1 0 HEAR & NOW: BY DAVID
1 0 HEAR & NOW: BY DAVID PARSONS BY DAVID G. H. PARSONS This marvellous 1998-99 new music season is racing toward swnmer with very little let-up as it draws closer to its' triumphant close. As usual I have spiced these observations on the month's live music with suggestions of recordings pertaining to the month's concert offerings. Readers should fmd these titles both enjoyable and enlightening. (Those containing Canadian composers may be acquired at the Canadian Music Centre, where you can sample repertoire in advance in the Library's listening rooms.) LIGm New Music Concerts concludes a most successful series with "Ligeti at 76" on Sunday, June 13 at the Glenn Gould Studio. Two major works ofGyorgy Ligeti have been programmed-the Etudes for Piano, Books I and ll, interpreted by new music exponent Christina Petrowska; and the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra with Fujiko lmajishi as soloist, which will receive its Canadian premiere. Also on the evening is Du Fouet et du Plaisir by Quebec composer Denys Bouliane. Personal connections to Ligeti abound throughout this concert. Petrowska added Ligeti's piano works to her repertoire under the composer's personal guidance, Bouliane is the only Canadian composer to have studied with Ligeti, and artistic director Robert Aitken has been a long-time friend. ''New Music Concerts has been trying to programme this Ligeti celebration for the past five years," says Lorraine Johnson, general manager, "and we wanted very much to present the Canadian premiere of his violin concerto. Our policy is always to have the composer on hand for these tribute concerts but Llgeti is difficult to get sm'ce he is in such demand." Unfortunately, this great artist will not be in attendance at the Toronto concert, but the performances will be preceded by Michel Falin's documentary film, "Gyorgy Ligeti" - dealing with the composer's private life as well as his music, and including scenes shot in Budapest and Romania. Recordings: Ligeti's discography is extensive, and fans should have no trouble fmding his work. Christina Petrowska is prominent in new music news these days. On May 19, some 70 people were in attendance at Toronto's Heliconian Hall for the launch of her CD ''Northern Sirens." Featuring the music of five outstanding Canadian women composers-Larysa Kuzmenko, Alexina Louie, Diana Mcintosh, Heather Schmidt and Ann Southam-the disc is a showcase for Petrowska's virtuoso technique. It also presents five highly contrasting musical voices, all connected by their new and insightful approaches to tonality which makes their music very much of our day (York Fine Arts - YFA00999). AIYUN CHRISTINE HUANG Female musical creators are celebrated again when the Association of Canadian Women Composers continues its 98/99 concert series with a solo percussion recital by Aiyun Christine Huang at the Music Gallery (June 11 ). Huang has selected pieces for marimba, vibraphone and exotic world music instruments by Canadians Ann Southam (Alternate Currents), Alice Ho (Forest Rain), and Svetlana Maksimovic (new work), as well as international composers Keiko Abe (Japan), Chaya Czerlowin (Finland) and Chialin Pan (Taiwan). This is the last event in the Association's series of four concerts, and is preceded by a choral programme on June 5 (see the Choral Scene). Two additional concerts were given in Vancouver earlier in the year. HEMISPHERES, SANKARAN Hemispheres concludes its lOth anniversary season with a programme entitled Old Forms, New Voices at tlle du Maurier Theatre Centre on Sunday, June 6. Acclaimed South Indian drummer and composer Trichy Sankaran will appear with the 15-piece improvising ensemble in what promises to be a crossover fusion event! From Madras to New York, scholar, composer and master player of the mrdangam (the classical double-headed South Indian drum), Sankaran is praised for his virtuosity, inventiveness and rhytlunic control. He has composed a new work featuring himself with Hemispheres for this concert. Entitled Jazzadorian, it explores possible connections between modality in jazz, and the system of ragas in Indian music. TWENTIETH CENTURY TSO The Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents important 20th century works during the month on several of its programmes. First in the line up is a concert of American music that features the TSO's first performances of John Corigliano's Symphony No. l (June 10, 12 , 14). The American composer wrote the symphony in 1990 after seeing the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and in memory of several friends who llad died of the disease. Described as a "big, powerful sometimes Christina Petrowska unsettling, ultimately affecting score," it expresses Corigliano's feelings of loss, anger and frustration in the face of this epidemic. Critics