● ● 7:30: Isabel Bader Centre for the PerformingArts. Ensembles Series: ZukermanChamber Players. Dvořák: Piano Trio No.4 ine Op.90; Beethoven: Piano Trio Op.87 “Archduke.”Amanda Forsythe, cello; Angela Cheng,piano; Pinchas Zukerman, violin and conductor.390 King St. W., Kingston. 613-533-2424 or 1-855-533-2424. .50 and up.● ● 7:30: John Laing Singers. Gracious Harp.Ancient and modern music for choir, harp,flute and percussion. L. Enns: Sunne ofGrace; works by Lassus, Lauridsen, Luengen,Holst and other. Sara Traficante, flute; KristanToczko, harp. St. Paul’s United Church,29 Park St. W., Dundas. 905-628-5238. ;(under 30).● ● 7:30: Peterborough Singers. YuletideCheer. Yorkminster Citadel Band; Len Ballantine;Ian Sadler, organ; Sydney Birrell,conductor. George Street United Church,534 George St. N., Peterborough. 705-745-1820. ; $20(under 30); (st).● ● 8:00: University of Waterloo Departmentof Music. Gloria Deo. Poulenc: Gloria; andother seasonal works. University of WaterlooChamber Choir; Grebel Chapel Choir; Universityof Waterloo Choir. St. Peter’s LutheranChurch, 49 Queen St. N., Kitchener. 519-885-0220 x24256. ; (sr/st).● ● 8:00: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty ofMusic. Stravinsky–Then and Now. SymphonyOrchestra, Wind Orchestra, Choirs, ChamberEnsembles. Theatre Auditorium, Wilfrid LaurierUniversity, 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo.519-884-0710x4439. ; (sr); free(st).Sunday November 30● ● 2:00: Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts.Lafayette String Quartet and PendereckiString Quartet with Robert Silverman andDaniel Lichti. Barber: Dover Beach; Brahms:Quintet in F; Mendelssohn: Octet for Strings.126 James St. S, Hamilton. 905-528-4020.; (sr); (st).● ● 2:00: University of Waterloo Departmentof Music. Jazz Ensemble. Selection of seasonaljazz classics. Michael Wood, conductor.Great Hall, Conrad Grebel University College,140 Westmount Rd. N., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24256. ; (sr/st).● ● 3:00: Guelph Concert Band. Celebrate!Harcourt Memorial United Church, 87 DeanSt., Guelph. 519-835-8531. ; (sr/st);(eyeGo/children).● ● 5:00: St. George’s Cathedral (Kingston).Advent Candlelight Procession with Carols.Cathedral Adult and Children’s Choirs.270 King St. E., Kingston. 613-548-4617. Freewilloffering.● ● 7:30: University of Waterloo Departmentof Music. Instrumental Chamber Ensembles.Brass and string ensembles. Chapel, ConradGrebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd.N., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24256. Free.Reception following.Monday December 1● ● 8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. 40th Anniversary Gala Concert.Brahms: Piano Quintet in f; Mendelssohn:Octet for Strings; Barber: Dover Beachfor string quartet and baritone. Daniel Lichti,baritone; Robert Silverman, piano; PendereckiQuartet; Lafayette Quartet. KWCMSMusic Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo.519-886-1673. (very limited). ReceptionB. Concerts Beyond the GTAfollowing.Tuesday December 2● ● 12:15: St. George’s Cathedral. Advent Concerts.Michael Capon, organ. St. George’sCathedral (Kingston), 270 King St. E., Kingston.613-548-4617. Freewill offering. Also Nov,27, Dec 4, 9, 11, 16 and 18.Wednesday December 3● ● 8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. 40th Anniversary Week Concerts:Robert Silverman, piano. Late Brahmspiano works: Op.76, 118, 119. KWCMS MusicRoom, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673. ; (sr); $20(st).● ● 8:00: Wilfrid Laurier University Facultyof Music. Chamber Music Concert. MaureenForrester Recital Hall, Wilfrid Laurier University,75 University Ave. W., Waterloo. 519-884-0710x4439. Free.Thursday December 4● ● 12:15: St. George’s Cathedral. Advent Concerts.Michael Capon, organ. St. George’sCathedral (Kingston), 270 King St. E., Kingston.613-548-4617. Freewill offering. Also Nov,27, Dec 2, 9, 11, 16 and 18.Friday December 5● ● 7:00: PeaceQuest Kingston. JoyeuxNoel. Blend of song, film, meditation andpoetry to mark the 100th anniversary of theWWI Christmas Truce. Kingston City Hall,216 Ontario St., Kingston. 613-583-2569.PWYC.● ● 7:30: Arcady. Christmas with Arcady.Christmas music of Ronald Beckett. St.Andrew’s United Church, 95 Darling St.,Brantford. 519-752-5823. $20; (st).● ● 7:30: Moston Concerts. Liona Boyd: A WinterFantasy. Holiday classics and other songs.Liona Boyd, guitar; Michael Savona, guitarand vocals. St. James Anglican Church (Stratford),41 Mornington St., Stratford. 