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Volume 25 Issue 2 - October 2019

  • Text
  • Performing
  • Orchestra
  • Symphony
  • Musical
  • Concerts
  • Arts
  • Jazz
  • Choir
  • October
  • Toronto
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.

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BLUE PAGES 2019/20 SECTION I: PRESENTERS & PERFORMERS established professionals, and to provide financial aid to jazz musicians on an emergency basis. The KPMT holds annual jazz fundraisers featuring some of the world’s leading jazz artists and honours jazz professionals with its Lifetime Achievement Award; it also presents seasonal performances of Jim Galloway’s Wee Big Band. Most recently, the Trust provided grants to the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, Springboard to Music, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Humber College Community Music School, and the Ken Page Memorial Trust Scholarship in memory of Ron Collier. Donations are our lifeline. Board members are unpaid and every dollar is dedicated to furthering our mission. Contributions are gratefully received, and if you are currently a donor we extend our sincere appreciation. If you would like to help us make a difference please visit our website. Anne Page 416-515-0200 anne@kenpagememorialtrust.com www.kenpagememorialtrust.com ●●Kindred Spirits Orchestra Welcome to the KSO 2019/20 concert season at Flato Markham Theatre (October 19, December 14 and February 8) and Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (March 20, May 8 and June 26). Highlights of the season include Bartók’s Concerto For Orchestra, as well as Tchaikovsky’s Fourth and Fifth, Shostakovich’s Fifteenth, Prokofiev’s Fourth and Rachmaninoff’s Third symphonies. We are thrilled to welcome back Maxim Bernard in Ravel’s Concerto for Piano in G, Dong Xu in Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 4 (For the Left Hand) and Leonid Nediak in Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Mary Kenedi will make her debut with the KSO in Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 3, Sheng Cai – in Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2, and Leslie Ashworth - in Barber’s Violin Concerto. In June, the KSO and Markham Contemporary Music Festival will return to Cornell Recital Hall for a series of concerts presenting pieces by Stravinsky and a world premiere by Hong Kong Canadian composer Werner Chan. The concert season will conclude on June 27, with a performance at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio, led by renowned Chinese Maestro James Liu and, on July 1, with a Canada Day concert at Unionville Millennium Theatre. Jobert D Sevilleno 905-604-8339 GM@ksorchestra.ca www.ksorchestra.ca ●●King Edward Choir Founded in 1952 by Jean Dobson, Barrie’s King Edward Choir enters its 68th season, under the direction of maestro Oliver Balaburski. The choir began as a ladies’ ensemble, taking its name from the school in which they practised. It blossomed into a group encompassing all voices and today is a mixed group of 50 singers committed to creating beautiful music in a passionate, informed and evocative manner. Our mandate is to offer choristers and audiences alike opportunities to experience a broad range of choral music, including classical, contemporary, Canadian, popular and world music. We continue to collaborate with other artists, engage in community outreach, and offer a mentorship program for students. New members are welcome to join by audition throughout the year. Our 2019/20 season begins with “Gloria” on Nov 30, featuring Vivaldi’s well-known setting of the same, plus a selection of Christmas works, with several by Canadian composers. Winter and spring concerts are on March 7 and May 9. Peter Sullivan, president 705-739-7281 pesullivan71@gmail.com www.kingedwardchoir.ca ●●Kingston Road Village Concert Series Now in its seventh year, this neighbourly series in the upper Beach continues to present a variety of eclectic and exciting concerts, TSO bassist Timothy Dawson and his community-minded crew present classical, jazz, world music and even comedy. This year’s outstanding offerings include: “The Passionate Voice” – countertenor Dan Taylor, baritone Russell Braun, and bass Gary Relyea, along with their protégés; “Sultans of String - Christmas Caravan” with special guest Rebecca Campbell, Lynn Miles and Donné Roberts; The Four Seasons - Mark Fewer and orchestra presenting Vivaldi’s iconic version and Piazzolla’s red-hot Four Seasons