Views
7 years ago

Volume 22 Issue 2 - October 2016

  • Text
  • October
  • Toronto
  • Choir
  • Jazz
  • Orchestra
  • Symphony
  • Concerts
  • Arts
  • November
  • Musical
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!

BLUE PAGES

BLUE PAGES 2016/17 ● Canadian Croatian Choral Society The CCCS is composed of 55 choristers drawn together by a love of Croatia’s rich musical heritage. Since its establishment in 2013, the choir has promoted greater awareness and appreciation of Croatian culture in Canada and abroad. The choir’s purpose is to advance appreciation of the arts by providing high-quality performances of choral works and free performances for audiences that may not be able to attend regular performances, and to advance education by providing scholarships to post-secondary music students. CCCS presents three major concerts per year as well as performances in seniors’ residences. To reflect the cultural diversity of its members and audiences, the choir performs a varied repertoire of sacred, folk and contemporary songs in Croatian, English, French, Latin, Greek, Italian and Japanese. For more information, please visit our website at www.canadiancroatianchoralsociety.com or write us at contact@cccschoir.com. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9:30pm at Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Etobicoke. Singers who are interested in joining the choir are welcome to audition until September 30. Edward Mavrinac 905-847-7162 edwardmavrinac@gmail.com www.cccschoir.com ● Canadian Men’s Chorus Now in its seventh season, the Canadian Men’s Chorus, under the artistic direction of Greg Rainville, is a highly accomplished men’s chamber choir, performing works from the classical repertoire and other genres. The Canadian Men’s Chorus is noted for its beautiful sound, exciting and varied performances and the ability to take audiences on an emotional journey. This auditioned ensemble presents three concerts each season. Commissioning new Canadian music is a major focus, with over 30 new choral works premiered since the CMC was co-founded in 2010 by Greg Rainville and Arlene Jillard. Past performances include Stratford Summer Music, CentreSpace for the Arts in London, Ontario, with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra and the Muskoka Concert Series in Gravenhurst, Ontario. Information about the CMC and auditions can be found on our website. Arlene Jillard, executive director 519-305-1351 ajillard@canadianmenschorus.ca www.canadianmenschorus.ca ● Canadian Opera Company Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company (COC) is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America, and maintains an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. The COC’s 2016/17 mainstage season is: Norma, Ariodante, The Magic Flute, Götterdämmerung, Louis Riel and Tosca. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. The company enjoys a loyal audience support-base and one of the highest attendance and subscription rates in North America. The COC is an active participant in the cultural community by presenting an annual series of free concerts and a wide array of education and outreach events, encouraging the creation of operatic works and fostering the training and development of young Canadian artists through its renowned Ensemble Studio program. A not-for-profit organization since 1950, the COC is considered one of the best opera companies in the world. Alexander Neef, general director Administration: 416-363-6671 Box Office: 416-363-8231 info@coc.ca www.coc.ca ● Canadian Sinfonietta Founded in 1998, Canadian Sinfonietta is a chamber orchestra led by founder Tak-Ng Lai in partnership with artistic director and concertmaster Joyce Lai. The orchestra is comprised