“A self-defining happiness”

Xin Wang’s TO.U Collective – and its resonances with her personal practice

For soprano Xin Wang, singing contemporary music has always been about personal growth. But for many performers, making a career out of music can mean playing what they are told to play, rather than directing that personal growth themselves. So when Wang decided to start a contemporary music series in Toronto this year, she knew it had to be something different.

TO.U Collective is Wang’s “something different” project – a seven-concert season of solo recitals at St. Andrew’s Church, featuring professionals from the local music community. The focus of TO.U – its name both a Chinese character meaning “through” and a play on “Toronto/You” – is on highlighting contemporary music’s personal relevance, both for audiences and for the artists who perform it.

“I wasn’t actively seeking to create a series,” Wang says. “I’ve been singing at St. Andrew’s for years, and I was looking for a space to hold a local dress rehearsal for a concert I was performing in Montreal. My church naturally came up. So I asked, we did it there, and it was a great turnout – and the church was overjoyed to see people coming in. They said, ‘Hey, it seems like there is an audience for contemporary music, and we would like to expand our musical language to the contemporary, to draw in more people.’ So I said ok – I’ll come back with a proposal.”

The premise is simple: seven professional musicians, each with a personal connection to new music, will perform seven recitals of contemporary repertoire that matters personally to them. The recitalists curate their own concert programs, and are asked to emphasize music that has shaped their own lives and work.

“I want to switch things a bit,” Wang explains. “I don’t want musicians to wait by the phone anymore. I’m so tired of that. I think that the reason why the musicians agreed to this, and why they said yes to a fee that perhaps is humble, is because they seek to evolve themselves, and they don’t have a stage to present and articulate this evolving process. But they should.”

Wang’s attempt to provide the stage for that evolving process is something that resonates with her own practice. “I’m very weary of this idea that my value needs to be decided by the gigs that I’m asked to do. And of course those gigs died away when I had children. But I firmly believe that my value as a musician did not diminish just because I stayed home,” she says. “So for me, it was my own searching: how do I find the peace to stay home, completely surrounded by kids, without feeling that this doom has landed on me and that the world has disconnected? And I think it took panic times, and then finally it set in that self-perpetuated, self-motivated process is what centres art. And if I am centred, I’m then happy and fulfilled – and then as an artist I have something to say.“

Wang opens the TO.U season next Wednesday, October 19, with a free noon-hour recital of works by Schubert, Webern, Berio, Aperghis and Gubaidulina. Before her performance, she intends to speak briefly about how this music has impacted her life, not only as a recitalist but also as an artist and a mother – presenting her work as the evidence of her own, complete personhood. And she hopes that the other recitalists – clarinetist Max Christie, cellist David Hetherington, pianists Stephanie Chua and Stephen Clarke, and guitarists Graham Banfield and Rob Macdonald – will do the same.

“Let’s support a self-defining happiness,” says Wang. “I want to create a space where I can call a person up and say, ‘I know you’ve been working for a long time. Do you have something you want to say? Here’s a fee. Say it.’”

Xin Wang opens her TO.U Collective series with a free noon-hour concert on Wednesday, October 19 at St. Andrew’s Church, followed by a ticketed, full-length evening recital by clarinetist Max Christie on Saturday, October 22 at 8pm. For details on the series and a full lineup, visit www.toucollective.com.

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Opera, offstage:

Against the Grain’s operatic pub nights

It's already been a big year for Against the Grain Theatre. Now in its seventh season, the indie opera company has announced two big productions this year, plus a residency at the Canadian Opera Company as part of the COC’s pilot company-in-residence program. And tomorrow, they launch Opera Pub – a monthly music night that brings opera into an alternative space.

Starting Thursday, October 13 at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club and continuing the first Thursday of every month, Opera Pub presents live performances of operatic repertoire by established and emerging singers, in an atmosphere less formal and more personal than the concert hall. The concept isn’t new – the series follows in the footsteps of companies like the Bicycle Opera Project, Tafelmusik’s BAROQUE + BEER initiative, and beer specialist Mirella Amato’s “Hopera” series – but it does point to an encouraging trend of embracing the versatility of live classical music, and the value it can have when it’s up-close, scaled-down, and out of the opera house.

“It is a fact that there is less of a cultural awareness of what opera and classical music in general is,” said AtG music director Christopher Mokrzewski in a conversation with Schmopera last month. “When we ‘take it to the streets,’ as it were, people are able to have a no-bullshit, no-boundaries encounter with the art form in a manner which is straightforward and visceral.”

It’s a format that seems to work, and that is worth exploring. The AtG pub night series will have no cover, $3.50 bottles of beer, and an ‘open house’ policy – allowing opera audiences and walk-ins to treat the performance as a no-strings-attached portion of a Thursday night out.

Tomorrow’s Opera Pub set starts at 9pm, and runs until around 11pm -- for details, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/627490814075092/. For more info on the rest of Against the Grain’s 2016/17 season, head to www.againstthegraintheatre.com.

Just In: Listings

New listings for the rest of October, added online since the publication of the October issue:

Thursday October 13

9:00: Against the Grain Theatre. Opera Pub: October Edition. Solo and small-ensemble opera performances in an informal pub atmosphere. The Amsterdam Bicycle Club, 54 The Esplanade. Free.

Friday October 14

7:00: Feldsperling Duo. Toward the Heart of Sound. Lemay; Scelsi; Yun; Clarke; Mendez. Liesel Deppe, flutes; Nicole Strum, saxophones. Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave. 519-272-9633. $15.

9:00: BAL(folk). BAL(folk)Masqué with La Forcelle. Polish Combatants' Hall, 206 Beverly St. 416-937-6198. $15; 2 for $25. Doors/dance lesson at 8pm.

Saturday October 15

2:30: Beach United Church. Music for the Soul. Lora Bidner, vocalist/songwriter/instrumentalist; The Visit: Heather Sita Black, vocals; Raphael Weinroth-Browne, cello. 140 Wineva Ave. Freewill offering.

7:00: Canadian Bandurist Capella. Bandura in Waterloo! Ukrainian folk and contemporary music. Canadian Bandurist Capella; Dibrova Women's Choir; Levada Women's Choir; and others. Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave., Waterloo. 416-845-2691. $25(adv)/$30(door).