1-888-222-6608. ; (st/12 and under).● ● 7:30: Pax Christi Chorale. Winter Nights.J.S.Bach: Christmas Oratorio Part II; Nunkomm der Heiden Heiland; Martin: WinterNights. Michele Bogdanowicz, mezzo; SeanClark, tenor; Doug MacNaughton, baritone.St. John Vianney Parish, 13 Baldwin Ln, Barrie.705-726-8007. ; (sr); (st). AlsoDec 6,7 (see GTA).● ● 8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. 40th Anniversary Week Concerts:Soo Bae, cello. KWCMS Music Room,57 Young St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673.; (sr); $20(st).Saturday December 6● ● 7:30: Chorus Niagara. Messiah: A NiagaraHoliday Tradition for 50 years. Handel’s Messiahperformed on period instruments. JenniferKrabbe, soprano; Lyndsay Promane,mezzo; Charles Sy, tenor; Tristan Jones, bass;Talisker Players. Mountainview ChristianReformed Church, 290 Main St. E., Grimsby.1-866-617-3257 or 905-688-5550 x3257. ;(sr); (under 30); (st); (eyeGO).Also Dec 7(mat, St. Catharines). Donationswelcome of non-perishable food items in supportof Grimsby Benevolent Fund.● ● 7:30: Grand Philharmonic Choir. Messiah.Handel. Jennifer Taverner, soprano; KimberlyBarber, mezzo; Cory Knight, tenor; DanielLichti, bass-baritone; Kitchener-WaterlooSymphony; Mark Vuorinen, conductor. Centrein the Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener.519-578-6885. –.● ● 7:30: Moston Concerts. Liona Boyd: AWinter Fantasy. Holiday classics and othersongs. Liona Boyd, guitar; Michael Savona,guitar and vocals. Trinity United Church,284 Division St., Cobourg. 1-888-222-6608.; (st/12 and under).Sunday December 7● ● 2:00: Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. 40th Anniversary Week Concerts:Pivot Chamber Soloists. Beethoven:Trio Op.11; Messiaen: Quartet for the End ofTime. Minghuan Xu, violin; Soo Bae, cello;Romy de Guise, clarinet; Winston Choi, piano.KWCMS Music Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo.519-886-1673. ; (sr); $20(st).● ● 2:30: Chorus Niagara. Messiah: A NiagaraHoliday Tradition for 50 years. Handel’s Messiahperformed on period instruments. JenniferKrabbe, soprano; Lyndsay Promane,mezzo; Charles Sy, tenor; Tristan Jones, bass;Talisker Players. Calvary Church, 89 Scott St.,St. Catharines. 1-866-617-3257 or 905-688-5550 x3257. ; (sr); (under 30); (st); (eyeGO). Also Dec 6(eve, Grimsby).Donations welcome of non-perishable fooditems in support of Community Care.● ● 2:30: Kawartha Concerts / Encore Children’sProductions. Hansel and Gretel. MetroYouth Opera. Glenn Crombie Theatre, FlemingCollege, 200 Albert Street S., Lindsay. 705-878-5625. ; (child/youth). 1:30: Preconcertevent for family.120 Diner120 Church St. 416-792-7725120diner.comSunday Brunch 11am-3pm. No Cover.November 2 11am-3pm Jacob Gorzhaltsan(clarinet/sax); Trevor Peverley (guitar); MarshalHerridge (bass). November 9 11am-3pm Emily Steinwall (tenor sax); YoungchanNa (guitar); Nick Arseneau (bass). November16 11am-3pm Chelsea McBride (woodwinds);Steven Dale (guitar); Scott Hunter(bass). November 21 6-8pm “Bass and Voiceand Sax” Ori Dagan (vocals); Brandi Disterheft(bass); Alison Young (sax). November23 Kristian Podlacha (keys); Patrick Smith(saxophone); Victor Vrankuij (bass). November30 Matt Lagan (tenor sax); Ewen Farncombe(keys); Holt Stuart-Hitchcox (bass).80 Gladstone80 Gladstone Ave. 416-516-719980gladstone.com (full schedule)November 15 8pm Jim Vivian: Solo Bass .November 22 8pm Jeff LaRochelle & OriginsCD release . November 29 8pm Myriad3.Alleycatz2409 Yonge St. 416-481-6865alleycatz.caAll shows: 9pm (unless otherwise noted). Callfor cover charge info.Every Mon 8pm Salsa Night w/ Frank Bischunand free lessons. Every Tue 8:30pmBachata Night w/ DJ Frank Bischun andfree lessons. Every Wed 8:30pm Carlo● ● 2:30: Kingston Symphony. Afternoonat the Opera. Lucia Cesaroni, soprano;Andrew Haji, tenor; Geoffrey Sirett,baritone; Evan Mitchell, conductor. GrandTheatre, 218 Princess St., Kingston. 613-530-2050. $20-(adult), $20-(senior),-(student), (child).Sunday, December 7thSt. Joseph’s Church, Fergus● ● 3:00: Elora Festival and Singers. A VillageMessiah. Handel. Elora Festival Singers;Noel Edison, conductor. St. Joseph’s CatholicChurch, 760 St. David N., Fergus. 519-846-0332. .C. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz)Berardinucci Band. No cover. November6 Toney Wild “T” Springer Jam. November7 Taxi. November 13 The Community SoulProject. November 14, 21, 28 Lady Kane. November20 Acoustic Jam w/ Noah Zacharin.November 27 Jazz Biscuit.Annette Studios566 Annette St. 647-880-8378annettestudios.comEvery Mon 9:30pm Jazz Jam w/ Nick MorganQuartet. Suggested donation /(st).Artword Artbar15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 905-543-8512artword.net (full schedule)November 13 8pm Scott McIntosh and band.November 14 8 Jonas Pearson Paavola andHis Group PWYC. November 19 8pm TomAltobelli.Axis Gallery and Grill3048 Dundas St. W 416-604-3333axisgalleryandgrill.com (full schedule)All shows: No cover/PWYCThe Blakbird812b Bloor St. West 647-344-7225theblakbird.com/ (full schedule)Every Sat 8:30 Five Weeks for Coltranewith The Mike Arthurs Quartet and featuredguests (adv)/$20(door)/(pass). EveryTue 8pm Night Bird Vocal JAZ Jam Sessionwith the Kayla Ramu Quartet. November 79pm Don River Blues Band. November 9 8pmClifton Joseph presents Negus and the PlatinumRecords Crew. November 1358 | November 1 - December 7, 2014 thewholenote.com
8pm Trouble. November 14 8pm Joe AmatoTrio. November20 8pm Terry Logan. November21 10pm Overfunk’d – James vs. FelaDJ. November 23 8pm Clifton Joseph presentsNegus and the Platinum Records Crew.November 27 8pm Connor Hall Trio. November28 8pm Kobena Aquaa Harrison andAfrica Djelly.Bloom2315 Bloor St. W. 416-767-1315bloomrestaurant.comAll shows: 19+. Call for reservations.November 13 7pm Carol McCartney (voice)Trio feat. Brian Dickinson (piano), KieranOvers (bass) (with dinner). November 277pm Dave Restivo (piano) Trio feat. Kelly Jefferson(saxophone), Jon Maharaj (bass).Castro’s Lounge2116e Queen St. E 416-699-8272castroslounge.com (full schedule)All shows: No cover/PWYCEvery Wed 6pm The Mediterranean Stars.Every Sat 4:30pm Big Rude Jake.C’est What67 Front St. E (416) 867-9499cestwhat.com (full schedule)November 1, 15, 29 3pm The Hot Five JazzmakersNo cover/PWYC. November 8, 223pm The Boxcar Boys No cover/PWYC.Chalkers Pub, Billiards & Bistro247 Marlee Ave. 416-789-2531chalkerspub.comEvery Wed 8pm to midnight Girls Night OutJazz Jam w/ host Lisa Particelli. PWYC. November1 6pm The Mike Murley Trio: MikeMurley (saxophone), Reg Schwager (guitar),Steve Wallace (bass) . November 8 6pmBernie Senensky Quartet: Bernie Senensky(piano), Kieran Overs (bass), Pat Labarbera(saxophone), Terry Clarke (drums) . November13, 14 8pm Fingerstyle Guitar feat.Pat Kirtley /.50 for subscribers/$20for members. November 15 6pm The NancyWalker Quintet: Nancy Walker (piano), KieranOvers (bass), Shirantha Beddage (saxophones& bass clarinet), Ted Quinlan (guitar),Ian Wright (drums) /(st). November22 6pm Lorne Lofsky Trio: Lorne Lofsky(guitar), Kieran Overs (bass), Barry Romberg(drums) /(st). November 27, 288pm Fingerstyle Guitar feat. Frank Vignola &Julien LaBro /.50 for subscribers/$20for members. November 29 6pm ShannonGunn Quartet: Shannon Gunn (voice), TedQuinlan (guitar), Neil Swainson (bass), IanWright (drums) /(st). November 307pm Sarang Kulkarni Octokats .Classico Pizza & Pasta2457 Bloor St. W 416-763-1313classicopizza.com (full schedule)DeSotos1079 St. Clair Ave. W 416-651-2109desotos.ca (full schedule)Every Sun 11am-2pm Sunday Live JazzBrunch hosted by Anthony Abbatangeli Nocover.Dominion on Queen500 Queen St. E 416-368-6893dominiononqueen.com (full schedule)Call for cover charge info.Emmet Ray, The924 College St. 416-792-4497theemmetray.com (full schedule)All shows: No cover/PWYCNovember 3 7pm David Occhipinti solo guitar.November 11 9:30pm Camden Blues Band.November 24 9pm Chelsea & the Cityscape.Flying Beaver Pubaret, The488 Parliament St. 647-347-6567pubaret.com (full schedule)Free Times Cafe320 College St. 416-967-1078freetimescafe.comGate 403403 Roncesvalles Ave. 416-588-2930gate403.com All shows: PWYC.November 1 5pm Bill Heffernan and HisFriends; 9pm Melissa Boyce Jazz & BluesBand. November 2 5pm Carter BrodkorbJazz Quintet; 9pm Conor Hall Jazz Trio. November3 5pm Mike Daley Jazz Trio; 9pm Bluesand Troubles. November 4 5pm HarpdogBrown Electric Blues Duo; 9pm Danny Marksand Alec Fraser Duo. November 5 5pm HowardWillett Blues Duo; 9pm Julian Fauth BluesNight. November 6 5pm Roberta Hunt Jazz &Blues Band; 9pm Mélanie Brûlée’s Band. November7 5pm Tim Williams Blues Duo fromCalgary; 9pm Tevlin Swing Band. November8 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pmSweet Derrick Blues Band. November 9 5pmSarah Machan Jazz Duo; 9pm Bruce ChapmanBlues Duo with feature guests. November10 5pm Rob Thaller & Joanna ReynoldsJazz Duo; 9pm Rob Davis Blues Duo. November11 5pm Bill Maclean & Brian Stevens: B2 –vocal/piano duo; 9pm Danny Marks and AlecFraser Duo. November 12 5pm Jocelyn