Volume 30 Issue 2 | October & November 2024

October/November 2024 containing our 30th annual presenter directory (25th under the Blue Pages name) is now available for viewing. Also first four instalments of ART OF THE ARC -- a concert curators' Q & A, with more to follow online and in print throughout the fall. Also View from Up Here parses the difference between a two lane highway and a two-way street; Choral Scene digs into singing and health; Music Theatre taps joy-fuelled offerings at London's Grand Theatre and elsewhere; In with the New looks at Letters to God; Classical and Beyond tackles a 212-listing 68 days; thirteen new recordings in our listening room and more.

LIVE OR ONLINE | Oct 1

LIVE OR ONLINE | Oct 1 to Dec 7, 2024 416-408-0208 or www.rcmusic.com/performance. Free. ● 7:30: Toronto Shape Note Singers. Sacred Harp Singing. Shape note music selections from the Sacred Harp tunebook. Singing is participatory, not a performance. No experience necessary. All are welcome and there are books to borrow. Friends House, 60 Lowther Ave. 647-838-8764. Pay what you can. Also Dec 18. Thursday November 21 ● 7:30: Don Wright Faculty of Music. Western University Jazz Ensemble Concert. Western University - Talbot College - Paul Davenport Theatre, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519-661-3767 or www.music.uwo.ca/ events. Free. ● 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. U of T Opera: Three Islands — Castaway, Tempest Songbook, Riders to the Sea. York University - Accolade East Building - Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre, 4700 Keele St. www.music.utoronto.ca. ; (sr); (st). U of T students with a valid T-Card are admitted free at the door (space permitting, some exceptions apply). No ticket reservation necessary. Also Nov 22(7:30pm), 23(7:30pm), 24(2:30pm). ● 7:30: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. Laurier Chamber Music Concert - Winds & Brass. Wilfrid Laurier University - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave., Waterloo. www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-music/news/2024/summer/lauriers-2024-2025-concert-season.html. Free. ● 8:00: Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Rhapsody in Blue - A Gershwin Celebration. Adrianne Pieczonka, soprano; Jonelle Sills, soprano; Justin Welsh, baritone; Daniel Vnukowski, piano; Stéphane Mayer, piano. Burlington Performing Arts Centre - Main Theatre, 440 Locust St., Burlington. 905-681-6000. .50(.50 member) - .50(.50 member). ● 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Brilliant Bartók. Emilie LeBel: the sediments (TSO Commission); Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (Jean-Sébastien Vallé, artistic director); Gustavo Gimeno, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-598-3375 or www.tso.ca. From $30. Also Nov 22(7:30pm) & 23(8pm). Friday November 22 ● 12:10: Music at St. Andrew’s. Noon Time Recital: Transcriptions for Piano Four Hands. Milhaud: Scaramouche; Mendelssohn: 1st mvmt from Octet Op.20; Barber: Souvenirs Op.28. Tristan Savella, piano; Jean-Luc Therrien, piano. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 73 Simcoe St. 416-593-5600 x220. Free. Donations welcome. ● 12:30: Don Wright Faculty of Music. Fridays at 12:30 Concert Series – The Light of East Ensemble. Western University - Music Building - Von Kuster Hall, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519-661-3767 or www.music.uwo. ca/events. Free. LIVE & LIVESTREAM. ● 1:30: Don Wright Faculty of Music. International Week Concert: Songs of Many Lands. Western University - Music Building - Von Kuster Hall, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519-661-3767 or www.music.uwo.ca/events. Free. LIVE & LIVESTREAM. Erika Raum Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Beethoven Eroica ● 7:30: Aurora Cultural Centre. Canadian Brass. 22 Church St., Aurora. 