What We’re Listening To

Hollow Trees

Hutchinson Andrew Trio; Lily String Quartet

“Most compelling of all is the interplay between the trio and the string quartet, a magical encounter that treats the listener to the luminosity, spaciousness and enthusiasm of a striking chamber performance. It’s a lovely release that makes one eager for more.”

-Raul da Gama, The WholeNote

LISTEN

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones will be out on Wednesday, November 16. The next print issue of our 2016/17 season, covering November 1-December 7, will be on the stands at the end of October.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Sara Constant is a Toronto-based flutist and musicologist, and is digital media editor at The WholeNote. She can be contacted at editorial@thewholenote.com.

“The Density of our time” - Claire Chase’s Density 2036

In 1936, flutist Georges Barrère premiered Density 21.5, a piece composed by Edgard Varèse for the first performance of a new flute made of platinum (a metal with the density of about 21.5 g/cm³). Now, 80 years after that premiere, New York-based flutist Claire Chase is commissioning a new body of flute works—and is coming to Toronto to present a teaser trailer of what solo flute music might sound like in the year 2036.

Started by Chase in 2014, Density 2036 is a 22-year-long project aimed at creating new solo works for flute, culminating in a 24-hour marathon concert in 2036 to commemorate the centennial of Density 21.5. In that sense, Density 2036 is simply a very long concert-in-the-making. However, it’s also more than that. Each year, Chase performs a solo recital of the pieces commissioned that year—amounting to huge contributions to the library of contemporary flute music, with year-to-year documentation of fresh new repertoire. And with works by composers like Dai Fujikura, Pauline Oliveros and Matthias Pintscher on her programs, Chase’s project promises to be of lasting value, for contemporary music audiences and flute players alike.

Next month on October 4, Chase will come to Toronto to present Density 2036’s 2016 instalment. Part of Soundstreams’ 2016/17 ‘Ear Candy’ series, the show will act as a sort of ‘double-preview’—both for the Soundstreams season opener on October 12, which features Chase alongside four other flutists (Robert Aitken, Leslie Newman, Patrick Gallois and Marina Piccinini) in a program of contemporary flute works, as well as for Chase’s final concert in 2036, and the 20 years’ worth of new music to come between now and then.

Writing about the original 1936 composition that inspired her project, Chase expresses her intent to reflect on how music today might push the boundaries of what listeners in Varèse’s time thought the flute could do. “Varèse unleashed this spirit for the flute, for the one all alone, in these staggering four minutes of music,” she says. “Did he go as far as one could go, metaphorically and otherwise? Of what will the Density of our time be made? Of osmium? Of signal processing? Of wood? Of carbon? Of flesh? Of air?”

Thanks to Chase, we may have the opportunity to find out.

Soundstreams presents Claire Chase, in the 2016 instalment of her Density 2036 project, on October 4 at 8pm, at Buddies in Bad Times Cabaret. For details on the show, visit their website, at https://www.soundstreams.ca/performances/ear-candy/density-2036-claire-chase/.

Win a season’s subscription for 2 to the Talisker Players

Win tickets for you and a friend to the Talisker Players’ 4-concert season of vocal and chamber music—a $270 value. Read on to enter.

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Local Craft: “Hopera”

Mirella Amato knows her beer. A Toronto-based beer specialist, author and educator, Amato is a Certified Cicerone (beer sommelier)—the first woman in Canada to earn the title. She’s the founder of Beerology, a beer education company that provides beer pairings, tastings and workshops across the country. And for the past few years, she’s curated a classical music series.

“Hopera” is Amato’s musical take on the concept of the beer pairing. A former professional opera singer who studied voice performance at McGill, Amato presents performances of arias, duos and trios by local opera singers, pairing each with a sample of a local craft beer. The next Hopera concert, presented as part of Toronto Beer Week, is September 21 and 22 and features singing by Jean-François Daignault (countertenor), Melanie Esseltine (soprano), Lyndsay Promane (mezzo) and Geoffrey Sirett (baritone), alongside beers by Amsterdam Brewery, Black Oak Brewing Co., Great Lakes Brewery, Junction Craft Brewing, Side Launch Brewing Co. and Steam Whistle Brewery.

Amato believes that both beer and opera are commonly misunderstood. “People who still think beer is just an easy-drinking vehicle to loutishness need to expand their horizons—and if anything, opera could stand to be taken down a notch or two,” she says. “Having made a career switch from opera singer to beer educator, it never ceases to amaze me how many parallels can be drawn between these two seemingly incongruous fields. Like beer, opera has developed a reputation that isn’t doing it any favours.”

Amato envisions Hopera as a way of confronting both beer and opera’s bad reputations, by bringing opera into the pub and beers into a framework that highlights their flavours and subtleties. “Insights are given on the music, beer sample and how the pairing was chosen,” she says.”[It] invites a rethinking of both the excerpt and the beverage.”

As someone with plenty of professional experience in both fields, it’s safe to label Amato a resident beer-and-opera-pairing expert—and in that light, safe to say that the rethinking of opera and beer is in very capable hands.

Hopera - Quartus, the next edition of Amato’s series, is September 21 and 22 at the Monarch Tavern. For details on the show or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hopera-quartus--tickets-26860048127. 

What We’re Listening To

Aldo Clementi: Momento

Quatuor Bozzini

“In Otto frammenti (1978-97), the string quartet members play without vibrato, suggesting the sound of viols. I find the effect mystical”

-Roger Knox, The WholeNote

LISTEN 

Just In: Listings

September concert listings added online since the publication of our September magazine include:

Thursday September 15

8:00. Lula Lounge. Mexican Fiesta. Mexican Independence Day celebration concert. Alex Dempster, vocals; Rosy Cervantes, vocals; México Amigo, Mariachi. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. $15. Doors open at 7:00.

Friday September 16

8:00. Clay & Paper Theatre. Eggplant Stew. Fundraising concert for members of Toronto's polyphonic singing community to attend the International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony in Georgia. Performing ensembles include: Doula; Mark and Marichka Marczyk (of Lemon Bucket Orkestra); Zari; Moskitto Bar; Meden Glass. Clay & Paper Theatre (studio), 35 Strachan Ave. 647-836-4852. Suggested donation $20.

Thursday September 29

7:30. The Cadillac Lounge. Kenny Brown’s Las Call. A celebration of the life and career of vocalist/guitarist Kenny Brown as he enters his retirement. Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh; Danny Marks; The Swingin Blackjacks; Kevin McQuade; The Burgess Brothers; and others. Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W. 416-536-7717. $20. Proceeds to support Kenny Brown’s retirement fund.

