IN THEIR OWN WORDS
IN THEIR OWN WORDS nanoSTAGE and nanoSONATA? ADAM SHERKIN in conversation with David Perlman The nanoSTAGE GAIL WILLIAMS FESTIVAL-AUTOMNE.COM The basic idea of a nanosonata is a form in which different elements come together as they do in a sonata, but do not develop. Instead of developing, they are left hanging, something like the characters that frequently appear in Tolstoy, who are described in a few words in a way that makes it clear that a whole book could be written about them, but isn’t. — Frederic Rzewski (1938-2021) Let’s start with nanoSONATA, your October Somers Pentad project. AS: It was Frederic Rzewski who is credited with first having conceived the genre/title of nanosonata; he wrote 56 such pieces between 2006 and 2010, organized into eight books. Since we had newly found a home at 1001 R Bloor Street W in 2025 (ie. the nanoS- TAGE) for full moon performances, Piano Lunaire thought a cheeky brand alignment could work for the new commissions from six composers for the Harry SOMERS SONATA PENTAD Project. Not only have we borrowed the term from Rzewski, but we have capitalized “SONATA” in the same manner as we brand the text of our venue. We hope to continue commissioning new works at the nanoSTAGE and theming them as “nanoSONATAS.” So when did the nanoSTAGE name come to you as a venue for Piano Lunaire? When Piano Lunaire was founded in October 2018 (under a Hunter’s Moon), we presented recitals at my own home on Brock Avenue. We dubbed it simply, “The Brockton Nanostage.” Last summer, when working with gallery owner and painter, Gail Williams to find the right name for the nanoSTAGE venue, she wanted to discard the former name for the location: “Bunker Lane Press.” After many iterations (often centred around the colour of the little red one-storey building”) nanoSTAGE seemed a fitting choice as both an acknowledgment of Piano Lunaire’s past and its place in the future of west end music-making in Toronto. From the Greek for dwarf? Tiny but mighty. Yes, we have always sought out platforms and spaces that bring an audience in with a slightly more intimate atmosphere. The edgy, Angels among us 2026/2027 SEASON EMMA KIRKBY | DANIEL TAYLOR To subscribe or buy tickets: www.torontoconsort.org The Gathering - The Toronto Consort October 10, 2026 Celestial Harmony - the Chants of Hildegard von Bingen Dame Emma Kirkby - The Toronto Consort December 12, 2026 Rejoice in the Lamb - A New Year's Carol with Les Arts Florissant's Conductors Paul Agnew and Daniel Taylor January 16, 2027 A Valentine's Concert with Voces8' tenor Blake Morgan February 14, 2027 The Tallis Scholars With Peter Phillips April 4, 2027 12 | September 2026 thewholenote.com
AMY HILLIS: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 2026 2027 “We appreciate the alternative nature of such spaces to larger purposebuilt halls for listening to music.” Artwork on walls is by Gail Williams. unexpected venue suits us best. Since we program music exclusively after 1950 (nothing written before 1951 is permitted) we appreciate the alternative nature of such spaces to larger purposebuilt halls for listening to music. Nevertheless, we aspire to create a listening experience no less focused nor considered. We have a glorious Bosendorfer 200 (1982), ample wood throughout, new artworks by Gail Williams displayed on the walls and high ceilings that ensure The nanoSTAGE is an exciting and acoustically satisfying place to take in new music (mostly from the piano). 2026/2027 Season th October 5 , 2026 International Contemporary Ensemble: Composing While Black January 24, 2027 Blackout: in vain February 20, 2027 Relatives Ensemble May 29, 2027 MAKEWAY Adam Sherkin: Piano Lunaire’s Beaver Moon concert in November 2025 KATRINA GALAS KATRINA GALAS OCTOBER 29, 2026 | 1.30 PM Light & Shade TRIO HÉLIOS Luka Ispir, violin; Raphaël Jouan, cello Alexis Gournel, piano NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT DECEMBER 3, 2026 | 1.30 PM Yuletide: A Ceremony of Midwinter MÉNESTREL Janelle Lucyk, soprano; Kerry Bursey, lute Vincent Lauzer, recorder FEBRUARY 11, 2027 | 1.30 PM Poetry of Dreamers KATHERINE DOWLING Katherine Dowling, piano WORLD PREMIERE OF WMCT COMMISSION BY LUIS RAMIREZ MARCH 11, 2027 | 1.30 PM Dahoam / Home GOLDMUND QUARTET Florian Schötz, violin; Pinchas Adt, violin Christopher Vandory, viola Raphael Paratore, cello MAY 6, 2027 | 1.30 PM Her Stories: Experiences in the City CANADIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA By phone: 416-923-7052 Online: wmct.on.ca Subscriptions: 0 | Single tickets: THURSDAY AFTERNOONS Walter Hall, Faculty of Music, U of T, 80 Queen's Park (Museum Subway) thewholenote.com September 2026 | 13