of Buenos Aires; and finally, “Mass Hysterical – A Comedic Cantata”– a new musical revue from the creators of the “Second City Guide to the Symphony,” in which four actors, a chamber ensemble and a soprano will guide you on a hilarious journey through the history of church music. Tim Dawson 416-693-5304 timojo58@hotmail.com www.kruc.ca ●●Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W) Chamber Music Society (KWCMS) In its 46th season, Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society is one of Canada’s busiest presenters of chamber music concerts with over 60 concerts per year, ranging from solo recitals to octets. Programs range from medieval to contemporary; most feature both classics and recent music. Almost all of our concerts take place at our Music Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo, in a private home – it holds a maximum of about 85 people. A superb Steinway piano, good acoustics, a supportive audience and an intimate but informal atmosphere make for great concert experiences. Notable performers have included pianists Janina Fialkowska, Till Fellner, André LaPlante, Sofya Gulyak, and many more; the Penderecki, New Orford, Alcan, and many more quartets; the AYR and Andromeda Trios and many more. In the coming year, we will have a historic cycle of Beethoven’s string quartets by the Penderecki String Quartet (stretching from December 16, 2019 to December 16, 2020 – Beethoven’s 250th birthday.) The PSQ is in residence at Wilfrid Laurier University. See our continually updated website for details (just google KWCMS.) Jan Narveson 519-569-1809 jnarveso@uwaterloo.ca www.k-wcms.com/KWCMS/Home.html ●●Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony As one of Waterloo Region’s largest arts and cultural organizations, we continue to push boundaries, build community, and welcome and cultivate world-class talent in our community. Who we are and how we approach our work is a reflection of the innovative and entrepreneurial culture which abounds in this region. Today, the KWS is one of Canada’s outstanding orchestras, presenting a diverse and rich concert season and garnering national and international attention for its artistry, musicianship and innovative programming. Its education and outreach programs serve its evolving community and a continuum of ages. The KWS continues to be the largest employer of artists and cultural workers and the most significant cultural asset for Waterloo Region. Highlights for the 2019/20 season include: Stravinsky’s “Suite” from The Firebird, “The Magical World of Harry Potter”, Ravel’s Boléro, “Back To The Future: In Concert” and more! Kari Hueber 519-745-4711 www.kwsymphony.ca ●●LARK Ensemble LARK Ensemble forms the core players for the Skylight Series of concerts at the beautiful Corkin Gallery. Each year, we are joined by some of Canada’s finest musicians to bring you masterworks and hidden gems from past and present. Our concerts are known for their creative programming and intimate setting, as well as our now-famous intermission parties. LARK Ensemble is Leslie Allt, principal flute, National Ballet Orchestra; Aaron Schwebel, concertmaster, National Ballet Orchestra; Roberta Janzen, cellist,Toronto Symphony Orchestra; and Keith Hamm, principal viola, Canadian Opera Company. This year’s concerts at the gallery take place on October 6, February 9 and May 17, all at 7:30pm. We are also playing as part of the free noon-hour series at the Four Seasons Centre on April 14. Our guests this season include Theresa Rudolph and Kathleen Kajioka, viola; Leana Rutt, cello; Christopher Bagan, fortepiano and harpsichord; and B12 | theWholeNote 2019/20 PRESENTER PROFILES

Erica Goodman, harp. Leslie Allt 647-869-2559 lesallt@rogers.com www.facebook.com/LARKEnsemble ●●Lawrence Park Community Church Lawrence Park Community Church has a tradition of fine music, both in worship and in concert. Sunday services are held at 10:30am in the airconditioned Sanctuary, and at 5pm “Soul Table” in the Community Hall. Musical groups include the Adult Choir (volunteer and professional singers) and the Lawrence Park Handbell Ringers. There are also musical opportunities for kids and youth. Special music Sundays include November 17 - the Brian Barlow Quartet; December 15 - a “Service of Lessons and Carols” with trumpeter Robert DiVito; Good Friday, April 10 - the Choir performs Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem with soloists Michèle Bogdanowicz and Paul Winkelmans, and on April 19, the Confederation Centre