905-713-1818 or info@auroraculturalcentre.ca or www.auroraculturalcentre.ca/performing-arts. . ● 7:30: Don Wright Faculty of Music. Western University Percussion Ensemble. Western University - Talbot College - Paul Davenport Theatre, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519- 661-3767 or www.music.uwo.ca/events. Free. ● 7:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Brilliant Bartók. See Nov 21. Also Nov 23(8pm). ● 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. U of T Opera: Three Islands — Castaway, Tempest Songbook, Riders to the Sea. See Nov 21. Also Nov 23(7:30pm), 24(2:30pm). ● 7:30: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. Laurier Wind Orchestra. Wilfrid Laurier University - Theatre Auditorium, 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo. www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty- of-music/news/2024/summer/lauriers- 2024-2025-concert-season.html. Free. ● 8:00: Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra. Greatness Unveiled. Bizet: Overture to Les Pêcheurs de perles; Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Op.35; Beethoven: Symphony No.3 in E-flat Op.55 “Eroica”. Erika Raum, violin. Martingrove, 2850 Bloor St. W. www. eporchestra.ca/season/2425/greatnessunveiled. $30. ● 8:00: Old Mill Toronto. Jazz Lounge: Jay Douglas. 21 Old Mill Rd. 416-207-2020 or www.oldmilltoronto.com/event/jay-douglas. . Minimum $30 food & beverage spend. Restricted to ages 19+. Dinner at 6pm. Show at 8pm. ● 8:00: Royal Conservatory of Music. Earl Lee Conducts the Royal Conservatory Orchestra. R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche Op.28; Britten: Violin Concerto Op.15; Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances Op.45. Anna Stuke, violin. Royal Conservatory of Music - TELUS Centre - Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www. rcmusic.com/performance. From . ● 8:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Bach Christmas Oratorio. Hélène Brunet, soprano; Cecilia Duarte, mezzo; Charles Daniel, tenor; Jesse Blumberg, baritone; Tafelmusik Chamber Choir; Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra; Ivars Taurins, conductor. Trinity BACH CHRISTMAS ORATORIO Directed by Ivars Taurins Nov 22–24 Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre tafelmusik.org St. Paul’s United Church. Jeanne Lamon Hall, 427 Bloor St. W. www.tafelmusik.org. From . Also Nov 23(8pm) & 24(3pm). Saturday November 23 ● 3:00: Don Wright Faculty of Music. Western University Salsa Band Concert. Western University - Talbot College - Paul Davenport Theatre, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519- 661-3767 or www.music.uwo.ca/events. Free. ● 4:00: Toronto Operetta Theatre. TOT Cabaret Series: Vienna, The City of Dreams. Edward Jackman Centre, 947 Queen St. E., 2nd Floor. 416-366-7723 or 1–800-708-6754 or www.tolive.com. . ● 7:00: Music at the Toronto Oratory. Complete Organ Works of J. S. Bach, Part V: Bach and the French Connection. Includes Fantasia in G, Aria in F, Passacaglia in c, Trio Sonata No.3. Aaron James, organ. Holy Family Roman Catholic Church - Oratory, 1372 King St. W. 416-532-2879. Free admission. Donations accepted. ● 7:30: Niagara Symphony Orchestra. The Queen Symphony. Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story; Kashif: The Queen Symphony. Chorus Niagara, guest artists. FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre - Partridge Hall, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722 or boxoffice@firstontariopac.ca. From ; (arts workers); (under 35); (st); (18 and under). Also Nov 24(2:30pm). ● 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. U of T Opera: Three Islands — Castaway, Tempest Songbook, Riders to the Sea. See Nov 21. Also Nov 24(2:30pm). ● 8:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Bach Christmas Oratorio. See Nov 22. Also Nov 24(3pm). ● 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Brilliant Bartók. See Nov 21. Sunday November 24 ● 11:00am: Xenia Concerts. An Adaptive Concert with the PhoeNX Ensemble. To eliminate financial barriers to attendance, we will refund your ticket when you arrive at the concert. If you wish to donate to Xenia Concerts, please select the "donation" option and enter the amount you would like to contribute. PhoeNX Ensemble: Sanya Eng, harp; Patty Chen, erhu. Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham. 647-896-8295. . ● 2:30: Niagara Symphony Orchestra. The Queen Symphony. See Nov 23. ● 2:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. U of T Opera: Three Islands — Castaway, Tempest Songbook, Riders to the Sea. See Nov 21. ● 3:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Bach Christmas Oratorio. See Nov 22. ● 3:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra: High Spirits - Brahms, Borodin & Dvořák. Lavallé (arr. Allan Gilliland): “O Canada”; Brahms: Academic Festival Overture; Borodin: Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor; Dvořák: Symphony No.8. Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra; Trevor Wilson, TSO RBC Resident Conductor & TSYO Conductor. Meridian Arts Centre - George Weston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 416-598-3375 or www.tso.ca. ; (35 and under). SUN 24 NOV AT 4 Choral Evensong plus at 4.45 p.m. LET IN THE LIGHT Drama, poetry and music with St. Olave’s Arts Guild ● 4:00: St. Olave’s Anglican Church. Choral Evensong featuring St. Anne’s Church Choir. Opens with Choral Evensong. Followed at 4:45pm by Let in the Light, with drama, music, and poetry presented by St. Olave’s Arts Guild to lighten your mood as we prepare for the season ahead. St. Olave’s Anglican Church, 360 Windermere Ave. www.YouTube.com/ StOlavesAnglicanChurch or 416-769-5686. Contributions appreciated. ● 7:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society. Savella-Therrien Piano Duo. Works by Milhaud, Franck, Debussy, Barber, and others. Jean-Luc Therrien and Tristan Savella, piano duo. Keffer Memorial Chapel, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo. www.k-wcms.com/concerts. $30; (st). Monday November 25 ● 12:00 noon: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Lobby Concert: Steel Pan Ensemble. Edward Johnson Building, University of Toronto, 80 Queen’s Park. www.music.utoronto.ca. Free. Tuesday November 26 ● 12:00 noon: Canadian Opera Company. Rebanks Family Fellowship Showcase: Sensational Strings. Solo, duo, and chamber works for strings. David Balk, violin; Matthew 44 | October & November 2024 thewholenote.com

Hakkarainen, violin. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. www.coc. ca. Free. ● 12:10: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Tuesday Voice Series: Dichterliebe - Whose Love? Robert Schumann’s song cycle, including works by his contemporaries, is re-told with a gender-expansive lens by performers and co-curators Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 and David Eliakis, who explore this central question: “Whose love is important, valid, and celebrated?”. Performers and Co-Curators Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 and David Eliakis. Walter Hall (University of Toronto), 80 Queen’s Park. www.music.utoronto.ca. Free. ● 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Contemporary Music Ensemble – Re:SPECT(ral) III. Noriko Baba: Au clair d’un croissant; Ondrej Adámek: Sinuous Voices; Philippe Leroux: Masse(s)...Mémo(ire). Wallace Halladay, conductor. Walter Hall (University of Toronto), 80 Queen’s Park. www. rcmusic.com/tickets/seats/353202. $30; (sr); (st). U of T students with a valid T-Card are admitted free at the door (space permitting, some exceptions apply). No ticket reservation necessary. Livestream: . ● 7:30: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. Laurier Community Music Concert. Wilfrid Laurier University - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave., Waterloo. www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty- of-music/news/2024/summer/lauriers- 2024-2025-concert-season.html. Free. Wednesday November 27 ● 12:15: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Noon Hour Series: Douglas Haas Legacy Concerts. Waterloo County Carollers. 54 Queen St. N., Kitchener. 519-578-4430 or www. standrewskw.com. Free. Lunch available for at 11:30am or bring your own. ● 2:00: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Master Class: Barbara Hannigan, soprano & conductor. Walter Hall (University of Toronto), 80 Queen’s Park. www.music.utoronto.ca. Free. ● 5:30: Canadian Opera Company. Instrumental Series: Through the Looking Glass - Music for Guitar and String Trio. Music inspired by Dadaist art. David Occhipinti, guitar; Carol Fujino, violin; Cate Grey, viola; Mary- Katherine Finch, cello; Alex Heatherington, mezzo. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. www.coc.ca. Free. ● 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Guitar Ensembles & Flute/Guitar Duos. A variety of guitar ensembles and flute/guitar duos performing early, classical and modern repertoire from around the world. Walter Hall (University of Toronto), 80 Queen’s Park. www.music.utoronto.ca. Free. ● 8:00: Esprit Orchestra. Prelude Concert #1: f(x)=. Gabriella Smith: f(x)=sin2x- 1/x (Canadian premiere); Bent Sorensen: It is pain flowing down slowly on a white wall (North American premiere); Maki Ishii: Fū Shi “Shape of the Wind”. Michael Bridge, accordion; Alex Pauk, music director & conductor. Royal Conservatory of Music - TELUS Centre - Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408- 0208 or www.espritorchestra.com or www. rcmusic.com/events-and-performances. From . 7:15pm - Musical Insights with Alexina Louie and guests. ● 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker: Land of Sweets. Borodin: Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor; Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Tchaikovsky: Act II from The Nutcracker. Behzod Abduraimov, piano; Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (Trevor Wilson, RBC Resident Conductor & TSYO Conductor); Gustavo Gimeno, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-598-3375 or www.tso.ca. From $30. Also Nov 28 & 30. Thursday November 28 ● 11:45am: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. Student Recital. Wilfrid Laurier University - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave., Waterloo. www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty- of-music/news/2024/summer/lauriers- 2024-2025-concert-season.html. Free. ● 12:10: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Thursdays at Noon: Laureates - Innovators. Daniel J. Choi: Kelele Nje for singing marimbist; Fish Yu: “I. Black and White” and “III. Sevens” from Frolic; Cait Nishimura: Golden Hour; Clara Schumann: Six Lieder; Gina Gillie: Escapade. KöNG Duo (Hoi Tong Keung & Bevis Ng, percussion); Piper Shiels, horn. Walter Hall (University of Toronto), 80 Queen’s Park. www.music.utoronto.ca. Free. Livestream available at www.youtube. com/uoftmusic. ● 7:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society. Quatuor Magenta. Program to be announced. Ida Derbesse, violin; Elena Watson, violin; Claire Pass-Lanneau, viola; Fiona Robson, cello. First United Church, 16 William St. W., Waterloo. www.k-wcms. com/concerts. ; (st). ● 7:30: Folk Under The Clock. David Francey. Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, 140 Charlotte St., Peterborough. 705-749- 1146 or www.markethall.org. . ● 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Woodwind Chamber Music. Walter Hall (University of Toronto), 80 Queen’s Park. www.music.utoronto.ca. Free. ● 8:00: Flato Markham Theatre. A Very Merry Motown Christmas. George St Kitts, Toni Anderson, Robyn Black, Kenni Hite Jivaro Smith. 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham. 905- 305-7469 or www.flatomarkhamtheatre.ca. From . ● 8:00: Royal Conservatory of Music. Barbara Hannigan, Soprano, With Bertrand Chamayo, Piano. Works by Scriabin, Messiaen, and John Zorn. Royal Conservatory of Music - TELUS Centre - Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www. rcmusic.com/performance. From . ● 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker: Land of Sweets. See Nov 27. Also Nov 30. Friday November 29 ● 12:00 noon: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Lobby Concert: West African Drumming & Dancing. Edward Johnson Building, University of Toronto, 80 Queen’s Park. www. music.utoronto.ca. Free. ● 12:10: Music at St. Andrew’s. Noon Time Recital. Violin sonatas by Respighi and Prokofiev. Adam Diderrich, violin; Lisa Tahara, piano. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 73 Simcoe St. 416-593-5600 x220. Free. Donations welcome. ● 12:30: Don Wright Faculty of Music. Fridays at 12:30 Concert Series – Contemporary Canadian Repertoire. Western University - Music Building - Von Kuster Hall, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519-661-3767 or www.music.uwo.ca/events. Free. LIVE & LIVESTREAM. ● 2:00: Burlington Performing Arts Centre. State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine - Swan Lake. Burlington Performing Arts Centre - Main Theatre, 440 Locust St., Burlington. 