CONCERT NOTES: EARLY
CONCERT NOTES: EARLY MUSIC, continued rales' output consisted almost entirely of sacred music, renowned for its refined contrapuntai'technique. For more information, call: (416) 778-4923, website: http:// snappingturtle. net/criticalmass Mark the fourth Wednesday of every month from September to June. The TEMC Vocal Circle meets to sing early choral music. Originally a forum for discussion, the circle has become a monthly opportunity for the recreational reading of early vocal music. It is ·free to members, .00 to others. A strong ability to read music is an advantage, but all are welcome to come and join in, or simply listen. Wednesday Feb 28's meeting is at 166 Crescent Road, a 10-minute walk east from the Rose
Tuttle and Wayne Riddell, and unique photographic material. The article is available for viewing on the Choral page of WholeNote's website at www.thewholenote.com. Let us know what you think of this experiment. (For those of you with no web access, call the WholeNote editorial office at 416 603 3786 for information on how to obtain a copy.) A month of intriguing choral events begins long before Feb 23 with the Elmer lseler Singers and the Amadeus Chamber Choir teaming up Feb 2 for a program of favourites by Gorecki and Tavener and new pieces by Canadians Peter Togni and Christos Hatzis. I admire the stamina it takes to perform these works, but I must confess I have never connected with the "mystical" choral trends of recent years. It seems to me to be music that rejects both the head and the heart, going instead for a reserved and distancing effect. I'm going to try to challenge myself by attending, though, and will report back next month. Tafelmusik Chamber Choir sings music by the Bach family beginning on Feb. 7. It's a chance to hear lesser-known works by CPE and JC Bach, as well as some fascinating instrumental works. Another not-to-be-missed visiting artist comes on Feb. 13, when Soundstreams presents a rare Toronto appearance by the Swedish Radio Choir, conducted by a living legend. This is rumoured to be Eric Ericson's farewell tour and the program is a marvellous mix of challenging 20th century repertoire. I look forward to the Swedish interpretation of Somers' Feller from Fortune! The impressive VocalPoint Chamber Choir delves into J.S.Bach on Feb. 1, with performances of two motets, a mass and a cantata, directed by Ian Grundy and featuring the Talisker Players. Head to head with the Exultate Durufle, another very interesting choral offering occurs on Feb 23. Noel Edison and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir tackle a pair of a cappella giants with the Rachmaninoff Vespers and the Mass for Four Voices by William Byrd. Looking ahead to March, two choral happenings which take place simultaneously - though in different venues - caught my eye. With David Fallis out of town, conducting at the Houston Grand Opera no less, the Toronto Chamber Choir is conducted by Giles Bryant in one of their wonderful Kaffeemusiks, this time celebrating the music of Henry Purcell, the British Orpheus. Down the road, the Concertsingers, conducted these days by the multi-talented Peter Tiefenbach, perform Bach with guest organist Jan Overduin. And ending as well on an internet-related note, our "Choral Quick Picks" usually found at this point in the magazine will, this month, only appear on our website. We apologize for any inconvenience. NEw Music by David Perlman New Music Concerts has announced three "Music Speaks" events in the Toronto area over the next several weeks. Taking place in informal settings, each concert involves an established soloist presenting and discussing selections from repertoire they have 'developed for New Music Concerts over the years. Sunday Feb 4, for example, at Neilson Park Creative Centre in Etobicoke (call 416 622-5294), Joseph Macerollo (renowned accordionist of Quartetto Gelato) will discuss and perform selections by Alexina Louie (Canada), Samuel Dolin (Canada), Christos Hatzis (Canada), Morris Surdin (Canada), Lukas Foss (USA), Arne Nordheim (Norway), Paul Creston (USA), and Matyas Seiber, (Hungary). Admission is free. And Sunday February 18 at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramics Art, David Hetherington (assistant principal cello of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and a founding member of Amici and the Accordes string quartet) will present and perform. Call New Music Concerts at 416 961-9594 for more details. continues Long & McQuade Musical Instruments Where the Music Begins ~~ _,,/c" We carry a selection of woodwind, brass and percussion in~truments ~'1::~ for students and professionals ~ Announcing the formation of a new choir in Toronto directed by David Jafelice The Anno Domini Chamber Singers 925 Bloor St. W. Toronto, Ontario (416) 588-7886 1133 Markham Rd. Scarborough, Ontario (416) 439-8001 2777 Steeles Ave. W. North York, Ontario (416) 663-8612 370 Main St. North Brampton, Ontario (905) 450-4334 a group of 16 to 30 choristers performing sacred and liturgical music Auditions wiH be held in February. Sight-reading skiUs are required. 380 Simcoe St. S. Oshawa, Ontario (905) 434-1612 Rehearsals will be held on Monday evenings in central Toronto. For more information and/or an audition appointment 1 please ca[[ 416-696-0093 FEBRUARY 1, 2001 - MARCH 7, 2001 wholenote 11