BarthJazz Duo; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. November13 5pm Robert Chong Jazz Band; 9pmKevin Laliberté Jazz & Flamenco Trio. November14 5pm Doc. Barrister Jazz Band;9pm Denielle Bassels Jazz Band. November15 5pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pmDonné Roberts Band. November 16 5pmSunday Wilde Blues Night; 9pm Brown-TalskyJazz Quintet. November 17 5pm Zaynab Wilson:“Mozayic Afro-Soul”; 9pm The SleaperGroup. November 18 5pm Laura Marks JazzDuo; 9pm Danny Marks and Alec Fraser Duo.November 19 5pm Danny B and Brian GauciBlues Duo; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night.November20 5pm Ilios Steryannis Jazz Triofeaturing Zen Zadravec from Detroit; 9pm TiffanyHanus Jazz Band. November 21 5pmSam Broverman Jazz Duo; 9pm Fraser MelvinBlues Band. November 22 5pm Bill Heffernanand His Friends; 9pm Jazz Forge. November23 5pm Jeff Taylor and The SLT; 9pm ColletteSavard Jazz Duo. November 24 7pm CherylWhite Rhythm & Blues Band. November 255pm Harry Vetro Jazz Quartet; 9pm DannyMarks and Alec Fraser Duo. November 265pm Michelle Rumball with friend; 9pm JulianFauth Blues Night. November 27 5pm JoanneMorra & The France St. Trio; 9pm Annie BonsignoreJazz Duo or Trio. November 28 5pmMike Field Jazz Band; 9pm Ori Dagan withBrandi Disterheft Jazz Band. November 295pm Bill Heffernan and His Friends; 9pm GStreet Jazz Trio. November 30 5pm MelissaLauren Jazz Band; 9pm S.O.A. Jazz Band.Beat by Beat | In the ClubsCELEBRATORYAND JOYFULORI DAGANBorn in Mississauga some three dozen years ago, vocalist AlexPangman has been breathing new life into old songs since herteens. As loyal WholeNote readers may recall, my cover story onPangman a few years back detailed her battle with cystic fibrosis andher comeback to jazz following a double lung transplant. She has sincecontinued to perform, record, tour and advocate for organ donationawareness.Pangman waslucky to have her lifesaved through thecourtesy of an organdonor not once, buttwice. In Decemberof 2013, just a fewmonths after asecond lung transplant,she celebratedher recovery with atrip to New Orleans.“There’s a differentfeel to clubs there:Alex Pangmancelebratory and joyful. Musicians are treated as the main event, notan afterthought,” she recalls fondly. “Frenchman Street particularlyhas a very active scene of musicians playing in a traditional vein whileaudiences are dancing, clapping, eating and drinking. After feelingthat vibe, and hearing those bands, especially the Cottonmouth Kingsnailing their 1930s repertoire, I started to get ideas about where tomake my next recording.” With her newly donated lungs she returnedto NOLA just a few months later to record New – an album capturedin a new city, with musicians that are new to the artist and even anengineer new to her ears. Fresh, but certainly no easy feat!“I felt up to the challenge. I love the vibe of the recording; it’s likewe pressed a record on a lovely first date! Breathing, singing, is a joyfor me again.”Joining Alex Pangman at her New CD Launch at Hugh’s Roomon Monday November 3 will be her Alleycats: Peter Hill on piano,Chris Banks on bass, Glenn Anderson on drums, Brigham Phillips ontrumpet and Ross Wooldridge on clarinet, as well as two guests fromNew Orleans who appear on the recording: Matt Rhody on violin andTom Saunders on bass saxophone. Congratulations to Alex Pangman,and here’s to New!Bob@60 at Gallery 345:New music, jazz, classical andklezmer, are a few of the genresBob Stevenson has immersedhimself in since the 1970s. He hasperformed with many ensemblesincluding Arraymusic, New MusicConcerts, Tapestry New OperaWorks, the Flying Bulgar KlezmerBand, and the Red Rhythm.To celebrate his 60th birthday,Stevenson will be appearing inconcert at Gallery 345, with hisquartet – Jonnie Bakan on altosax, Mike Milligan on bass andJeff Halischuk on drums – as wellas Big Idea, an 11-piece ensemblefeaturing some of the city’s finestthewholenote.com November 1 - December 7, 2014 | 59
Choral Scene: Uncharted territory: three choirs finding paths forward; Music Theatre: Loose Tea on the boil with Alaina Viau’s Dead Reckoning; In with the New: what happens to soundart when climate change meets COVID-19; Call to action: diversity, accountability, and reform in post-secondary jazz studies; 9th Annual TIFF Tips: a filmfest like no other; Remembering: Leon Fleisher; DISCoveries: a NY state of mind; 25th anniversary stroll-through; and more.
Online in flip through here, and on stands commencing Tues SEP 1.
