Volume 16 Issue 6 - March 2011

house concert but with

house concert but with artists who usually perform in larger, lessintimate, venues. Fialkowska can also be heard on March 5 withthe Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and on March 13 in a concertpresented by Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket.The list of piano recitals this month goes on and on, but I willmention three more. Sa Chen, a Chinese pianist, who has wonprizes at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (2005),the 14th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw(2000) and the Leeds International Piano Competition (1996), willperform at the MacMillan Theatre on March 27 under the auspicesin Toronto. Just two days later, on March 29, Music Toronto willbring us the internationally renowned Montreal pianist, Marc-AndréHamelin; and on March 30 and 31, French pianist, Jean-YvesThibaudet will be the soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestrain the second concert of a TSO “Signature Series” celebrating the200th anniversary of Liszt’s birth.ClassicLooney Tunesprojected on thebig screenwith livesymphony!Also NoteworthyOf the several events designed for children, one in particular caughtmy eyes: the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra’s concertcalled “Bella the Tuba Gets Her Melody” on March 26.On the community orchestra front, the ScarboroughPhilharmonic Orchestra continues its pattern of innovativeprogramming on April 2, including in its programme three worldpremieres, including one by the evening’s guest conductor, AlexEddington and a violin concerto by Bruce Broughton, a HollywoodGEORGE DAUGHERTYTHE KITCHENER-WATERLOOSYMPHONYAND FINALLY, A WARM WELCOME to an astonishing arrayof distinguished visitors this month: Marina Piccinini and Andreaspiano, March 1; John Williams, guitar, March 27; the ScharounEnsemble of the Berlin Philharmonic, March 11; John Adams (asconductor), (March 5); The Barra McNeils, (April 5 and 6) EvelynGlennie, (March 2); Borealis Quartet, (March 3); Tokyo Quartet,(April 4); Karen Gomyo, violin, (March 23).As Richard Margison observed in the very early days ofWholeNote Magazine, the great thing about The WholeNote isthat it includes local artists as well as internationally known stars.Since everyone’s career starts at the local level, he said, this isgood for everyone. So, let’s all try to get out to hear at least oneconcert by a local artist and one by a student as well as one ortwo by our distinguished visitors. Our participation as part of theaudience is just as important in creating a living musical culture asour participation as performers. Bravo, I say, to the man who cameout to a concert by my students in January. “What brings you toour concert?” I asked him during the intermission. His answer wassimple: “I wanted to hear some music I had never heard before.” Hewas not disappointed, and all of us who participated in the music-He can be contacted at classicalbeyond@thewholenote.com.TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.(s11)TMAPRIL 9 2PM & 7PM416-872-2262 | sonycentre.ca | GROUPS 8+: 416-368-43432010/2011 SEASONSPONSORPROMOTIONALPARTNERPROMOTIONALPARTNERPROMOTIONALPARTNERINNOVATIONSPONSORSsonycentre.ca18 thewholenote.comMarch 1 - April 7, 2011

PHOTO PAUL DEVISSERNOOR to NowruzANDREW TIMARThis month starts auspiciously with the Arabesque DanceCompany & Orchestra’s world premiere of its NOOR (Light),running March 3 - 6 at Harbourfront’s Fleck Dance Theatre.This ambitious production promises to be among the grandest worldperformance events this season with an international ensemble of17 dancers and 14 musicians, including three vocalists. Linkingtraditional art forms from Egypt,Lebanon, Syria and Spain, NOORin medieval Andalusia as expressedthrough spiritual poetry, regionalmusic and dance. The company directorsYasmina Ramzy and BassamBishara collaborated with the notedviolinist and exponent of the ancientMuwashshahaat poetic traditionFathi Aljarah, with Canada’sRoger Scannura and dancer ValeriaScannura of Ritmo Flamenco. Theresult is a juxtaposition of the morelanguid belly dancing tradition withAcoustic Africa comes to Koerner March 6:left to right Koité, Mtukudzi, and Bocoum.Arabesque – 17 dancersand 14 musicians.West African musiclovers are in for atreat on March 6. TheRoyal Conservatoryof Music in partnershipwith SmallWorld Music presentAcoustic Africa, aconcert featuringthree headliners:Habib Koité, OliverMtukudzi, and AfelBocoum, legends intheir native Mali andZimbabwe. We can expect an infectious blend of pop, South Africanmbaqanga, jit and traditional kateke drumming. I’m willing to betthat more than a few patrons will get up out of their Koerner Hallseats to dance along.Melodies of Armenia on March 10 is part of the free WorldMusic Series held noon at the Four Seasons Centre for thePerforming Arts. The concert by the Levon Ichkhanian Quartetshines the spotlight on the playing of Mark Korven’s soulful duduk,an apricot wood shawm with ancient roots in Armenian culture.Levon Ichkhanian on plucked strings, bassist Victor Bateman andWilson Laurencin on percussion join the duduk in presenting the oftmelancholy music of Armenia."Zarzuela comes to Toronto!"LuisaFernandaSung in Spanish with English surtitlesand English dialogueJosé Hernández, ConductorGuillermo Silva-Marin, Stage Directorwww.torontooperetta.comby Moreno TorrobafeaturingMichèle BogdanowiczMiriam KhalilEdgar Ernesto RamirezGuillermo Silva-MarinMarch 9, 11, 12at 8 pmMarch 13 at 2 pmThe BedolfeFoundation416-366-7723 1-800-708-6754 www.stlc.comCanada’s Bechstein Selection CentreYoung Chang Piano GalleryWorld Class Repairsto all musical instruments10 Via Renzo Drive, Richmond Hill(east side of Leslie St., just north of Major Mackenzie Dr.)905.770.52221.800.463.3000cosmomusic.caMarch 1 - April 7, 2010 thewholenote.com 19