goers, to presentKorean-Canadian soloistsand composersand provide work andexperience to youngmusicians from theGTA.” On October 20,regular and “non-regular”concertgoers cansee that mission executedas KCSO presentsits “25th AnniversaryGala Concert” at theToronto Centre for theArts’ George WestonRecital Hall, beginningat 7:30pm. While theprogram does not containany Korean works,Shlomo Mintz.it does offer Mozart’sAndante in C K315 and Rondo in D K184, the first movement of bothChopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor and Grieg’s Piano Concertoin A Minor, as well as Symphony No.7 by Beethoven (in full). Korean-Canadian musicians Sylvia Kim, flute, and pianists Jason Lee andDonna Lee will perform under the baton of Richard Lee who, in additionto being the KCSO’s music director, is also an assistant musicdirector of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.50 years: The Ontario Philharmonic (OP) must be getting prettypumped about their upcoming set of concerts titled “Shlomo Mintz,Violin Legend: Celebrating 50 Years on Stage.” I don’t know when itwas that Mintz last performed in Ontario (or with the OP), but hisearly November engagement with the Oshawa-based orchestra isbeing billed as a “long-awaited return.”Interestingly, both the OP and Mintz were born in 1957 (whichmeans Mintz musthave had his first stageappearance at age five).Mintz, considered oneof the greatest violinistsof our time (and who,at age 18, added the roleof conductor to his longlist of achievements),has had a celebratedcareer, beginning withhis Carnegie Hall debutat age 16 with thePittsburgh Symphony.We are lucky to havehim in the GTA fortwo performances: thefirst, November 3, isat Oshawa’s RegentTheatre; the second, onthe 6th, is at Koerner Hall and is part of the OP’s special Great SoloistsSeries which showcases some of the world’s most distinguished artists.It’s an all-Tchaikovsky program for each concert with Mintzperforming the Violin Concerto in D Op. 35 and Marco Parisotto, OPmusic director, conducting the orchestra in the Symphony No. 5 in EMinor Op.64. Both concerts begin at 8pm.200 years: I simply could not resist including the Medical MusicalGroup Chorale and Symphony Orchestra’s “Canadian-AmericanFriendship Concert: 200 Years of Peace and Friendship!” in thiscollection of celebratory concerts. Based out of Washington, DC,the 200 members of MMG are “healers: doctors, nurses and othersfrom medical centers and schools all over the USA.” Their mission?“To perform ‘Music with a Message’ — of healing, hope, inspiration,patriotism and peace at home; and peace and international friendship18 thewholenote.com October 1 – November 7, 2012
overseas.” MMG is the largest musicalmedical group in America — there aremany such groups, as I discovered at www.doctorshobbies.com; who knew? — andperformances have taken the group toCarnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, theUnited Nations and the White House, as wellas to overseas destinations such as Denmark,France, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, NewZealand and Russia.The repertoire for MMG’s November 7 concertwill include everything from Foster’sThe Prayer and Haydn’s The HeavensAre Telling to von Suppé’s Light CavalryOverture, McCrae’s In Flanders Fieldsand Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture Finale;plus another eight or so pieces as well as a“Beautiful Tunes Collage” of theme melodies.And as an extra special treat, Dean Martin’sdaughter, Deana Martin, will be on hand tosing some of her father’s songs. In addition,there will be the narration of verse intertwinedwith music.Joining the MMG for the evening willbe tenor Mark Masri and soprano LaceyPurchase, while our very own Kerry Strattonwill be among the seven narrators; that’sright, the busy conductor will not be the onewith the baton this time. That honour will goto MMG founder and music director, VictorWahby, MD, Ph.D., otherwise known as the“medical maestro.” Church on the Queenswayis the “operating” theatre; “scrub in” is at7:30pm. (sorry)String Instruments at Remenyi❥ An unmatched selection of quality instrumentsand bows in every range❥ The newest cases, strings, accessories❥ Restorations, Appraisal Services❥ RentalsViolin Makers, Dealers and Experts Since 1890210 Bloor Street West, Toronto(just west of Avenue Road —parking in rear off Bedford Road)remenyi.comProgramme HighlightsSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012 8:00 pmCentre for the Arts, St. Michael’s College SchoolFelix MendelssohnViolin Concerto in E minor, Opus 64featuring Julia McFarlane, violinJohannes BrahmsSymphony No. 1 in C minor, Opus 68SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2013 8:00 pmCentre for the Arts, St. Michael’s College SchoolWolfgang Amadeus MozartArias and vocal ensembles featuring winners of the2012 NYCO Mozart Vocal CompetitionOverture from La clemenza di Tito, K.621Symphony No. 31, K.297 in D major, “Paris”SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2013 2:00 pmIsabel Bader TheatreA Family-Friendly Concert!Dean BurryCarnival of the DinosaursNYCO Symphony Orchestrafeaturing narration by Jay Ingram, from The Discovery ChannelSATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2013 8:00 pmCentre for the Arts, St. Michael’s College SchoolClaude DebussyRhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestrafeaturing Bill Krangle, clarinetPyotr Ilyich TchaikovskySwan Lake Suite4 Concerts 3 Concerts Per ConcertAdult Seniors Students Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance at our website. For moreinformation, and complete concert listings, please contact us by phone orvisit us online.(416) 628-9195 nyco.on.caOctober 1 – November 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 19
