Views
4 years ago

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.

BLUE PAGES

BLUE PAGES 2019/20 SECTION I: PRESENTERS & PERFORMERS provides accessible tickets; and SoundMakers provides interactive learning experiences online and in the classroom. Cheryl Stone 416-504-1282 info@soundstreams.ca www.soundstreams.ca ●●St. Anne’s Anglican Church Continuing its long tradition of musical excellence, St. Anne’s presents a season of innovative performances, enhanced by our stunning sacred space which boasts religious artwork by the Group of Seven. Throughout the 2019/20 season, St. Anne’s will present a variety of concerts, including several recitals for solo instruments, as well as the popular “Community Cantate” in December. On April 19, St. Anne’s Choir will perform a concert celebrating the Earth and all Creation with music, including Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb and Winter’s Missa Gaia. Since its founding in 1964, the St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society (MADS) has presented one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved operettas. This season, MADS presents seven performances of Patience, running from January 24 to February 2. For more information or to participate in our music programs, please contact us. Mervin W. Fick, Director of Music. David Garde 416-529-8283 416-536-3160 x4 david.garde@saintanne.ca music@saintanne.ca www.saintanne.ca ●●St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Regent Park St. Bart’s, Regent Park preserves a timeless liturgy that includes all that is best in the Western Catholic tradition. The St. Bart’s Choir, under the direction of early music specialist Katherine Hill, sings at the Sunday Parish Mass (10:30am) and on other Feast Days throughout the year. The choir’s repertoire includes Gregorian chant and polyphony of the 14th to 16th centuries, as well as a wide variety of later English Cathedral music, sacred harp, Eastern Orthodox hymns, Baroque motets, new compositions, and motets and mass settings by Healey Willan. Organist Sebastian Moreno is likewise passionate about Anglo-Catholic music and ancient liturgy, focusing on medieval music’s influence in 19th-20th century composition. Music for liturgy is regularly enhanced by instrumentalists playing recorder, violin, viola da gamba, trumpet and medieval fiddle. Comprised of nine dedicated volunteers and choral scholars, the choir is always happy to welcome new members. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays, 7:15pm to 9:15pm. Father Walter Hannam 647-208-1645 stbartsanglican@gmail.com www.stbartstoronto.ca ●●St. Michael’s Choir School St. Michael’s Choir School was founded in 1937, with the purpose of providing sacred music for services at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. St. Michael’s Choir School is an all-boys school from grades 3 through 12 located in downtown Toronto. Comprised of between 250 to 300 students, St. Michael’s Choir School is a centre for musical and academic excellence. It is one of only six choir schools in the world affiliated with the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome. Each student attending SMCS is accepted on the basis of a vocal audition and sings in at least one of the school’s choirs. Each St. Michael’s Choir School student is trained in music theory, vocal and instrumental music. In addition to weekly Masses and numerous annual concerts, SMCS choirs tour regularly and perform at local events. At SMCS, balancing the sacred and the secular is a longstanding tradition. St. Michael’s Choir School is not only famous for its music program, but also for its academic achievement, consistently ranking at the top of Fraser Institute surveys. For 75 years, graduates of the Choir School have pursued studies in science, education, medicine, law, business, and, of course, music. For