Friday September 30

8:00. Balkanto. Balkan Duende. Balkan and Eastern European music as part of the Toronto Balkan Festival. Anton Apostolov, guitar/vocals; Scott Metcalfe, piano; Jacek Karlowski, guitar; Justin Gray, acoustic and electric bass; Nikola Gaidarov, kaval and wooden flute; and others. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W. 647-740-3358. $35-$45.

Tuesday October 4

8:00. Jazz Bistro. CD Release Concert: Melodies Pure and True. Jim Gelcer, drums/vocals; Reg Schwager, guitar; Brendan Davis, bass; and others. Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $15.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones will be out on Wednesday, October 12. The next print issue of our 2016/17 season, covering October 1-November 7, will be on the stands at the end of September.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Sara Constant is social media editor at The WholeNote and studies musicology at the University of Amsterdam. 

Oddities and Openings

As we salute the start of another concert season (and kick off the 20th volume of The WholeNote), it seems as though an inclination towards all things odd or unusual is in the air. In the coming weeks, there are a number of concert programs that highlight the absurd, the newly-invented or the mechanics of the modern day.

This Saturday, September 20 at 8pm, in an event co-presented by the Music Gallery and Toy Piano Composers, the Music Gallery welcomes visiting American composer and instrument inventor Anthony T. Marasco. Influenced by what is known as today’s “Digimodernist culture,” Marasco’s portfolio includes electroacoustic works, interactive computer systems, multimedia installations and even film scores. He and the TPC Ensemble present his pieces Mid-Century Marfa and Ultraviolent Cleopatra, in a program that boasts four world premieres and is sure to give you your fair dosage of the unusual.

The presenters promise “a night of inventions, toys, oddities and hidden treasures,” it seems, with good reason—for more details on the show, check out toypianocomposers.com or musicgallery.org.

For those out-of-towners, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony has a similarly-themed showcase on its September calendar. The first concert of their pop series this year, “Cirque Mechanics,” pairs popular classical works with the spectacle of a circus, featuring mechanics, acrobats, contortionists and aerialists. The show is Friday, September 26 at 8pm and Saturday September 27 at 2:30pm and 8pm; for more on the K-W Symphony and on the Cirque Mechanics company, visit http://kwsymphony.ca and http://www.cirquemechanics.com.

Other news in the Toronto music scene this month is the opening of a new concert venue. The Aga Khan Museum opens to the public this Thursday, and hosts David Buchbinder and guests’ Routes of Andalusia as its first musical event on Saturday, September 20. The concert features a number of international guest artists alongside local performers, and will provide a first look at a unique addition to Toronto’s cultural scene. Event details are available at https://www.facebook.com/events/581198732002688.

Finally, some breaking building-related news: U of T has just announced that the building just north of their Music Faculty on Queen’s Park—once the ROM’s McLaughlin Planetarium—will be transformed in coming years into a mega-cultural complex, which will include a 250-seat performance hall. U of T purchased the building several years back in 2009, but this project is brand-new and in its early stages.

Look for more updates on this project in future issues of The WholeNote!

An Opera-rich Month

Toronto opera fans are in luck—a number of season-opening operas are on offer during the next few weeks.

The COC, of course, opens their 2014/15 season with productions of Verdi’s Falstaff, October 3 to November 1, and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, October 10 to 31. The WholeNote has tickets to opening night of the Puccini production (valued at $159 each) up for grabs! For details see our section “Prizes, Prizes!” below.

In a timely complement to the famous love story of Puccini’s classic, Essential Opera starts up their fifth season with Christoph Willibald Gluck’s less-often-heard Paride ed Elena (Paris and Helen). This production, featuring a cast of female singers, showcases a passionate romance of its own in a concert-opera format. Essential Opera performs in Toronto on Saturday, September 27 at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, and in Kitchener on Wednesday October 1 at the Registry Theatre. For details, visit essentialopera.com.

Torontonians get another chance this month to hear rarely performed opera, this weekend in double-bill presented by Opera 5 and Alliance Française de Toronto. “Offenbach & Hahn,” running this weekend from September 19 to 21, pairs the Canadian premiere of Reynaldo Hahn’s late-nineteenth-century opera L’Île du Rêve with Jacques Offenbach’s Ba-ta-clan. It will be a rare chance to hear these two works performed locally, and also one of the first performances to take place in the Alliance Française’s new theatre space. More info on shows and tickets is available at http://www.operafive.com/season-tickets/.

PRIZES, PRIZES!

WIN a season subscription for two to the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s 2014/15 season, tickets to opening night of COC’s Madama Butterfly, tickets to Soundstreams’ “The Seasons” (Recomposed!), subscriptions to a new diva-showcasing concert series and more! Just click the links below and follow the instructions to enter in the contests of your choice. Feel free to enter all four!

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir season subscription for two

Opening night tickets to COC’s Madama Butterfly

Tickets and CDs for Soundstreams’ “The Seasons”

International Divas I, II & III series subscription for two (Concert I feat. Jackie Richardson, Laila Biali, Luanda Jones, Cindy Church, Saina Singer and Patricia Cano)

JUST IN: NEW LISTINGS

Other new or corrected (*) listings this month:

Monday September 22

8:00: JAZZ.FM91. Ranee Lee in Concert. Part of the 2014 Sound of Jazz Concert Series (Sep to Dec 2014). The Old Mill Toronto, 21 Old Mill Rd. 416-236-2641. $39 (season tickets $175).

Saturday September 27

7:00: Oakham House Choir/Concert Choir of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Friends in Song/Freunde im Gesang. Excerpts from Brahms, Mendelssohn, Rutter, Cohen and others. Oakham House Choir of Ryerson University; Concert Choir of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Toronto), 131 McCaul St. $15(door). For reservations and more information, please contact choir@ryerson.ca.

8:00: Sonia Oduwa Aimy in Concert: "Singing Spirituality". In Concert. Sonia Oduwa Aimy, vocals; Peter Opong, guitar; Kwaku Gyasy, bass guitar; John MaClean, sax; Maurizio Valente, drum kit; Prince Bamidele, conga, talking drum. BlakBird Jaz, 812b Bloor St. W. 647-344-7225. $20(adv); $25(door). Doors open at 7pm.

