
Kitchener. 800-265-8977. $15-$50.
Music Society. Jupiter Quartet. Music by
Haydn, Grant & Beethoven. KWCMS Music
Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo. 519886-1673. $25, $20(sr), $15(st).
terloo. 519-886-1673. $25, $20(sr),
$15(st).
— 8:00: McMaster Celebrity Concert
Series. Valerie Tryon, Piano. Convocation
Hall, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton. 905-5259140. $17, $12(sr), $5(st).
Saturday January 28
— 8:00: Lindsay Concert Foundation.
Showcase Gala. Featuring artists from the
City of Kawartha Lakes. Glenn Crombie Theatre, Fleming College, 200 Albert St. S., Lindsay. 705-878-5625. Call for ticket prices.
LISTINGS
Opera &
Music Theatre
Music theatre and opera
performances are listed
by show title
Wednesday February 01
A Dickens of a Christmas. Canadian
Children’s Opera Chorus. Music by Errol
Gay; libretto by Michael Patrick Albano. Ann
Cooper Gay, director. Dec. 10-11: 2:00 &
7:30. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 235
Queen’s Quay Centre. 416-973-4000. $35,
$15 (sr/st).
Aladdin. Peel Panto Players. By Norman
Robbins; directed by Alfie Matthews. Dec 1-3:
7:30; Dec 3: 3:00; Dec 4: 1:00 & 4:30.
Lester B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park
Dr., Brampton. 905-874-2800. $7.
Saturday January 21
Amahl & The Night Visitors. Elora
— 7:30: Oshawa-Durham Symphony OrFestival Singers. Music by Menotti. Noel
Thursday February 02
chestra. Mystical Sounds. Bruckner: 7th
Edison, conductor. Dec. 4: 4:00. St. John’s
Symphony; Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in e. — 12:30: UWO Faculty of Music. Latin
Church, Henderson & Smith St., Elora.
Percussion & Les Choristes. Talbot Theatre, 1151 519-846-0331. $30, $27, $15 (12 & under).
Eugenia Ryabinina, violin; Marco Parisotto,
conductor. Calvary Baptist Church, 300 Ross- Richmond St., London. 519-661-3767. Free.
Amahl & the Night Visitors. UWO
land Rd. E., Oshawa. 905-579-6711. $30(ad/
Faculty of Music. Music by Menotti. UWO
Friday February 03
sr); $13(st/ch); $80(fam); grp rates.
Opera Workshop; Orchestra London; Amabile
— 8:00: Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. — 12:30: UWO Faculty of Music. 12:30
Boys Choir; Theodore Baerg, director. Dec. 9:
Fridays Series. Sophie Roland, mezzo soprano. 10:00am, 1:15pm; Dec. 10: 2:30. St. Paul’s
Lost & Found. The Centre in the Square, 101
Von Kunster Hall, 1151 Richmond St., LonQueen St. N., Kitchener. 800-265-8977.
Cathedral, 472 Richmond St., London. 519don. 519-661-3767. Free.
$15-$50. See Jan. 20.
679-8778. $8(10am), $15(1:15, 2:30pm).
— 8:00: Kawartha Jazz Society. Denzal
Sunday January 22
Babes in Toyland. Brampton Music
Sinclaire, Jazz Vocals. Showplace, 290
Theatre Youth Troupe. Dec 1-3: 7:00; Dec
— 2:00: Opera Ontario. Great Singers ReGeorge St. N., Peterborough. 705-7422: 2:00. Cyril Clark Library Theatre, 20
cital Series. Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano; Rus- 7469. $20(advance).
Loafers Lake Lane, Brampton. 905-874-0025.
sell Braun, baritone. Hamilton Place, 50 Main
Saturday February 04
$15, $14(sr/st), $12(ch).
St. W, Hamilton. 905-526-6556. $25-$90.
— 2:30: Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. — 7:00: Karen Schuessler Singers. Road Beauty and the Beast. Theatre
to Freedom: A Celebration of Black History
Storytellers Series: Toronto Percussion EnAquarius. By Menken, Ashman & Rice.
Month. Denise Pelley, vocals; Stephen Holow- Holiday family musical for ages 5-105. Dec 3semble. Music includes Bach’s chorales &
itz, piano; Aaron MacDonald, sax; Darryl Sta- 31, various times. Dofasco Centre for the
Anderson’s The Typewriter. Daniel Warren,
cy, bass; Jeff Christmas, percussion. St.
conductor. The Centre in the Square, 101
Arts, 190 King William St, Hamilton.
Paul’s Congregational Church, 450 Park Ave.
905-522-7529, 800-465-7529.
W., Chatham. 519-352-4799. $15.
$14-$16.
$27-$49, $21-$43(sr/st).
— 8:00: Hamilton Philharmonic Orches— 2:30: Niagara Symphony. Visions of
Blood Brothers. Clarkson Music
tra. Tin Pan Alley to Boston. Music by Leroy
Joy. Mozart: Symphony # 33 in B flat; Ryan:
Theatre. By Willey Russell. Jan. 20-21, 26Visions of Joy; Beethoven: Concerto for Violin Anderson, George Gershwin & others. Cather- 28: 8:00; Jan. 22, 28: 2:00. Meadowvale
ine Wilson, piano; Michael Reason, conductor. Theatre, 6315 Montevideo Rd., Mississauga.
in D, op 61. Mayumi Seiler, violin; Daniel
Hamilton Place, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton. 905-615-4720. $21, $19(sr/st/grps 20+).
Swift, music director. 1:45 pre-concert talk.
905-526-7756. $32-$62, $26-$57(sr),
Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, 500 Glenridge Ave,
Bunnicula. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for
$10(st), $5(to end of high school).
St. Catharines. 905-688-5550 ex 3257.
Young People. Lyrics by John Klein and
$25-$37, $10(st).
Sunday February 05
music by Chris Jeffries. Recommended for
Friday January 27
— 2:30: Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. ages 5 & up. Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18: 2:00.
Opera Without Words. Music by Rossini, Bern- Mainstage, 165 Front St. E. 416-862-2222.
$20, $15(st under 18).
Fridays Series. Introduction & Variations on
stein & others. Christopher Wilkins, conducTrockne Blumen from Die Schöne Müllerin.
tor. Part of the Sunday Light Classics Series.
Christmas Eclectic. Da Capo
Kevin McMillan, tenor; Anne Thompson, flute; The Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St. N.,
Productions. Musical theatre with
Chris Foley, piano. Von Kunster Hall, 1151
Kitchener. 800-265-8977. $13-$37.
Thompson Egbo-Egbo, piano; Rachel Melas,
Richmond St., London. 519-661-3767. Free. — 2:30: Quinte Symphony. ELO Meets the bass; Dave Pontello, drums; Christopher
— 7:30: Bobcaygeon Music Council. Hap- Moodies! Favourites of the Electric Light OrWilson, director. Dec. 12: 8:00. Bathurst
py Birthday Mozart! Music by Mozart.
chestra and the Moody Blues. Guests: Jeans
Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst St. 647-298Michael Newnham, music director. Trinity
‘n Classics. Gordon Craig, conductor. Empire
9338. $20, $15(sr/st), $10(12 & under).
United Church, 42 William St., Bobcaygeon. Theatre, 321 Front St., Belleville. 613-969- Cinderella. Solar Stage Children’s
705-738-1975. $20.
0099. $25, $5(st).
Theatre. Adapted by William Martyn.
Musical play for ages 3 to 8. Dec. 20-23, 27Tuesday February 07
Music Society. Mozart’s Birthday! Duo K
30:10:00am, 12:00noon & 2:30 daily. 4950
— 12:30: McMaster Free Lunchtime Con- Yonge St. 416-368-8031. $13, except
423; Quintet K 614; Trio K 563. Kerry DuWors, Min-Jeong Koh, violins; Karen Moffatt, certs. Mike Polci Quintet. Brass quintet. Con- Dec.20: $10.
vocation Hall, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton.
Nancy Nehring, violas; Mark Rudoff, cello.
KWCMS Music Room, 57 Young St. W., Wa- 905-525-9140. Free.
Back to Ad Index
— 2:00 Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts. Stardust Follies. Broadwaystyle song-dance and comedy revue with numbers from the ‘20s to the present. John Dimon, director. 88 Dalhousie St, Brantford.
519-758-8090, 800-265-0710. $32.50 For
Music Society. Mozart’s Birthday II. Quartets K156, K 589, K 174. Douglas Perry, viola
& other performers. Music Room, 57 Young
St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673. $25,
$20, $15.
Ross Petty Productions presents
Snow White and the Group of
Seven from December 8 January 8 at the Elgin Theatre.
From left to right, Ryan Malcolm
as a member of the Group of
Seven, Alan Frew as the leader
of the Group of Seven, Billy
Klippert as a member of the
Group of Seven, Elena Juatco as
Snow White and Gary Beals as
a member of the Group of
Seven. Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Contemporary Opera Showcase.
University of Toronto Faculty of Music.
Part of New Music Festival. Sandra Horst,
conductor. Jan 18: 12:10. Walter Hall, 80
Crowns. CanStage. By Regina Taylor.
Featuring Jackie Richardson, Toya Alexis,
Jewelle Blackman, Sterling Jarvis, Bernadine
Mitchell & Michelle White. E’Marcus Harper,
musical director. To Dec.10, various dates and
times. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E.
416-368-3110. $36-$77, $51(sr), $26(under
30).
Days of Mad Rabbits. HATCH/
Harbourfront. Music by Alexander
Balanescu & Lucy Rupert. Dec. 1-3: 8:00;
Dec. 4: 2:00. Studio Theatre, York Quay
Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.
$17.
Die Fledermaus. Brampton Lyric Opera.
Music by Johann Strauss. Dec 30-31: 8:00.
New Year’s Gala tickets in advance only.
Brampton Heritage Theatre, 86 Main St. N.,
Brampton. 905-874-2800. $20+.
Franklin’s Class Concert. Lester B.
Pearson Theatre. Recommended for
pre-schoolers-gr. 1. Dec 27: 11:00am & 2:00;
Dec 28: 11:00am & 2:00. 150 Central Park
Dr., Brampton. 905-874-2800. $25; 16(grp).
Good Morning Cottage Country. Smile
Theatre. Jan. 19: 8:00. Al Green Theatre,
Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave.
416-599-8440. $12.
Götterdämmerung. Canadian Opera
Company. Music by Wagner. Frances Ginzer,
Christian Franz, Mats Almgren, John Fanning;
Richard Bradshaw, conductor. Jan 30, Feb
2,4,7: 6:00. Pre-performance Opera Chat, 45
minutes before each performance.
Hummingbird Centre, 1 Front St. E. 416-8722262. $50-$195; $18-$88 (17 & under).
Grettir: An Icelandic Saga. New Music
Concerts. Chamber opera. Music by Thorkell
Sigubrjörnsson, libretto by Bödvar
Gudmundsson. Cast of the Bayreuth Youth
61
Festival, Gudmundur Emilsson, director. Jan.
8: 2:30 & 8:00. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404
Jarvis St. 416-961-9594. $25, $15(sr),
$5(st).
Guys & Dolls. Ancaster Theatre. Colin
Lapsley, Nadia Peressini, Carolyn Bjerno, Jim
Broadley & other performers. Dec. 2 & 3:
8:00. Ancaster High School Theatre
Auditorium, 374 Jerseyville Rd. W., Ancaster.
905-304-7469. $20, $17(sr), $15(st).
Hansel & Gretel. Opera York. Music by E.
Humperdinck. Andrew Tees, artistic director;
Alain Trudel, conductor. Dec. 26, 30: 7:30;
Dec. 28: 2:30. St. Elizabeth Performing Arts
Centre, 525 New Westminster Dr., Vaughan.
905-763-7853. $30, $25(under 12),
$20(each additional child).
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat. York Mills Student Stage
Productions. Dec. 7-9: 8:00; Dec. 10: 1:00.
York Mills Collegiate Institute. 490 York Mills
Rd. 416-395-3340 ex 20145. $10, $12.
La Griselda. Opera in Concert. By Vivaldi.
Marion Newman, Carla Huhtanen, Colin
Ainsworth, Lynne McMurtry, Aradia
Ensemble & other performers. January 29:
2:30. 1:45: Backgrounder with host Iain Scott.
Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. East.
416-366-7723. $38-$50.
Letters from Lehrer. CanStage. World
première written & performed by Richard
Greenblatt, featuring the words & music of
Tom Lehrer. Ross Manson, director. Jan. 16Feb. 25, various dates & times. Berkeley
Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. 416-368-3110.
$27-$51, $36(sr), $26(under 30).
Little Red Riding Hood. Port Hope
Festival Theatre. Christmas panto. Dec. 1,
4, 7, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18: 2:00; Dec. 10, 17:
7:00. Capitol Theatre, 20 Queen St., Port
Hope. 905-885-1071. $21-$24.
Mame. On Stage Uxbridge. Jan. 12-14,
19-21: 7:30; Jan. 14, 21: 3:00. Uxbridge
Music Hall, 16 Main St. S., Uxbridge.
905-852-4282. Call for ticket prices.
Ruddigore. St. Anne’s Music & Drama
Society. By Gilbert & Sullivan. Brian Farrow,
conductor; Peter Orme, chorus master; Laura
Schatz, director. Jan. 27-28, Feb. 2-4: 8:00;
Jan.28-29, Feb. 4: 2:00. St. Anne’s Parish
Hall, 651 Dufferin St. 416-922-4415. $20,
$15(sr/st), $15(Jan. 27, Feb. 2).
Samson et Dalila. Opera in Concert. By
Saint-Saëns. Gabrielle Prata, Keith Klassen,
Luc LaLonde; Nathalie Doucet-Lalkens, piano/
music director; Robert Cooper, chorus director.
Dec.4: 2:30. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front
St. E. 416-366-7723. $25-$35.
Snow White & the Group of Seven.
Ross Petty Productions. Pantomime with
Sean Cullen, Alan Frew, Ross Petty & other
performers. Dec. 1-Jan. 8: 2:00 & 7:00,
variable. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St. 416872-5555. $49-$69, $45(ch), $180(family 4pack).
Stardust Follies. Sanderson Centre for
the Performing Arts. Broadway-style songdance and comedy revue with numbers from
the ‘20s to the present. John Dimon, director.
Dec 7, 14, Feb1: 2:00. 88 Dalhousie St,
Brantford. 519-758-8090, 800-265-0710.
$32.50.
The Art of the Prima Donna (Opera Tea).
University of Toronto Faculty of Music,
Opera Division. Afternoon of opera and tea.
Jan 22: 2:30. MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s
Park. 416-978-3744. $26.
The Boy Friend. Mirvish Productions.
Jazzy spoof of 1920s musical comedy. Julie
Andrews, director. Jan. 10-TBA. Royal
Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W. 416-5934225, 800-771-3933. Call for ticket prices.
The Christmas Story. Church of the Holy
Trinity. Musical Nativity pageant. Dec. 9-10,
16-17, 23: 7:30; Dec. 10-11, 17-18, 24:
4:30. 10 Trinity Square. 416-598-8979 to
reserve. Suggested $15, $5(ch).
The Lord of the Rings. Mirvish
Productions. Lyrics by Shaun McKenna and
Matthew Warchus; music by A.R. Rahman and
Värttinä with Christopher Nightingale. Feb. 2March 22 (previews), Mar. 24-June 26.
Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W.
416-872-1212. $78-$125.
The Magic Flute. COC Ensemble Studio.
Music by Mozart. Richard Bradshaw,
conductor; Andrew Porter, director. Dec
16,20: 7:30; Dec 18: 2:00. MacMillan
Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park Cres. 416-3638231. $40-$58(subscribers); $45-$65(nonsubscribers). *SOLD OUT—WAITING LIST*.
The Rocky Horror Show. Hart House
Theatre. Music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien;
Elenna Mosoff, director. Wed-Sat from Jan
18-Feb 4: 8:00. Jan 28: 12 midnight. 7 Hart
House Circle. 416-978-8849. $20, $12(st/sr).
Through the Gable Window. Smile
Theatre. Dec. 6: 8:00. Al Green Theatre,
Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave.
416-599-8440. $12.
Titanic The Musical. Civic Light Opera
Co. Music & lyrics by Yeston; Peter Loucas,
Bob Deutsch, David Haines, Bryan
Chamberlain & others. Feb 2-4,: 8:00; Feb 5:
2:00. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview
Mall Dr. 416-755-1717. $20; $17.50 (Feb 2).
Urinetown: The Musical. Randolph
Academy for the Performing Arts. By
Greg Kotis & Mark Hollman. David Connolly,
director; Diane Leah, musical director. Dec. 13: 8:00; Dec. 3: 2:00. The Bathurst Street
Theatre, 736 Bathurst St. 416-872-1111.
$22.
West Side Story. Yorkminstrels. By
Bernstein & Sondheim. Virginia Reh, artistic
director; Ellen Kestenberg, musical director.
Dec. 1-3: 8:00; Dec. 3-4: 2:00. Leah Posluns
Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St. 416-291-0600.
$27.50, $22.50(sr); $20(st). Food bank
donations invited.
Wiener Blut, Vienna Love. Toronto
Operetta Theatre. Music by Johann
Strauss. Jackalyn Short, Mark Dubois, Sean
Watson, Katerina Tchoubar & Carla Huhtanen;
Kevin Mallon, conductor. Dec. 27-28, 30-31,
Jan. 6-7: 8:00; Jan. 4 & 8: 2:00. Jane
Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E. 416-3667723. $35-$75; $35-$55(Dec. 27, prev.).
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Tribal Productions. Jan 18: 8:00.
Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd.,
Markham. 905-305-7469. $39, $35.
Yours to Break. Theatre Passe
Muraille. By Fides Krucker. Mark
Christmann, director. Jan. 5-29: 8:00 TuesSat.; 2:30: Sun. 16 Ryerson Ave. 416-5047529. $15-$30.
LISTINGS
Jazz Clubs
23 Wendy Weller Jazz Trio. Dec 27 James
Thomson and Julian Fauth. Dec 29 Bill’s Hat
Blues Band. Dec 30 Mr. Rick and the Biscuits.
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Party with Sum of
5ive.
Graffitti’s Bar and Grill
170 Baldwin St. 416-506-6699
Every Wed. 6-8 James and Jay.