more information visit our website. Wanda Thorne 647-232-5598 thorne@smcs.on.ca www.smcs.on.ca ●●St. Olave’s, Swansea St. Olave’s, Swansea, is an Anglican church in the west end of Toronto. Traditional services of Holy Communion or Morning Prayer (sung Sundays at 10:30am) use the Book of Common Prayer. There are also Choral Evensongs throughout the year, our very popular “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” before Christmas and a special Good Friday service with readings and choral music. Its excellent acoustics, organ and grand piano make it a desirable venue for performing groups and recitals. Choral Evensongs often featuring a visiting choir (about one Sunday per month at 4pm) are followed by afternoon tea and a music event (as listed in The WholeNote), such as illustrated music talks or recitals by guest musicians, or performances from our Arts Guild. Evening Prayer (various weekdays at 6pm) are followed by supper and talks on travel, history, applied religion, etc. Our choir, under the direction of John Stephenson, leads the congregation in hymns and canticles, and also sings anthems and motets. Rehearsals are Thursdays, 7:30pm to 9pm, with a warm-up Sundays at 9:30am. Call to ask about paid positions, or come to a rehearsal to see what it’s all about. Singers are also welcome to join the choir at Choral Evensongs. Judy Beal 416-769-5686 stolaves@stolaves.ca www.stolaves.ca ●●St. Thomas’s Anglican Church St. Thomas’s Church, Toronto, is one of the oldest Anglo-Catholic congregations in Canada. Established in 1874, the parish has been, from its earliest days, at the forefront of the liturgical and musical life of the Anglican Church of Canada. Excellent choral and organ music are vital components of all Sunday services, Feast Days, and the liturgies of Advent and Holy Week. There are three choral services each Sunday, sung by a dedicated group of volunteers supported by section leads: “Sung Eucharist (Contemporary Rite)” at 9:30am; “Solemn Eucharist (Traditional Rite)” at 11am; and “Solemn Evensong and Devotions” at 7pm. The repertoire is diverse, from plainsong and Renaissance masterpieces to gems of the British cathedral tradition and contemporary Canadian compositions. Located in the historic Huron-Sussex neighbourhood, adjacent to the University of Toronto campus, the church was designed in the Arts and Crafts style by renowned architect Eden Smith (1858-1949), a parishioner. Christine Cover 416-979-2323 x4 saintthomas@rogers.com www.stthomas.on.ca ●●Syrinx Concerts Toronto Syrinx Concerts Toronto annual concert series presents performances by world-renowned and local classical chamber musicians, who are preeminent professionals as well as superb emerging young performers. Each concert program highlights a work by a Canadian composer, together with the more familiar classical repertoire. The 2019/20 season promises to be exciting and memorable. On December 1, we welcome Jean- Luc Therrien, piano, Mai Tategami, violin, and Zlatomir Fung, cello – who has just won First Prize at the prestigious 2019 Tchaikovsky Cello Competition! On April 5, Marc Djokic, violin, Valerie Dueck, piano, and Thorwald Jorgensen, theremin, will perform. Together they bring a rare and beautiful blend of instruments to the stage. On May 3, internationally-acclaimed musicians Jeanie Chung, piano, Alexander Dobson, baritone, and Vania Chan, mezzo-soprano, will join the series. Our final concert on May 31 features Wolfgang David, violin, and Takeshi Kakehashi, piano. One of the leading Austrian violinists of his generation, David and the famous blind Japanese pianist Kakehashi teamed up many years ago and have since toured internationally, releasing many award-winning CDs. Reception follows each performance. Dorothy Glick 416-654-0877 info@syrinxconcerts.ca www.syrinxconcerts.ca B20 | theWholeNote 2019/20 PRESENTER PROFILES