Sunday September 28

*7:30: Royal Conservatory/Stratford Festival. ARC Ensemble: The hell where youth and laughter go. Featuring narrations of contemporary writings, in commemoration of the start of WW I. Butterworth: Suite for String Quartet; Elgar: Piano Quintet in a Op.84. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208. Free.

Monday September 29

1:00: Hugh's Room. North Meets South: Old Songs for a New Day. Part of the Underground Railroad Music Festival. Zakiya Hooker; Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters; Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley, blues duo. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $27.50(adv); $30(door).

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Check out our new “Our Videos” page, where you can see the latest addition to our “Conversations@TheWholeNote” series—an exclusive interview with Toronto Consort artistic director David Fallis!

THANKS FOR READING

Our next issue of HalfTones, Vol 2 No 2, is out on October 15! The next print issue of The WholeNote will be published on October 1.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

“NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY”

Summer music opportunities for amateurs and the uninitiated

School may be out for the summer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that musical learning has to be put on hold. Educational opportunities feature heavily in this year’s summer music festival programming, and in many cases, have been fashioned especially for non-professionals who are hoping to refresh an old musical skill or pick up a new one.

Among the city’s larger music presenters, the Toronto Summer Music Festival leads this push for amateur music-making opportunities with its brand-new Community Academy. Developed for adult advanced amateurs, the Community Academy is set up to complement the festival’s programming and academy for young professionals, offering participants a chance to hone their musical skills with coachings, rehearsals, masterclasses and an academy-wide morning choir. Piano participants will study under Glenn Gould School dean James Anagnoson, chamber musicians will work with guests from the Toronto Symphony and COC orchestras and choir participants will sing under the direction of Matthias Maute and Laura Pudwell. There are still spaces available for the chamber choir and chamber music workshops, both of which run August 2 to 9. For details, visit http://www.torontosummermusic.com/index.php/community-academy/.

Also happening this summer is Music from Scratch, an annual workshop for young composers run by Contact Contemporary Music and the Canadian Music Centre. The week-long workshop for ages 18 to 25 (this year July 13 to 17) is totally free of charge, and emphasizes that there is no composing experience required to participate. Students will study with guest composer Christien Ledroit, as well as the Contact ensemble. If you or someone you know are interested in learning about composition, it’s a good place to start -- details at http://www.contactcontemporarymusic.ca/musicfromscratch/.

There is, of course, a wealth of other educational workshops throughout the city and beyond this summer, for everyone from professionals to first-time musicians. If you’re looking for a musical camp, course or workshop to participate in but don’t know where to start, try browsing through the Resources tab at www.thewholenote.com, where we have directories for summer music education opportunities as well as for summer festivals, many of which offer lectures, masterclasses and other music ed components.

Finally, looking forward beyond the summer -- Long & McQuade’s New Horizons Band, a community band project that invites seniors of all levels of experience to pick up a new instrument or practise an old one, has just started a new group at the store’s North York location. Rehearsals will begin this September; you can visit http://www.newhorizonsbloor.ca/ to get a feel for the organization, and email newhorizonsny@long-mcquade.com to get more info on the North York group.

Enjoy the summer weather and keep your eyes peeled for music-making and concertgoing opportunities -- the city is as musically rich in this season as at any other time of the year!

RECORDINGS RELEASED

There are a number of album launch events on the horizon from Toronto artists -- here are a few to watch for in the coming days.

Teng Li: 1939

Coming this Monday is a new project from TSO principal violist Teng Li. “1939” features viola works by early 20th-century composers Jongen, Ullmann, Hindemith, Hua and Klein, with Li collaborating with pianist Meng-Chieh Liu and violinist Benjamin Bowman. Li is an unerring musical interpreter with a history of top-notch new music chops (you may have heard her more soloistic work last fall in her appearance with Esprit Orchestra), so this album is likely to be a noteworthy one. For updates on the release, check out Teng Li’s website (http://www.tengliviola.com/) or keep tabs on her Twitter account @violaflying.

Quartetto Gelato: All Original, 100% Canadian

This upcoming release from Toronto’s Quartetto Gelato has a title that is somewhat self-explanatory -- the CD features contemporary commissions by Canadian composers, all recorded here in Toronto. The disc’s track list includes pieces by Rebecca Pellett, Michael Occhipinti, Hilario Duran, Jossy Abramovich, Charles Cozens and Howard Cable. Quartetto Gelato is hosting a CD release party for this disc on Tuesday June 23, at The Reservoir Lounge -- for more info, check out their website at http://quartettogelato.ca/.

Elaine Keillor: Poetic Sketches

Pianist Elaine Keillor will perform works from “Poetic Sketches,” her latest Centrediscs release, at the Canadian Music Centre on Wednesday June 24. The disc, named after a 1991 set of Five Poetic Sketches by Canadian composer Oskar Morawetz, will also feature piano works by Patrick Cardy, John Weinzweig, Alexina Louie, Kelly-Marie Murphy and Elma Miller. The launch event is free to attend, but requires an RSVP -- please see https://www.musiccentre.ca/node/132282 for details.

CORELIX: Be Free

Mike Romaniuk, of Lemon Bucket Orkestra fame, releases a debut EP with fellow Torontonian Jason Cho tomorrow for free download. While the duo, named CORELIX, is not necessarily classical -- and in fact, definitely falls more under an indie or alternative folk classification -- it might pique your interest. Details at http://corelixmusic.com/.

PRIZES, PRIZES - TD Toronto Jazz Festival

In this issue: The TD Toronto Jazz Festival is nearly here! Win tickets to hear special festival performances by the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, Kurt Elling and Al Di Meola. Just click on the following links for a chance to win -- feel free to enter all of the contests!

Tickets to the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra: June 21

Tickets to the Kurt Elling: June 23

Tickets to Al Di Meola: June 25

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: Regent Park School of Music with the TSO

First, a few quick corrections -- we made a few small errors in our listings from the print magazine, and have now corrected them on our website:

We listed Opera By Request’s upcoming performance of A Chair in Love at Arrayspace as June 17 in error -- it takes place on July 17. The corrected listing is as follows:

Friday July 17 7:30: Opera by Request. Tremblay: A Chair in Love. Abigail Freeman, soprano(A Chair); Michael Robert-Broder, baritone(Truman); Kim Sartor, mezzo-soprano(Doctor); Gregory Finney, bass-baritone(Dog); William Shookhoff, piano. Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave. 416-455-2365. $20.