Youth Chorus from Charlottetown sing at the 10:30am and 5pm services. Mark Toews 416-489-1551 x28 mark@lawrenceparkchurch.ca www.lawrenceparkchurch.ca ●●Li Delun Music Foundation The Li Delun Music Foundation was established in 2002 in Toronto as a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural exchange between the East and the West through musical events. Named after the renowned Chinese conductor Li Delun, who founded the first symphony orchestra in the People’s Republic of China, the foundation is now well-known in the community as a presenter of high-quality musical events such as the annual “East Meets West New Years Concert” at the Toronto Centre for the Arts each year, and recitals by acclaimed musicians. Aside from forming the Toronto Festival Orchestra, which gives talented young aspiring musicians a chance to work alongside seasoned professionals, the foundation also provides a platform for young up-and-coming soloists to play on the concert hall stage, accompanied by a professional orchestra in front of a live appreciative audience. The Li Delun Music Foundation also holds masterclasses and workshops given by internationallyacclaimed artists such as Lang Lang, Sa Chen, Haochen Zhang and professor Lee Kum-Sing. Rosalind Zhang 647-281-8768 rosy@lidelun.org www.lidelun.org MOSAIC CANADIAN VOCAL ENSEMBLE ●● MCS Chorus / Mississauga MCS Chorus, a chamber choir of 35 auditioned voices, is Mississauga’s only adult choral organization committed to the choral classical repertoire. MCS Chorus offers a diversified season of extensive community engagement events and ticketed concerts performed with chamber orchestras, instrumental ensembles and soloists. This wide range of programming contributes a strong and unique voice to the cultural fabric of the city. MCS is dedicated to bringing the choir’s performances into the communities of Mississauga under the dynamic leadership of artistic director Mervin William Fick. Sandy 905-290-7104 info@mcschorus.ca www.mcschorus.com ●●Mississauga Festival Choir With over 150 singers, MFC is the largest and most spirited community choir in our city. We first came together in 1984 to celebrate Mississauga’s 10th anniversary, and we stayed together to celebrate the joy of singing in a choral community like no other. Our spirited singing springs from our noaudition policy. Everyone who loves to sing is welcome to join us, and audiences hear the joy in every song. Under the leadership of David Ambrose, MFC performs many concerts, raises money for local charities, records professional CDs, holds an annual choral competition and tours the world. Jenny Johnston 416-986-5537 info@mfchoir.com www.mfchoir.com ●● Mississauga Symphony Orchestra The MSO is designated as one of Mississauga’s six pillars of arts, culture and heritage. The orchestra offers entertaining and increasingly sophisticated programs from the classic and popular repertoires of symphonic music, all performed to the highest artistic standards. Based out of Hammerson Hall, a world-class performing arts facility located within the Living Arts Centre, the MSO provides performance opportunities and personal development to talented amateurs while combining the strands of excellence and education by assisting young professional performers and composers through solo performance opportunities, commissions and mentoring. Ryan Tobin 905-615-4405 ryan.tobin@mississaugasymphony.ca www.mississaugasymphony.ca ●●Mooredale Concerts Great Classical music for all. Our 2019/20 (31st) season showcases two string quartets with European and Latin roots. We will present another all-Beethoven programme, this time of violin sonatas; a rare and precious opera recital; and a return by popular demand of a violin/piano super duo. The players: Bennewitz Quartet, Wallis Giunta, mezzo-soprano with Steven Philcox, piano; Andrew Wan, violin and Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano; Dalí String Quartet, and Paul Huang, violin and Helen Huang, piano. Five-concert subscriptions are 0/5 adult/senior and 25 under age 30. Concerts are Sundays 3:15pm, Walter Hall (UofT) - general admission seating. “Music and Truffles Kids” – give your child their first taste of Classical music! Artists featured in our mainstage events will also perform a one-hour miniconcert for young people ages 6 to 11 and their parents, grandparents, friends at 1:15pm. Subscriptions are and include a Lindt chocolate theWholeNote 2019/20 PRESENTER PROFILES | B13

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