Following the Goldberg trail from Gould to Lang Lang; Measha Brueggergosman and Edwin Huizinga on face to face collaboration in strange times; diggings into dance as FFDN keeps live alive; "Classical unicorn?" - Luke Welch reflects on life as a Black classical pianist; Debashis Sinha's adventures in sound art; choral lessons from Skagit Valley; and the 21st annual WholeNote Blue Pages (part 1 of 3) in print and online. Here now. And, yes, still in print, with distribution starting Thursday October 1.
Alanis Obomsawin's art of life; fifteen Exquisite Departures; UnCovered re(dis)covered; jazz in the kitchen; three takes on managing record releases in times of plague; baroque for babies; presenter directory (blue pages) part two; and, here at the WholeNote, work in progress on four brick walls (or is it five?). All this and more available in flipthrough HERE, and in print Tuesday Nov 3.
In this issue: Beautiful Exceptions, Sing-Alone Messiahs, Livingston’s Vocal Pleasures, Chamber Beethoven, Online Opera (Plexiglass & All), Playlist for the Winter of our Discontent, The Oud & the Fuzz, Who is Alex Trebek? All this and more available in flipthrough HERE, and in print Friday December 4.
July/August issue is now available in flipthrough HERE, bringing to a close 25 seasons of doing what we do (and plan to continue doing), and on stands early in the week of July 5. Not the usual bucolic parade of music in the summer sun, but lots, we hope, to pass the time: links to online and virtual music; a full slate of record reviews; plenty new in the Listening Room; and a full slate of stories – the future of opera, the plight of small venues, the challenge facing orchestras, the barriers to resumption of choral life, the challenges of isolation for real-time music; the steps some festivals are taking to keep the spirit and substance of what they do alive. And intersecting with all of it, responses to the urgent call for anti-racist action and systemic change.
"COVID's Metamorphoses"? "There's Always Time (Until Suddenly There Isn't)"? "The Writing on the Wall"? It's hard to know WHAT to call this latest chapter in the extraordinary story we are all of a sudden characters in. By whatever name we call it, the MAY/JUNE combined issue of The WholeNote is now available, HERE in flip through format, in print commencing Wednesday May 6, and, in fully interactive form, online at thewholenote.com. Our 18th Annual Choral Canary Pages, scheduled for publication in print and flip through in September is already well underway with the first 50 choirs home to roost and more being added every week online. Community Voices, our cover story, brings to you the thoughts of 30 musical community members, all going through what we are going through (and with many more to come as the feature gets amplified online over the course of the coming months). And our regular writers bring their personal thoughts to the mix. Finally, a full-fledged DISCoveries review section offers cues and clues to recorded music for your solitary solace!
After some doubt that we would be allowed to go to press, in respect to wide-ranging Ontario business closures relating to COVID-19, The WholeNote magazine for April 2020 is now on press, and print distribution – modified to respect community-wide closures and the need for appropriate distancing – starts Monday March 30. Meanwhile the full magazine is right here, digitally, so if you value us PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK AS WIDELY AS YOU CAN. It's the safest way for us to reach the widest possible audience at this time!
FEATURED: Music & Health writer Vivien Fellegi explores music, blindness & the plasticity of perception; David Jaeger digs into Gustavo Gimeno's plans for new music in his upcoming first season as music director at TSO; pianist James Rhodes, here for an early March recital, speaks his mind in a Q&A with Paul Ennis; and Lydia Perovic talks music and more with rising Turkish-Canadian mezzo Beste Kalender. Also, among our columns, Peggy Baker Dance Projects headlines Wende Bartley's In with the New; Steve Wallace's Jazz Notes rushes in definitionally where many fear to tread; ... and more.
Visions of 2020! Sampling from back to front for a change: in Rearview Mirror, Robert Harris on the Beethoven he loves (and loves to hate!); Errol Gay, a most musical life remembered; Luna Pearl Woolf in focus in recordings editor David Olds' "Editor's Corner" and in Jenny Parr's preview of "Jacqueline"; Speranza Scappucci explains how not to reinvent Rossini; The Indigo Project, where "each piece of cloth tells a story"; and, leading it all off, Jully Black makes a giant leap in "Caroline, or Change." And as always, much more. Now online in flip-through format here and on stands starting Thurs Jan 30.
Welcome to our December/January issue as we turn the annual calendar page, halfway through our season for the 25th time, juggling as always, secular stuff, the spirit of the season, new year resolve and winter journeys! Why is Mozart's Handel's Messiah's trumpet a trombone? Why when Laurie Anderson offers to fly you to the moon you should take her up on the invitation. Why messing with Winterreisse can (sometimes) be a very good thing! And a bumper crop of record reviews for your reading (and sometimes listening) pleasure. Available in flipthrough here right now, and on stands commencing Thursday Nov 28. See you on the other side!
On the slim chance you might not have already heard the news, Estonian Canadian composing giant Udo Kasemets was born the same year that Leo Thermin invented the theremin --1919. Which means this is the centenary year for both of them, and both are being celebrated in style, as Andrew Timar and MJ Buell respectively explain. And that's just a taste of a bustling November, with enough coverage of music of both the delectably substantial and delightfully silly on hand to satisfy one and all.