We also listed the Toronto Concert Orchestra’s “Symphony in the Gardens” summer series at Casa Loma as free of charge in error -- the regular Casa Loma admission rates apply for this concert series. The corrected listing for the next concert in this series, on Tuesday, June 23, is as follows:

Tuesday June 23 7:30: Toronto Concert Orchestra. Symphony in the Gardens: Piaf Encore. La vie en rose; Sous le ciel de Paris; Milord; Hymn à l'amour. Pandora Topp, vocalist. Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. 416-923-1171. $24; $18(sr/st); $14(4-13); Free (under 4).

We listed the June 27th Gordan Murray Presents Piano Soirée as taking place at St. Paul's church in Dundas. This event is taking place at Gordon Murray's usual venue Trinity St. Paul's United Church in Toronto.

Jun 27 8:00: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Soirée. A Tribute to the Music of Sigmund Romberg (arr. G. Murray). Romberg: Will You Remember? (from Maytime), The Desert Song & One Alone (from The Desert Song), I Bring a Song of Love. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity St. Paul's United Church, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. $15; $10(st).

Finally, the following Metropolitan United Church events were listed in our June listings when they are in fact taking place in July as listed below.

Jul 09 7:00: Metropolitan United Church. Summer Carillon Recital Series. Amy Johansen, carillon; Robert Ampt, organ. 56 Queen St. E. 416-363-0331. Free.

Jul 16 7:00: Metropolitan United Church. Summer Carillon Recital Series. Koen and Florian Cosaert, carillon. 56 Queen St. E. 416-363-0331. Free.

Jul 23 7:00: Metropolitan United Church. Summer Carillon Concerts. Margaret Pan, carillon. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E. 416-363-0331. Free.

FEATURED LISTING: Regent Park School of Music with the TSO

This Saturday, June 20, 12pm-4pm, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will be joining forces with over 200 students from the Regent Park School of Music for a free outdoor concert in the park. Alongside student performances, the TSO will be playing works by Copland and Moncayo, and Toronto’s newchoir will make a special guest appearance. The Regent Park School of Music has provided high-quality subsidized music education to over 1,700 students in the Regent Park and surrounding communities since 1999. Join them for the concert to show your support and hear some truly outstanding music-making, from students and professionals alike. Details at rpmusic.org.

Please find below other new/corrected June concert listings added online since this month’s print issue.

Jun 19 11:30am: Bloor-Yorkville BIA. Summer Music in the Park with The Locos. Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St. Free, weather permitting.

Jun 19 1:00: Artscape/The Daniels Corporation. The Journey – A Living History of the Regent Park Revitalization. A musical covering the history of Regent Park. Ada Slaight Hall, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E. 416-656-0707 x104. Free. June 19: Community Presentation; June 20: Public Event.

Jun 19 8:30: Zula Presents. Something Else! Festival. An evening of jazz and improvisation. OSWALD/MALONE/LEE/FRASER(John Oswald, composer; Terry Fraser, percussion; David Lee, bassist; Mike Malone, trumpet); ALDCROFT/THOMSON(Ken Aldcroft, guitar; Scott Thomson, trombone); Ellwood Epps, trumpet. Artword Artbar, 120 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 289-993-1993. $15/$12. Tickets and passes can be reserved by phone or email cem@zulapresents.org.

Jun 19 9:00: Small World Music. Bruno Capinan. Solo release of Brazilian samba-inspired album, Tudo Está Dito. Bruno Capinan, vocals. Small World Music Centre, Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. 416-536-5439. $20(door). Doors open 5pm.

Jun 20 1:00: Artscape/The Daniels Corporation. The Journey – A Living History of the Regent Park Revitalization. A musical covering the history of Regent Park. Ada Slaight Hall, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E. 416-656-0707 x104. . June 19: Community Presentation; June 20: Public Event.

Jun 20 1:00: Toronto Public Library. We Keep The Stories: Writer in Residence Concluding Celebration. Join Drummers, Dancers, Elders, Storytellers as they share stories, songs and dances and bid farewell to Toronto Public Library’s first Aboriginal writer in residence. North York Central Library, Concourse, 5120 Yonge St. 416-395-5639. Free. Must call to register.

Jun 20 1:30: Bloor-Yorkville BIA. Summer Music in the Park with the Atilla Fias Duo. Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St. Free, weather permitting.

Jun 20 2:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Regent Park School of Music. Free Outdoor Concert. Students of the Regent Park School of Music join the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in the students' year-end celebration recital. Moncayo: Huapango; Copland: Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo; Regent Park School of Music student performances. Earl Lee, conductor; students of Regent Park School of Music. Regent Park Aquatic Centre, 640 Dundas St. E. 416-593-7769 x267. Free. In case of rain, event will be at Sts Cyril & Methody Macedonian-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church, 237 Sackville St.

Jun 20 8:00: Rough Idea. Summer Snow. Two sets of absolutely improvised music. Michael Snow, piano, Cat analogue synth; Ken Vandermark, baritone and tenor saxophones, clarinet, bass clarinet; John Oswald, alto saxophonee. Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave. . $20/$33(patron reserved).

Jun 20 8:30: Zula Presents. Something Else! Festival. An evening of jazz and improvisation. Not The Wind, Not The Flag(Colin Fisher, guitar, bouzouki, ney, tenor sax, guzheng, hulusi, misc. percussion; Brandon Valdivia, trapset, mbira, slit-drum, percussion); Brodie West, alto saxophone; Ellwood Epps, trumpet. Artword Artbar, 120 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 289-993-1993. $15/$12. Tickets and passes can be reserved by phone or email cem@zulapresents.org.

Jun 20 8:30: Zula Presents: Something Else! Festival. Free-Improvisation Workshop. Discussion of technical and practical aspects an instrumentalist or an improviser would want to know... Led by Ellwood Epps. Artword Artbar, 120 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 289-993-1993. Free.

Jun 20 9:00: Beaches BBQ & Father's Day Bash. Julian Taylor Band. With 54:40. Woodbine Park, 1681 Lake Shore Blvd. E. 416-922-3620. Free.