●Tafelmusik ● Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir Led by music director Elisa Citterio, Tafelmusik is one of the world’s leading period-instrument ensembles, performing on instruments and in styles appropriate for the era of the music. Renowned for dynamic, engaging, and soulful performances, Tafelmusik performs some 80 concerts each year for audiences across Toronto, and is Canada’s most toured orchestra, having performed in more than 350 cities in 32 countries. The orchestra is often joined by the critically acclaimed Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and its director, Ivars Taurins. Tafelmusik also seeks to transport audiences to the Baroque and Classical periods through insightful multimedia programs and adventurous crosscultural collaborations. Our musicians share their knowledge and experience through comprehensive education and artist-training initiatives such as the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer and Winter Institutes. Tafelmusik’s recordings on the Sony, CBC Records, Analekta, and Tafelmusik Media labels have garnered ten JUNOs and numerous international recording prizes. Shelley Davis 416-964-6337 info@tafelmusik.org www.tafelmusik.org ●Tallis ● Choir of Toronto Under the leadership of artistic director Peter Mahon, The Tallis Choir is a mixed-voice chamber choir of 36 voices that has been performing together since 1977. The choir presents an annual subscription series of four concerts between October and May each year in the magnificent acoustic of St. Patrick’s Church in downtown Toronto. Known for innovative programming and polished performances of repertoire covering more than five centuries, the Tallis Choir is an extremely versatile ensemble. They specialize in performances of rarely-heard sacred masterpieces of the Italian, Spanish and English Renaissance which form the cornerstone of their concert series. While they frequently feature a capella polyphonic works, the Choir often works with guest artists performing on period string and wind instruments to add further authenticity to the experience. Additionally, the Choir can be heard in performances around the GTA and southern Ontario, having appeared in the Colours of Music Festival, Luminato Festival, and in multiple performances at the Sony Centre. David Martin 416-286-9798 info@tallischoir.com www.tallischoir.com ST. ANNE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH ●● Tapestry Opera Tapestry Opera is a rare gem in Canada’s cultural landscape, and after four decades of boundarybreaking opera, the company enters its ruby anniversary year (40th) in a stronger position than ever before and with a red-hot lineup for 2019/20. The season includes a world premiere, the return of two smash hits, embarks on bold explorations into augmented reality, the launch of a landmark national project and the ongoing development of four new commissions. Partnerships with Opera Philadelphia, Luminato, Opéra de Montréal, OCAD U and others are a major part of upcoming initiatives, this season and beyond. This season’s world premiere, Jacqueline, dives into the real-life struggle between celebrity virtuosic cellist Jacqueline du Pré and the multiple sclerosis that ravaged her body, mind, and talent, robbing her of her identity, her breathtaking musical gift, and her life. Tapestry Opera’s award-winning original cast and production of Rocking Horse Winner explores the relationship between Paul, a young man with developmental challenges, and Ava, his emotionally distant mother. An intimate, psychologically insightful look at love, luck, and greed, Rocking Horse Winner received 5 Dora Mavor Moore Awards. Jaime Martino 416-537-6066 info@tapestryopera.com www.tapestryopera.com ●That ● Choir Currently in their 12th season, That Choir is one of Toronto’s most exciting a cappella ensembles, combining high-calibre performance with storytelling through choral music. Founded in 2008 by artistic director Craig Pike, That Choir now draws together close to 20 auditioned singers with diverse backgrounds in culture, work and study. Each season, That Choir presents a selfpresented concert series of contemporary choral works, along with their own series of cabarets throughout the year. Additionally, the choir often collaborates with other ensembles in the city, undertakes a range of professional development projects, and appears at many local and provincial music festivals and arts events. Colin Frotten 416-419-1756 info@thatchoir.com www.thatchoir.com ●TO ● Live TO Live is one of Canada’s largest multi-arts organizations, operating three iconic venues and presenting a full range of performing arts, theatrical and concert events in both downtown and uptown Toronto at Meridian Hall (formerly Sony Centre for the Performing Arts), St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, and Meridian Arts Centre (formerly Toronto Centre for the Arts). With hubs of creativity and content creation in both downtown and uptown Toronto, TO Live has a unique place and perspective in Toronto, and the mission of TO Live is to activate creative spaces by inspiring local and international artists, to connect audiences and to be the nexus for new ideas, to elevate artistic potential, and to be the catalyst for creative expression that is reflective of Toronto’s diversity. Mary Ann Farrell 1-855-985-2787 info@tolive.com www.tolive.com ●Toronto ● Beach Chorale Toronto Beach Chorale (artistic director, Mervin W. Fick) is an auditioned SATB choir of up to 65 voices. Singers share a passion for great classical choral music, a strong commitment to sharing theWholeNote 2019/20 PRESENTER PROFILES | B21

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)