Around Canada

Solemn Memorial Concert Reflects Afghanistan War

By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – In its ambitious Remembrance Day program, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra featured Jeffrey Ryan’s Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation, with a libretto by Canada's first official “war poet,” Suzanne Steele.

Premiere, Sibelius Point Up Canada’s Twin Celebrations

By Richard Todd
OTTAWA - Pianist Angela Hewitt was the soloist for the premiere of Nameless Seas by Matthew Whittall on a concert with Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 that honored both the National Arts Centre's 50th year and the 150th for Canada.

Conductor’s Debut Makes Statement With Daring Music

By Bill Rankin
EDMONTON – Alexander Prior launched his tenure as chief conductor of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra with a late-night program of contemporary works new to the orchestra, Xenakis’ Jalons and Adams’ Harmonielehre.

A String Quartet Competition Spawns A Festival

By Bill Rankin
BANFF, Alberta – Three laureates of the Banff International String Quartet Competition, including 2016 winner the Rolston String Quartet, anchored the inaugural festival over the Labor Day weekend.

Vivid, Theatrical ‘St. John Passion’ Keys Bach Festival

By David Gordon Duke
VANCOUVER – Local and imported artists combined under the assured direction of Alexander Weimann to create an impressive performance at the second summer Bach Festival presented by Early Music Vancouver.

Heartfelt ‘Parsifal’ In Concert Setting At Lanaudière Fest

By Arthur Kaptainis
JOLIETTE, Quebec – Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conducting the score of Wagner’s long opera for the first time, led Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain in a glorious outdoor performance with Christian Elsner as Parsifal.

Summer Festival Spotlights Music By Canada’s Own

By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – R. Murray Schafer's String Quartet No. 3 called for the St. Lawrence String Quartet to do some shouting at this year's Toronto Summer Music Festival, which seems fitting. The 2017 edition salutes Canadian music.

Nary A Weak Link In Concert Packed With New Music

By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – The Bang on a Can All-Stars performed works by a dozen contemporary composers from Canada and the United States in an eclectic program that included John Oswald’s “plunderphonic” treatment of a Motown hit.

Hoping For Spark, Vancouver Opera Becomes Festival

By David Gordon Duke
VANCOUVER – In a bold restructuring that replaces the conventional season, the first Vancouver Opera Festival, April 28-May 13, will boast three full-scale productions as well as solo performances and a variety of special features.

Native Resistance Recalled In Opera Of Canadian West

By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – In choosing Louis Riel, a rebel of the Canadian Métis people, as the subject of their 1967 opera, composer Harry Somers and libettist Mavor Moore hit on a dramatic topic that's so Canadian it bleeds maple syrup.

Oddly Enough, Schafer Non-opera Makes Good Opera

By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – Armed with a quasi-Wagnerian ethos, R. Murray Schafer's massive, twelve-part cycle called Patria dwarfs Wagner’s Ring. Now Soundstreams has fashioned Odditorium from four excerpts, with a part for singing head.

Eloquent Sextet Stretches Bounds Of Vocal Art

By David Gordon Duke
VANCOUVER - The ensemble Nordic Voices presented works by a trio of living Norwegian composers, including Lasse Thoresen (right), plus music by Goffredo Petrassi and György Ligeti. The performances were magisterial.

In Deft Schumann, Pianist Shows His Star Power At 21

By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki has grown into a tall young man. He perches precariously on the edge of the bench and doesn’t quite know what to do with his knees. Fortunately, he knows exactly what to do with his hands.

Estonians Honor Choral Tradition In Toronto Return

By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – As part of its North American tour, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir sang solemn music of Arvo Pärt, Estonia's most famous composer, and Canadian music by composers of Estonian descent.

Toronto Symphony Salutes Own With ‘Canadian Legacy’

Colin Eatock
TORONTO - Except for an introductory work, the evening was given over to Canadian scores not receiving premieres. The five main pieces were premiered decades ago and written by composers who are no longer living.

Coming Events: Canada Turns 150, Makes Joyful Noise

DATE BOOK – The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has organized Canada Mosaic in celebration of the country’s 150th year. Commissions from the nation's many distinctive musical voices will ring out at orchestras coast to coast.

Montreal ‘Ladies’ Club Serves Up Classical Cream

By Arthur Kaptainis
MONTREAL – Since 1892, the Ladies Morning Musical Club has sponsored concerts in Montreal, although men can now attend and recitals are later in the day. Soprano Karina Gauvin offered art song, folk and cabaret.

Joyce DiDonato Devises Inventive Recital Variation

By David Gordon Duke
VANCOUVER - The American mezzo-soprano's extragavant project, In War & Peace: Harmony Through Music, includes contemporary media, a period-instrument orchestra, and stage movement, along with stellar vocalism.

Trio And Soprano Serve Up Charming And Eclectic Menu

By Bill Rankin
CALGARY - For their subtle concert at the University of Calgary, Toronto's Gryphon Trio and Canadian soprano Patricia O’Callaghan performed works from various traditions, including classical, pop, and cabaret.

Mullova Is Special As She Mixes With Early-Music Group

By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – Russian violinist Viktoria Mullova isn’t an early-music specialist, or a specialist in anything, really. But she was a first among equals with members of the Italian ensemble Accademia Bizantina.
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