Jun 20 11:00: Ted Evans Band feat. Teagan McLaren. In Concert. A night of live music, summer celebration, and two giveaways with two of Kingston's budding artists. Rock & Roll, Acoustic, Alternative Blues, Folk. Musiikki Cafe, 73 Brock St., Kingston. 613-542-2233. Free.

Jun 21 8:30: Zula Presents. Something Else! Festival. Multi-instrumental free improvisation. See Through Trio(Tania Gill, piano; Karen Ng, saxophone; Pete Johnston, bass); Chris Palmer, guitar; Dale Morningstar, guitar, keyboards, amplified stationary bicycle, etc. Artword Artbar, 120 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 289-993-1993. $15/$12. Tickets and passes can be reserved by phone or email cem@zulapresents.org.

Jun 22 8:30: Zula Presents: Something Else! Festival. Eric Boeren 4tet & Ellwood Epps. Proponents of the Amsterdam creative music scene combine the New Dutch Swing sound with Dutch-jazz adaptations, followed by a short solo set by Ellwood Epps. Eric Boeren Quartet(Eric Boeren, cornet; Michael Moore, alto saxophone, clarinets; Wilbert de Joode, bass; Han Bennink, percussion); Ellwood Epps, trumpet. Artword Artbar, 120 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 289-993-1993. $18/$15. Tickets and passes can be reserved by phone or email cem@zulapresents.org.

Jun 24 9:00: Somewhere There/Rough Idea. The Eric Boeren Quartet. Eric Boeren Quartet(Eric Boeren, cornet; Michael Moore, alto saxophone, clarinets; Wilbert de Joode, bass; Han Bennink, percussion). Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. 416-546-4033. $25/$20(adv).

Jun 25 5:00: Roy Thomson Hall/East Coast Music Week. Live on the Patio: Ten Strings and A Goat Skin. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4822. Free. Food & drinks available.

Jun 25 6:30: Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. Big Drum Social. Part of National Aboriginal History Month festivities. 16 Spadina Rd. 416-964-9087 x308. . Every Thursday evening in June.

Jun 26 11:30am: Bloor-Yorkville BIA. Summer Music in the Park with David Leask. Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St. Free, weather permitting.

Jun 26 4:00: Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. Movie Screening: The Great Museum. Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W. 416-637-3123. $9.73 plus taxes. Additional screenings Jun 26-Jun 30.

Jun 27 1:30: Bloor-Yorkville BIA. Summer Music in the Park with the Brendan Cassidy Trio. Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St. Free, weather permitting.

Jun 30 9:00: Massey Hall. City Cinema. Featuring Live at Massey Hall Season 1 Film: Coeur de pirate. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-872-4255. Free. Begins at sunset.

Jul 01 1:00: University of Toronto. Canada Day Carillon Recital. Hear the 51 bells of the historic Soldiers' Tower war memorial for a one-hour recital. Roy Lee, carillon. Soldiers' Tower, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-3485. Free. Outdoor event. Seating will be provided.

Jul 03 1:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Potpourri. Featuring classics, opera, operetta, musicals, ragtime, pop, international and other genres. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity St. Paul's United Church - Chapel, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. PWYC. Lunch and snack friendly. Also on Jul 10, 17, 24, 31, Aug 07, 14, 21, 28 and Sep 04.

Jul 07 9:00: Massey Hall. City Cinema. Featuring Live at Massey Hall Season 1 Film: The Rural Alberta Advantage. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-872-4255. Free. Begins at sunset.

Jul 07 9:30: Curtis Nowosad Quintet. Canadian Tour. In support of their sophomore album Dialectics. Selections from Dialectics, original compositions by Nowosad, selected interpretations of music by Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Mercer/Schertzinger. Curtis Nowosad Quintet(Curtis Nowosad, drums; Derrick Gardner, trumpet; Steve Kirby, bass; Will Bonness, piano; Jon Gordon, alto saxophone). The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. 514-591-5406/514-276-6870.

Jul 24 7:30: Alessandra Paonessa. Songs from the Screen. Classical crossover arrangements from film and theater. Includes songs from 'Disney', 'The Godfather', 'Tangled', 'Lord Of The Rings' and more. Alessandra Paonessa, soprano; Daevyd Pepper, tenor; Joshua Tamayo, piano; Samuel Bisson, cello; Sharon Lee, violin. Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. W. 647-505-2537. $20.

Jul 28 8:00: Massey Hall. City Cinema. Featuring Live at Massey Hall Season 1 Film: Basia Bulat. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-872-4255. Free. Begins at sunset.

Aug 14 5:00: Roy Thomson Hall/Small World Music Society. Live on the Patio: Nano Stern. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4822. Free. Food & drinks available.

Aug 18 8:00: Massey Hall. City Cinema. Featuring Live at Massey Hall Season 2 Film: Zaki Ibrahim. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-872-4255. Free. Begins at sunset.

Aug 25 8:00: Massey Hall. City Cinema. Featuring Live at Massey Hall Season 2 Film: Dan Mangan & Blacksmith. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-872-4255. Free. Begins at sunset.

Aug 27 5:00: Roy Thomson Hall. Live on the Patio: The Massey Hall Band. Performing Queen's It's a Kinda Magic, starring Giles Taylor. 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4822. Free. Food & drinks available.

Aug 28 5:00: Roy Thomson Hall. Live on the Patio: The Massey Hall Band. Performing Queen's It's a Kinda Magic, starring Giles Taylor. 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4822. Free. Food & drinks available. 

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Ever wanted to immediately hear exactly what our CD reviewers are talking about? The WholeNote is in the process of launching a brand-new online Listening Room, where you can take advantage of enhanced reviews with added features, including the option to listen to sample tracks from reviewed discs.

→ continue to the Listening Room

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Even though the next print issue of our magazine will arrive on the stands in September, HalfTones will keep you informed throughout the summer! Here are the next issues of HalfTones coming up:

Vol 2 No 11: Tuesday July 7

Vol 2 No 12: Tuesday August 11

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Canadian National Brass Project

It’s not every day that professional all-brass ensembles are formed -- and it’s certainly not often that those ensembles kick off their inaugural season with an illustrious ensemble-in-residence position and a province-wide tour. But there is a new band in town, and from the look of the performers on its roster, this group’s music-making will be sure to live up to its reputation.