Grasshopper Jazz and Blues Bar
Plans change!
460 Parliament St. 416-323-1210
Always call ahead
Grossman’s Tavern
to confirm details
379 Spadina Ave. 416-977-7000
with presenters.
www.grossmanstavern.com
Concerts: Toronto & nearby Founded and lead by Kid Bastien until his death
in early 2003, the Happy Pals are still
PAGE 36
rocking the house Saturdays 4-8 pm, or later.
Dec 2 Espanola Slim. Dec 3 The Happy Pals,
PAGE 58
Frankie Foo. Dec 4 Nicola Vaughan, Brian
Music Theatre/Opera
Cober. Dec 5 Laura Hubert Band. Dec 10 The
Happy Pals. Dec 11 Nicola Vaughan, Happy
PAGE 61
Pals X-mas Bash. Dec 17 Dick Ellis Revival.
Jazz Clubs
Dec 18 Coldsweat. Dec 17 The Happy Pals.
PAGE 62
Dec 23 Nicola Vaughan, Brian Cober.
Home Smith Bar
Seminars/Etcetera
The Old Mill, 21 Old Mill Road,
416-236-2641
PAGE 64
www.oldmilltoronto.com
1055 Restaurant and Bar
Dec 2 Rob Campbell Trio. Dec 9 Reg
1055 Yonge St. 416-482-8485
Schwager duo. Dec 16 Doug Watson trio.
Alleycatz
Dec 23 Sean Bray Trio. Dec 30 Shawn
2409 Yonge St. 416-481-6865
Nykwist Trio. Dec 31 Peter Smith duo. Jan 6
Every Mon Salsa Night. Every Tue Chris
Mike Murley Duo.
Plock. Every Wed Jasmin Bailey and Co.
Hot House Café
Every Thu Peppa Seed.
Market Square, 416-366-7800
Dec 9, 16, 17, 23, 31, Jan 13, 14, 27, 28,
Jazz brunch every Sunday, with the Ken
Lady Kane. Dec 2, 3, 10 Soular. Dec 30, Jan Churchill Quartet.
20, 21, Groove Matrix.
Hugh’s Room
Ben Wicks
2261 Dundas W., 416-531-6604
424 Parliament 416-961-9425
www.hughsroom.com
www.benwickspub.com
Dec 1 John Jorgenson Quintet. Dec 2 Ken
Dec 3 Colin Bradley Band. Dec 10 Georgia
Whiteley’s Family Show/Gospel Matinee. Dec
Ambrose. Dec 17 Ambre McLean.
7, 8 Jane Siberry. Dec 13 Maureen Kennedy
Black Swan
and Bonnie Brett. Dec 14 Sophie Milman. Dec
154 Danforth Avenue 416-469-0537
16 Michael Kaeshammer. Dec 17 Marc
Jordan. Dec 23 Carlos Del Junco. Jan 18
Boiler House
Oscar Lopez.
55 Mill St. 416-203-2121
Le Saint Tropez
Cameron House
315 King St. W. 416-591-3600
408 Queen St. 416-703-0811
Live music 7 days a week.
C’est What
Lula Lounge
67 Front St. E.
Every Sat until Dec 18 Hot 5 Jazzmakers. 1585 Dundas W. 416-588-0307
www.lula.ca
Chick N’Deli
Dec 1 Montuno Police. Dec 2 Café Cubano.
744 Mount Pleasant Rd. 416-489-3363
Dec 3 Cache. Dec 9 Evaristo Machado. Dec
www.chickndeli.com
10 Cache. Dec 16 Ruben Vazquez. Dec 17
Dec 1 Bridgette Taylor. Dec 2,3 Nancy B.
Proyecto Charanguero. Dec 23 Café Cubano.
Dec 8 The Zoo. Dec 9, 10 Downstroke. Dec
Dec 27 Cache. Dec 31 New Years Eve w/
15, 16, 17 Ascension. Dec 22, 23 The
Café Cubano.
Nomads.
Mezzetta
Gate 403
681 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-658-5687
403 Roncesvalles 416-588-2930
“Wednesday Concerts in a Café” Sets at 9 and
www.gate403.com
10:15. Reservations recommended for first set.
Dec 1 Patrice Barbarchon, Kurt Nielsen,
Mezzrows
Jonathan Kay, Nathan Hiltz and Denis Song
1546 Queen St. W. 416-658-5687
Jazz Band. Dec 2 Kingsley Etienne Smooth
Parkdale neighborhood pub featuring jazz and
Jazz. Dec 3 Ola Trliewicz Jazz Duo. Dec 4
blues on Saturday afternoons, Sunday
Jim Finlayson Singers’ Night Jam. Dec 8
George Higton Jazz Duo. Dec 9 John Deehan evenings, and a live jam every other
Wednesday.
Classic Jazz Trio. Dec 10 Jen Sagar Jazz
Mod Club Theatre
Trio. Dec 11 Cocktail Jazz Band. Dec 13
722 College St.
James Thomson & Julian Fauth Blues Duo.
www.themodclub.com
Dec 15 Michael Gabriel Funk. Dec 16 Laura
Dec 5 Little Big Horn: a Tribute to the
Hubert Jazz and Blues Trio. Dec 17 Sweet
Trumpet. Jan 9 Strings Attatched: A Tribute
Derrick Blues Band. Dec 18 Peter Hill Jazz
Duo. Dec 22 Son Roberts Nu Blues Band. Dec to the Guitar. Jan 24 Luis Mario Ochoa &
62
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LISTINGS: QUICKPICKS
Cimmaron Cd Release. Jan 31 The
Royal Jelly Orchestra C D Release.
Montreal Bistro
65 Sherbourne. 416-363-0179
www.montrealbistro.com
Dec 1-3 Dave Young Octet. Dec 5
Jim Galloway’s Echoes of Swing
Jazz Sextet. Dec 6 Larra Skye
Quintet. Dec 7 Michele Mele Sextet.
Dec 8 Eliana Cuevas Quintet. Dec 9
John Neudorf Quintet. Dec 12 The
Night of the Owl – A Tribute To
Eugene Amaro. Dec 14 Nimmons ‘N’
Nine… Now. Dec 15-17 Emilie Claire
Barlow Sextet. Dec 27-31 Jim
Galloway Trio. Jan 5-7 Melissa
Stylianou Quartet. Jan 12-14 Barry
Elmes Quintet. Jan 17 Karen
Manion. Jan 19-21 Ron Davis
Quintet. Jan 27, 28 Lori Cullen
Jazz pianist Michael Kaeshammer
Quintet CD Release.
shakes things up at Hugh’s Room on
N’Awlins Jazz Bar and Dining
December 16.
299 King St. W. 416-595-1958
Odd Socks at Dovercourt House
T Student Jazz Ensembles. Dec 6 The
805 Dovercourt Rd. 416-537-3337
Deborahs, Classic Rex Jazz Jam. Dec 7 Chris
Swing Dances, Lessons and Concerts.
Donnelly, Joe Shabbason. Dec 8 Kevin Quain,
Dec 2 Tyler Yarema Trio. Dec 3 GTA Swing Richard Underhill. Dec 9 Sara Dell Quartet,
Band. Dec 17 Laura Hubert Swing Band.
Artie Roth Quintet. Dec 10 Ed Vokurka Swing
Ensemble, Davide Virelles, Hotfoot Orchestra.
Orbit Room
Dec 11 U ofT Jazz Jam, Club Django, Swing
508A College St. 416-535-0613
Rosie, Everytime Band. Dec 12 Michael Skeet
Pilot Tavern
Quartet, Drumheller. Dec 13 The Deborahs,
22 Cumberland 416-923-5716
Classic Rex Jazz Jam. Dec 14 Exitman,
Dec 3 George Koller Quartet. Dec 4 Laila
Toronto Jazz Orchestra. Dec 15 Kevin Quaiin,
Biali Trio. Dec 10 Alex Dean Quartet. Dec 11
Chris Tarry’s Project 33. Dec 16 Artie Roth
Richard Whiteman Trio. Dec 17 Norman
Trio, Chris Tarry’s Project 33. Dec 17 Ed
Marshall Villeneuve. Dec 18 Laila Biali Trio.
Vokurka Swing Ensemble, Jerome Godboo
Dec 24 Bernie Senensky Quartet. Dec 31 Bob
Blues, Davide Virelles, Kelly Jefferson. Dec
Brough Quartet.
18 UofT Jazz Jam, Blue Blue Xmas, Swing
The Red Guitar
Rosie, Some Dim Combo. Dec 19 Michael
603 Markham St. 416-913-4586
Skeete Quartet, Ho Ho NoJo. Dec 20 The
www.theredguitar.com
Deborahs, Classic Rex Jazz Jam. Dec 21
Dec 1, 2 Corry Sobol Quartet. Dec 3 Victor
Exitman, Nathan Hiltz. Dec 22 Kevin Quain,
Bateman Trio, Midnight Student Jam Session. Exitman. Dec 23 Artie Roth Trio, Dixie
Dec 4 David Virelles. Dec 6 Micah Barnes.
Demons CD Release. Dec 26 Michael Skeete
Dec 8 Brian Katz. Dec 9 Tasa. Dec 10 Latin
Quartet, Trouble. Dec 27 The Deborahs,
Soul Quartet. Dec 11 Bernie Senensky. Dec
Classic Rex Jazz Jam. Dec 28 Exitman,
13 Dave Clarke. Dec 14 David Braid and
Leyland Gordon Group. Dec 29 Kevin Quain,
Friends. Dec 15 , 16 David Occhipinti/Mike
Kiki Misumi Trio. Dec 30 Artie Roth Trio,
Murley. Dec 17 Tricycle. Dec 18 Andy
Swing Rosie. Dec 31 Annual New Years Bash:
Milne. Dec 19 Lorne Nehring/David Braid/
Grooveyard.
George Koller. Dec 20 Jake Rude. Dec 21
Rodizio Brazilian Steakhouse
Julie Michels and George Koller. Dec 22 ,23
813 Bloor St. W. 416-532-9312
John Alcorn Trio. Closed for holidays Dec
Every Fri Michael Kleniec.
24-27. Dec 28 Maureen Kennedy and Nancy
Safari Bar and Grill
Walker. Dec 29 Kira Callahan and Adrean
Farrugia. Dec 30 Ron Davis and Daniela Nardi. 1749 Avenue Rd. 416-787-6584
Every Tues Encore Jazz
Dec 31 Corry Sobol and Friends.
Sassafraz
The Reservoir Lounge
100 Cumberland 416-964-2222
52 Wellington 416-955-0887
Thu-Sun Washington Savage. Sat, Sun Roy
www.reservoirlounge.com
Patterson Trio.
Every Mon Sophia Perlman and the Vipers.
Every Tues Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm.
Spezzo Ristorante
Every Wed Bradley and the Bouncers. Every 140 York Blvd. Richmond Hill,
Thu Janice Hagen. Every Fri Chet Valiant
905-886-9703
Combo. Every Sat Tory Cassis.
Live jazz every Thursday.
The Rex Jazz and Blues Bar
The Trane Club
194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475
964 Bathurst St. 416-913-8197
www.therex.ca
Wolfgang Puck Grand Café
Dec 1 Kevin Quain, Sal Rosselli Sextet. Dec 2
6300 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls
Artie Roth Trio, Sal Rosselli Sextet. Dec 3 Ed
1-905-354-5000
Vokurka Swing Ensemble, Davide Virelles,
Dec 1 Karen Manion
William Carn Quintet. Dec 4 UofT Jazz Jam,
Zazou
Excelsior Jazz Band, Swing Rosie, Quinsin
Nachoff. Dec 5 Michael Skeete Quartet, U of 315 King St. W.
Live jazz every Friday and Saturday.
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HANDEL’S MESSIAH
December 02 8:00: Elmer Iseler Singers. Handel’s Messiah. Metropolitan United Church.
December 10 8:00: Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra. Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus.
Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute.
December 11 3:00: Mississauga Choral Society. Handel’s Messiah. Living Arts Centre.
December 11 3:00: Serenata Choir. Handel’s Messiah. Church of the Transfiguration.
December 11 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Toronto Botancial Gardens.
December 13 7:30: St. James’ Cathedral Choral Society. Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah.
December 13 8:00: Heritage Theatre. The Moscow Boys Choir:
Excerpts from Handel’s Messiah.
December 14,15,16,17 7:30: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Handel’s Messiah.
Trinity- St.Paul’s Centre.
December 14,15,17,19 8:00; Dec.18: 3:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Toronto
Mendelssohn Choir. Toronto’s Best Messiah. Roy Thomson Hall.
December 17 8:00: Scarborough Philharmonic. Handel: choruses from Messiah.
St. Boniface Church.
December 18 2:00: Tafelmusik. Sing-Along Messiah. Massey Hall.
December 19 7:30: Arcady. Handel’s Messiah. St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, Burlington.
Further Afield:
December 02 8:00: Symphony Hamilton. The Messiah. London.
December 03 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Jordan.
December 03 8:00: Melos Choral Ensemble. Handel: Messiah. Kingston.
December 04 8:00: Symphony Hamilton. The Messiah. Hamilton.
December 09 7:30: Fanshawe Chorus London. Handel’s Messiah. London.
December 10 7:00: Headwaters’ Concert Choir. Handel’s Messiah. Orangeville.
December 10,11 8:00: Elora Festival Singers. Handel’s Messiah. Elora.
December 11 3:30: Gerald Fagan Singers. Handel’s Messiah. London.
December 12,13 7:30: Peterborough Singers. Handel’s Messiah. Peterborough.
December 13 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Brantford.
December 16 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Ancaster.
December 16,17 7:30: Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir.
Handel’s Messiah. Kitchener.
December 17 8:00: Guelph Chamber Choir. Handel’s Messiah. Guelph.
December 20 7:30: Arcady. Handel’s Messiah. Hamilton.
MOZART’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION QUICK-PICKS
January 15 2:30: Aldeburgh Connection. Mozart among Friends.
January 18 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Mozart: The Singing Voice.
January 19 1:30: Women’s Musical Club of Toronto. Jupiter String Quartet.
January 19: 8:00: Music Toronto. Tokyo String Quartet - Mozart Chamber Music 2.
January 21,22 7:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Mozart: The Symphonist.
January 26 12:10: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Thursdays at Noon:
The Lieder of Mozart.
January 26 2:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Mozart: Symphonies and Winds.
January 26 8:00: Music Toronto. Shannon Mercer, Soprano.
January 26 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Mozart: A Life in Letters.
January 27 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Faculty Artist Series:
Marrying Mozart.
January 27 8:00: Toronto International Chamber Music Festival. Opening Night Gala:
A Fanfare for Mozart.
January 27 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Mozart: A Life in Letters.
January 28 1:30 & 3:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The Mozart Experience.
January 28 2:00: Toronto International Chamber Music Festival. A Day in Prague.
January 28 3:30: Sinfonia Toronto. Happy Birthday, Wolfie.
January 28 8:00: Toronto International Chamber Music Festival. A Night in Milan.
January 29 1:00: OnStage. Mozart. (Louis Lortie, piano)
January 29 4:00: Toronto International Chamber Music Festival.
An Evening of Vocal Splendour.
February 03,04,07 8:00; February 05 3:30: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.
Amadeo: Mozart in Italy.
February 04 8:00: Sinfonia Toronto. Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
Further afield:
January 14 8:00: Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Mozart & Beyond. Hamilton.
January 19 8:00: Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. Lost & Found. Mozart: Oboe Concerto
(James Mason, oboe) Guelph.
January 22 2:30: Niagara Symphony. Visions of Joy. Mozart: Symphony # 33 in B flat.
St. Catharines.
January 27 8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society. Mozart’s Birthday!
Waterloo.
February 01 8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society. Mozart’s Birthday II.
Waterloo.
63
ANNOUNCEMENTS, LECTURES,
MASTERCLASSES, ... ETCETERA
won! Everyone welcome. Room 330, Edward
Johnson Bldg, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-9243940. $10.
*January 11 8:00: Mozart Society. Mozart 250 and his Operas. Audio-visual presentation by Iain Scott. First Unitarian Church,
trombone, French horn) are invited to sit in on 175 St. Clair West. 416-201-3338. $20 (nonANNOUNCEMENTS
this rehearsal. John Edward Liddle, music
members), members free.
*December 4 2:00-5:00: Elmer Iseler
Singers. Sherry and Shortbread. Relax in the director. Etobicoke Collegiate Auditorium, 86 *January 19 7:30: University of Toronto
gracious surroundings, join in the silent auction Montgomery Rd. Please pre-register: 416Faculty of Music. New Music Festival: Com410-1570.
& enjoy music of the holiday season. Albany
posers’ Forum. Room 330, Edward Johnson
*CBC Radio Two. Mozart Variation ConClub, 91 King St. East. 416-217-0537.
Bldg, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
test. CBC Radio Two invites composers 19
$75(donation receipt for $60).
years of age or younger to create one or more *January 22 5:00: Czech Community
*December 4 2:30: Orchestra Toronto.
Centre. Mozart in Prague. Presentation by
8th Annual Musicale, Afternoon Tea & Silent variations on Papageno’s song A Girl or a Little Iain Scott including excerpts from operas preWife (Ein Madchen oder Weibchen) from MoAuction. Features ensemble members of the
miered in Prague. Restaurant Prague at Masaorchestra, live & silent auctions. Gibson Ball- zart’s opera The Magic Flute. Selected variaryktown, 450 Scarborough Golf club Rd. 416tions
will
be
chosen
for
broadcast
as
part
of
room, Novotel Hotel, 3 Park Home Ave. 416439-4354. $20,$15.
CBC
Radio
Two’s
Mozart
250
Celebration.
489-3131, hildaw@total.net $25.
*January 26 7:00: University of WestSubmission deadline: December 30, 2005.
*To December 11: Canadian Music Cen- All contestants must check the complete con- ern Ontario. Medicine and Music Series:
tre. New Music in New Places: Identity
Beethoven and Hearing Loss. Lecture with Dr.
test rules at www.cbc.ca/mozart
Sounding. Collaborative music-making project
Don Neville & Dr. Lorne Parnes. Wolf Perby composer Jack Behrens. Visitors are enLECTURES/SYMPOSIA
formance Hall, 1151 Richmond St., London
couraged to add layers of live music over top
ON 519-661-3767. Free.
of two pre-recorded compositions by Behrens, *December 5 8:00: Toronto Wagner Society.
