EARLY Musicby Frank NakashimaBEING ABLE TO TRAVEL BACK IN TIME to see and hear great musiciansof our past would undoubtedly enable us to understand the music ofthe past more accurately. But would we appreciate it more? Formany of us, both performers and audience alike, there are mysteriesassociated with the distant music we re-envision. While being true tothe spirit, intention, and integrity of the original manuscripts, today ' searly music performer must be an imaginer, a curator, and a guidewho helps make the past relevant and accessible to us. In the courseof doing so, the question "What if ... ?" often reigns supreme.For example, the Toronto Consort's upcoming program (October3, 4), The Marco Polo Project, asks "What if Marco Polo (the famousmedieval merchant who travelled across Asia to Cathay, andthen back to his native Venice) had owned a tape recorder and kept amusical diary of the musical worlds he encountered? And , an evenmore delightful thought, "what if a few of his musical travellingcompanions had played with the musicians they met en route?"Setting aside the question of the recording technology, which obviouslydidn't exist at the time, the suggestion that this historical eventactually could have taken place is temptingly plausible. After all,isn't music the universal language that transcends all barriers?Well, the members of the Toronto Consort (and their music) liveright here among us, here and now, to bring this tantalizing "whatif?" to life, with guests from "along the way": Wen Zhao, pipa, witha traditional Chinese instrumental ensemble; and Kavkasia, a traditionalGeorgian vocal trio led by Toronto singer Alan Gasser. It's theConsort's most exotic journey yet. Website: www.torontoconsort.orgAnother version of the "what if?" is when a presenter asks theright question while planning ahead. Example: the folks at Tafelmusikasking "what if we were to invite Emma Kirkby to come andsing her favourite Baroque arias with us? " Ask the question in time,and the dream come true (October 17-19, 21-23). Dame Emma willdemonstrate why she is considered one of the finest interpreters ofearly vocal music, performing her favourite works by great Baroquecomposers - Handel, Rameau, and Monteverdi. Website:www.tafelmusik.orgAnd what if you were to mix 17th century French lute performancewith the study of Latin American music? Well, either you'd geta musicology degree or, better yet, you'd get a program of dancemusic from 17th century Spain and Mexico performed by the Musiciansin Ordinary with special guest (and musicologist) Jorge Torres(October 18) . Website: www. musiciansinordinary. eaSo having illustrated the power of asking "what if" in the context ofgetting into the spirit of early and period music programming, what ifI just get on with telling you what else is out there for the having thismonth?The theme of light and darkness, so appropriate for a concert closeto Hallowe'en, was on composers' minds even back in the days when"solar power" meant that the sun had just come out. The TorontoChamber Choir under their new director Mark Vuorinen (October26) explores the theme over time, all the way from Renaissancemasters such as Orlando di Lasso, Palestrina, Gesualdo, and WilliamByrd to contemporary Canadian composer Ruth Watson Henderson.Website: www.torontochamberchoir.caWhat if you happened to be in Paris in the summer of 1778, whenMozart arrived on a visit? You certainly would have heard about it.He created a stir wherever he went. Rona Goldensher (violin), NicolaiTarasov (clarinet) , and Sharon Burlacoff (fortepiano) performchamber music by Mozart inspired by that visit, on replica historicalinstruments from that time (Nov !). Website:www. academyconcertseries. cornWhat would you have heard if you happened to be in Paris beforeMozart visited? Anne Thivierge (baroque flute), Melisande Corriveau(bass viol) and Olivier Fortin (harpsichord) answer this questionwith Les Pones de Paris(October 12) at the Gladstone.www.ensemblemasques.org/ENFrank T. Nakashima(franknak@interlog.com) is thePresident of the Toronto EarlyMusic Centre, a non-profit charitableorganization which promotesthe appreciation of historically-informedperformances ofearly music.