agree that this deeply moving work will stand as one of the great American symphonies of the modern era. It has been played by orchestras around the world and recorded more than once. I encourage WholeNote readers to familiarize themselves with this piece in advance and recommend Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra who gave the world premiere (ERATO 2292-45601-2). Also on the programme is John Adams' The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for Orchestra) and Gershwin's Piano Concerto. Earlier in the month (June 2, 3, 5), Shostakovich's massive Symphony No.7, (Leningrad) gets a welcome Toronto performance, and later (June 16, 17, 18), the TSO performs Et Ia solitude derive au fil des fleuves by Canadian composer Brian Cherney. On the 17th, Cherney will join me for a discussion about his music in the lobby as part of the orchestra's "Musically Speaking" series. We hope to see you there! · AFFINITIES Several performers noted for their special affinity for new music are giving exciting concerts in June. On the 13th,
violist Laura Wilcox presents a wide range 'of contemporary works. Wilcox has recently moved to Brazil where she is performing in Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, and the composers featured on her Toronto appearance are a mixture of Canadian and international: Sergio Barroso, Orlando Jacinto Garcia: Gyrgy Kurtag, James Tenney, David Lidov, and Boguslaw Schliffer. ·. (Perhaps it's the unlucky number 13-this event conflicts with New Music Concerts Ligeti tribute, so new music fans will have a tough choice.] Then on the 17th, the violin and piano duo of Marc Sabat and Stephen Clarke will present an evening of works by Morton Feldman (Piece, Projection 4, Extensions I, Vertical Thoughts 2, Spring ofChosroes) and Christian Wolff(For 1, 2, or 3 People) at the Ettore Mazzoleni Concert Hall, Royal Conservatory. The duo has performed extensively in Europe, where they have developed a strong following within the contemporary music community. Just in May the two released their flrst recording; the complete works for violin and piano by James Tenney (HAT[now]ART 120) MUNICHfTORONTO EXCHANGE Lastly, new music lovers should note that several Toronto-area composers - Allison Cameron, Barbara Croall and Marc.Sabatare receiving premieres in Germany in June as part of a unique cultural exchange opportunity. These three Canadians are matched up with three German composers based in Munich for six world premieres at the A. Devantgarde New Music Festival. This concert will be re-mounted at the Music · Gallery in Toronto in October as a way of opening dialogue between the two cities. David G.H. Parsons is Ontario. Regional Director & Acting Head, National Library Canadian MusicCentre Chalmers House 20 St. Joseph Street Toronto; OntarioM4Y JJ9 Tel: (416) 961-4057 Fax: (416) 961-7198 E-mail: cmcont@interlog. com Website: Toronto School of Music Canada Maureen Forrester, Honorary Chair Colin Yip, President · We offer superb musical instruction by a distinguished teaching faculty of world-renowned musicians. International Opera Centre One year professional opera training program with William Shookhoffas artistic director and performance with orchestral accompaniment. Professional Performance Diploma For high school graduates who wish to become professional musicians. (Piano, Voice, Strings, Woodwinds, Composition, Jazz, Chinese Music, Church Music, Opera, Musical Theatre) Professional Advanced Certificate Program Advanced level studies for the professional student. (Piano, Voice, Strings, Woodwinds) General Music Education Private or group instruction for children (ages 4 and up) as well as adults from beginners to advanced levels. For information and registration, please contaCt Toronto School of Music Canada 349 Queen Street West, Suite 201, Toronto, Ontario, M5V2A4 Tel. (416) 260-1882 Fax (416) 222-8928 /l/1 • mUSIC gallery DO MUSIC MONDAY JUNE 7 CCMC TUESDAY JU!\IE 8 CHRISTINE HUANG FRIDAY JUNE 11 DO MUSIC MONDAY + TUESDAY JUNE 14 + 15 QUEEN MAB SATURDAY + SUNDAY JUNE 5 + 6 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY JUNE 8 3 SOPRANOS 3 PIANOS & 3 GUYS WITH DRUMS SUNDAY JUNE 20 DO MUSIC WEDNESDAY JUNE 23 HANNAN & KUCHARZYK FRIDAY JUNE 25 LOOP COLLECTIVE WEDNESDAY + THURSDAY . JUNE 9 + 10 LAURA WILCOX SUNDAY JUNE 13 MEIRO STAMM FRIDAY JUNE 18 CCMC TUESDAY JUNE 22 CONTINUUM THURSDAY JUNE 24 CANADIAN ELECTRONIC ENSEMBLE SATURDAY JUNE 26 EVERGREEN CLUB SUNDAY JUNE 27 THE GLASS ORCHESTRA TUESDAY JUNE 29 DO MUSIC MONDAY JUNE 28 www.interlog.com/ -musicgal 179 RICHMOND STREET WEST•WEST OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE•ALL PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 8PM UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE•FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION CALL 416.204.1080