Conversation
with
heldentenor
Alan
*February 2 7:00: University of Westand will be guided in their music-making by 3
ern Ontario. Medicine and Music Series:
written scores, notated for musicians and non- Woodrow, about performing the role of SiegMozart and Rheumatic Fever. Lecture with Dr.
musicians alike. Bring your own string, wind or fried. Arts and Letters Club, 14 Elm St.
Don Neville & Dr. Lynn Bergin. Wolf Performpercussion instrument, or use your voice, body www.richard_wagner.tripod.com Members
free, non-members by donation.
ance Hall, 1151 Richmond St., London ON
percussion or other sound device. McIntosh
519-661-3767. Free.
*December 12 8:00: Toronto Wagner
Gallery, U of Western Ontario, London ON.
Society. Discussion of the upcoming COC
*February 4 9:30am-3pm: Canadian Op416-961-6601 x207.
production of Götterdämmerung, by director
era Company. The Opera Exchange - Götter*December 13 8:00: Toronto Disaster
Tim Albery and designer Michael Levine. Arts dämmerung: Return of the Ring. Day-long symRelief Committee/Lorraine Segato.
posium with guests Iain Scott, John DeathHouse party. Collaborative project that teams and Letters Club, 14 Elm St. www.richardadvocates of the homeless and musicians with _wagner.tripod.com Members free, non-mem- ridge & others from U of Toronto and U of
Regina, discussing the significance of Göttercreative artists who are homeless and under- bers by donation.
dämmerung in the Ring Cycle tetralogy. COC
housed, in a celebratory night of music, multi- *December 13 7:30: Koffler Salon Segeneral director Richard Bradshaw and Götterries. Opera Talk:The Magic Flute. Koffler
media art and photography, showcasing the
dämmerung’s director Tim Albery will also
talents of people who are currently homeless Centre of the Arts, 4588 Bathurst St. 416lead a panel discussion of the COC’s producor under-housed. Berkeley Church, 315 Queen 636-1880 x228.
tion. Isabel Bader Theatre, Victoria University,
St. East. www.houseparty2005.com
*January 8 2:00: Toronto Opera Club.
93 Charles St. West. 416-363-8231. $25,
*January 18 7:30: Etobicoke Community Wagner’s Götterdämmerung – Brünnhilde’s
$5(st).
Redeeming
Voice.
Audio/visual
presentation
by
Concert Band. Open Rehearsal. Community
*February 5 3:00: Ontario Registered
musicians (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, guest speaker Wayne Gooding. CDs to be
Music Teachers’ Association, North
York-York Region/North Toronto
Branches. Debussy & Ravel: Brothers or
Rivals? Lecture-recital by pianist Jean-Paul
Sevilla. Euromusic Centre, 2651 John St.,
· 2006 is a Mozart year
Unit #8, Markham. 416-502-1315 or 905celebrating his 250 th birthday?
886-3578. $20,$15.
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
· There is a Mozart Society
in town ready to celebrate?
MASTER CLASSES
*December 2 10am: The Glenn Gould
School. Voice master class with Marshall
Pynkoski. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
School. Solo bass trombone master class with
Randall Hawes. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*December 2 2pm: The Glenn Gould
School. Bass trombone excerpts master
class with Randall Hawes. RCM, 90 Croatia St.
416-408-2824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*December 7 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Master class on operatic repertoire with baritone Russell Braun.
Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-9783744. Free.
School. Piano sonatas master class with
Robert McDonald. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416408-2824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
School. Piano chamber music master class
with Robert McDonald. RCM, 90 Croatia St.
416-408-2824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*December 9 10am & 2pm: The Glenn
Gould School. Piano master class with Robert McDonald. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
School. Viola solos master class with Robert
Vernon. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824.
Free. *Please call to confirm*
School. Horn solo master class with Gail
Williams. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
School. Horn excerpts master class with
Gail Williams. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*January 10 12:10: U of T Faculty of
Music. Master class on Italian arias and
songs with conductor Raffaele Ponti. Walter
MUSICIANS WANTED!
Some upcoming events:
Saxophones / Trombones / Trumpets
January 11, 2006: Iain Scott will explore why
Mozart’s music is so great.
February 22, 2006: Mozart’s opera The Marriage
of Figaro will be discussed, and generous excerpts
presented by students of the Opera Division, Faculty
of Music, University of Toronto.
We offer six programs a year, and the yearly membership fee is $50 single, $75 family, $30 student.
All events take place at Sunderland Hall, First
Unitarian Congregation, 175 St. Clair Ave. W., west
of Avenue Rd., 8 pm.
If you want to learn more about us, visit our website at
www.mozartsociety-toronto.com or call 416-201-3338.
Try us: visit one of our programs free!
Volunteer with our big bands to help raise funds
for charities! Contact Andrew @ 416-712-2555.
www.sheratoncadwell.com
64
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*January 13 10am & 2pm: The Glenn
Gould School. Voice master class with Stuart Hamilton. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*January 13 10am: The Glenn Gould
School. Clarinet solos master class with
Yehuda Gilad. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*January 13 2pm: The Glenn Gould
School. Clarinet chamber music master class
with Yehuda Gilad. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416408-2824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
School. Clarinet excerpts master class with
Yehuda Gilad. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*January 19 6pm: The Glenn Gould
School. Chamber music master class with
Anthony Elliot. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
School. Cello master class with Anthony
Elliot. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-408-2824.
Free. *Please call to confirm*
*January 20 2:00: U of T Faculty of Music.
Master class with Bruce Cassidy, jazz trumpet/
world music. Room 130, Edward Johnson Bldg,
80 Queen’s Park. 416-978-3744. Free.
*January 23, 24, 25 2:00: U of T Faculty
of Music. Vocal jazz master classes with
jazz singer Renee Rosnes. Walter Hall, 80
*January 27 10am & 2pm: The Glenn
Gould School. Piano master class with Luiz
de Moura Castro. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416408-2824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*January 29 1:30-7:00: Pattie Kelly.
Sensible Vocal Training. Master class focusing
on influencing and improving the coordinative
process of the vocal muscles, aiming to bring
them into equilibrium and to eliminate muscular interference. Participants & auditors welcome. Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity
Square. 905-271-6896. $60 (participants),
$15(auditors).
*January 30 10am-2pm: Toronto International Chamber Music Festival (Tryp-
Tych). Piano master class with Felicitas Keil.
St. Andrew’s United Church, 117 Bloor st.
East. Please forward resume to by December 15/05 to info@tryptych.org $100(participant’s fee, includes $40 ticket to Jan 28 5pm
recital – see daily listings); $25(auditor’s fee).
*January 31 7:30: York University Dept.
of Music. Voice master class with Nathalie
Paulin. McLaughlin Performance Hall, 4700
Keele st. 416-736-5186. Free.
*February 2 6pm: The Glenn Gould
School. Chamber music master class with
Donald Weilerstein. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416408-2824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*February 3 10am: The Glenn Gould
School. Violin master class with Donald
Weilerstein. RCM, 90 Croatia St. 416-4082824. Free. *Please call to confirm*
*February 3 2pm: The Glenn Gould
*February 7 12:10: U of T Faculty of Music. Voice master class with baritone Russell
Braun. Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park. 416978-3744. Free.
WORKSHOPS
*December 4, 11, 18: Royal Conservatory of Music/Escola de Samba. Workshops
in Samba Enredo. 1:00-2:30: beginners’ Bateria percussion class; 2:30-3:30: Passistas
dance class; 3:30-5:30: Bateria ensemble. 90
Croatia St. 416-408-2824 x321. $5 suggested donation or pwyc. Pre-registration recommended at www.sambatoronto.com
*December 4 1:30: Toronto Early Music
Performers Organization. Workshop on
seasonal music for both Christmas and Hannukah, led by Scott Paterson, recorder. All instruments welcome. Lansing United Church,
49 Bogert Ave. 416-778-7777. $20, members free.
*December 6 6:00: Fiddles & Frets Music Productions. Interactive mandolin workshop with Mike Compton & David Long, followed by 8:30pm concert (see daily concert
listings). Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick. 416-
264-2235. $35(workshop only), $50(workshop & concert).
*December 9 7:30: Recorder Players’
Society. Opportunity for recorder and/or other early instrument players to get together and
play Renaissance & Baroque music. Special
Christmas session: one large group, coached.
Church of the Transfiguration, 111 Manor Rd.
East. 416-224-5830.
*December 10 10am-4:45pm: Toronto
Early Music Centre. Pastime with Good
Company: Fellowship of the Viol. Full day gamba workshop, with visiting artists Annalisa
Pappano, Julie Jeffrey, Joanna Blendulf &
Liam Byrne. Classes on technique, solo & consort playing. Players at all levels of experience
can be accommodated. Location tba. RSVP by
December 3 to 416-760-8610 or
bm120@columbia.edu $50 (TEMC member),
$60 (non-member).
*December 12 10am-5pm: Music Gallery. State of the Art Part 2. Workshop for
emerging composers with the Madawaska
String Quartet. St. George the Martyr Church,
197 John. 416-204-1080. PWYC.
*December 16 1pm-4pm: Music Gallery.
Workshop & open rehearsal with the Madawaska String Quartet. All ages welcome. St.
George the Martyr Church, 197 John. 416204-1080. PWYC.
*December 20 8:00: Toronto Folk Singers’ Club. An informal group that meets for
the purpose of performance & exchange of
songs. Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave.
416-532-0900.
*December 21 7:30: Toronto Shapenote
Singing from Sacred Harp. Beginners welcome. St. Stephen-in-the-Fields, 103 Bellevue
Ave. 416- 922-7997 or
pleasancecrawford@rogers.com
*January 8 1:30: Toronto Early Music
Performers Organization. Workshop for
both viols and recorders, led by Joëlle Morton,
viol. Lansing United Church, 49 Bogert Ave.
Queen Charlotte’s
Birthday Ball
CULTURAL
SUPPORT SERVICES
This year Queen Charlotte reviews Garrison Theatre
Sat., Jan. 14, 2006 l 1 pm to 10 pm
HISTORIC FORT YORK
PROFESSIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Expert advice and career development activities
available from experienced arts management
professional for classical soloists.
•
•
•
•
•
Promotional Materials
Audition Trip Coordination
Grant Submissions
Career Development Consultations
Performance Majors Workshop (2hrs)
#1580 Line 37, New Hamburg, ON, N3A 4B7
ph: 519 662 3499 fax: 519 662 2777
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416-778-7777. $20, members free.
*January 13 7:30: Recorder Players’
Society. Opportunity for recorder and/or other early instrument players to get together in
small, informal groups and play Renaissance &
Baroque music. Church of the Transfiguration,
111 Manor Rd. East. 416-224-5830.
*January 15 2:00: CAMMAC. Musical
Reading. David Fallis leads a reading of madrigals for voice. Elliott Hall, Christ Church Deer
Park, 1570 Yonge St. 416-421-0779. $5(nonmembers).
*January 18 7:30: Toronto Shapenote
Singing from Sacred Harp. Beginners welcome. St. Stephen-in-the-Fields, 103 Bellevue
Ave. 416- 922-7997 or
pleasancecrawford@rogers.com
*January 30 7:30: Toronto Early Music
Centre. Vocal Circle. Recreational reading of
early choral music. Ability to read music desirable but not essential. 12 Millbrook Cres. 416920-5025. Members free, $5(non-members).
*January 31 8:00: Toronto Folk Singers’
Club. An informal group that meets for the
purpose of performance & exchange of songs.
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave. 416-5320900.
*February 3 7:30: Recorder Players’
Society. Opportunity for recorder and/or other early instrument players to get together in
small, informal groups and play Renaissance &
Baroque music. Church of the Transfiguration,
111 Manor Rd. East. 416-224-5830.
*February 4: CAMMAC. Choral Tradition of
the Balkans. Workshop with Teodara Georgieva. Elliott Hall, Deer Park United Church,
1570 Yonge St. 416-421-0779. *PLEASE
VERIFY LOCATION & TIME*
*February 5 1:30: Toronto Early Music
Performers Organization. Workshop on
medieval and renaissance European repertoire,
with David Klausner. All instruments welcome. Lansing United Church, 49 Bogert Ave.
416-778-7777. $20, members free.
Afternoon Workshops
Port Tasting
l Georgian Supper &
Theatre Piece
l Elegant Evening
Ball
l
l
Costumes Welcome!
Live Music!
Pre-register now!
Attend part or entire day
Prices vary
Full event $ 95
Historic Fort York l 100 Garrison Road
416-392-6907 ext. 100.
Free Parking
65
UNCLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: e-mail classad@thewholenote.com
FESTIVAL WIND ORCHESTRA is seeking new members. Urgently needed are oboe,
bassoon, French horn and mallet percussion
players. Professional conductor. Rehearsals on
Tuesdays at 7:30pm. Yonge/Sheppard area. For
details, phone 416-491-1683 or visit
www.festivalwindorchestra.com
FLAMENCO GUITAR LESSONS –
PACO DE LUCIA TECHNIQUE We are
glad to inform that new seminars and classes on
Paco de Lucia’s technique given by Ruben Diaz
(Paco de Lucia’s disciple) are available in Toronto. Please call to: Elite Music Academy.
Phone: 416-406-5355 and ask for the free consultation.
FOR SALE Finale 2003, music notation software for Windows and Mac. Can be updated. $150
or best offer. Call 416-921-2409 or email
lymack5@yahoo.com
HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO SING,
thought you wouldn’t or couldn’t, or do you just
want a place to play with the possibilities of your
voice. Small groups. 6 - $75. Johanne, 416-4618425.
MARC ENKIN is now accepting daytime students in his west-end studio. Piano, guitar, voice,
theory, songwriting. Specializing in jazz and pop
styles. Call 416-763-2058. Runnymede subway.
COUNTERPOINT
COMMUNITY
BFA from York University, diploma from Berklee
ORCHESTRA needs volunteer musiCollege of Music.
cians. Monday evening rehearsals. ConMUSIC FOR ALL OCCASIONS! Small
certs (December, March & June). All secensembles, Dance Band, Big Band; Cocktail Hour,
tions, esp. violins. Terry 416-658-5359 –
Dinner music, Concerts, Shows; Classical, Conpaul.t.willis@on.aibn.com
temporary, Dixieland, Traditional and Smooth
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ing students in piano, violin and voice. Outstand- MUSICIANS, DESIGN YOUR OWN
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ing for an assistant piano teacher. Rev. Shelley
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SIGHT-SINGING, THEORY, JAZZ THE- ORGANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR HumORY. All levels, professional/serious beginners. ber Valley United Church, located in Etobicoke,
Art Levine, MA, ARCT. Host. “Art Music”, CBC. is seeking an experienced organist and choir
30 years experience: RCM, UofT, York. 416-924- director for the position of Director of Music.
8613. www.artlevine.com;
Please visit our website at www.hvuc.ca to view
artlevine@sympatico.ca
detailed versions of the vacancy notice and of
ACCOUNTING AND INCOME TAX
SERVICE for small business and individuals,
to save you time and money, customized to meet
your needs. Norm Pulker, B. Math. CMA. 905251-0309 or 905-830-2985.
AN 80-VOICE COMMUNITY CHOIR requires a qualified director. With a 2-concert season, rehearsals held weekly on Monday evenings. Full job description on website
(mississaugafestivalchoir.com). MAIL OR
EMAIL RESUME BY DECEMBER 30, 2005.
P.O. Box 48007, 60 Dundas St. E. Mississauga,
ON L5A 1W0 Email: webmaster@
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ANTON BRUCKNER’S ADAGIO FROM
SYMPHONY #7 New transcription for solo
piano by RCM graduate. Score and CD available
from www.brianhanke.com
BARD – EARLY MUSIC DUO playing recorder and virginal available to provide background atmosphere for teas, receptions or other
functions – greater Toronto area. For rates and
info call 905-722-5618 or email us at
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CLASSICAL GUITAR LESSONS RCM
trained. Beginners welcome. Walter 416-9242168.
EVE EGOYAN seeks advanced, committed
piano students (emu@interlog.com or 416504-4297).
the job description.
The PERFORMING EDGE Performance
enhancement training in tension management,
concentration, goal setting, imagery. Individualized to meet your performance situation. Kate F.
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PIANOS Chickering Grand 6’5”, many new
parts, strings, hammers, very good condition
$4,900. Wurlitzer apartment size, matching
bench, like new $1,800. Baby grand 5’6”, black
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RETIRED PIANO TEACHER offers discount music – all RCM levels, duets, 2 piano,
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SERIOUS PIANO STUDENTS. CONCERT PIANIST, active performing and
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SINGING LESSONS Experienced, qualified Bac. Music, Classical, Semi-popular, all levels. Central location. Interest in disabilities. 416924-3877.
TENOR SECTION LEAD for an eclectic
music program at Leaside United Church, 822
Millwood Road, Toronto. Thursday evening rehearsals and Sunday morning Worship. Contact
Sharon Beckstead, Music Director at 416-6966051, Sharon.beckstead@sympatico.ca for
more information.
VOLUNTEER MUSICIANS & VOCALISTS WANTED by 3 ProAm big bands
under the Sheraton Cadwell Group
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SIMONE TUCCI Piano Tuner-Technician – Complete Piano Care Service *Concert*Studio*Home*. Affiliated with
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SINGERS WANTED The Mississauga Choral Society is building their 70-voice choir to 130
choristers over the next two years. Auditions are
being held starting in January 2006. Call 905278-7059 to book your audition.
PASQUALE BROS. “Quality since 1917”
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Email: goodfood@pasqualebros.com
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MUSIC
HOLD YOUR NEXT RECITAL in
TO YOUR EYES
A beautiful restored Carpenter’s Gothic board and batten church
building in the heart of Yorkville can be rented at reasonable
rates for musical events. Steinway Grand piano included.
Honest Ed’s Optical Doctor’s Eyecare
581 Bloor St. W.
1139 Lawrence Ave. W.
(at Bathurst)
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A high, vaulted ceiling provides excellent concert-hall acoustics.