The Canadian National Brass Project is a self-described “consortium of Canadian orchestral brass players,” under the fearless leadership of horn player James Sommerville. Comprising title chair players from 12 orchestras across North America, the ensemble begins its first summer season with a whirlwind Ontario tour that includes appearances at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival (July 22), the Toronto Summer Music Festival (July 23) and the Festival of the Sound (July 26). The group has also been named a professional ensemble-in-residence with the NYOC, a position which will culminate in a free public performance during the orchestra’s rehearsal season at Laurier University and a joint concert with the NYOC brass section (July 24).

For more details on the new ensemble, including the dates on their upcoming tour, visit their Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/canadiannationalbrassproject.

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: A CHAIR IN LOVE

Stories about love and jealousy are an operatic staple, but in this case, it’s a man who makes his dog jealous by falling in love -- with a chair. Opera by Request performs a semi-staged production of this 2005 absurdist opera by John Metcalf, titled A Chair in Love, on July 17 at Array Space on Walnut Ave. Details on the show can be found below in our listings, or at http://operabyrequest.ca/wordpress/?p=323.

Other new/corrected July concert listings added online since our summer print issue are as follows:

Jul 08 7:00: St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church. Trinity Chamber Orchestra, UK. Beethoven: Symphony No. 1; works by Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Vivaldi. Trinity Chamber Orchestra, UK. 509 Dundas St. E. 647-208-1645. PWYC. $20 donation suggested. Fundraising concert on behalf of St. Bartholomew's Church.

Jul 09 7:00: Metropolitan United Church. Summer Carillon Recital Series. Amy Johansen, carillon; Robert Ampt, organ. Metropolitan United Church (Toronto), 56 Queen St. E. 416-363-0331. Free.

Jul 10 1:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Potpourri. Featuring classics, opera, operetta, musicals, ragtime, pop, international and other genres. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church. 416-631-4300. PWYC. Lunch and snack friendly.

Jul 16 7:00: Metropolitan United Church. Summer Carillon Recital Series. Koen and Florian Cosaert, carillon. Metropolitan United Church (Toronto), 56 Queen St. E.416-363-0331. Free.

Jul 17 1:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Potpourri. Featuring classics, opera, operetta, musicals, ragtime, pop, international and other genres. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. PWYC. Lunch and snack friendly.

Jul 17 7:30: Opera by Request. Tremblay: A Chair in Love. Abigail Freeman, soprano(A Chair); Michael Robert-Broder, baritone(Truman); Kim Sartor, mezzo-soprano(Doctor); Gregory Finney, bass-baritone(Dog); William Shookhoff, piano. Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave. 416-455-2365. $20.

Jul 18 7:00: Sistema Toronto. Great Big Music Week Concert. Great Big Music Orchestra; Members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra; with special guests. Metropolitan United Church (Toronto), 56 Queen St. E. 416-545-0200. $25 suggested.

Jul 24 1:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Potpourri. Featuring classics, opera, operetta, musicals, ragtime, pop, international and other genres. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. PWYC. Lunch and snack friendly.

Jul 24 7:30: Alessandra Paonessa. Songs from the Screen. Classical crossover arrangements from film and theater. Includes songs from Disney, The Godfather, Tangled, Lord Of The Rings and more. Alessandra Paonessa, soprano; Daevyd Pepper, tenor; Joshua Tamayo, piano; Samuel Bisson, cello; Sharon Lee, violin. Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. W. 647-505-2537. $20.

Jul 25 1:00: Jazz Performance Education Centre. Gary Morgan's PanAmericana. Afro-Cuban, Brazilian big band. Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St. 416-505-5934. Free.

Jul 25 8:00: Nonie Thompson. Nonie Thompson in Concert. Blues, Irish balladry, Cajun and French-Canadian music. Nonie Thompson, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Eugene Rea, guitar, vocals, mandolin, and whistles; Tom Leighton, accordion, vocals. The Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick St., Kitchener. 519-820-6805. $20.

Jul 25 8:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Soirée. Works arranged by G. Murray including: Chopin: Nocturne in E-flat, Op.9 No.2; Kálmán: Dream Once Again (from The Gypsy Princess); Grieg: I Love Thee; Sarasate: Gypsy Airs - Allegro molto vivace. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity St. Paul's Centre, Jeanne Lamon Hall, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. $15; $10(st).

Jul 25 9:00: Hillside Festival. DakhaBrakha. Guelph Lake Conservation Area, 7743 Conservation Rd., Guelph. 519-763-6396. $83(day pass). Main Stage.

Jul 26 4:30: Harbourfront Centre. FLAUNT Meets DakhaBrakha. DakhaBrakha. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. Free. WestJet Stage.

Jul 31 1:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Potpourri. Featuring classics, opera, operetta, musicals, ragtime, pop, international and other genres. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. PWYC. Lunch and snack friendly.

Aug 07 1:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Potpourri. Featuring classics, opera, operetta, musicals, ragtime, pop, international and other genres. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. PWYC. Lunch and snack friendly.

Guelph Youth Singers. Children and youth who love to sing, and who are between the ages of six and eighteen, are invited to audition for entry in 2015 to one of GYS’s award-winning choirs (I, II, III and SATB). For more information and to book an audition: 519-821-8574 or admin@guelphyouthsingers.com   www.guelphyouthsingers.com

Competitions

Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts. Youth Music Competition. For singles, groups and bands, vocalists of all musical genres. Open to all youth ages 14 - 20 yrs. "Finale" at the Uxbridge Music Hall during Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts Sep 19. For more information:  905-649-0407. Registration deadline: July 31, 2015.

Festivities

Every Friday in July, 8:00: Virgin Mobile. Indie Fridays. July 10: fiddle meets R&B in Swing where urban rhythms and folklore intertwine, followed by Francophone trad/rock band, Hey Wow with hints of punk, disco, funk, country, and Cajun; July 17: Columbian/Francophone band, La Chiva Gantiva blend Afro-Colombian rhythms with rock, afrobeat and funk, followed by Francophone/Spanish native of Sudbury, Patricia Cano; July 24: Quebec singer-songwriter Kevin Parent, followed by Trad/folk artist, Stef Paquette known for his significant and intelligent lyrics delivered with passion; July 31: 22-year-old MC/producer, Tre Mission, known as the architect of a top to bottom unique sound and aesthetic patching together pieces of hip hop, grime, reggae, dancehall, bass, dubstep, jungle, and house. Yonge-Dundas Square. YDSquare.ca   Free.

