SALON 21: R. MURRAY SCHAFER ON ISFAHAN
October 24, 2011 (Comments (View))
R. Murray Schafer talks about his inspiration behind Isfahan, a mesmerizing work for 3 brass quintets.
Salon 21: Breathe with Trio Mediaeval
March 30, 2011 (Comments (View))
This month's Salon 21 was a packed evening! In addition to the premiere performances of 4 new works by emerging composers as part of our Young Composer program, we talked to James Rolfe and Trio Mediaeval about his new work Breathe, and of course heard the stunning Trio Mediaeval perform a couple of Norwegian folk songs.
You can watch part 1 of 4 below. To watch videos from the whole evening, go to our YouTube channel. Click > HERE
Salon 21: Music and Math
February 24, 2011 (Comments (View))
At our February Salon, we explored the interesting overlaps between music and math with mathematician and musician James Stewart. TorQ Percussion Quartet provided amazing performances of John Cage's 3rd Contruction and Xenakis' Rebonds B.
You can watch all five videos of the Salon on our YouTube channel, including the amazing performance by TorQ of Cage's 3rd Construction! Click > HERE
Norway 2011
Concert reviews from Lawrence's recent trip to Olso, February 16, 2011 (Comments (View))
CONCERT REVIEW
Mariss Jansons & Dutch Concertgebouw Orchestra. February 9, 2011. Norwegian Opera House, Oslo.
At the Norwegian Opera in Oslo, I managed to catch on tour the Concertgebouw Orchestra from Amsterdam under Mariss Jansons. The soloist was the Norwegian star pianist Leif Ove Andsnes.
Andsnes is indeed a national treasure, but I had never heard Jansons conduct before, and I never thought I would again sit on the edge of my seat for another Beethoven symphony, let alone the 7th. But some many details I never heard before, and such excitement watching a master chef making all the ingredients fresh before our very eyes and ears. What a listening experience!
OPERA REVIEW
Norwegian Opera: The Rape of Lucretia by Benjamin Britten. February 7, 2011. Norwegian Opera House, Oslo
Music: Benjamin Britten
Libretto: Ronald Duncan
Conductor: Ward Stare
Director/Set Design: Thaddeus Strassberger
This Norwegian Opera production is extraordinary in one very special way - there are 8 soloists in the Britten, who also function occasionally as a Greek chorus. I have never heard a production where the voices were cast so well, and so evenly matched that there really were none who stood out as either better or worse than the others. And the music was exceptionally well played by the orchestra. I was less taken by the setting of this opera in modern day dress, not because I object on principle, but because the use of I-pads and I-phones just didn't work for me. But well worth seeing.
Become a fan of Soundstreams on Facebook //click// and check out photos from Lawrence's trip!
Lawrence's Picks January 2011
Recommendations for listening, watching, and reading this winter!, January 20, 2011 (Comments (View))
Book. Weinzweig: Essays on His Life and Music, edited by John Beckwith and Brian Cherney.
2011. Wilfrid Laurier University Press. //click// to order online
This book represents a milestone in Canadian music: a groundbreaking book on John Weinzweig, the man who brought Canadian concert music into the 20th century. This book anticipates the celebrations in 2013 of Weinzweig's 100th birth year, but it's a fantastic addition to our understanding of our musical past through a thorough examination of Weinzweig's life and times. The editors Beckwith and Cherney have written some chapters themselves, each of which is marvelously researched, brimming with information and insight. But they've also done a fantastic job of choosing the other articles that are included. It is impressive because it deals with the man and the music with equal depth and understanding. This excellent book will set the standard for any future publications about Canadian artists in any discipline. Bravo to WLU Press for helping to make it happen!
CD. Rapsodia. Patricia Kopatchinskaja & Family.
E. Koatchinskaja. V. Kopatchinsky, M. Gjakonovski, M. Ursuleasa. 2010. Naïve/Deutschland Radio. V5193
Who knows where Moldova is? I had to look it up, too. But the main thing - this is one incredible violinist - from virtuoso folk fiddle to the most profound works by Ligeti, Kurtag and others, she can play. And her father is the most amazing virtuoso cimbalom player, to say nothing of her mother's skills. Patricia doesn't have to leave home to make great music! This CD will make you smile. Promise!
Concert. Continuum Contemporary Music. January 24th. The OCADU Project. 8 pm at the Music Gallery, 175 John Street. $25 adults / $15 students, seniors & arts workers. //click// for more information or to purchase tickets.
Jennifer Waring's programs are endlessly inventive. This program explores the relationships between visual art and music, with a whole host of stellar compositions. Continuum has a cracker jack ensemble, and you never have to worry about whether you're hearing a good performance of a new work.
CD. Live in Buenos Aires: Joanna MacGregor & Britten Sinfonia
2010. SoundCircus/Warner Classics & Jazz. 2564 68475-9 DD LC 04281
I think there must have been smoke coming out of the piano during this concert. Maybe it helps that it was recorded in Buenos Aires before a deeply appreciative audience. But the works by Piazzolla, Gismonti and Golijov really do smoke they are so hot! Even the standard works by Bach, Stravinsky and Dowland just exude passion and depth. It's as exciting a disc as you can get from a live recording.
Opera. Nixon in China. Canadian Opera Company. Running from February 5-26. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. Tickets are on sale now. //click// for tickets
This is hardly a new opera by now, but bravo to the COC for taking it on in a new production. Adams will be composer in residence at the TSO in early March, and Soundstreams will contribute a Young Artist Overture to the lecture by John Adams at the Faculty of Music on March 3rd. Follow our website for further details.
Movie. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. Director: Woody Allen. Now playing at the Carlton Cinema in Toronto and other locations. //click// for showtimes
This marks something of a new direction for Woody Allen. While it certainly has its humorous moments, he explores relationships with a profound respect for the fact that ultimately, they are simply unpredictable. What a web of constantly shifting relationships he weaves! And you can have popcorn, too.
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