Capacity up to 120.
Phone: 416-922-3618
Fax: 416-922-2431
Eye exams, designer eyeglasses, contact lenses
66
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MUSICAL Life
“How I met my Teacher”
personal reflections on formative relationships
compiled and edited by mJbuell
Bassoonist, Nadina Mackie Jackson
My parents were never directly involved in finding a teacher for me.
My Dad played cowboy songs on the guitar, and sang in a quiet
true voice, but only rarely. We were a rather silent and bookish
family, living far from the city. As writers, ranchers and log home
builders, they were somewhat dubious about the whole idea of
learning the bassoon, but I was a stubborn wee lass.
There were no bassoon teachers
in the interior of B.C. There
were not even any bassoons until
1973 when the school board
finally purchased new instruments, including an unexpectedly
fine plastic bassoon.
We lived 30 miles from Prince
George, in the woods beside a
lake, completely off the city
service grid. My Dad drove us
to and from school every day
except when the snow drifts
eradicated our road. When we
returned home at night, I would
try to practise with gloves on
until the house warmed up, but
my plastic bassoon would shrink
with the cold and the keys
wouldn’t move until the fire had
warmed the house. By then it
was time to go to bed. In the
summer, I was sent outside to
serenade the mosquitoes. I began staying in town with friends,
just so that I could practise late at
the high school.
TIEDEMANN
To learn more, contact your local MYC teacher:
VON
Kimberly Crawford, BA, MBA,
I contacted the principal bassoonist in the Vancouver Symphony,
Roland Small, and traveled 500
miles once per month to take a
lesson with him. The lessons
were $10, and the reeds cost
another $10 each (he couldn’t be
bothered to teach such a raw
beginner how to make reeds).
There was one flight per day
($50) between Prince George
and Vancouver. I’d have supper
at the Hotel Vancouver, take the
shuttle bus back to the airport,
and sleep on a bench, waiting for
the plane home in the morning.
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Certified MYC® Coordinator
k.crawford@myc.com Tel/Fax: 905.780.6482
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Roland was a somewhat withdrawn teacher. But he played the
first solo that I ever heard on
the bassoon (Telemann f minor
sonata) and I found the music
thrilling. He was apologetic
about his performance which I
found baffling.
After high school I went to the
University of British Columbia.
As luck would have it, there was
My incredible band teacher, Mr. a new principal bassoonist in the
Gary Hartley, inspired and moti- symphony and his name was
vated me, but as a trumpet player Christopher Millard. We had the
same birthday, and we were not
could not help with reeds.
that far apart in age, with me
motivate and empower parents and children, nurturing
family bonds and delivering valuable and thoroughly
enjoyable co-learning experiences. Since 1980, MYC has
remained one of the world’s leading music-learning
systems—the only child-centered program to integrate
keyboard, creative movement, rhythm, singing, ear
training, sight-reading, music theory and composition.
MYC helps enhance children’s social development and
learning skills, improve memory and expressiveness,
and bolster confidence and self-esteem.
If you’re considering music education for your child, take
a look at MYC — the music-learning system of choice for
more than 24,000 students throughout North America,
Asia and New Zealand.
PHOTO: CYLLA
I heard a woodwind
quintet concert and
overcame my habitual shyness to ask the
bassoonist about his
instrument. I found
it intriguing, particularly the quirky
sound he produced
(his principal instrument was the tuba).
This man became
my junior high school
band teacher. I started on the flute and
he requested a bassoon from the Prince
George school
board.
Music for Young Children® (MYC®) classes
Voice instruction
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Acting and Scene study
Pre-School classes
Musical instruction by highly qualified teachers
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67
being 16 and him 22. This
wonderful teacher spent hours
working on my playing and
showing me everything possible
about reeds.
inspiring to work with candid,
bright young players.
Thanks to the internet, there are
young players around the world
who write to me and sometimes
come for lessons. One is coming
Christopher is the person that I
think of when anyone asks about from Newfoundland for both the
“Great Holiday Mega-Launch”
my first teacher. If he had time
after our lessons at the Universi- and a lesson. They have pasty, he’d drive me home, stopping sion and interest for the bassoon,
mixed with bouts of despair,
to buy me a big bowl of borcht
which I find very easy to underon the way. When I tried to
stand. I have learned to offer
repay him, he’d laugh and say
what I have, which is a burning
“Just make sure that you take
intensity about phrasing and
your own students out to lunch
detail, and to stop worrying
when you grow up.” I admired
about not having all the other
everything about him, his gorgeous sound and inventive musi- answers.
cality, his energy and kindness.
It is now 30 years since I first
met Christopher. We have stayed
After two years, I was lucky
close and he was a member of
enough to be admitted to the
the Caliban Quartet for seven
Curtis Institute in Philadelphia,
years. He has always been a
where I studied with both Berpowerful bel canto voice in our
nard Garfield (principal of the
Philadelphia Orchestra) and with bassoon world. His whole ethos
of resonance and expression is a
Christopher’s own teacher, Sol
continual inspiration.
Schoenbach.
I am having the best time of my
life teaching now. I was startled
this summer at the International
Double Reed Convention when
several players told me I was
their role model. I still don’t
know exactly what they meant,
but I do understand how important it is for people of all ages to
see their dreams mirrored in
others.
I cannot think of anyone more
important in my development as
a bassoonist.
What advice would you give to
someone who looking for a music teacher for themselves, or
for a younger person?
Bassoon students generally start
much later than most other instrumentalists, and can take an
I have some fine students at the
independent rôle in finding a
U. of T. where I have restarted
teacher. The student can research
the Bassoon Class. In this class,
the performances and recordings
I gather all of the bassoon stuof the potential teacher before
dents who are presently at the
they meet. In the company of a
university, regardless of who
teacher a student will know quite
their teachers are. I invite visitquickly if they feel both safe and
ing bassoon students and teachinspired to work Sometimes it’s
ers to participate. It is extremely
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necessary to have the wrong
teacher to really understand what
you need. And it is even more
important for students to realize
that they are giving something
very valuable to their teachers.
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GRACE NOTES
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra:
The Quest for Arundo Donax
At 4 gratis performances, Nov. 16th and
17th, close to 2000 schoolchildren and their
Nadina Mackie Jackson will be teachers were treated to this engaging musical adventure story, told by actor Blair Wilperforming…with the Caliban
liams, and gloriously saturated with the music
Quartet & Musica Franca in the of Purcell, Vivaldi, and Marais. Children from
upcoming “Great Holiday Mega- kindergarten through junior high school were
Launch” (Dec. 4, 7:30pm, The delighted by the drums, the lightning, the lively
Great Hall);
tale of ships and music orphans smuggling, and
royal courts, and the opportunity to be so
She will also give a talk, “The
close to the instruments while they listened.
Bassoonist and the MicroThe concert was repeated on Saturday Nov
phone” playing excerpts from
19, also free of charge, for families. Tafelher solo recordings (Jan.14,
musik has just released this on CD, in English
Gary Armstrong Woodwinds,
and French, packaged with a sampler of addi2pm);
tional baroque delights.
Caliban 7 performs, presented
by Performing Arts York Region
(Jan. 20, 8pm, Thornhill Presbyterian Church);
Nadina performs Twelve Fantasias for Solo Bassoon by G. P.
Telemann; the fourth in a series
of benefit concerts. (concert /
talk at the Arkell Schoolhouse in
Guelph - proceeds will benefit
the Guelph Symphony Orchestra,
Jan. 28.)
Recent recordings include:
Caliban Does Christmas, with
Valdy, Mary Lou Fallis, Bonnie
Brett, Heather Bambrick, Guido
Basso, Guy Few, Alain Trudel,
Brian Barlow & more (ATMA
Classique);
Musica Franca: the Music of
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier
and Musica Franca: the Music
of Michel Corrette
Nadina Mackie Jackson, Mathieu
Lussier, Kathleen McLean, Fraser Jackson, Sylvain Bergeron,
Terry McKenna, Paul Jenkins &
Richard Paré (MSR Classics.)
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68
MUSICAL LIFE:
‘Tis the Season…to ENJOY!!!
Tickets $10 and under, or FREE!
In the December/January Live Concert Listings, we counted at least 167 local events
which are either free of charge, by freewill
donation, or where tickets cost $10 or less.
Some of those $10 tickets are for students
and seniors. Many presenters are now offering
free admission to children under twelve, or in
some cases for $5.
Recognition where due
Ontario Music Educators’ Association,
(OMEA) is proudly affiliated with CMEA/
ACEM (Canadian Music Educators’ Assoc.).
At this year’s OMEA conference, Reprise
2005, music educators, students, and those
who contribute to music education were recognized with awards.
OMEA Award of Commendation
Dr. M. Gillian MacKay, Joe DeStefano.
Student Scholarships ($500 scholarships
for pursuing post-secondary studies) Brittany
McLeod, Melissa Pogue, Alison Wong.
2005 CMEA/ACEM Performance
Awards
Leslie Bell Award for Choir: The Canterbury
H.S. Concert Choir (Ottawa), dir. Laurie Hamilton
The Don Wright Award for Jazz Ensemble:
presented to OJ1(Oshawa), dir. Duane Bronson.
CONTINUES
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VOICE
Organic and functional
vocal training to gain
access to your full range,
resonance and vocal
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public speakers, teachers,
clergy, or if you just want
to enjoy using your voice!
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Hamilton Studio
905-544-1302
Toronto Studio
416-523-1154
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service • expertise • commitment
Fine quality instruments & accessories to suit any budget
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Brass & Woodwind Centre: 112 Newkirk Rd. N., Richmond Hill, ON
905.770.5222 or 1.800.463.3000
www.cosmomusic.ca
Back to Ad Index
69
Toronto Musicians’ Association News
MUSICAL LIFE:
GRACE NOTES
compiled and edited by Brian Blain
continued
The Wallace Laughton Award for Post-Secondary Ensembles: University of Western Ontario
Singers (London), dir. Gerald Neufeld.
The Wilfred Harvey Award for Small Ensembles: Lisgar Collegiate String Ensemble (Ottawa) , dir.Trudy Bradley.
www.omea.on.ca,
www.musiceducationonline.org/cmea/
The Board, staff and members of the Toronto Musicians’
Association sends musical
Season’s Greetings to all
WholeNote readers, and we
encourage all to attend concerts, clubs, theatres, and all
the many musical offerings of
the season. We also encourage
NYOC Eliminates Tuition
you to attend performances
for 2006 Session
year round to help support the
The National Youth Orchestra of Canada announced the elimination of tuition fees for their extraordinary quality and diver2006 session. Now entering its 46th year, the sity of musical offerings in the
NYOC is dedicated to the discovery and train- city. We thank you, our audiing of young Canadian musicians. The elimina- ence, for your support in 2005,
tion of tuition fees marks a significant achieve- and wish all a Happy New Year
ment in the NYOC’s mission of providing the
full of music and happiness.
best possible orchestral training for youth
Richard Moore
Instrument bank begins to play
Do you have an instrument you
would like to lend or donate to the
Toronto Musicians’ Association
for use by a deserving student? Do
you know of a student needing an
based solely on merit rather than financial
Toronto Musicians’ Associainstrument? We do have immediate
circumstances.
tion presents “Rhythmody”
The NYOC is currently accepting applications The Music Education Committee requests for a Bflat clarinet, and a
cello, if you can help. We have
for auditions for the 2006 Orchestra at
is working on continuing to
www.nyoc.org. The deadline for applicabeen able to match a student with a
present our highly successful
tions is December 9, 2005.
trombone through the Hannaford
rhythm basics program in
Street Junior Band – many
schools, primarily to grades 6,7
Rolling Stones sponsor first-ever
thanks to David Archer for his
and 8. Our primary goal is to
Musician “Teacher of the Year” Award
help with that. We have also been
First Recipient Receives $10,000 and a help provide increased skill levels
given three violins, a full size, a
Trip to the JUNO Awards!
in music when students reach the
The deserving recipient of this exciting award Grade 9 program. The Commit- half size and an 1/8 size, to lend.
Thanks to Johann Lotter and Ludi
is Norman McIntosh, esteemed music teacher tee believes that skills with
Pollak who have been helping out
at Confederation Secondary School in Val Carrhythm are a basic requirement
on, Ontario. This new initiative of MusiCan,
with the repairs. We are most
that
would
benefit
from
more
the CARAS Music Education Program, recoggrateful. If you can lend an instrusupport and a specific program in
nizes dedicated music teachers who work
ment, or can direct us to an instruthis
age
group.
Over
the
past
year
diligently to keep music alive for young Canament or a deserving student, conor more, under the direction of
dians.
tact Corkie Davis at corkie.davis@
musician/educator Jane Fair, a
sympatico.ca
The Award pays tribute to the accomplishgroup of rhythm specialists has
We are meeting with Kiwanis
ments of one individual teacher who has afdeveloped three approaches to
and Second Line Music to cooperfected students’ lives while contributing to the rhythm which are fun, lively, and
ate in a mentor/ instrument lending
advancement of community music. Nominees
offer ways for teachers and stumust exemplify the MusiCan mandate to enprogram for students who need
dents to understand rhythm as an
lighten, empower and elevate.
encouragement. The program is
innate
skill.
The
approaches
taken
For information on the MusiCan Teacher of the
currently named Music To My
by our facilitators can be used as a
Year Award: www.carasonline.ca
Ears and is aimed at at- risk
warm up in later classes, as a
youth. The organizers are very
change of pace, or as a full review
ambitious and active, and we look
GRACE NOTES welcomes brief information of rhythm skills. The group
forward to participating in some
from individuals and organisations whose initi- works as a team integrating one
great results. We hope to have
atives make more music more accessible to
set of approaches with the next
more on that in the next few ismore people. Please share what you know
and developing an ‘immersion’
about discounted ticketing, outreach projects,
sues.
which
is
an
excellent
support
to
donations, scholarships, and other acts of muthe work of the music teacher.
Toronto Music Expo: The Tosical philanthropy. musicallife@the
Please contact Jane Fair, M Mu- ronto Musicians’ Association was
wholenote.com
sic Ed, at janefair@sympatico.ca a Show Partner for the initial Tofor further information.
ronto Music Expo! “Everything
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B.MUS. B. ED.
CLASSICAL TECHNIQUE
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR UNIVERSITY AUDITIONS
RCM EXAMS, COMPETITIONS
AND PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES.
FREQUENT STUDIO RECITALS.
Studio Locations:
19 Ravine Park Cr., Scarborough
175 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto
Tel: 416-282-7460 E-mail: mheitshu@sympatico.ca
Elderly Musician
volunteers wanted!
Neuroscientists from The Research
Division of Baycrest Centre are
investigating the impacts of life long
musical experiences on aging and
brain function. If you are currently
an active musician over the age of 60,
please call us at 416-785-2500
Ext. 2080. Financial
remuneration is offered.
ۭۭ
ۭۭ ۭ
70
Back to Ad Index
Music Under One Roof”, held
November 19 & 20 at the Metro
Toronto Convention Centre,
presented by Dynamic Events
Management, a division of
Torstar Media in partnership
with the Toronto Star. The
TMA was the major music
sponsor for the Expo featuring
groups from all genres of the
music industry, Jeff Healey’s
Jazz Wizards, the Bill King
Band, Illdana, The Marble Index,
Roses in the Snow, the Ken
Whiteley Band, Groove Yard,
Kittie and through the Music Performance Fund, True North Brass
and the Anne Lindsay Band. In
addition to providing the bands,
the TMA in partnership with SOCAN presented the seminar,
Knowing Your Publishing and
Performance Rights – Getting
Paid.
The Hammered Dulcimer: What
do the Lord of the Rings Symphony and the feature film Saint Ralph
have in common? They both feature TMA member Richard Moore
playing the hammered dulcimer.
Moore, who specializes in this
ancient instrument (and its relatives, the Cimbalom and Santur),
is kept busy by composers such as
Howard Shore, Heinz Holliger,
Gyorgy Kurtag, and Pierre Boulez
who desire a unique sound in their
compositions.
A member of the zither family
of instruments (that are as old as
recorded history), this stringed
instrument produces a sound that
is light and ethereal. Though hammered dulcimer performance continues throughout the world, performers are few and far between.
Toronto is fortunate to have a
specialist amongst us, and in the
recent score for Saint Ralph, composer (and TMA member) Andrew Lockington features Richard
playing hammered dulcimer, supported by an orchestra composed
of TMA musicians. Everything
old is new again!
We’d like to hear from you. The
Toronto Musicians’ Association
invites WholeNote readers to give
us your feedback on this new
column. If you have any suggestions for news items relating to
members of the Toronto Musicians’ Association, please forward
them to Brian@Blain.com. Please
include the word “WholeNote” in
the subject line.
BOOK Shelf
ment is that the rather dark and
grainy photos fail to offer much
detail.
by Pamela Margles
There would be no-one better in
the
world to do this book than the
I try… but I simply can’t cover every worthy book that comes out. But
intrepid husband-and-wife team of
here are a few I don’t want to miss.
I haven’t had a chance to see the new edition of The Rough Guide to musicologist-critics, Stanley and
Classical Music (Rough Guides). But this is usually the most interesting Julie Anne Sadie. Sadly, this
turned out to be the last book
music guide around, offering sensible recording suggestions. Visual
Music: Synaesthesia in Art and Music Since 1900 (Thames & Hudson), Stanley Sadie worked on, since he
died this past year. But, happily,
the illustrated catalogue of an exhibition on the direct relationship bethis splendid book of treasures
tween abstract art and music, especially intrigues me. And I would be
serves as a fitting tribute to a life
very excited to receive Company of Pianos by Richard Burnett (Finchcocks Press), the new illustrated catalogue of the collection of one of the passionately devoted to music.
most delightfully eccentric museums in the world, Finchcocks.
I must admit I failed utterly with Blair Tindall’s much-praised Mozart
in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs and Classical Music (Atlantic). I just
couldn’t get far enough into her self-serving saga of exploits in the
world of classical music to figure out why I should care.
Do let us know if there is a book you think others would enjoy. And
if you have comments on anything you have read here, by all means
share them with us.
narcotics agents who hounded her
beyond comprehension.
This is a remarkable book. Blackburn brings an authentic Billy
Holiday to life - as a person and,
most importantly, as the incomparable musician she was.