Screenings

July 07 6:55: Virgin Mobile. Live at Massey Hall. Filmed concert of Canadian indie rock band Rural Alberta Advantage. Followed at 7:30 by film Be Kind Rewind (2008) with Mos Def, Jack Black, Danny Glover, and Mia Farrow. Following Be Kind Rewind will be Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (2005) with Dave Chappelle, Erykah Badu and Common in a mix of sketch comedy and musical interludes. Yonge-Dundas Square.  YDSquare.ca   Free.

July 28 7:55: Virgin Mobile. Live at Massey Hall. Filmed concert of Canadian folk singer/songwriter Basia Bulat. Followed at 8:30 by film Dreamgirls (2006) with Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, and Jennifer Hudson. Film brings to life the story of a trio of black female soul singers crossing over to the pop charts in the early 1960s. Yonge-Dundas Square.  YDSquare.ca   Free.

Spoken Word, Performance Art

July 13 to 18 and 20 to 24, 7:40: Necessary Angel/bluemouth inc. It Comes in Waves. A unique hybrid of dance, song, theatre, and installation exploring the ageless question of how we confront our own mortality (and that of our loved ones). Features an ensemble cast comprised of Dan Wild, bluemouth inc. artistic directors Ciara Adams, Stephen O’Connell, and Lucy Simic, and Richard Windeyer who plays several instruments alongside Gabi Charron Merritt. Audiences meet at Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak, 283 Queens Quay W.  necessaryangel.com  $35-$47; $30 for arts/st/sr; $30 previews, available at eventbrite.ca.

Workshops

July 13 to July 17: Contact Contemporary Music. Music From Scratch. Week-long workshop for youth between the ages of 18 and 25 to create music with Contact and visiting composer Christien Ledroit. 
Schedule: Tuesday-Friday 11:00am-1:00: Open rehearsals with Contact (optional for participants); 
Monday-Friday 2:00-5:00: daily meetings in a collaborative workshop setting; Friday 5:30: Concert Performance. Canadian Music Centre, 20 St. Joseph St. For more info and to register: 416-961-6601 x207; mfava@musiccentre.ca.

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Ever wanted to immediately hear exactly what our CD reviewers are talking about? The WholeNote is in the process of launching a brand-new online Listening Room, where you can take advantage of enhanced reviews with added features, including the option to listen to sample tracks from reviewed discs.

→ continue to the Listening Room

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Even though the next print issue of our magazine will arrive on the stands in September, HalfTones will keep you informed throughout the summer! Here is the next issue of HalfTones coming up:

Vol 2 No 12: Tuesday August 11

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

ARTISTIC TIMES AND SPACES

Look forward to new artistic collaborations headed by our local orchestras

Another concert season is just around the corner -- and we think that its spirit will be collaborative. In a number of new initiatives across the GTA, local orchestras will be partnering with their neighbourhood art galleries, to bring music together in concert with its visual counterparts.

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) continues its Gallery Series this year -- a collection of chamber concerts hosted in local art gallery spaces. This series seeks to bring HPO musicians and audiences alike into new spaces, offering an intimacy and visual awareness not always obtainable in the larger concert hall. The orchestra has just announced this year’s Gallery Series programming, which extends the series beyond the Hamilton downtown core to neighbourhoods in Hamilton’s east end, Dundas and Burlington.

The best part? The 60-minute concerts in this series are all more-or-less free. “Our belief [is] that art is not just a luxury, but should be affordable and accessible to everyone in our city,” says Robert Daniels, owner of the Earls Court Gallery. Admission for each of these concerts is by donation, and includes an invitation to a reception with the musicians following the performance in the gallery space. No reservations required, but arrive early -- the space in the galleries is limited and first-come, first-served. For more info on the series, check out http://hpo.org/concerts/gallery-series/.

On the TSO calendar this summer is a similar orchestral initiative, dubbed The Decades Project. For the next five years, the orchestra will feature programming from two decades of the 20th century, counting up from 1900 -- this year will feature decades one and two, which means Debussy, Stravinsky, and everything around and in-between.

What makes this venture stand out from other orchestral programming in the city this year is its collaborative vision. The six concert programs bring the TSO musicians together with curators from the Art Gallery of Ontario -- who will themselves take centre stage for pre- and post-concert guided talks. Guest conductors and the TSO Chamber Soloists will also join forces with the orchestra to present this orchestral time-lapse of early 20th-century culture.

For more information on the Decades Project, or on the TSO's other shows this season, visit tso.ca.

INTERsection 2015

Tad Michalak's vision for a new music marathon

Intersection, Contact Contemporary Music's annual weekend festival of adventurous music-making, is back this year with a vengeance. This year's festival programming is specially curated by promoter Tad Michalak (Feast in the East, Burn Down the Capital). On September 5 and 6, Toronto musicians team up with guest artists for two full days of new music performance. September 5 promises a free eight-hour musical marathon at Yonge-Dundas Square. Featured will be composer John Oswald's Spectre, which calls for an astounding 1000 violinists, as well as Christine Duncan's improvising Element Choir, percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani, shoegaze orchestra Flowers Of Hell, and improv duo Not The Wind, Not The Flag, for starters.

Michalak's programming the following evening brings Montreal-based The Shalabi Effect east of Yonge-Dundas to the Jam Factory. Co-presented with The Music Gallery, this concert marks the debut of the quartet's new limited edition EP. This time round, the intersection at the heart of the show is between avant-garde psych rock and Middle Eastern modes- and from what it looks like, is an experiment well worth watching.

For more information on this year's INTERsection, keep an eye out for updates at contactcontemporarymusic.ca, or at http://burndownthecapital.weebly.com.

SPECIAL OFFERS FROM THE COC AND MASSEY HALL

Special Offer for Whole Note Readers—20% off at the COC!

Single tickets go on sale on August 24, but Whole Note readers can buy seats for 20% off regular prices for just two days: August 22 and 23—the best prices of the season and before they go on sale to the general public!

Mark your calendars now for this special two-day online savings event and get the best seats available!

Use the promo code 1516WHOLENOTE online only.*

*Restrictions apply. Offer valid until 5 p.m. August 23. tickets@coc.ca or 416-363-8231 for information.

SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE

On Tuesday, September 15, Massey Hall and the Aga Khan Museum present the one and only Yo-Yo Ma, with the Silk Road Ensemble. