Volume 2 Issue 6 - March 1997

P.-.ge 6 • M.rvcl:' I

P.-.ge 6 • M.rvcl:' I - April 5 1997 - =~~- - ... . ............ ........... .. ... ~ .. ·~··'-' _ ... ~- - - - _ -- ' .. ~ .. ~ ........ ... _ .. .... - -~- ~ -~~-- - ---'"~""""-- - ~ ~ --= - - P AUK & ESPRIT SALUTE BECKER AND McPHEE There's an odd perhaps accidental symmetry in the Esprit Orchestra's programming of its March 23rd concert.-featuring the work of an early 20th century Canadian-born American composer and a late. 20th century American-born Canadian composer. Paradox and contrast were salient features of the life of the Canadian-born composer, Colin McPhee. Escaping· the parochialism of his homeland as a young man to study c;omposition in France . and the U.S. he joined Aaron Copland and his contemporaries in New York in 1926 where he wrote music in the avant­ 'garde style of the time. Like Copland he abandoned that style but went in quite a different direction, following his own deep longing for a premodern world, which took him to Bali. There he learned the Balinese language, studied and transcribed the indigenous music, played there by . gamelan orchestras (tuned metal percussion instruments) and revived musical practices which were already then falling into disuse. Returning to New York in 1938, he wrote a massive scholarly study, Music in Bali, and music infused with his Bali experience but scored for western instruments. Four of McPhee's works from this New York period will be on the program of the Esprit Orchestra's concert Transitions--Colin McPhee and Beyond. March 23. McPhee died forgotten and unappreciated, only to be hailed more than 30 years after his death a visionary who anticipated such musical luminaries as John Cage and Steve Reich. In contrast, Bob Becker has built his study of percussion instruments from many cultures into an enormously successful and acclaimed career. He has worked with · artists as diverse as the Marlborough Festival Orchestra (under Pablo Casals), the Paul Winter Consort, Marion Brown, Chuck Mangione and Paul Horn. . · He has appeared as a tabla soloist in India. He is a founding member of the Flaming Dono West African Dance and Drum Ensemble in Toronto. As a member of Nexus he has performed as soloist and ensemble member with major symphonies throughout North American. And he has appeared and recorded worldwide as a regular member of the ensemble Steve Reich and Associates. Generally considered to be one of the world's premiere virtuoso performers on marimba and xylophone, Becker is also a composer of note. His compositions are perfor~ed regularly by percussiOn groups worldwide, and he has creayted music , among others, for the J offrey Ballet in New York. It is as a composer that - he is featured in the March 23 Esprit concert, in the world premiere of a new work .. CLASSICAL HEAVEN ON 0 A MONTH . The genesis of Pulse was a little feature called "Classical Heaven on 0 a month" in The Kensington Drum community newspaper, · nearly four years ago. Well, "classical heaven" on a low budget is still a reality in Toronto. We won't rob you of the pleasure of poring ove11 the listings yourself, . but we count no fewer than 114 concerts in March for which the price of admission is or less. Many of these, in fact, are free. GOING FOR BAROQUE March and the first-few· days of April are going to be like an early spring for lovers of "early" (Baroque & earlier) music. To begin with, T afelmusik is doing not one but two sets of concerts in March. Monica Hugget will be at the Glenn Gould on the 19th and Emma · Kirkby and the Academy of Ancient Music will be at Massey es • • • Hall on April 2nd. T ororito's own Arbor Oak Trio has performances March 1 and 5, the Aradia Ensemble March 2, and Baroque Music beside the Grange's "Gems from Bach's Cantatas" can be heard March 1 and 2. Aradia Ensemble, Baroque Music Beside the Grange and the Academy Concert Series all have performances of Baroque music on April 5th as well. And that's not all. The Women's Musica Club is bringing the Wren Baroque Soloists vocal ensemble with accompanying period instruments April 3. And on April 4 the Sine Nomine Ensemble for Medieval Music, one of the groups to he featured at Pulse's benefit concert April 14), will be presenting music for the medieval cult of the saints. (There's a full Pulse benefit lineup on page 31.) EASTERN MASTERS AT THE MUSIC GALLERY The Music Gallery has a series this month titled "Master Musicians of the East". The first of the two

~- ·---·- concerts is classical Persian--Majid Kiani on santour-- March 13. The second is mrdangam player, Trichy Sankarin March 27. Sankarin ~ill aiso give a lecture I demonstration · on South Indian rhythm at York University at noon March 12 . . TABLA FOR ALL :TIMES . Toronto Tabla Ensemble (pictured right) . "spread their branches very wide. March 15, for example, they present a program billed as "multidisciplinary and polyethnic" at the Betty : Oliphant Theatre. . They also regularly team up with musicians as various as jazz bassist George Koller, vocalist Julie Michels, saxophonist Ernie To1lar, and Maryem Hassan of the Greek- Arab vocal ensemble Maza Meze. · MORE, PAGE 28 Build Your Own Library· of Fine VIDEOS from .9Lrts & Senses at Video Variables Ballet & Opera­ Symphonies & Composers Art & Artists Literature · Foreign Films Classic Movies All Videos are Special @rder 864 Millwood Road Toronto M4G IW6 (416) 423-0077 March 1 - April 5 1 997 • Pag_e 7 · ®.-~ tfie sounc£ post Canada's String Shop violins, violas, cellos, basses . repairs and restorations, bow reh~rs strings and accessories music and recordings educational materials guaranteed lowest prices "' NEW LOCATION "' 93 Grenville St. (near College/Bay), Toronto · phone (416) · 971-6990 fax (416) 597-9923 Free Parking "' Open Sundays 12 - 5 .8 TRACK DIGITAL • Recordings • On ~ocati~n • CO's & Tapes • Vocaland Instrumental Peter Hercus (905) 631-6938 NORTH TORONTO INSTITUTE OF MUSIC Inquire about our full da,y - Music/Gymnastics camps in March Break and Summer - Private instruction op most instrumenis - Instrument rentals - Theory classes - Start any time 550 Eglinton A venue East 416-488-2588 ~ . ~f~j · Canada's Greatest Composer·· Willa'n Tenebrae Responsaries "Some of the finest church musicians in North America" - K-W Record ~~ ... · ·"This music is beyond world class; it's world-without- " ... a superb selection of Willan's finest choral music .... one of the choral albums of the year." - Toronto Star Canada's Finest Choirs - available on CD (lnd Cassette at all good record stores _lj