London: A Musical Gazetteer
By Lewis Foreman and Susan
Foreman
Yale University Press
384 pages, illustrated; paper
$30.00 US
‘The music lover is more generously provided for in London than
With Billie
in any other city in the world,’
By Julia Blackburn
write Lewis and Susan Foreman in
Pantheon
their guide to the musical riches of
367 pages; $35.00
London
They describe sites first by
British writer Julia Blackburn’s
function - theatres and halls,
book is based on a series of interchurches, music schools and
views with key people in Billie
Calling on the Composer: A
museums, graves and memorials,
Holiday’s life. They were made
Guide to European Composer
recording studios and publishers –
by a woman named Linda Kuehl, Houses and Museums
and then by musicians associated
who, after failing to turn them into Julie Anne and Stanley Sadie
with them. They include walking
a biography, committed suicide in Yale University Press
tours, and a list of compositions
1979. After struggling to shape
449 pages, photos; $60.00 US
that relate to London.
Kuehl’s disorganized but brilliant
Their dispassionate, trustworthy
interviews into a narrative, Black- The title of this guidebook is deftly
voices are complemented by deburn, fortunately, opted for ‘a
worded to allow buildings where a lightful interpolations like an interdocumentary in which people are
composer never even set foot, like view with a composer who lived
free to tell their own stories about the extraordinary Schoenberg Cennear the Crystal Palace before it
Billie’. She describes what she
tre in Vienna. But the most excitburned down in 1936.
heard on the tapes, points out the
ing entries tend to be actual homes
Mistakes and omissions are
contradictions, and skillfully supof composers.
inevitable, yet by ‘Jonathan Millplements them with new material .
It’s one thing to read that Verdi er’s gangland Il Trovatore’ at the
There is violence and cruelty here, slept right beside his desk and
ENO, I suspect they mean Rigoletbut always directed towards Holi- piano, another to see it. The necesto. In discussing the new British
day, never from her. Throughout, sary omission of Massenet’s châLibrary, why not mention the
she remains a magnetic, spellbind- teau in France, recently closed to
extraordinary display of music
ing presence, and, best of all, a
visitors by the family, underlines
manuscripts and books, well worth
great musician. Pianist Bobby
the ‘ fragile legacy’ of these sites. a trip in itself?
Henderson says, ‘you could go
But to be able to include Handel
The Foreman’s have amassed
anywhere and she’d be there, man. House, a wonderful new museum
such an amazing amount of materiPerfect time and perfect diction.’
which the authors helped establish al, I would not dream of going to
We get the genesis of Strange
in Handel’s London home, shows London without this book.
Fruit, and the price Holiday paid
what effort it takes to reclaim and
Though heavy, it is well-bound,
for singing it. Her duplicitous
maintain these sites.
and clearly laid out, with an excelhusband Louis McKay’s nasty
Entries are listed by composer.
lent index, splendid pictures from
diatribe turns our stomach. We
There are maps, bibliographies and historical prints and documents,
even hear from two federal
a fine index. The only disappoint- and a useful bibliography.
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Words on Music: Essays in
Honour of Andrew Porter on
the Occasion of his 75th
Birthday
edited by David Rosen and
Claire Brook
Pendragon Press
360 pages, illustrated; $60.00
US
Andrew Porter writes the most
elegant and lucid music criticism
around, so it is appropriate that
each essay in this collection published in his honour upholds his
standards.
Apart from affectionate tributes
by Stanley Sadie and Joseph Kerman, these papers mainly deal with
opera, since it consumes so much
of Porter’s attention. The most
compelling relate their subjects,
and even their methods, to Porter’s
talents as editor, translator, scholar, librettist and opera director.
Peter Branscombe surveys the
literary legacy of The Magic Flute.
Julian Budden discusses Don
Carlos, whose libretto Porter has
translated. David Drew’s critical
observations on Kurt Weill’s early
operas inspire the Porterian dictum, ‘The mood of the hour, the
bearing of an audience from moment to moment, these are not, in
the normal course of events, scientifically verifiable factors; yet they
are legitimate concerns of the responsible and disinterested reviewer.’ Jeremy Noble reports on
Porter’s protests on behalf of ‘imaginative common sense and the
composer’s intentions’ in opera
productions, efforts which involve
‘fighting a losing battle against
directoral arrogance and inanity.”
Appendices list Porter’s writings
and translations. There is, unfortunately, no index. But the texts are
well documentated, and enlivened
by three brief musical works dedicated to Porter by Kerman, George
Perle and Elliott Carter.
Andrew Porter is directing The
Magic Flute for the Canadian
Opera Company on December16,
18 and 20 in the MacMillan Theatre.
71
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Purcell - King Arthur
Rey; Bonney; Remmert;
Schade; Widmer;
Konzertvereinigung Wiener
Staatsopernchor; Concentus
Musicus Wien; Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Euroarts DVD 2054508
As the most integrated of Purcell’s
semi-operas, and with a text by a
major English dramatist (John
Dryden), King Arthur is a crowning achievement of Restoration music theatre. A fully-staged production is a rarity and to have a wellproduced DVD as a lasting record
of the occasion is even more of a
treat. This audio/visual account of
the 2004 Salzburg Festival production, though, led by the early music
pioneer Nikolaus Harnoncourt,
leaves one’s mouth gaping at its
colossal vulgarity and artistic condescension. Still, its overwhelmingly powerful visuals keep one’s
eyes riveted to the screen.
The magical story of Arthur’s
political struggle with Oswald, and
his tender love for the blind Emmeline takes a comfortable seat at the
back of this production’s bus. The
conjurors and bad guys steal the
show: Gribald the hideous gnome;
Philidel, the flighty sylph; Merlin, the
greasy-haired wand-waver and the
evil Osmond. These are faces and
costumes that will stick with you long
after the show is over. Production
number after production number
sideline the story and give the enormous chorus and five musical soloists a chance to roam the considerable Felsenreitschule stage and alternately bare themselves and dress
up in military garb, beachwear, etc.
The two highlights of the show are
the famous, extended “Frost Scene”
- with baritone Oliver Widmer offering an impressive, eccentric stutter, and the chorus and orchestra
resplendent in toques - and Canadian Michael Schade’s rock-star rendition of “Your hay it is mow’d” near
the end, complete with microphone
stand and Jagger-esque preening.
Conversely, every subtle and tender
musical and dramatic high point in
the work is ruined by a resolutely
dark and cynical “post-modern” directorial stance.
Henry Purcell and John Dryden
are rendered almost unrecognizable,
but the costumes are stunning and,
though it’s a sprawling mess, the
show’s a hoot.
Larry Beckwith
Wagner - Tristan und Isolde
Stemme; Fujimura; Domingo;
Bär; Pape;
Chorus and Orchestra Royal
Opera House, Covent Garden;
Antonio Pappano
EMI 5 58006 2 (3 CDs plus audio surround-sound DVD)
Even though Placido Domingo has
sung an unprecedented number of
roles on stage – 119 at last count Tristan is not one of them. Nor is it
ever likely to be, this late in his career. But on this greatly-anticipated
studio recording, his first of the complete opera, Domingo is Tristan – a
passionate, lyrical Wagnerian hero.
Lapses in German enunciation in no
way intrude upon his incisive ability
to get the meaning across in the most
dramatically intense passages, like
the extended third act monologue.
It is equally unlikely that Rolando
Villazón and Ian Bostridge will ever
appear on an opera stage in the roles
they sing here, brief as they are.
Villazón’s gleaming Italianate tenor
makes for a thrilling, but decidedly
unweatherbeaten, sailor. Bostridge
charms as the plaintive shepherd.
The exciting young Swedish soprano Nina Stemme, a Domingo protégé, combines Isolde’s dark powers with luminous vulnerability. Her
rapturous Liebestod (Mild und
leise) provides a memorable ending
to the opera.
72
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The mellifluous René Pape is full
of character as King Marke. Baritone Olaf Bär brings a great lieder
singer’s interpretive skills to Kurwenal. Only mezzo Mihoko Fujimura,
as Brangäne, disappoints. Her choppy phrases lack nuance and weight.
The soloists of the terrific Royal
Opera House orchestra provide vivid colours. Pappano likes to linger
over expressive details, but he maintains enthralling momentum. He will
stop time, but never drags it. The
sound is spacious and natural, the
booklet deluxe for this splendid recording.
Pamela Margles
Hyver
Karina Gauvin; Les Boreades;
Francis Colpron
ATMA ACD2 2352
In our age of instant gratification, we
tend to expect everything to be at
its peak on delivery: be it wine, fresh
fruit or the human voice.
It’s good to remember then, that
things still need to ripen and mature,
no matter our impatience. Case in
point – the celebrated Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin. When she
emerged from the Montreal musical scene over 10 years ago and
started winning multiple awards, I
could appreciate the accolades, but
could not hear enough in her voice
to make a point of rushing to the
record store to pick up her latest
release. What a difference a decade makes! Her new disc on ATMA
presents an artist at the absolute
peak of her form. Her tone has become even rounder, the sustained
projection without a hint of a vibrato and the sheer passion of Ms.
Gauvin’s singing are enough to sway
even the toughest critic.
This is a brilliant combination of
a beautifully matured voice and
made-to-measure repertoire. The
French vocal cantatas of the 18th
century evolved out of their Italian
cousins, but rather than following the
linear recitative/aria progression favoured by the latter, a certain freedom and fluidity rule their structure.
Such cantatas were preferred by the
Parisians until the 1750’s, but unforD ECEMBER 1 2005 - F EBRUARY 7 2006
tunately have not survived as the
staples of the late baroque repertoire. Ms. Gauvin chose to sing two
of the more popular examples,
L’Hyver by Joseph Bodin de Boismortier and Orphée by Nicolas
Clerambault. Her voice receives
wonderful support from the period
ensemble Les Boreades. Additional
instrumental fragments complete
the illusion of stumbling upon a Parisian salon one wintry night circa
1730. The listening instructions are
as follows: Make a cup of hot cocoa, choose your most comfortable chair, dim the lights, close your
eyes and allow the voice of Ms.
Gauvin to transport you there.
Repeat.
Robert Tomas
Concert Note: Karina Gauvin is
one of the featured soloists with Les
Violons du Roy in a program of
Bach Christmas Cantatas on December 16 at Roy Thomson Hall.
haps not monumental, works.
Lemieux’s performance of
Claude Debussy’s Fêtes Galantes
II: Les ingenus, Le Faune and
Colloque sentimental made time
stand still. I so love these songs for
their co-existing simplicity and
depth. Debussy’s setting of Paul
Verlaine’s poetry is sung here with
an exact balance, a clear diction and
a mature musicality. The sensitive
performances create a moving musical moment that I shall long remember.
The excellent production and
sound qualities, and bilingual French
and English liner notes aid to create
an almost perfect release. I cannot
think of a finer recording to give or
receive.
Tiina Kiik
s /VERTITLES
s !LLDIGITALRECORDINGS
s .EWRECORDINGSAND
COMPOSITIONSMONTHLY
s #RITICALACCLAIMINALLKEY
CLASSICALPUBLICATIONS
s &EATURINGGREAT#ANADIANARTISTS
!LLTHISATANASTONISHINGLYLOWPRICE
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#LASSICAL -USICLABEL
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+ENNETH3CHERMERHORNCONDUCTOR
!#HRISTMAS#HORAL
3PECTACULAR
0ETER"REINERCONDUCTOR
3OPRANO3ONGSAND!RIAS
!NA-ARÓA-ARTÓNEZSOPRANO
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Opera Proibita
Cecilia Bartoli
DECCA 475 6924
L’Heure Exquise
Marie-Nicole Lemieux
Naïve V 5022
“L’heure exquise” - the title says it
all. I have just spent slightly over 60
minutes rejoicing in this exquisite
new release featuring the remarkable Canadian contralto Marie-Nicole
Lemieux singing a program of melodie or songs to a piano accompaniment thoughtfully performed by
the American Daniel Blumenthal.
The four composers featured here
bring clearly different approaches
and stylistic elements to their settings of the words of such great
French poets as Clément Marot,
Paul Verlaine, Charles Baudelaire,
and Victor Hugo. From Chausson’s
more Wagnerian harmonic sensibilities to Reynaldo Hahn’s clear and
transparent lines to the more central European colours of George
Enescu’s music, my ear was continually intrigued. This is romantic
music from Paris after all, with all
its references to true love, pining and
anguish.
Lemieux and Blumenthal capture
the inherent moods and gestures of
these well composed, though perD ECEMBER 1 2005 - F EBRUARY 7 2006
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Cecilia Bartoli, the quintessential
Rossini mezzo, has been pushing
back her recording projects through
time. Mozart, Haydn, Vivaldi and
Handel all have at least one Bartoli
CD featuring their repertoire.
This new release brings together
arias from operas by Handel, Scarlatti and Caldara. What they have
in common is the era in which they
were written and performed. A decade-long Papal ban on public entertainment left Romans with only private opportunities from 1700 to 1710
to hear this magnificent music.
Bartoli brings her trademark intensity to each piece. Her conviction never falters and her execution
is unerring. Every aria is remarkable for her technical and interpretive skill. She delivers mercilessly
fast runs, large leaps and intensely
emotional phrasing at any speed.
She drives through music like a high
performance Italian sports car –
better actually. Were it not for the
fact that many have seen and heard
her sing live one might suspect this
singing is almost too good to be true.
Some of these works may be new
to Bartoli fans who have enjoyed
her many recordings of 19th century repertoire. However, Handel’s
4HE!RADIA%NSEMBLEPERFORMEXCERPTSFROMTHEIRNEW#$OF
3AMMARTINISYMPHONIESON$ECTHATTHE'REAT(ALLIN4ORONTO
0ICKUPYOUR.!8/3#ATALOGUE
!VAILABLEAT
4/2/.4/9ONGE3Ts/44!7!"ANK3PARKS3T
73
familiar “Lascia Ch’io Pianga” does
appear under a different title and
from a different opera, reminding us
how freely Baroque composers
moved these things around.
In the mid 1990s one of Bartoli’s
record producers mused on where
her career would take her. Perhaps
we’d see her working with Handel
and other earlier composers? That
proved to be an accurate prediction.
Opera Proibita is the latest evidence for the argument that vocal
perfection is achievable.
Alex Baran
out on a “winter journey” down the
road “from which no traveler returns.” Schubert’s 24-song cycle
from Müller is morbid, romantic, and
self-dramatizing, but for all that a
powerful tragic expression. At 26,
Winterreise
the composer knew he himself was
Russell Braun; Carolyn Maule dying. Hearing the songs performed
is an intense experience; they form
CBC Records MVCD 1171
a wide gamut and a deepening sucWilhelm Müller’s poems portray a cession, and there isn’t a clinker in
youth, disappointed in love, who sets the bunch.
THEATRE OF EARLY MUSIC EXCLUSIVELY WITH BIS
JAMES BOWMAN DANIEL TAYLOR
with RALPH
FIENNES
“The visionary eloquence of
the brilliant countertenor
Daniel Taylor as he now turns
his attention to Conducting
his ensemble of virtuoso
musicians in performances
that are honest and undeniably true...” (The TIMES, UK)
Theatre of Early Music in Concert
in a new work by Choreographer James Kudelka
and the new Dance Ensemble Coleman/Lemieux
Vivaldi Stabat Mater
January 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 2006
at the Salle Pierre-Mercure, Montreal
Theatre of Early Music in Concert
with star Soprano Emma Kirkby
Pergolesi Stabat Mater
February 22nd, 2006, St-Leon de Westmount, Montreal
as part of the Montreal High Lights Festival
February 26th, 2006, Trinity St-Pauls, Toronto
Contact 514 982-2535
or e-mail TEMADMIN@HOTMAIL.COM
Upcoming engagements with Daniel Taylor include
Messiah with the San Francisco Symphony, Detroit Symphony,
Calgary Philharmonic, Deutche Philharmonie and the Munich Radio Orchestra
AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER AT GREGORIAN, HMV,
ARCHAMBAULT AND ALL FINE RECORD STORES
This Canadian entry in a crowded
Winterreise CD market was a brave
undertaking, but the result is superb.
Russell Braun’s voice has matured
in the last few seasons and seems
exactly right for the piece. He and
Carolyn Maule are both products of
the late Greta Kraus’s lieder courses in Toronto, and their intelligence,
warm feeling and attention to detail
show how well they absorbed that
experience. The baritone’s applications of rubato are sparing, and all
the more effective for that reason.
He is especially strong when Schubert’s vocal line drives wildly over
close to two octaves in a single
phrase, as happens several times.
When, at the end of “Auf dem
Flusse”, the piano takes over the main
tune because the singer/hero seems
choked up, both artists convey the
connection perfectly.
Maule has an extraordinary grasp
of the images in the piano part. The
first introduction sets the mood
(slighter faster than most performers) of a determined journey; a
weathervane whirls crazily; a buzzard hovers in high register, or, in the
bass, dogs growl from a distant village; staccatos are teardrops in the
snow; sentimental chords become a
Männerchor in an imaginary tavern. Especially eloquent here are the
keyboard postludes to “Der Lindenbaum” and the last song, “Der Leiermann”. In Maule’s hands the music
is so vividly realized, my only wish
was that in a few places the piano
responses to the voice were more
prominent in the mix.
Altogether this release is an occasion for cheers.
John Beckwith
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EARLY MUSIC AND
PERIOD
PERFORMANCE
Sainte-Colombe – Concerts a
deux violes esgales Vol.III
Les Voix humaines
ATM ACD 2 2277
A Song for Anything –
Songs by Charles Ives
Gerald Finley; Julius Drake
Hyperion CDA67516
The Ottawa-born baritone Gerald
Finley’s triumphant first solo recital
disc for the elite Hyperion label is
devoted to the songs of the cantankerous Yankee iconoclast Charles
Ives (1874-1954). Lesser known
than his ground-breaking orchestral
74
works, Ives’s songs cover a vast
stylistic range, from the most refined
and sensitive lieder (several of the
early songs are re-castings of German texts such as the exquisite
opening number, Feldeinsamkeit,
previously set by Brahms) to the
homespun vernacular of Charlie
Rutlage and The Greatest Man.