Long promised, Vivian Fellegi takes a look at Relaxed Performance practice and how it is bringing concert-going barriers down across the spectrum; Andrew Timar looks at curatorial changes afoot at the Music Gallery; David Jaeger investigates the trumpets of October; the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution (and the 20th Anniversary of our October Blue Pages Presenter profiles) in our Editor's Opener; the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at 125; Tapestry at 40 and Against the Grain at 10; ringing in the changing season across our features and columns; all this and more, now available in Flip Through format here, and on the stands commencing this coming Friday September 27, 2019. Enjoy.
Vol 1 of our 25th season is now here! And speaking of 25, that's how many films in the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival editor Paul Ennis, in our Eighth Annual TIFF TIPS, has chosen to highlight for their particular musical interest.
Also inside: Rob Harris looks through the Rear View Mirror at past and present prognostications about the imminent death of classical music; Mysterious Barricades and Systemic Barriers are Lydia Perović's preoccupations in Art of Song; Andrew Timar reflects on the evolving priorities of the Polaris Prize; and elsewhere, it's chocks away as yet another season creaks or roars (depending on the beat) into motion. Welcome back.
What a range of stuff! A profile of Liz Upchurch, the COC ensemble studio's vocal mentor extraordinaire; a backgrounder on win-win faith/arts centre partnerships and ways of exploring the possibilities; an interview with St. Petersburg-based Eifman Ballet's Boris Eifman; Ana Sokolovic's violin concert Evta finally coming to town; a Love Letter to YouTube, and much more. Plus our 17th annual Canary Pages Choral directory if all you want to do is sing! sing! sing!
Arraymusic, the Music Gallery and Native Women in the Arts join for a mini-festival celebrating the work of composer, performer and installation artist Raven Chacon; Music and Health looks at the role of Healing Arts Ontario in supporting concerts in care facilities; Kingston-based composer Marjan Mozetich's life and work are celebrated in film; "Forest Bathing" recontextualizes Schumann, Shostakovich and Hindemith; in Judy Loman's hands, the harp can sing; Mahler's Resurrection bursts the bounds of symphonic form; Ed Bickert, guitar master remembered. All this and more in our April issue, now online in flip-through here, and on stands commencing Friday March 29.
Something Old, Something New! The Ide(a)s of March are Upon Us! Rob Harris's Rear View Mirror looks forward to a tonal revival; Tafelmusik expands their chronological envelope in two directions, Esprit makes wave after wave; Pax Christi's new oratorio by Barbara Croall catches the attention of our choral and new music columnists; and summer music education is our special focus, right when warm days are once again possible to imagine. All this and more in our March 2019 edition, available in flipthrough here, and on the stands starting Thursday Feb 28.
In this issue: A prize that brings lustre to its laureates (and a laureate who brings lustre to the prize); Edwin Huizinga on the journey of Opera Atelier's "The Angel Speaks" from Versailles to the ROM; Danny Driver on playing piano in the moment; Remembering Neil Crory (a different kind of genius)' Year of the Boar, Indigeneity and Opera; all this and more in Volume 24 #5. Online in flip through, HERE and on the stands commencing Thursday Jan 31.
When is a trumpet like a motorcycle in a dressage event? How many Brunhilde's does it take to change an Elektra? Just two of the many questions you've been dying to ask, to which you will find answers in a 24th annual combined December/January issue – in which our 11 beat columnists sift through what's on offer in the upcoming holiday month, and what they're already circling in their calendars for 2019. Oh, and features too: a klezmer violinist breathing new life into a very old film; two New Music festivals in January, 200 metres apart; a Music & Health story on the restorative powers of a grassroots exercise in collective music-making; even a good reason to go to Winnipeg in the dead of winter. All this and more in Vol 24 No 4, now available in flipthrough format here.
Reluctant arranger! National Ballet Orchestra percussionist Kris Maddigan on creating the JUNO and BAFTA award-winning smash hit Cuphead video game soundtrack; Evergreen by name and by nature, quintessentially Canadian gamelan (Andrew Timar explains); violinist Angèle Dubeau on 20 years and 60 million streams; two children’s choirs where this month remembrance and living history must intersect. And much more, online in our kiosk now, and on the street commencing Thursday November 1.
Presenters, start your engines! With TIFF and "back-to-work" out of the way, the regular concert season rumbles to life, and, if our Editor's Opener can be trusted, "Seeking Synergies" seems to be the name of the game. Denise Williams' constantly evolving "Walk Together Children" touching down at the Toronto Centre for the Arts; the second annual Festival of Arabic Music and Arts expanding its range; a lesson in Jazz Survival with Steve Wallace; the 150 presenter and performer profiles in our 19th annual Blue Pages directory... this is an issue that is definitely more than the sum of its parts.
In this issue: The WholeNote's 7th Annual TIFF TIPS guide to festival films with musical clout; soprano Erin Wall in conversation with Art of Song columnist Lydia Perovic, about more than the art of song; a summer's worth of recordings reviewed; Toronto Chamber Choir at 50 (is a few close friends all it takes?); and much more, as the 2018/19 season gets under way.
PLANTING NOT PAVING! In this JUNE / JULY /AUGUST combined issue: Farewell interviews with TSO's Peter Oundjian and Stratford Summer Music's John Miller, along with "going places" chats with Luminato's Josephine Ridge, TD Jazz's Josh Grossman and Charm of Finches' Terry Lim. ) Plus a summer's worth of fruitful festival inquiry, in the city and on the road, in a feast of stories and our annual GREEN PAGES summer Directory.
In this issue: our sixteenth annual Choral Canary Pages; coverage of 21C, Estonian Music Week and the 3rd Toronto Bach Festival (three festivals that aren’t waiting for summer!); and features galore: “Final Finales” for Larry Beckwith’s Toronto Masque Theatre and for David Fallis as artistic director of Toronto Consort; four conductors on the challenges of choral conducting; operatic Hockey Noir; violinist Stephen Sitarski’s perspective on addressing depression; remembering bandleader, composer and saxophonist Paul Cram. These and other stories, in our May 2018 edition of the magazine.
In this issue: we talk with jazz pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo about growing up in Toronto, building a musical career, and being adaptive to change; pianist Eve Egoyan prepares for her upcoming Luminato project and for the next stage in her long-term collaborative relationship with Spanish-German composer Maria de Alvear; jazz violinist Aline Homzy, halfway through preparing for a concert featuring standout women bandleaders, talks about social equity in the world of improvised music; and the local choral community celebrates the life and work of choral conductor Elmer Iseler, 20 years after his passing.
In this issue: Canadian Stage, Tapestry Opera and Vancouver Opera collaborate to take Gogol’s short story The Overcoat to the operatic stage; Montreal-based Sam Shalabi brings his ensemble Land of Kush, and his newest composition, to Toronto; Five Canadian composers, each with a different CBC connection, are nominated for JUNOs; and The WholeNote team presents its annual Summer Music Education Directory, a directory of summer music camps, programs and courses across the province and beyond.
In this issue: composer Nicole Lizée talks about her love for analogue equipment, and the music that “glitching” evokes; Richard Rose, artistic director at the Tarragon Theatre, gives us insights into their a rock-and-roll Hamlet, now entering production; Toronto prepares for a mini-revival of Schoenberg’s music, with three upcoming shows at New Music Concerts; and the local music theatre community remembers and celebrates the life and work of Mi’kmaq playwright and performer Cathy Elliott . These and other stories, in our double-issue December/January edition of the magazine.
In this issue: conversations (of one kind or another) galore! Daniela Nardi on taking the reins at "best-kept secret" venue, 918 Bathurst; composer Jeff Ryan on his "Afghanistan" Requiem for a Generation" partnership with war poet, Susan Steele; lutenist Ben Stein on seventeenth century jazz; collaborative pianist Philip Chiu on going solo; Barbara Hannigan on her upcoming Viennese "Second School" recital at Koerner; Tina Pearson on Pauline Oliveros; and as always a whole lot more!
In this issue: several local artists reflect on the memory of composer Claude Vivier, as they prepare to perform his music; Vancouver gets ready to host international festival ISCM World New Music Days, which is coming to Canada for the second time since its inception in 1923; one of the founders of Artword Artbar, one of Hamilton’s staple music venues, on the eve of the 5th annual Steel City Jazz Festival, muses on keeping urban music venues alive; and a conversation with pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, as he prepares for an ambitious recital in Toronto. These and other stories, in our October 2017 issue of the magazine.
In this issue: a look at why musicians experience stage fright, and how to combat it; an inside look at the second Kensington Market Jazz Festival, which zeros in on one of Toronto’s true ‘music villages’; an in-depth interview with Elisa Citterio, new music director of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra; and The WholeNote’s guide to TIFF, with suggestions for the 20 most musical films at this year’s festival. These and other stories, in our September 2017 issue of the magazine!
CBC Radio's Lost Horizon; Pinocchio as Po-Mo Operatic Poster Boy; Meet the Curators (Crow, Bernstein, Ridge); a Global Music Orchestra is born; and festivals, festivals, festivals in our 13th annual summer music Green Pages. All this and more in our three-month June-through August summer special issue, now available in flipthrough HERE and on the stands commencing Thursday June 1.
From science fact in "Integral Man: Music and the Movies," to science fiction in the editor's opener; from World Fiddle Day at the Aga Khan Museum to three Canadians at the Cliburn; from wanting to sashay across the 401 to Chamberfest in Montreal to exploring the Continuum of Jumblies Theatre's 20-year commitment to the Community Play (there's a pun in there somewhere!).
In this issue: Our podcast ramps up with interviews in March with fight director Jenny Parr, countertenor Daniel Taylor, and baritone Russell Braun; two views of composer John Beckwith at 90; how music’s connection to memory can assist with the care of patients with Alzheimer’s; musical celebrations in film and jazz, at National Canadian Film Day and Jazz Day; and a preview of Louis Riel, which opens this month at the COC. These and other stories, in our April 2017 issue of the magazine!
On our cover: Owen Pallett's musical palette on display at New Creations. Spring brings thoughts of summer music education! (It's never too late.). For Marc-Andre Hamelin the score is king. Ella at 100 has the tributes happening. All; this and more.
In this issue: an interview with composer/vocalist Jeremy Dutcher, on his upcoming debut album and unique compositional voice; a conversation with Boston Symphony hornist James Sommerville, as as the BSO gets ready to come to his hometown; Stuart Hamilton, fondly remembered; and an inside look at Hugh’s Room, as it enters a complicated chapter in the story of its life in the complex fabric of our musical city. These and other stories, as we celebrate the past and look forward to the rest of 2016/17, the first glimpses of 2017/18, and beyond!