of 14-25 professional musicians who perform as a large ensemble at the Glenn Gould Studio and the Tyndale Chapel, and as a small ensemble at the Heliconian Hall. The mission of Canadian Sinfonietta is to reintroduce live chamber music to the growing GTA communities, producing a new generation of concertgoers by presenting concerts that are traditional with a twist. The programs are innovative and often feature interdisciplinary artistic presentations, multicultural music, non-western instruments and diverse Canadian artists. Canadian Sinfonietta is a community-conscious group and plays an active role through partnership with local community organizations in promoting the appreciation of music across various cultures, mentoring young artists through our newly-formed youth orchestra, and using music as a language to engage and link people of all ages and status within the community. Canadian Sinfonietta believes that “chamber music is for everyone.” Joyce Lai, artistic director 647-223-2286 canadiansinfonietta@gmail.com www.canadiansinfonietta.com ● Cantemus Singers Cantemus Singers was established in 2008 by our conductor, Michael Erdman, to help expand Toronto’s exposure to and appreciation of Renaissance and early Baroque secular vocal music. Our 12-voice a cappella ensemble focuses mainly on the interesting and evocative madrigals, lieder, chansons and villancicos of the 16th century. We also perform religious works, often the 5- to 8-part compositions less often heard by Toronto audiences. Our 2016/17 season begins December 3 and 4, as we perform Christmas music from 16th- and 17th-century Dresden, including works by Schütz, Schein and Bach. On March 18 and 19, “The Glories of Venice” explores the music of Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, Monteverdi, and their students who carried their techniques across Europe. On May 27 and 28, our program “Into the Greenwood” celebrates the Renaissance fascination with nature via a selection of saucy and pastoral 16th-century English madrigals and French chansons – calling all nymphs and shepherds! Performances at Church of the Holy Trinity (10 Trinity Square – Eaton Centre) and St. Aidan’s Anglican Church (70 Silver Birch Ave. at Queen St. E.). Check out website for times. Michael Erdman, conductor 416-578-6602 cantemus.ca@gmail.com www.cantemus.ca ● Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has been one of Toronto’s premier community orchestras since 1985. CBSO concerts take place in the state-of-the-art P.C. Ho Theatre in the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, 5183 Sheppard Ave. E. Under the baton of maestro Norman Reintamm, the CBSO will present a thrilling and unique seven-concert season including five subscription series concerts. This season, the CBSO is pleased to present internationally-acclaimed performers, including Canada’s Ballet Jörgen, cellist Aare Tammesalu, and renowned pianist Valerie Tryon. In addition, we are delighted to collaborate again with Tryptych Concert & Opera, the University of Toronto Scarborough Concert Choir, and the Grand River Chorus. Visit our website for details about our season. The Orchestra is noted for facilitating performance opportunities for young musicians, and always welcomes new members. If you’re interested in joining the CBSO, please contact us by email. Norman Reintamm, artistic director/principal conductor Peggy Wong, orchestra manager 416-879-5566 cbsoboxoffice@gmail.com; info@cathedralbluffs.com www.cathedralbluffs.com ● Cathedral Church of St. James The Cathedral Church of St. James houses one of Canada’s most precious hidden musical gems. Uniquely within the city of Toronto, the fully-professional 18-voice Cathedral Choir sings as part B6 | theWholeNote 2016/17 PRESENTER PROFILES