Particularity striking are the songs
to Ives’s own texts such as The
Things our Fathers Loved and
Berceuse, which so memorably express the composer’s profound nostalgia for the guileless virtues of
small-town America. Finley expertly brings to life the near schizophrenic variety of Ives’s many voices in every one of these 31 selections. Julius Drake is an outstanding
partner throughout. Finley’s powerful yet supple baritone allows Drake
to apply a wide dynamic range - no
demure piano on the half-shell for
these two! - as he expertly conjures
the brass band revivalism of General William Booth Enters into
Heaven. Such intelligent, heart-felt
and noble singing has not been heard
from a baritone since the glory
days of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.
This beautifully recorded disc is a
magnificent achievement for all
concerned.
Daniel Foley
Les Voix Humaines are simply unmatched in their musicality and compelling sound. This third double-disc
release of the viola da gamba works
of Sainte-Colombe is performed
with such intensity that I am considering using it as my personal
soundtrack. As I walk my children
to school in the morning, the people
around us will be treated to Concert
XXXVII “L’heureux”, and later as
I listen to them tell me about their
day, “L’attentif” will surround us. I
will arrive home from tours, carrying piles of gifts for all of my loved
ones, and streams of “Le Retour”
shall drift through the door to tell
them I am back.
The duo (Susie Napper and Margaret Little) has had to complete and
reconstruct some of the pieces on
this recording in the style of Ste
Colombe, because parts of the manuscript were incomplete. These
moments are undetectable to the
modern listener’s ear. The sound
that is created by Les Voix Humaines goes directly to the core of
the music and does due tribute to
the composer’s brilliance and depth
of character. The players occasionally use a technique which involves
a wide vibrato as ornamentation,
and the resonance which consequently emanates from the instruments is heart-stopping.
There is no way to avoid loving
these discs. As you buy them, you
will not hear parts of “Tombeau Les
Regrets”. You can tell me how you
feel about the music yourself – you’ll
hear me coming. I will be blasting
Concert XLVI “L’estonné” if you
tell me you aren’t pleased with it.
Gabrielle McLaughlin
Hope, Fidelity, Perseverance, Jealousy and Freneticism to name but a
few. The visual imagery of the early eighteenth century masqued ball
is so vivid that Couperin could easily have been cast as a modern-day
film composer.
The pièce de resistence, in my
opinion, actually takes second billing on this release. It’s a selection
of three pieces from the next set –
the 14th order. The contrast in mood
is decidedly abrupt – the sobriety,
bordering on melancholy makes for
an intensity of emotion that can only
be described as sublime. This is an
unexpected thrill from Couperin.
The balance of the album is comprised of a series of singles from
Books I, II and III. They line up out
of sequence, yet they are skillfully
curated by the artist.
Angela Hewitt has penned extensive liner notes going into great detail concerning the narrative behind
each of the cuts on the album. Although it’s kind of fun to discover
her thoughts, most of her comments
seem like voyeurism into her imagination. I would urge the listener to
allow their own visual imagery to
spill onto their inner cinema.
Heidi McKenzie
Concert note: Soprano Gabrielle
McLaughlin and her I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble join forces with the
Caliban bassoon quartet and Aradia
in a multiple CD launch party on
December 4 at the Great Hall. I
Furiosi presents “Siren Tears” with
guest soprano Katherine Hill at
Calvin Church on January 20.
Seasons’ Greetings From
Vivaldi
Ann Rachlin; Polish Chamber
Orchestra; Jerzy Maksymiuk
Fun With Music CMSCD 3004
Francois Couperin:
Keyboard Music, Volume 3
Angela Hewitt
Hyperion CDA67520
Angela Hewitt’s third and final CD
of Francois Couperin’s Keyboard
music is a full-spectrum experience.
The featured work is Book III of
the Trezième Ordre (13th order). It
is a whimsical romp through a veritable showcase of “characters”. In
this case they are the follies of the
human condition: Virginity, Ardor,
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easy to picture the scenes Rachlin
describes. Keeping the different stories together, is a plot about Vivaldi
asking two of his pupils to draw the
images they hear in the music, thereby making a perfect activity for
teachers to use in their classrooms.
Tafelmusik’s latest children’s recording is a great CD for people of
the ages 7-15. With astoundingly
clever narration by Blair Williams it
sucks the listener straight into the
world of 18th century England,
where a great war is at hand over
the “distant snowy lands of Canada”. Since all connections with
France have been cut off, the oboe
and bassoon players have almost run
out of reeds which are made from
arundo donax, a bamboo-like plant
found only in France. In their quest
Frances and Edward Purcell must
journey through Venice, Italy and
Versailles, France traveling by carriage, boat and… carpet? The wonderful Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra performs the music of Vivaldi,
Purcell, Marais and many other
great composers of the time to ac-
Baroque Adventure – The
Quest for Arundo Donax
Blair Williams; Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
Tafel Kids/Analekta AN 2
9832-3
Narrated by Ann Rachlin, “Season’s
Greetings from Vivaldi” is a good
way to introduce children to classical music. To go along with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Rachlin has created a series of stories about life in
the Italian countryside which will
especially appeal to younger listeners of the ages 4-10. The Polish
Chamber Orchestra wonderfully
performs the concertos, making it
75
Conductor Matthias Maute ignites
company them on their travels. (Unlike the bilingual CD, I will not re- the fuses of this volatile ensemble
with explosive results. Although not
peat this in French).
Ezra Perlman particularly delicate or especially
refined, this is a fiery performance.
Concert Note: Tafelmusik presents The majestic ceremonious movethree programs over the next two ments, the Ouverture, La Réjouismonths: “English Baroque: The sance, and Menuet II, alternate
Thames Revisited” at Trinity St. with contrasting lyrical dances. This
Paul’s December 1-4 and at the is a brilliant rendition. With thunderGeorge Weston Recital Hall on De- ing drums, trumpet fanfares, and an
cember 6; “The Intimate Baroque” abundance of martial instruments,
January 19-22 at Trinity St. Paul’s; the musical fireworks are spectacand “Amadeo: Mozart in Italy” Feb- ular.
ruary 3-5, 8 and 9 at Trinity St. Paul’s
The second part of this recording
and February 7 at the George Wes- is Vecchi’s Les Folles Nuits de Siton Recital Hall.
enne (The Night Games of Siena),
a madrigal comedy (1604).
The distantly-recorded voices of
the Toronto Consort are at times
overwhelmed by the numerous accompanying instruments. The onomatopoetic hunt in La Caccia
d’Amore, the Spanish style in Imitatione del Spagnuolo, the drunken German in Imitatione del Tedesco treading dangerously close to
actual drunkenness, and the fa-lala playfulness of So ben mi ch’a
bon tempo are highlights. I would
like to have heard more of the voicFireworks
es in the balance however.
Montreal Baroque;
Minimal program notes, no texts
Toronto Consort
or
translations, but there is a bonus
ATMA ACD2 2367
CD of highlights from the ATMA
This live concert recording of Han- catalog.
del’s Musick for the Royal FireFrank Nakashima
works, written for King George II
in 1749, for a huge number of loud Concert note: The Toronto Coninstruments - trumpets, horns, oboes, sort presents “The Monteverdi
bassoons, and drums – sparkles with Christmas Vespers” December 9 &
energy.
10 at Trinity St. Paul’s.
Vivaldi - 5 Violin Concertos
Viktoria Mullova; Il Giardini
Armonica; Giovani Antonini
Onyx ONYX 4001
Giuseppe Valentini
Ensemble 415; Chiara Banchini
Zig-Zag Territoires ZZT
2020801
Giuseppe Valentini (1681-1753) was
a Florentine composer, violinist and
poet, hardly known today even to the
most hard-core of Baroque music
enthusiasts. Six concertos from Valentini’s opus VII are recorded here,
and what a welcome discovery they
are to me! Charles Burney, who said
that the neglect of Valentini’s works
had been “without any loss to the
public, or injustice to the author”,
was quite mistaken as far as I’m concerned.
The CD features five concertos,
each with a different violin soloist,
and a concerto for four violins which
can stand proudly alongside those of
better-known Baroque masters. The
unusual turns of phrase and twists
of harmony for which Valentini was
known are evident here, but so is
the influence of Corelli, with whom
he may have studied.
Hats off to Chiara Banchini and
her Ensemble 415, who play with
elegance, flexibility and spontaneity, and without sacrificing these qualities for the sake of speed in the faster movements. In a world where
‘prestissimo’ often seems to be the
only ‘fast’ tempo in Baroque music,
I appreciate the distinctions between allegro, vivace and presto or
allegro assai which are made here,
both in tempo and in personality. And
all the chiaroscuro so necessary to this
music is beautifully provided throughout, with exquisite ornamentation, extraordinary ‘pianos’, and creative yet
tasteful colour changes and silences.
My only quibble is a wish for
some liner notes - the booklet is
mostly promo for the label. That
aside, congratulations are due to ZigZag Territoires for this innovative
and fresh offering.
Alison Melville
The most energetic and flamboyant
of all the period instrument orchestras around today come from Italy.
None are more famous or accomplished than Il Giardino Armonico
and Europa Galante, both of which
have recently released discs of
Vivaldi concertos. Il Giardino Armonico is here paired with the violinist Viktoria Mullova, not an artist
usually associated with Vivaldi, let
alone period-performance Vivaldi.
But Mullova is no Nigel Kennedy;
playing on a Strad with gut strings
and a baroque bow, she sounds not
only fully assimilated into contemporary baroque performance practice, but has a style and energy of
her own to bring to it. Not one note
here is out of place – and Mullova
has many notes to reckon with, as
in the earthy and almost wild Concerto in D Major. Mullova herself
described this recording as sometimes sounding “more like gypsy
music than Vivaldi” and the music
really does seem to dance. The orchestra, under Giovanni Antonini’s
direction, brings the same exhilarating sense of attack and rhythm, while
matching her virtuosity and beauty
of tone.
On the Europa Galante disc, FaConcert note: Alison Melville’s
Ensemble Polaris presents “Hello bio Biondi leads his soloists on a
Winter!” at the Edward Day Gal- variety of instruments, including himself on violin, in a generous seleclery on December 21.
tion of eight concertos. Biondi’s
sound is leaner than Mullova and
76
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Vivaldi - Concerti con molti
strumenti Vol 2
Europa Galante; Fabio Biondi
Virgin 5 45723 2
feels more like part of the ensemble
than a true soloist, an effect also
achieved by the recording engineering. Biondi leads and plays at exhilarating speeds and drives the music
to the extent that occasionally he and
his thirteen other soloists create raw,
visceral sounds and stretch the
rhythms in a way one rarely finds in
Mullova’s spotless yet equally fiery
playing. Listen to the opening Concerto Grosso to hear how the whole
orchestra works together as a fully
integrated ensemble where each
musician is also a superb soloist, or
the Concerto in B major to hear how
incredibly in sync the four violin soloists are in this fiendishly difficult
piece. The selection of concertos on
both recordings is wonderful, revealing how many works of the highest
order by Vivaldi exist.
Seth Estrin
Bach - Brandenburg Concertos
Concerto Italiano;
Rinaldo Alessandrini
naïve OP 30412
Once upon a time, long ago, the double LP of the Brandenburgs by Pablo Casals and the Marlboro Festival Orchestra (some 65 players
strong!) ruled supreme in the record
world. Then along came Karl Ristenpart and the Saar Chamber OrConcert Note: Viktoria Mullova chestra with their lighter touch, on
plays Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. Nonesuch. And so through the many
4 with the Toronto Symphony Or- years, you’d either align yourself in
the Ristenpart camp, or remain loychestra January 18 and 19.
al to Casals.
How far we have come! There
have been so many releases, re-releases and re-packaging of these
concerti since the mid 1980’s that
one knows not where to turn for
definitive recordings from among
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numerous offerings. How then, to
make a logical choice?
Let us look at the new CD from
Concerto Italiano under Rinaldo
Alessandrini. I’m pleased to tell you
(from the perspective of one in the
Ristenpart camp) that this set on
Naïve is among the best that is available.
In addition, the set includes a
DVD. The film shows the musicians
rehearsing and recording, and some
sumptuous slow pans around the
baroque interior of Palazzo Farnese
in Rome. Much of the video is occupied by an interview with Alessandrini, wherein he speaks at
length about his belief in the rightness of the baroque style and Bach’s
undeniable genius. Finally, towards
the end, we see the ensemble in a
complete take, that being worth the
whole 43 minutes.
As audio, it is flawless, as good
as any of the period instrument purists. The notes tell of a grueling Italian/South American tour immediately
prior to the recordings. They were
certainly in fine form on their return.
Of interest are special bonus tracks.
The Sinfonia from cantata BWV
174, predecessor of the 3rd
Brandenburg, is a fascinating study.
That is also the case with the alter-
nate cadenza from the 5th, included
at the end of the concerto as we
know it.
Notes are copious, in four languages, no less. The type isn’t illegibly tiny, and as is fashionable, the
recording equipment is detailed.
Photographically a rather stiff fullface view of the Palazzo Farnese,
plus a close-up of Alessandrini,
seems all they had room for, discounting the cover with a (contrived?)
image of a deer dawdling in the interior of a car park. But above all,
this disc is about the music. You can
safely retire your Brandenburg LP’s
for this set.
John Gray
CLASSICAL
AND BEYOND
Debussy – La Mer; La boîte à
joujoux; Prélude à l’après-midi
d’un faune; Three Preludes (orchestrated by Colin Matthews)
Berliner Philharmoniker;
Sir Simon Rattle
EMI 5 58045 2
Dvorak – Tone Poems
Berliner Philharmoniker;
Sir Simon Rattle
EMI 5 58019 2
77
The Liverpool born “wunderkind”
Simon Rattle is one of the great
musical success stories of the
present era. Starting with minor conducting work in England, later taking over the Birmingham Symphony and after many assignments in
England and the U.S.A., in 1999, at
the age of 44, he was chosen by the
Berlin Philharmonic as its Music
Director, succeeding Claudio Abbado and the legendary Herbert von
Karajan. Bernard Haitink has said
of him “he has such an open mind
and really incredible charisma” but
more to the point, he has a great interest in all kinds of music. He is
equally at home in the 19th century
symphonic repertoire, period instrument Baroque, adventurous modern
works, opera and even jazz. These
two recordings, one from the Romantic era and the other from
French Impressionism, will give
proof of this.
It is interesting to note that later
in his life Dvorak abandoned his
main influence, Brahms, and much
to the dismay of critic Hanslick,
turned more towards the prevailing
influences of German Romanticism,
Liszt and Wagner. He took an interest in program music, namely the
“symphonic poem” originated by
Liszt, but since he had an intense
desire to express the folk idiom of
his homeland he drew his inspiration from Czech ballads based on
rather gruesome folk tales.
These are very fine performances. The Noon Witch is wonderfully
structured, highly dramatic and intense. My favourite, The Wood
Dove, is very moving with the opening funeral theme beautifully played
on the cellos and later the cooing of
the dove has a strange and menacing orchestral effect. The well
known Water Goblin written in rondo form with a strongly rhythmical
subject capable of many transformations and variations according to
the mood of the rather frightening
story, shows Dvorak’s superb
craftsmanship pointing towards Richard Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel.
Debussy, one of the most influential and original composers of the
20th century, broke apart traditional
values and like a burst of sunlight
revolutionized harmony, orchestral
texture and colour. La Mer, his masterpiece, has been so extensively
recorded that it would be easy to
form prejudices, but Rattle’s new
recording is now one of the best. It
is spontaneous; more relaxed than
Karajan, a richly detailed and multilayered reading aided by the virtuosity of his magnificent orchestra.
The suitably sultry and languorous
Prelude à l’apres-midi... offers
beautiful flute playing by soloist
Emmanuel Pahud and the lesser
known “fill ups” are interesting, and
make the disc well worth having.
Janos Gardonyi
there was only one aspect of the Op.
132 interpretation that didn’t fully
convince me. In the slow movement,
Beethoven alternates meditative
Molto adagio Lydian mode sections in 4/4 meter with livelier Andante D major passages in 3/8 time.
I’ve always liked the D major passages to have a greater sense of
release, movement, and vitality than
I felt with this recording. I thought
the tempo could have been a notch
or two quicker. Also, in going to the
highest note of these 3/8 bars, I think
it could work to either slightly push
forward to, or slightly delay the highest note, rather than play these bars
as steadily as they are played here.
But really, this is an excellent disc,
with both quartets receiving beautiful treatment in the Hagen’s hands.
Jamie Parker
Concert note: Pianist Jamie Parker and his Gryphon Trio perform
music of Mozart, Shostakovich and
Fauré at Walter Hall on December
5. Parker joins oboist Cynthia Steljes
and bassoonist Michael Sweeney for
a free noon-hour recital on December 8, again at Walter Hall.
MODERN AND
CONTEMPORARY
(See also Editor’s Corner)
Beethoven – String Quartets
opp. 127 & 132
Hagen Quartet
Deutsche Grammophon 477
5705
I got to know the Beethoven String
Quartets while I was a student at
Juilliard. After hearing Op. 132 for
the first time and being completely
overwhelmed by the slow movement, I said to my roommate, “I just
feel so good to be alive!”. He then
told me about that movement’s title,
“A Convalescent’s Holy Song of
Thanksgiving to the Deity, in the
Lydian Mode”. (Beethoven had been
quite ill, and upon his recovery, was
inspired to write a personal dedication for this movement.)
It is a real joy to hear a wonderful ensemble like the Hagen Quartet playing Opp. 127 and 132. The
string sound is gorgeous – a tribute
to the musicians and the recording
producer and engineer. The Hagen’s
sense of phrasing is fluid and intelligent throughout. There is never a
harsh stroke in their playing.
From a purely personal perspective,
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Wolpe - Wolpe in Jerusalem,
1934-38...