\VINDERMERESTRING QUARTETon period instrumentsMozartClarinet Quintet in A K581with Nicolai TarasovSchubertQuartet in G D887Sunday, Oct. 5, .3:00~itcltCONSORtJCHORUS & ORCHESTRAChristmasHear selections from their original CD,The Bach Consort at Camphill, 1995Featuring the Bach Consort Chorus and Orchestra,soprano Monica Whicher, contralto Elizabeth Turnbull and friends.Friday, December 5, 2008 at 8:00 pmHors d'oeuvres a desserts at intermission • Wine BarEglinton St. George's United Church35 Lytton Boulevard, TarantoTo reserve tickets, call 416-481-1141, ext. 250Visa and MasterCardCamp hillCa nadaProceeds shared by---._.,~E GL INTON Sr. C E!)RCE'SUNITED CHUKCHCelebrating theArt of SongArtistic Directors:Stephen Ralls and Bruce UbukataThe Enchanted Garden:the songs of Maurice RavelNathalie Paulin, sopranoAllyson McHardy, mezzoPhilip Cannichael, baritoneStephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata, pianoTh e music of a major songwriter,a unique and private man.Sunday, October 26, 2:30 pmWalter Hall, University of TorontoTickets: (Students )Afternoon tea at intermission.Tickets: 416.735.7982PA_ ONTARIO ARTS COUNCILM CON SEIL DES ARTS DE !'.ONTARIOwww.aldeburghconnection.orgto rontdartsbo u n ci IAn arm's length body of the City of Toronto14 WWW. THEWHOLENOTE. COM O CTOBER 1 - N OVEM BER 7 2008
DON'T MISS THIS UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY to enjoy extraordinarily great artists in a trulyextraordinary space, the new home of The Glenn Gould School and The Royal Conservatory.~~,1~A· '.. ..·~ ·.~.. ···.1.:· -·'~~ ~URI MAYER ROYAL CONSERVATORY ORCHESTRA KYUNG-WHA CHU GGS VOCAL STUDENTSANTON KUERTIGEORGE GAOGLENN GOULD SCHOOLPERFORMANCESFriday, October 24, 2008, 8:00pmRoyal Conservatory OrchestraURI MAYER, conductorKYUNG-WHA CHU, pianoMembers of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir(NOEL EDISON, artistic director)Repertoire:STRAVINSKY Symphony of PsalmsRACHMANINOFF Rhapsody on a Theme of PaganiniRIMSKY-KORSAKOV ScheherazadeSpend the night with the Royal ConservatoryOrchestra for an evening of storytelling, holyharmonies, and 24 variations on a theme ofpure virtuosity.Location: Toronto Centre for the Arts -George Weston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St.Tickets: adult, studentsTickets available through Ticketmaster:416.872.1111 or ticketmaster.caWednesday, November 12, 2008, 8:00 pmThe GGS Vocal ShowcaseEnjoy the rare opportunity to see these operaticsingers of the future on stage at The RoyalConservatory. Join The Glenn Gould School'stalented students of the vocal departmentup-close as they present an evening of arts songsand opera arias.Location: Mazzoleni Hall -The Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W.Tickets: FREE - Donation proceeds in support ofThe GGS Opera WorkshopTHE ROYAL CONSERVATORYSunday, October 26, 2008, 2:00 pmGreat Artists SeriesANTON KUERTI, pianoAll Beethoven Sonata ProgrammeLocation: Mazzoleni Hall -The Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W.Tickets: adult, studentsTickets available through RCM Box OfficeThursday, November 6, 2008, 7:30pmWorld Music ConcertsGEORGE GAO, erhuTraditional Chinese erhu fused with western musicLocation: Mazzoleni Hall -The Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W.Tickets: adult, studentsTickets available through RCM Box OfficeFriday, November 7, 2008, 8:00 pmGreat Artists SeriesARC's Music In Exile (Artists of The Royal Conservatory)Location: Mazzoleni Hall -The Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W.Tickets: adult, studentsTickets available through RCM Box OfficeOTHER GREAT FREE EVENTS OFFERED AT THE RCM including a5-Part Beethoven Piano Concerto Lecture Series with internationallyacclaimed Anton Kuerti. Please visit rcmusic.ca for a completelist of concerts, master classes, and events.