of the Anglican worship at Eucharist (11am) and Evensong (4:30pm) each Sunday to an internationally high standard. Its repertoire spans eight centuries, and provides a balanced diet of choral delights to congregations young and old, Christians and non-Christians, and those whose ears hold an insatiable curiosity for music. The Cathedral’s majestic pipe organ can be heard in recital each Tuesday at 1pm and Sunday at 4pm throughout the year. One of the world’s finest organists and improvisers, David Briggs is the Artist-in-Residence and can frequently be found thrilling audiences at St. James. Choral Eucharist is also celebrated at 9am each Sunday and sung by a burgeoning group of volunteers. If you are interested in committing to the musical life of this vibrant Cathedral community, please contact the Director of Music, Robert Busiakiewicz. Robert Busiakiewicz 416-364-7865 x224 dom@stjamescathedral.on.ca www.stjamescathedral.on.ca ● Chorus Niagara Chorus Niagara is the Niagara Region’s premier symphonic chorus. Its over 100 singers present passionate performances of choral classics, contemporary works, new commissions and littleknown treasures. Chorus Niagara is proud of its expansive youth initiatives including the Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir, the Side-By-Side High School Chorale and the new Robert Cooper Choral Scholars Program. Chorus Niagara supports Canadian music and Canadian programming, and premieres and commissions works by Canada’s leading choral composers as well as composers of international renown. CN’s mandate to engage emerging Canadian soloists has helped launch the careers of wonderful vocalists including Catherine Robbin, Brett Polegato, Alex Dobson and Measha Brueggergosman. You can see and hear Chorus Niagara this season in Partridge Hall in the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, at its annual Singathon, around the community, and on YouTube as our famed Hallelujah Flash Mob has brought international acclaim to the region with over 48 million views! Mark your calendars: November 5, 2016 Elijah; December 10, 2016 Messiah; February 18, 2017 Singathon; March 4, 2017 The Farthest Shore; May 3, 2017 Phantom of the Opera. Diana McAdorey 905-934-5575 cnadmin@becon.org www.chorusniagara.ca ● Christ Church Deer Park Music plays a very important part at this busy Anglican parish church. Music for services is led by the organist and choir director. The Choir of CONTACT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC Christ Church Deer Park is an auditioned, mixedvoice choir that rehearses Thursday evenings and sings Sunday mornings and on special occasions from September to June. Christ Church has hosted its “Jazz Vespers” for over 15 years. At 4:30pm every second Sunday from September to June, this service offers a chance for reflection, prayers for our community and music by Toronto’s finest jazz musicians. With its Yonge St. location (at Heath St. near the St. Clair TTC station), fine acoustics, full modern facilities, flexible staging, Steinway grand piano, three manual tracker organ and seating for 450, Christ Church is an increasingly popular venue for concert presenters during the year. Matthew Otto 416-920-9211 x28 motto@christchurchdeerpark.org www.thereslifehere.org ● Church of St. Mary Magdalene Steeped in musical heritage and assisted by generous acoustics, the Church of St. Mary Magdalene offers a music program strongly rooted in the tradition established by Healey Willan. Every Sunday at the 11am Solemn Mass, the Gallery Choir sings a mass and motet from the west gallery while the Ritual Choir sings Gregorian chant from the east end. At the 9:30am Sung Mass, the SMM Singers sing a motet and lead congregational singing. Membership is informal. One Sunday per month at 4:30pm the meditative Solemn Evensong and Benediction is sung, preceded by an organ recital at 4pm. Please check listings for details. For information, please contact Andrew Adair. Andrew Adair, director of music 416-531-7955 andrew.timothy.adair@gmail.com www.stmarymagdalene.ca ● Contact Contemporary Music Contact combines 21st-century classical/experimental music with the sensibilities of rock and jazz to form a hybrid chamber ensemble that defies genres. Praised by The Globe and Mail as “thought-provoking” and “highly entertaining,” and by The New York Times as “mesmerizing,” Contact has premiered works by emerging and established Canadian and international composers and has performed at venues and new music festivals around the world. Contact is dedicated to interdisciplinary collaborations, nurturing and facilitating the creation, production, presentation and engagement with new music in all contexts, forms and variations and creating outreach opportunities with Canada’s diverse communities in order to enrich people’s experience with sound. In addition to concerts, recordings and touring, Contact hosts Music From Scratch, a summer workshop for youth. Jerry Pergolesi 416-902-7010 info@contactcontemporarymusic.org www.contactcontemporarymusic.org ● Continuum Contemporary Music Widely acclaimed for its inspired and innovative programming, Continuum presents contemporary chamber music by established and emerging composers from around the world. Continuum has performed across Canada and Europe, commissioned over 175 works, recorded CDs, generated interdisciplinary projects, and built an invaluable online archive of performance videos. Our 32nd season is about fresh directions and collaborations. RavAGE (November 13, 2016, the Music Gallery) celebrates composers who drive technology to the max, often inventing new forms and combinations of multimedia. For PIVOT (March 25, 2017, the Music Gallery), a collaboration with the CMC and the CLC, Continuum theWholeNote 2016/17 PRESENTER PROFILES | B7

Volumes 21-25 (2015-2020)

Volumes 16-20 (2010-2015)

Volumes 11-15 (2004-2010)

Volumes 6 - 10 (2000 - 2006)

Volumes 1-5 (1994-2000)