Ensemble Recherche;
Werner Herbers;
WDR Sinfonieorchester;
Johannes Kalitzke;
Mode Records 155
Barber, Korngold, Bürger –
Cello Concertos
Stefan Wolpe created some of the
Jan Vogler; Saarbrücken Radio
most complex compositions in the
Symphony Orchestra
history of Western art music, yet
Berlin Classics 0017672
audiences are viscerally seized by
What prompts an artist to make a Wolpe’s inventiveness, emotionality,
recording? Many reasons, I suppose and sonic power. Having studied at
– to introduce the performer’s art- Weimar’s Bauhaus, he enthusiastiistry; to make available works not cally absorbed its egalitarian and
often heard or well known; to set participatory pedagogy and the phiforth a theme or vision. The partic- losophy of adjoining highly contrastular package that this recording ing materials. His serial techniques
presents is intriguing because, in jux- surpassed orthodox procedures, but
taposing four (not three) pieces com- serialism was just one of the tools in
posed in America between 1932 and his conceptual kit and he used to1946, it embodies at least these three nality just as innovatively, along with
any other element of interest.
views.
Political radicalism led Wolpe to
As an introduction to the artistry
of cellist Jan Vogler, the recording become, between 1929 and 1933, a
is magnificent. With his passionate principal composer of music for anti-
78
playing and golden sound, he is a
musician who deserves to be better
known.
As an offering of little-known
works for cello and orchestra, this
is a goldmine. One can have fun
imagining the unfolding melodrama
behind Korngold’s highly charged
concerto, written for the 1946 Bette
Davis film Deception and subsequently made into an autonomous
piece. There is the sombre tragedy
of the Bürger Adagio - a theme
with variations, memorable for its
absolutely riveting orchestration.
And then the masterful Barber concerto, which almost never turns up
in concert programming.
But why the final work: Barber’s
Adagio for Strings? It does not feature Vogler’s playing; it is not at all
an unknown work. Its inclusion surprises one at first – one could say,
it’s a convenient time-filler. But its
sadness sums up what the inner cover (a bleak photo of the 1935 Manhattan skyline) and the liner notes
also hint of: that this music speaks
covertly but eloquently of a dark
time, touched acutely by war.
Simone Desilets
Nazi workers’ movements and he
learned how to draw people into
even his most challenging music. But
cruel turns of fate interrupted
Wolpe’s access to larger audiences. When the Nazis seized power
in 1933, Wolpe was a triple target: a
Marxist, a Jew, and a composer of
degenerate music. He escaped to
Palestine in 1934 and later emigrated to New York where he established links between experimentalists in the visual arts and music.
Tragically, he was soon sidelined by
Parkinson’s disease.
Mode’s CD of instrumental music from Wolpe’s Palestine period is
a very important document. Wolpe
had time to work on ideas that had
been put off from 1929 to 1933, ideas which ultimately had great impact
on the joyous explosion of New York
modernism. There’s a full orchestral version of Passacaglia, plus the
Concert for 9 Instruments, a chamber orchestra suite for Molière’s
Malade Imaginaire, and two important chamber pieces. The performance and sound qualities live up to
Mode’s usual high standards.
Phil Ehrensaft
JAZZ AND
IMPROVISED
Lofsky and Mike Francis. On some
tracks sax work is shared by Phil
Dwyer, John Johnson and Michael
Stuart (Russ’ brother), and the fleet
flute of Bill McBirnie is heard on
One Note Samba.
Russ Little is a great trombonist,
best known by most for his muscular, machine-gun style. The ease of
his playing has always made it seem
a bit glib, but on Snapshot his work
is emotionally deeper. I’m most impressed with his ballad work on
standards like My One And Only
Love; A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square and the light-bossa
version of Autumn In New York. On
More Than You Know Russ could
give Tommy Dorsey a run at playing smooth and high, and Michael
Stuart’s alto work is wonderful.
The funkier side of Russ Little is
heard on Cold Duck Time, a 1969
tune that finds Phil Dwyer in an
Eddie Harris mode. Little’s Caribbean background outs itself on the
calypso-flavoured original Little
Prince, while straight-ahead swingers like the opening Undecided and
Eugene Amaro’s Out On A Limb
get your toes tapping.
Russ Little’s intention with this
release was to show what he can
do, play some good tunes and have
fun. He’s managed all three.
Ted O’Reilly
Dave Holland:
Live in Freiburg (DVD)
Dave Holland Quintet
Euroarts DVWW – JDHQN
This live performance by bassist
Dave Holland’s quintet, filmed in
1986 at the Zelt-Musik-Festival in
Freiburg, offers an hour of stimulating improvised music. What was
arguably the best of Holland’s various quintets has Kenny Wheeler on
trumpet and flugelhorn, Robin Eu-
banks, trombone; Steve Coleman,
alto saxophone, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums.
David Holland works in much the
same way Charles Mingus did. He
enjoys “the controlled freedom” that
was the earmark of the late bassist/
composer/bandleader’s music. And
with sidemen/colleagues like the
ones he has here the music breathes
and develops in a naturally flowing,
organic manner. The horn players
work together beautifully. The combination of Kenny Wheeler’s logical improvising, Steve Coleman’s
earthy alto, and Robin Eubanks’
forthright trombone makes for an
unbeatable front line. Wheeler’s a
no-nonsense player with a gorgeous
tone on both his horns while Steve
Coleman’s a natural storyteller with
a most distinctive sound. And Robin
Eubanks is delightful. He brings a
forthright, bristling, approach to an
instrument not heard nearly as often as it should be in today’s jazz.
Snapshot
Russ Little
Rhythm Tracks RT-CD 0006
Toronto trombonist Russ Little was
a front-rank studio player/composer/arranger (he wrote the SCTV
theme) who got off the music scene
entirely for a few years, but has recently picked up his horn again.
I believe this is the first record
under his own name, so Little has
made sure Snapshot reflects all his
interests and directions in jazz: a bit
o’this, a bit o’that. His co-producer
drummer/percussionist Brian Barlow anchors the rhythm section with
Tom Szczesniak on piano (and accordion on one track) and Scott Alexander on bass. Guitar work is
spread among Rob Piltch, Lorne
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79
Combine that front line with the
rhythm team of Dave Holland and
Marvin “Smitty” Smith and you have
a winning combination. Holland may
be a virtuoso musician but he’s also
a team player who never hogs the
spotlight. The same can be said for
“Smitty” Smith whose rhythmic
pulse is infectious.
The sound recording and camera
work are both first rate. The only
possible improvement might have
been the inclusion of interviews with
the musicians.
Don Brown
Raincoat Lake
Runcible Spoon
Independent
(www.runciblespoontheband.com)
Shurum Burum Jazz Circus
David Buchbinder
Monkfish Records CD0105
Stride
Doug Riley; Tyler Yarema;
John Roby
Marshmellow Records
MMR031
In about ten year’s time, stride piano will be celebrating its 100th birthday, but whether or not any grand
production will be made commemorating its emergence from early
ragtime roots remains to be seen.
That doesn’t mean that credit isn’t
given where credit is due.
With piano guru Doug Riley’s latest release on Marshmellow
Records, aptly titled “Stride”, the art
form pioneered by Fats Waller,
James Johnson, and Willie ‘the Lion’
Smith is authentically represented
and is mercifully devoid of any
trendy neo-swing hype of recent
years.
Riley brings keyboard counterparts John Roby and Thunder Bay
immigrant Tyler Yarema on board
for an album of solo piano, duets and
two numbers featuring all three pianists and all six hands. Although the
album is ostensibly under Doug Riley’s name, the trio format could
have been taken further as youth
and experience work well together
when the opportunity arises.
Six Fats Waller compositions are
on the disc including Crazy ‘Bout
My Baby, Gonna Sit Right Down,
and the ubiquitous Jitterbug Waltz.
Riley, Yarema, and Roby all contribute original pieces and local vocal legend Jackie Richardson makes
a guest appearance on the final
transcends the music, and goes right
to the heart of the listener, bringing
the rest of the exquisite ensemble
along with her.
Lesley Mitchell-Clarke
track, Spring Song, a tune composed by Doug Riley and Keith
Whiting. Whiting, incidentally, wrote
the play “Stride” which is the basis
for this CD.
(Future Whiting projects include
Stride II, The Empire Strides Back,
and The Bride of Stride)
Eli Eisenberg
David Buchbinder is no newcomer
on the scene, but this is the first CD
under his own name and it is an
ambitious undertaking, drawing on
music originally written by Buchbinder for several of his previous film
and broadcast projects. It is a blend
of many musical influences including Middle Eastern and Klezmer he also heads up the Flying Bulgar
Klezmer Band - but with a strong
contemporary jazz content.
From the opening overture and
throughout the entire album the writing is adventurous, colourful and dramatic - not to mention formidably
difficult - and the playing is of a very
high calibre, featuring some of Toronto’s finest musicians. Buchbinder, on trumpet and flugelhorn plays
with fire and intensity and there are
equally intense and impressive
contributions from Perry White,
Peter Lutek and Pol Cousee on
reeds, Stephen Donald on trombone
and Levon Ichkhanian on guitar. The
hard driving rhythm section of Greg
de Denus on piano, Rob Clutton and,
on a couple of numbers, Roberto
Occhipinti, on bass, plus Barry
Romberg on drums, propels things
along with a matching impetus as
well as contributing some rewarding solos. In addition a string section is effectively added to the mix
on some of the tracks.
It makes for demanding listening,
not for the faint of heart, but gives
the listener a consistently rewarding and emotional musical adventure.
Jim Galloway
Many of us first heard the word,
“runcible” in Edward Lear’s famous
1871 poem, “The Owl and The Pussycat”, and according to Webster’s
dictionary, a Runcible Spoon is a
“kind of curved fork, often used for
eating pickles” - no doubt a piece of
cutlery reserved for the most archaic of place-settings. The musical
ensemble Runcible Spoon may have
chosen their moniker in order to describe their timeless and whimsical
nature. The group has a reputation
for tight acoustic arrangements, classically infused original works (some
of it bordering on 12-tone experimentation) and clever re-workings
of established material from a plethora of influences, embracing the
worlds of jazz and cabaret, as well
as material from the so-called
“Great American Songbook”.
The mainly original compositions
(including contributions from local
musicians bassist Andrew Downing
and guitarist Tim Postgate) are presented with an innocence that is tempered with a kind of runaway melancholia. The members of Runcible
Spoon include Pamela Bettger on
viola, Monica Fedrigo on cello, Tanya Gill on piano, Julia Hambleton on
clarinet and jazz vocalist/lyricist,
Leah State. Ms. State’s smoky timbre and vulnerable delivery is at the
very heart and soul of this beautifully produced CD, as are the arranging, technical skills and composing contributions of all the members.
Highlights of “Raincoat Lake” include an evocative rendition of Kurt
Weill’s Youkali. Leah State’s sumptuous vocal (en française) captures
the drama of high German Cabaret,
and also brings this gem of an art
song kicking and screaming into the
21st century. The title track, Raincoat Lake is a disarming and witty
composition, arranged to perfection
by its author, clarinetist Julia
Hambleton. Another stand-out is the
original, Elephant, which features
both lyrics and vocal performance
by State. Her essential loveliness
80
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The Ballad Artistry of
Pat Lacroix
Pat Lacroix
Independent
(www.patlacroix.com)
Pat Lacroix is a Toronto singer who
has had an “on again, off again”
musical career, and he has recorded this CD after an extended “off”
period. Frankly, it shows. His singing, from a technical standpoint, is
not strong. His pitch is wonky at
times and his tone is weak. However, what he lacks in technical finesse
he makes up for in delivery. Age and
experience count for a lot when
putting across these types of songs
– all ballads, mostly of the “loved
and lost” variety. The average 20year-old just wouldn’t be able to
bring the same depth of understanding that Mr. Lacroix brings to these
songs. He also has a very straight
delivery, which allows the lyrics and
the melodies to come through on
their own merits. It’s refreshing to
hear a singer who has sufficient faith
in the material he’s chosen to deliver it as written. It’s not in the jazz
tradition, but it is musical.
The fourteen tracks on the disc
have a certain sameness to them,
not just because they’re all ballads,
but because a similar format is followed on all of them, and there’s
very little variation in tempo, dynamics, or instrumentation. So songs like
A Cottage for Sale, I’ll Be Seeing
You, and When Joanna Loved Me
end up blending together in a pretty,
melancholic wash.
Excellent local jazz musicians
veer this record away from the middle of the road it’s heading down
however. Frank Falco and Charles
Mountford on piano and Mike
Downes and Pat Collins, bass, carry most of the supporting duties,
while guitarist Reg Schwager and
the flugeller of choice, Guido Basso, guest on three tracks.
Cathy Riches
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81
Concert note: Reg Schwager and
Guido Basso perform with Mike
Murley, Tara Davidson and Steve
Wallace at Glenn Gould Studio on
February 7.
a heavy use of overdubs, which
means the disc is quite orchestral in
scope. “Vivace” is a fantastic solo
exercise that works on every conceivable level.
Tom Sekowski
POT POURRI
movements featuring an evocative
and skillfully realized vocalize by
D.B. Boyko, there is much contrast
in uttered text and musical texture
in this work. This is surely a contemporary gamelan classic.
I’ve heard this group before but
never to greater musical advantage
and sonic beauty than on this CD.
Andrew Timar
Le cercle de l’extase
La Schola Saint-Grégoire;
Omar Sarmini & the
Alep Oriental Orchestra
Atma ACD2 2361
Vivace
Claude Lamothe
Analekta AN 2 9808
It’s rather odd that in the press materials that tout this album, we’re
made to believe that the cello has
been overlooked by musicians for
centuries? Which musicians are they
referring to? Rock musicians?
Avant-garde crowd? I’ve heard
plenty of cellos being utilized in my
years of digging through musical
recordings and nowhere have I
found reticence towards this gorgeous instrument.
Canadian cellist Claude Lamothe
fell in love with his instrument a long
time ago and his Analekta debut
“Vivace” only reinforces that bond.
The thing that grabbed me about this
recording is its liveliness and lack of
sombre and down-trodden themes.
From the breezy, almost hummable
See You… through to the uplifting
crescendos on Dia a Dia: Tango
Nocturno, Claude’s music (most of
these pieces were penned by him)
is something to sing about.
When a dour moment takes over
– as it does during the pensive La
Cathedrale de Bourges – it lasts a
bare few minutes. It almost serves
as a reminder that he’s playing “classical” music – something that has a
long history and something that most
listeners are all too serious about.
The beauty of the record lies in the
delicacy of Lamothe’s approach. His
playing tends to be awfully fragile
which means that his ear seems to
be concentrating on details and nuances. The way he approaches a
piece like Eine Walzer is tremendous - underplayed and stark at
once. But don’t be fooled by all the
delicacy as Lamothe in fact favours
New Nectar - New Music for
Javanese Gamelan
Gamelan Madu Sari
Songlines CD SGL 24042
(www.festival.bc.ca)
Paris to Kyiv
Alexis Kochan; Fragmenti
The elegantly digitized picture of a Olesia Records AKBCD 05
section of a Javanese gong on the
cover is an appropriate visual meta- Paris to Kiev is the brainchild of
phor for the music inside - a con- Winnipeg singer Alexis Kochan.
temporary take on the centuries-old Combining the ancient and the modCentral Javanese gamelan (orches- ern, she draws from a rich tradition
tra) tradition. Gamelan Madu Sari of Ukrainian music, mystic prayer
(formed in the wake of Expo ‘86) is and ritual, folk poetry, medieval Slathe name of the set of instruments vonic chant, Carpathian fiddle muand, in true gamelan tradition, also sic, and interweaves these traditions
the name of the group of musicians with elements of jazz, new music
playing it (as well as singing with it). and influences of western Europe.
The first such ensemble on the In a recent interview she describes
west coast of Canada, Gamelan this fourth album by the group, as a
Madu Sari has for over 19 years pre- conceptual whole made up of fragsented its own concerts. It has also ments representing the past. A psybeen actively hosting musicians, as chologist by training, she uses these
well as dance and puppet masters fragments in the same manner that
from Indonesia; however New Nec- memories of our life cycle rise up
tar marks its first and welcome for- from the psyche on a cathartic jouray into commercial recording. The ney reminding us of youth, sexualisix compositions on this lush-sound- ty, burdens of a soul bound to the
ing CD, while played on two differ- human body, and of mortality.
The unique voicings in this enent gamelan from central Java, are
composed and idiomatically and styl- semble representing the Ukrainian
ishly performed by Vancouver-based tradition include the sopilka (a wooden block-flute made from elder) and
musicians.
Given limited space, I can only the bandura (a hybrid instrument
mention here what for me is the combining characteristics of the lute
most fully realized composition and and harp) played by Julian Kytasky
performance here - the three move- as well as overtone singing by Alan
ment Dreams He is a Ball of Schroeder with Michael Thompson.
Fire…Or A Hummingbird, by Ken- Added to the mix are producer Rineth Newby. Starting off like a gen- chard Moody on viola and guitar
tle ball of fire, the majestic first (electric & acoustic), percussionists
movement is scored for full Java- Christian Dugas and Rodrigo Munese gamelan and clearly speaks noz and fretless bassist Paul Yee.
volumes of the composer’s confi- Alexis Kochan’s singing is painted
dent mastery of writing for game- with soft, evocative hues to gently
lan instruments and the gamelan’s draw our deepest yearnings, and inidiosyncratic musical language. At vite us in the final song, to rest for
times an ebullient stream of bubbling, the soul.
Dianne Wells
interlocking figuration, and in other
82
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The concept behind this recording
is superb, timely and relevant. In
today’s unsettled world, where we
are bombarded daily with the horrors of religious intolerance, this CD
stands out as a gesture of reconciliation. As the liner notes state, this
is a musical and spiritual dialogue
between two religions – Sufism (the
mystic aspect of Islam) and Christianity. Both are based on very similar principles, including belief in the
same God and the reading of sacred
texts (the Qur’an and the Bible respectively). More specifically, these
performers are all holy men: Christian monks from Québec and Sufi
dervishes from Syria. Their encounter here is certainly something quite
unusual from a musical and devotional perspective.
So, how exactly do they meld
these two rather different traditions?
In general, the Sufis dominate the
musical texture with their elaborately ornamented solo vocal lines, choir,
instrumental interludes – including
the violin, oud (lute), kanoun (zither) and ney (flute) – and distinct,
mesmerizing, drum beat. By contrast, the Gregorian chant displays
less sonic variety, being purely vocal and delivered in that very poised
and serene style which we have
come to associate with Christian liturgical music. Very often the chant
is interspersed with the Sufi music,
seemingly in the background, while
the beautiful vocal improvisations of
Omar Sarmini are placed in the forefront of the mix. The modal differences between the two traditions
are carefully and cleverly negotiated in order to give relatively seamless transitions back and forth. All
the musicians are exemplary, and the
performance feels completely comfortable and effortless.
