Volume 8 Issue 3 - November 2002

the first chapter of the

the first chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes. "It's a bit confusing and pessimistic as a text", said Rolfe' on the phone the other day. "Basically the message is that there's nothing new under the sun. But it can also be a kind of a comforting thought to an artist. You know, people have been through this before." The piece is in 32 parts, which presented some positive challenges for Rolfe. "I had fun writing it, though I felt I was a bit in a vacuum. Thomas Tallis is the guy who comes to mind for writing multi-part choral works, but his music i)l 400 years old! Not having a contemporary model, I played around and trusted my instincts. I'm quite happy with the results and look forward to hearing the piece." Music by one of the Poper a J with Opera Ontario J Hamiltbn Place Saturday, November 30, 2002 I 8 pm Gabrielli:;, Gorecki and Samuel Barber round out the program. That same afternoon (Nov 3), the Voca!Point Chamber Choir give a performance at Grace Church onthe-Hill of music by Tallis, Victoria, Byrd and others. If you're unable to stay away from University Voices, V ocaIPoint also sings a noon hour concert at the Glenn Gould Studio on November 7. The first of two birthday concerts in honour ·of Ruth Watson Henderson takes place November 9th with the Toronto Children's Chorus performing a number of her wellknown works for treble choir. Included on the program is a new work entitled The Travelling fyf usicians, which involves some creative stag- G.F. Handel ing. The concert takes place at the George Weston Recital Hall and fea-. tures a pre-concert conversation between WatsQn Henderson and Jean Ashworth Bartle, longtime colleagues and friends. Ruth is such a mainstay on the scene here in Toronto that it's easy to take for granted the tremendous integrity she has as a composer and accompanist, especially for young people. -We wish her continued health and success. (The Oriana Singers fete RutlJ later in the month with a performance of her Christmas cantata The Last Straw). More new choral music comes our way on November 19th with another sung by: Grant Aller! , Romina Farrell Lynn Hardaker Peter McGlaughlin Barry St. Denis Nicole Bellamy, piano Sunday, December 1, 5:00 pm The Great Hall 1087 Queen St. West (at Dovercourt). . Lieder by Soundstreams event bringing together Canadian Christos HafZis and. the popular English composer John Tavener. The Elmer Iseler Singers, Amadeus Choir and Tafelmusik Orchestra will perfonn Hatzis' Kyrie with some first-rate ~oloists. A variety of Tavener's Orthodox-inspired music will be given, as well. While I wholeheartedly recommend the concert and commend Soundstreams for it, I'm a little disappointed at the pairing. It feels like Tavener is always with us through his numerous, gaudily-packaged recordings. It would perhaps have been more exciting to ifitroduce Toronto to a leading composer from Greece to "encounter" Hatzis. Johannes Brahms a candle-light Soiree The Vocal Art Forum This Evening concludes a course on Brahms Lieder, held by Peter Neff cfienai~~tc;. '-Si1tf l'lJ I may. not go tonight to Bethlehem Sunday, December 15, 2002 I 3 pm I Living Arts Ceptre Sponsored by: •. .. : 0 Clap Your Hands! NoR01csvsTEMSJNC. I Favourite Church Anthems & Solos I Church 9f st: Dominic's Sunday, February 16, 2003 J, 3 pqi Lerner & Loewe Musicals .J with Toronto Symphony Orchestra J Roy Thomson Hall Wednesday, March 19, 2003 I 8 pm Requiem I H. Berlioz MCS with Chorus Niagara & Cellar Singers J Living Arts Centre Sunday, May 4, 2003 I 3 pm 3-concert subscriptions: (Students & Seniors. ) 4-concert subscriptions: 5 (Students & Seniors 5) Living Arts Centre Box Office: 905-306-6000 www.misschorsoc.com i----~~~~~~~~~ SPON SO RS~~~~~~~~~-< .YSFc~?:~sn

The later part of the month is taken up, with early Christmas fare, including the second annual Share the Warmth perfonliiince of Bach's Christ:nlas Oratorio. !vars Taurins directs the Bach Consort (members of the Toronto ·Symphony and Tafelmusik) with a stellar line-up of soloists and - in lieu of a choir - a set of eight "ripienists" as Andrew Parrott would have Bach cantatas and passions performed .. Should be interesting! It all starts at 6:30.on November 22, with a dinner break after the first three cantatas. Next' month we track the annual . Messiah Performance Derby. How many dozens will we have this year?! Immediate opening for Bass/Baritone Section Lead Royal York Road United Church (Bloor and Royal York Rd) . Thursday rehearsals, 7:30-9:30 PM 1 Sunday service I 0:30 AM Contact Director Lydia Pedersen 416-231-2359 All the best. ... and, as always, you can reach me at dunnbeckwith@sympatico.ca or beckwith@thewholenote.com MUSIC . at St. James' Cathedral Christopher Dawes, Director of Music CHORISTERS: Two opportunities ... ST. JAMES' CATHEDRAL · PILGRIM SINGERS (November 13) Auditioned 22·voke semi-professional chamber choir . re earsing Tuesdays 8-1 Opm and sl ~Opn:neNices on alternating ·5 · seNices, concerts an "_a strong knowledge. repertoire, and availa seNice on Christmas E ST. JAMES' CATHEDRAL CHORAL, SOCIETY (November 26), Toronto's 60-voice sacred music community choir welcomes inquiries in all vocal parts to commence preparation of Bach's St. John Passion in late November for orchestral performance in German March 14 2003. Rehearsals Tuesdays, 6:00pm,7:30pm. (416) 364-7865 Featuring several inspiring musical numbers to herald the Yule Season. A concert tradition you will not want to miss. December 13 & 14 only ' 8:00p.m. Massey Hall :..:····.-:· ·· November 1 - December 7 2002 www.thewholenote.com 15