Volume 21 Issue 1 - September 2015

Beat by Beat | Classical

Beat by Beat | Classical & Beyond Three Piano Masters PAUL ENNIS “There are so many composers and so many projects,” Stewart Goodyear said recently to WholeNote editor David Perlman. “What makes this life so exciting is that the discovery is endless; the road doesn’t end and there’s discovery galore.” The two men were wrapping up the latest edition of Conversations The WholeNote for the magazine’s YouTube channel, a conversation prompted by Goodyear’s upcoming appearance as soloist in the first concert of Mooredale Concerts 2015/16 season, September 27. Billed as “Legendary Piano Variations,” it’s the coupling of two major works, Bach’s joyful Goldberg Variations and Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations (the essence of which, according to Alfred Brendel and others, is humour). Goodyear talked about the similarities in the two pieces: “They both centre around dances. There is humour in both (of course used very differently), voices, innovative harmonies – one in each set almost sounds like a 21st-century work, the harmonies are so advanced it still shocks the listener. Even if the listener has heard it around 10,000 times – like yours truly – it always makes a huge impression and I’m bowled over by what I hear.” That’s the boyish pianistic explorer talking, the 37-year-old pianist who is famous for the Beethoven “Sonatathon” in which he has played all 32 sonatas in chronological order at one sitting, who calls himself a “music gourmet” with an appetite for big programs (such as performing all five of the Beethoven piano concertos with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra on Hallowe’en night, repeating the marathon the following Sunday afternoon, November 1). Or, on the same weekend as the Mooredale date, performing all five Beethoven concertos in a slightly more traditional setting with Edwin Outwater and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony: One and Four on Friday evening; Three (and Symphony No.8) on Saturday afternoon; Two and Five Saturday evening. “It humbles me as an interpreter,” Goodyear continued, discussing his Toronto recital. “I always want to bring an intimacy to both of those works…to get into the marrow.” Playing these two monumental works on the same recital is “like a Stewart Goodyear Canadian program for me,” he says. His introduction to the Goldberg Variations was Glenn Gould’s 1955 recording of the piece “and then immediately after, I heard [Gould’s] second [recording].” The first recording of the Diabelli Variations he heard was Anton Kuerti’s. Goodyear own CD of the Diabellis was released last fall by Marquis and very favourably reviewed, by among others Christina Petrowska Quilico in our November 2014 issue. Goodyear had lived with the Goldbergs all his life before finally performing them in public for the first time on Gould’s own piano at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa last spring, surrounded by portraits of Gould. “I was face to face with Glenn Gould,” he said. “It gave me another excuse to connect with the audience.” Gould’s piano felt custom made to him, he says. He found playing it “challenging” with its “brilliant sound and lots of colours. Just being a part of that history inspired me a lot,” he continued. “I felt that there was something spiritual going on.” ANITA ZVONAR 14 | Sept 1 - Oct 7, 2015 thewholenote.com

KOERNER HALL IS: “ A beautiful space for music “ THE GLOBE AND MAIL John Perry SUN., SEPT. 20, 2015 2PM MAZZOLENI CONCERT HALL John Perry is known for his “illuminating and always engaging performances.” (LA Times) At 80, Perry presents Mozart’s Sonata in B-flat Major, Kv. 333, Brahms’s Intermezzi, Beethoven’s Sonata in A-flat Major, and Schubert’s Sonata in B-flat Major. Julian Kuerti conducts the Royal Conservatory Orchestra and Alexis Hatch (violin) FRI., OCT. 2, 2015 8PM PRELUDE RECITAL AT 6:45PM KOERNER HALL Kuerti’s “natural, genuine musicianship...” (Cincinnati Enquirer) leads the RCO in a program of Elgar’s Violin Concerto with Alexis Hatch and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with Mireille Asselin (soprano). Generously supported by Leslie & Anna Dan The ARC Ensemble (Artists of The Royal Conservatory) SAT., SEPT. 26, 2015 3PM KOERNER HALL PART OF CULTURE DAYS FREE (TICKET REQUIRED) ARC “sets the skin rippling at every turn, with its ear-tingling corporate intonation and magical phrasing.” (The Strad) ARC will perform Weinberg’s Violin Sonata No. 1, Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A Major, and Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet. Igudesman & Joo: And Now Mozart SUN., OCT. 18, 2015 3PM KOERNER HALL The “classical-music tricksters” (Seattle Times) have created this outrageously funny show for people who love Mozart and those who have never even heard of Mozart! “Their blend of classical music and comedy... is fueled by genuine, dazzling virtuosity.” (The New York Times) Presented in partnership with Show One Productions. Taylor Academy Showcase Concert SAT., OCT. 24, 2015, 4:30PM MAZZOLENI CONCERT HALL FREE (TICKET REQUIRED) The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists presents a concert by the leading young classical musicians in Canada. Hear the stars of tomorrow! Jane Bunnett & Maqueque and Emeline Michel SAT., OCT. 24, 2015 8PM KOERNER HALL Celebrated Canadian flutist and saxophonist Jane Bunnett introduces the world to Maqueque, some of Cuba’s most promising female musicians. Emeline Michel is the reigning Queen of Haitian Song. Generously supported by an anonymous donor TICKETS START AT ONLY ! 416.408.0208 www.performance.rcmusic.ca 273 BLOOR STREET WEST (BLOOR ST. & AVENUE RD.) TORONTO