This CD demonstrates music’s special capacity to transcend religious and
cultural barriers – particularly pertinent during this season of goodwill.
Annette Sanger
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83
OLD WINE, NEW BOTTLES: Fine Old Recordings Re-Released
The Nine Symphonies of Gustav
Mahler played by
the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Leonard
Bernstein will be
available on DVD
from Deutsche Grammophon on
December 6th [440 0734088].
These are the same in-concert performances [the second is with the
London Symphony from Ely Cathedral] issued on laser disc a generation ago. Documented between 1971
and 1976 these are the mature realizations of Mahler from a conductor who believed he wore Mahler’s
shoes and who passionately championed the composer throughout his
professional career. Included in the
9 DVD package is Das Lied von
der Erde with the Israel Philharmonic, Christa Ludwig and Rene Kollo
live from May 1973. Now in 5:1 surround sound and improved video
quality, the package also includes a
bonus DVD, not available separately, of rehearsal sequences of the
Fifth, Ninth, and Das Lied together
with appreciations by Bernstein. By
any criteria, these unique documents
should be a cornerstone of any music-lover’s library.
Once seen, the
terrifying production of Richard
Strauss’s Elektra
conducted by Karl
Bohm and directed by Gotz Friedrich cannot be
forgotten. The 1981 production has
Astrid Varnay as Klytamnestra, with
Leonie Rysanek, Dietrich FischerDieskau, and Catarina Ligendza. It
returns on DVD from DG in surround sound plus a bonus disc featuring all concerned in an absorbing
92 minute documentary of the rehearsals and preparations for filming the production. Given its pedigree, it is unlikely that this production could ever be equaled [440
0734095].
Sony Classical
has introduced
10 significant titles from the
Masterworks
catalogue to the
Sony/BMG
Classic Library series. All are
newly reprocessed to contemporary
standards using Sony’s DSD technology. Returned to active duty are
Gary Graffman playing the three
piano concertos by Tchaikovsky, Pictures at an Exhibition, and Islamey
[S2K94737]; Bartok’s Concerto
for Orchestra with Ormandy
[SK94726]; the two Liszt concertos
and the Sonata in B minor with
Emanuel Ax [SK94746]; Beethoven’s Ninth from Cleveland with
Maazel, Popp, Obraztsova, Vickers
and Talvela [SK94745]; the Schubert Impromptus, etc. with Murray
Perahia [SK94732]; the Shostakovich Fifth with Bernstein, live in Tokyo [SK94733]; The Firebird
(1910) version, Pulcinella, and
more, with Pierre Boulez
[SK94736]; Ives Second Symphony, etc. with Bernstein [SK94731];
Richard Strauss’s Don Quixote
with Ozawa and Yo-Yo from Boston [SK94735]; and Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Dover Beach, etc.
with Schippers, Ormandy, et.al.
[SK94739].
Fischer-Dieskau’s admirers should
look for the 11 CD Orfeo set of
live Salzburg Festival recitals from
1956-1965
[339050T]. Accompanied by
Gerald Moore,
there are song
cycles and lieder
by Schubert,
Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, Busoni,
Pfitzner, Richard Strauss, and
Beethoven. Fischer-Dieskau was
untouchable during those years and
the master tapes from Austrian Radio were remastered for this edition.
Peak Records has produced a new
recording of Vince Guaraldi’s A
Charlie Brown Christmas, one of
the nicest, most enchanting little albums around. The soundtrack of the
1965 CBS Peanuts special is as
fresh as ever but this new, overblown, tasteless effort is a travesty.
If you don’t have the original, go out
right now and get a copy [Fantasy
8431].
Grigory Sokolov
was the First
Prize winner of
the third Tchaikovsky International Piano
Competition in Moscow in 1966.
Since then he has concertised selectively and remains the jealous
possession of the inner circle of piano fanatics. His is a mighty talent,
as those who have heard him in person know. Naïve Classics has put
together a package of four remarkable recordings; Bach’s Art of the
Fugue; two Beethoven sonatas,
numbers 4 and 28 plus three little
rondos; Chopin’s 24 Preludes; and
Brahms F minor sonata and the
Ballades, opus 10. Such flawless
artistry is very rare indeed and to
bring these electrifying performances into one’s living room is even
rarer. Superlatively recorded, the
discs are available separately but the
boxed set really is a must
[OP30421].
Included in
EMI’s recent
batch of Great
Recordings of
the Century is
a disc of Sibelius tone poems
with von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. Powerhouse, over-thetop performances of Finlandia, En
Saga, and the Karelia Suite put a
lie to the derogatory post-mortem
‘Karajan smoothed everything out’
generalization. The Swan of Tuonela and Valse Triste, however, are
nobly limpid but not flaccid [72434
768472]. The Fourth and Fifth
Beethoven concertos by Emil Gilels
with Leopold Ludwig and the Philharmonia from 1957 defines the
greatness of the late Russian pianist in his prime [72434 768292]. Violinist Ginette Neveu (1919-1949)
was that good, as her honoured recordings of the concertos of Brahms
with Dobrowen and Sibelius with
Susskind attest. Recorded in 1946
and 1945 respectively the admirable 2005 remasterings are full and
graphic [72434 768312].
In 1949/50 Rosalyn Tureck
(1914-2003) recorded The Six
Bach Partitas
BWV 825-830
for Allegro Music. I had not heard these recordings until they appeared recently on
Doremi [DHR-7826/7]. That they
are not played on harpsichord means
nothing in this case, because
Tureck’s qualities of touch and sound
production are such that she produces sounds that only harpsichordists
can achieve. Comparisons with
modern pianists, such as Angela
Hewitt, confirm that Tureck is superior in balance of the voices and
precision of touch and timing. Sound
is crisp and clear serving the performances well.
84
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Chilean pianist
Claudio Arrau
(1903-1991) had
a performing career beginning in
1908, continuing
into the late
1980s. Admittedly he slowed down
towards the end but in 1943, 1947
and 1951 when he played the Liszt
no.2 with Mitropoulos, the Weber
Konzertstück with Erich Kleiber,
and the Schumann with Victor de
Sabata, his technique was dazzling.
He took chances and this was, as
the notes say “a time of flashing fingers and an unapologetic virtuoso fire
that could ignite and engulf every
page.” The sound is quite good,
much better than would expect, given the dates [Music and Arts
CD1174].
Good news for
the Stan Kenton
big band fans:
Capitol has
two new CDs:
“Viva Kenton”
recorded in
New York in 1959 with six additional tracks from Los Angeles in 1963
[72435 60444] and “The Stage
Door Swings”, recorded in New
York in 1958 [72434 77551]. The
Viva album has Kenton standards
with a Latin-American flavour while
Stage Door album contains 12 show
tunes of the day arranged by Lennie Niehaus. I enjoyed these two
discs immensely and if you are
Kenton disciple such as I, don’t be
bashful about it. I have a photograph
on my wall of Herbert von Karajan
at a Kenton concert.
Bruce Surtees
Gift Giving Ideas From
RUSSELL WATSON
Amore Musica
THE VOICE RETURNS! “The People's Tenor” is back with his
fourth album of arias and love songs.
“All the songs are about
love, music, peace,
$14.99
happiness and hope...
It's a record to hold hands
to... It's a different sound...
It's about Russell Watson
singing from the heart and
I don't think I've ever done
that before.”
- RUSSELL WATSON
B000443902
www.russell-watson.com
A UNIVERSAL MUSIC COMPANY
CECILIA
BARTOLI
Opera Proibita
UNIVERSAL CLASSICS
HAYLEY WESTENRA
“The Voice of an Angel” - THE NEW YORK TIMES
Beautiful and stunningly gifted Hayley Westenra has sold over 2 million
albums worldwide and she is still only just 18 years old!
This incredible
album includes
the gorgeous
Joni Mitchell
ODYSSEY
Classics "Both
Sides Now",
“Prayer”,
“Ave Maria”
and a classical
Crossover
$14.99
duet with
Andrea Bocelli.
B000544002
Look out for Hayley's
Canadian tour February /
March 2006.
Hayley's first
concert on DVD
takes us on a
journey that
LIVE From
showcases her
rare ability to
New Zealand
effortlessly cross
the musical
boundariescombining classical,
pop, folk and the
native Maori music
of her homeland.
Wonderful bonus
footage of
0743085
New Zealand
and exclusive
interviews.
www.hayleywestenra.com
RENÉE FLEMING Sacred Songs
Renée Fleming has recorded sublimely
beautiful and poignant interpretations of the
best loved sacred arias, along with some less
well known 20th Century compositions, which
may become new classics of the genre.
Renée Fleming has unquestionably become
the most celebrated soprano of her day.
Rome at the dawn of the 18th
century... Cecilia Bartoli celebrates a
unique period in the musical history
of her home city Arias by George
Frideric Handel, Alessandro Scarlatti
and Antonio Caldara
www.reneefleming.com
www.universalclassics.com
www.ceciliabartolionline.com
Limited Edition CD 4756924
B000519302
EAST VILLAGE OPERA COMPANY
RONAN TYNAN
KATHERINE JENKINS
$14.99
EAST VILLAGE OPERA
COMPANY featuring Ottawans
PETER KIESEWALTER and
TYLEY ROSS.
B000518102
“Rigoletto meets the Ramones - THE EAST VILLAGE OPERA
COMPANY takes familiar opera hits and punks them
up with Rock And Roll”
- NEW YORK POST
www.eastvillageoperacompany.com
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$14.99
B000386302
B000439102
The ever popular Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan with his debut solo
album on Decca, ‘Ronan’. Performing much loved songs such
as“Man of La Mancha”, “Mansions of the Lord”
and “Come in From the Rain”.
www.ronantynan.net
Young Soprano Katherine Jenkins is the Uk's best selling new
Classical artist! ‘LA DIVA’ is Katherine's North American debut!
Beautiful songs include “Time to Say Goodbye”, “Caruso”,
“O Sole Mio”, “Laudate Dominum”
and “You Never Walk Alone”.
www.katherinejenkins.com
85
Peace and Joy
CHRISTMAS CDS TO
REINVIGORATE THE SPIRIT
By Sarah B. Hood
There are many reasons to play
Christmas music. It can be anything from a party pleasure to a
shopping incentive, but at its best
it strips away the mawkish, the extravagant, the cynical layers that
accrue over the festival. It can remind us that the customs of
Christmas are based on a simple
idea: that something beyond and
better than our fallible humanity
invites and impels us to realize the
best in ourselves. A tall order, but
these new releases come through.
Paix et joie de Noël
Choeur de chambre de
Rimouski
Label Musik LM 001 CD
Founded in 1995
under the direction
of Guy Lavigne,
this ensemble is a
triumph of artistic
leadership in a
small community. Local guest soprano
Lucie Gendron has a strong, chocolate voice, and blends generously with
the ensemble. Alongside staples of the
French Canadian Catholic hymnal (Il
est né le divin enfant, Ave Maria),
this disc also surprises with robust
percussion and selections like a
charming medley of carols arranged
by Quebec organist/composer Gilles
Fortin. This well recorded and performed disc packs a powerful emotive punch with its elegantly straightforward approach.
Images of Christmas
John McDermott and friends
EMI P231 33461
McDermott has
assembled a terrific lineup of Canadian musicians to
produce a gentle
contemporary collection that rises far above “easy listening” with its no-flash panache. It
opens with the touching Maybe This
Christmas with Ron Sexsmith, and
proceeds with choices like Lawrence
Gowan’s Ring the Bells for Christmas (with Gowan); Every Time It’s
Christmas (with Murray McLauchlin) and Christmas Time is Here (with
Jane Bunnett). Newfoundlanders
Shaye (Kim Stockwood, Damhnait
Doyle and Tara Maclean) offer a very
sweet Winter Wonderland with upbeat acoustic guitar backup. And did
I mention Tom Cochrane’s Christmas
Discs for the Season
All the Time? Modest McDermott allows himself the showpiece O Holy
Night; but sings it with a masterly, expressive restraint, and shares it with
Toronto vocalist Dawn Langstroth. A
classy enterprise, packed with understated virtuosity.
Concert note: John McDermott and
Friends present “A Family Christmas
Celebration” in 2 performances on
December 22 at Roy Thomson Hall.
Oikan ayns Bethlehem
Meredith Hall & Le Nef
ATMA ACD2 2365
Hall has a voice
like mulled wine
and a seemingly
effortless delivery
of the grace notes
of antique music.
She raises a shiver between the
shoulders in this collection of old
Celtic and British songs that evoke
darkening winter skies. However,
she also conjures up ancient seasonal
celebrations and the fireside meat,
drink and fortitude that help northerners To Drive the Cold Winter
Away. With the help of ancient music specialists La Nef, Hall presents
25 beautifully articulated songs, only
a few of which (What Child Is
This?, Coventry Carol) are well
known. Some rarer standouts are
Hall’s haunting a capella rendering
of the Irish The Darkest Midnight
in December, and the Manx Usheg
Veg Tuy.
Concert note: Meredith Hall is one
of the soloists featured in the Elmer
Iseler Singers’ performance of Handel’s Messiah December 2 at Metropolitan United Church.
Caliban Does Christmas
Caliban Quartet of Bassoonists
ATMA ACS2 2334
When a bassoon
quartet teams up
with Mary Lou Fallis and guests, you
expect some fun.
This lighthearted
disc includes the theme from Hockey
Night in Canada; a Twelve Days of
Christmas with comic cell phone interpolations, and Fallis’ hilarious vocals on A Christmas Carol (which
rhymes “kill the chickens” with “drag
out the Dickens”). But it’s not all comedy. Some of the best pieces are sleigh
ride tunes (well suited to the bassoons)
and Heather Bambrick’s flirty Santa
Baby. A cheerful, accomplished CD
that more than surmounts its occasionally fuzzy recording.
Concert notes: Caliban joins forces
with I Furiosi and Aradia for a multiple CD launch December 4 at the
Great Hall. Caliban and guests perform at Thornhill Presbyterian Church
on January 20.
Noël Baroque/
Baroque Christmas Masques
Analekta AN 2 9908
Moving from lilting
Irish to spirited
Spanish, and including works of
Charpentier and
Scarlatti, this is a
delightful Baroque
compilation. An exceptional track is a
deeply mysterious, passionately pulsing rendering of the traditional French
hymn Noël Nouvelet.
Jazz pour Noël
Trio Lorraine Desmarais &
Jean-Pierre Zanella
Analekta AN 2 9862
A quietly upbeat
selection on piano,
double bass, sax
and drums. The
best is an expressive Sleigh Ride;
the nimble piano rendering might make
you reconsider this overworked department store novelty.
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Classical 96 FM’s Classic Music of
Christmas is aptly subtitled “The Ultimate Collection of Christmas Classics
and Carols”. Its 20 tracks are performed by various groups (Hollywood
Bowl Symphony Orchestra, London
Philharmonic, Clare College Singers
and Orchestra, and so on), but share
a unified mood. The sound is big, upbeat and celebratory, and I dare anyone not to finish their holiday housework in half the usual time with this
recording on the CD player.
***
***
Noel: Carols and Chants for
Christmas
Anonymous 4
Harmonia Mundi HMX
2907411.14
A Ceremony of Carols
Elektra Women’s Choir
Skylark 9703
Magnificat
Chor Leoni
Skylark 9903
Christmas is…
Phoenix Chamber Choir
Skylark 9203CD
The Classic Music of Christmas
Various Artists
EMI P222 38096
Ultimate Christmas Cocktails
Various artists
Capitol P222 78505
Finally, two great gift boxes. The first
of these would delight anyone interested in medieval life: a lidded box of
four discs issued between 1993 and
2003 offering a wide assortment of
ancient music performed in an unmannered style. A bonus: they’ve tucked
in a glossy 150-page booklet with commentary and full lyrics, illustrated with
medieval woodcuts and illuminations.
The second is an attractively designed
three-disc box compiling more than 50
lounge-worthy numbers by Peggy Lee,
Dean Martin, Wayne Newton et al.
Loaded onto a multiple-disc player,
these would keep your party swinging all night!
These CDs from past seasons are
worth a second look. The first three Peace and joy for the coming year to
beg to be considered together: they’re all WholeNote readers!
Sarah B. Hood
all by Vancouver-based choirs and in-
86
clude both lullabies and Latin American songs. The Electra Choir has a
very bright sound – not quite to a fault.
Besides Paul Czonka’s Concierto di
Navidad, they sing Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and Rutter’s lovely
Dancing Day. The mixed-voice
Phoenix Chamber Choir offers 30
songs from many countries: unusual
French and Mexican carols with popular secular tunes like The Christmas
Song. (A good choice for kids.) The
accomplished, all-male Chor Leoni
performs Conrad Susa’s Carols and
Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest; joins the Elektra Choir for Respighi’s stirring Lauda per la Natività
del Signore and ends with Rupert
Lang’s Magnificat (with guest mezzo Mariateresa Magisano).
6 Groups! 7 CDs! All in one night!
The
Great Holiday
Mega-Launch
SIX OF TORONTO’S MOST SIZZLING MUSICAL ACTS
CELEBRATE THEIR NEW RECORDINGS WITH
AN EXPLOSIVE PRESENTATION
OF CLASSICAL, BAROQUE,
JAZZ AND IRISH
TRADITIONAL
FAVOURITES!
Featuring
I FURIOSI
KEVIN MALLON
MUSICA FRANCA
with special guest appearances by
Heather Bambrick
THE CALIBAN QUARTET
James Stephens
THE ARADIA ENSEMBLE
Mary Lou Fallis
Bonnie Brett
DEBORAH QUIGLEY & MARTIN GOULD
The Great Hall
1087 Queen Street West, Toronto
Sunday, December 4, 2005
D o o r s o pe n at 7 : 3 0 p m • A d m i s s i o n $ 1 5
Cash bar and prizes! For advance tickets and info, contact www.caliban.ca/concerts/
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BLOOR, TORONTO, TEL: 416-967-1122
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December 2005/January 2006

Transcription

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