In this issue: a conversation with pianist Stewart Goodyear, in advance of his upcoming show at Koerner Hall; a preview of the annual New Year’s phenomenon that is Bravissimo!/Salute to Vienna; an inside look at music performance in Toronto’s health-care centres; and a reflection on the incredible life and lasting influence of the late Pauline Oliveros. These and more, in a special December/January combined issue!
In this issue: David Jaeger and Alex Pauk’s most memorable R. Murray Schafer collabs, in this month’s installment of Jaeger’s CBC Radio Two: The Living Legacy; an interview with flutist Claire Chase, who brings new music and mindset to Toronto this month; an investigation into the strange coincidence of three simultaneous Mendelssohn Elijahs this Nov 5; and of course, our annual Blue Pages, a who’s who of southern Ontario’s live music scene- a community as prolific and multifaceted as ever. These and more, as we move full-force into the 2016/17 concert season- all aboard!
Music lover's TIFF (our fifth annual guide to the Toronto International Film Festival); Aix Marks the Spot (how Brexit could impact on operatic co-production); The Unstoppable Howard Cable (an affectionate memoir of a late chapter in the life of of a great Canadian arranger; Kensington Jazz Story (the newest kid on the festival block flexes its muscles). These stories and much more as we say a lingering goodbye to summer and turn to the task, for the 22nd season, of covering the live and recorded music that make Southern Ontario tick.
It's combined June/July/August summer issue time with, we hope, enough between the covers to keep you dipping into it all through the coming lazy, hazy days. From Jazz Vans racing round "The Island" delivering pop-up brass breakouts at the roadside, to Bach flute ambushes strolling "The Grove, " to dozens of reasons to stay in the city. May yours be a summer where you find undiscovered musical treasures, and, better still, when, unexpectedly, the music finds you.
INSIDE: The Canaries Are Here! 116 choirs to choose from, so take the plunge! The Nylons hit the road after one last SING! Fling. Jazz writer Steve Wallace wonders "Watts Goode" rather than "what's new?" Paul Ennis has the musical picks of the HotDocs crop. David Jaeger's CBC Radio continues golden for a little while yet. Douglas McNabney is Music's Child. Leipzig meets Damascus in Alison Mackay's fertile imagination. And "C" is for KRONOS in Wende Bartley's koverage of the third annual 21C Festival. All this and as usual much much more. Enjoy.
From 30 camp profiles to spark thoughts of being your summer musical best, to testing LUDWIG as you while away the rest of so-called winter; from Scottish Opera and the Danish Midtvest, to a first Toronto recital appearance by violin superstar Maxim Vengerov; from musings on New Creations and new creation, to the boy who made a habit of crying Beowulf; it's a month of merry meetings and rousing recordings reviewed, all here to discover in The WholeNote.
2016 is off to a flying start! We chronicle the Artful Times of Andrew Burashko, the violistic versatility of Teng Li, the ageless ebullience of jazz pianist Gene DiNovi and the ninetieth birthday of trumpeter Johnny Cowell. Jaeger remembers Boulez; Waxman recalls Bley's influence, and Olds finds Bowie haunting Editor's Corner. Oh, and did we mention there's all that music? Hello (and goodbye) to the February blues, and here's to swinging through the musical vines of the Year of the Monkey.
What's a vinyl renaissance? What happens when Handel's Messiah runs afoul of the rumba rhythm setting on a (gasp!) Hammond organ? What work does Marc-Andre Hamelin say he would be content to have on every recital program he plays? What are Steve Wallace's favourite fifty Christmas recordings? Why is violinist Daniel Hope celebrating Yehudi Menuhin's 100th birthday at Koerner Hall January 28? Answers to all these questions (and a whole lot more) in the Dec/Jan issue of The WholeNote.
"Come" seems to be the verb that knits this month's issue together. Sondra Radvanovsky comes to Koerner, William Norris comes to Tafel as their new GM, opera comes to Canadian Stage; and (a long time coming!) Jane Bunnett's musicianship and mentorship are honoured with the Premier's award for excellence; plus David Jaeger's ongoing series on the golden years of CBC Radio Two, Andrew Timar on hybridity, a bumper crop of record reviews and much much more. Come on in!
Vol 21 No 2 is now available for your viewing pleasure, and it's a bumper crop, right at the harvest moon. First ever Canadian opera on the Four Seasons Centre main stage gets double coverage with Wende Bartley interviewing Pyramus and Thisbe composer Barbara Monk Feldman and Chris Hoile connecting with director Christopher Alden; Paul Ennis digs into the musical mind of pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, and pianist Eve Egoyan is "On the Record" in conversation with publisher David Perlman ahead of the Oct release concert for her tenth recording. And at the heart of it all the 16th edition of our annual BLUE PAGES directory of presenters profile the season now well and truly under way.
Paul Ennis's annual TIFF TIPS (27 festival films of potential particular musical interest); Wu Man, Yo-Yo Ma and Jeffrey Beecher on the Silk Road; David Jaeger on CBC Radio Music in the days it was committed to commissioning; the LISTENING ROOM continues to grow on line; DISCoveries is back, bigger than ever; and Mary Lou Fallis says Trinity-St. Paul's is Just the Spot (especially this coming Sept 25!).