905-681-6000. .50(.50 member) - .50(.50 member); (Youth). ● 7:00: Jazz at Durbar. Rebecca Enkin Trio: Swinging Holiday. Durbar Indian Restaurant, 2469 Bloor St. W. 416-762-4441. No cover. Reserve a table for dinner or come by for a drink at the bar. ● 7:30: Don Wright Faculty of Music. Western University Wind Ensemble Concert. Western University - Talbot College - Paul Davenport Theatre, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519-661-3767 or www.music.uwo.ca/ events. Free. ● 7:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. PianoFest I. PianoFest is a multi-day event showcasing Piano Performance students at U of T. Walter Hall (University of Toronto), 80 Queen’s Park. www.music.utoronto.ca. Free. ● 7:30: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. Laurier Symphony Orchestra. Wilfrid Laurier University - Theatre Auditorium, 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo. www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty- of-music/news/2024/summer/lauriers- 2024-2025-concert-season.html. Free. ● 8:00: Flato Markham Theatre. The Wonderful World of Christmas: Graceland Edition. Steve Michaels, vocalist. 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham. 905-305-7469 or www.flatomarkhamtheatre.ca. From . ● 8:00: Old Mill Toronto. Jazz Lounge: John Amato. 21 Old Mill Rd. 416-207-2020 or www. oldmilltoronto.com/event/john-amato-music. . Minimum $30 food & beverage spend. Restricted to ages 19+. Dinner at 6pm. Show at 8pm. Saturday November 30 ● 2:00: Burlington Performing Arts Centre. State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine - The Nutcracker. Burlington Performing Arts Centre - Main Theatre, 440 Locust St., Burlington. 905-681-6000. .50(.50 member) - .50(.50 member); (Youth). Also 7pm. ● 2:00: Pax Christi Chorale. Children’s Messiah. Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Sq. Visit www.paxchristichorale.org or 416-733- 9388. Admission by donation. Also 4pm. ● 2:00: Peter Margolian and Friends. Music for Voice, Winds, Strings, Brass, and Piano. Works by P. D. Philidor, Frank Martin, and Alex Wilder. Canadian Music Centre, 20 St. Joseph St. peter.margolian@gmail.com or 437-237- 5304. Free. ● 2:00: Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Christmas Kick-off. Music includes The Messiah, Home Alone, The Nutcracker and a few surprises to kick off Sudbury’s most wonderful time of the year. William Rowson, conductor; Young Sudbury Singers; Bel Canto Chorus; Sudbury Chamber Singers. Sheridan Auditorium, 154 College St., Sudbury. www.ci.ovationtix.com/36875/performance/11512437. $30; (under 30). Also 7:30pm. ● 2:30: University of Toronto Faculty of Music. PianoFest II. PianoFest is a multi-day event showcasing Piano Performance students at U of T. Walter Hall (University of Toronto), 80 Queen’s Park. www.music.utoronto.ca. Free. ● 3:00: Don Wright Faculty of Music. Western University Symphonic Band Concert. Western University - Talbot College - Paul Davenport Theatre, 1151 Richmond St. N., London. 519-661-3767 or www.music.uwo.ca/ events. Free. ● 4:00: Pax Christi Chorale. Children’s Messiah. Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Sq. Visit www.paxchristichorale.org or 416-733- 9388. Admission by donation. Also 2pm. ● 7:00: Burlington Performing Arts Centre. State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine - The Nutcracker. See 2pm. ● 7:30: Jubilate Singers/Wychwood Clarinet Choir. Choir Meets Choir. Seasonal music and works by Brahms, Fauré, Dvořák, Gershwin, Timothy Corlis, and Donald Patriquin. Isabel Bernaus, conductor; Michele Jacot, conductor. St. Matthew’s United Church, 729 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-485-1988 or www. jubilatesingers.ca. ; (sr/st/arts workers). ● 7:30: London Symphonia. Messiah with The Elora Singers and London Symphonia. Handel: Messiah. Elora Singers; Mark Vuorinen, conductor. Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington St., London. 226-270-0910 or www.londonsymphonia.ca. General Admission, Reserved Seating, and for unlimited Video On Demand 21-day access. ● 7:30: Milton Choristers. A Sacred Christmas. Charpentier: Messe de Minuit pour Noel plus other Christmas choral favorites. First Ontario Arts Centre, 1010 Main St. E., Milton. info@miltonchoristers.com or www.miltonchoristers.com. $30; (sr); (st and ages 1-17). Everyone entering the theatre requires a ticket. Jubilate singers & WYCHWOOD CHOIR Isabel Bernaus Michele Jacot artistic directors BRAHMS DVOK FAURÉ GERSHWIN CORLIS PATRIQUIN HABLEWITZ Choir meets Choir Sat Nov. 30, 7:30 St. Matthews United Church 729 St. Clair Ave W www.jubilatesingers.ca thewholenote.com October & November 2024 | 45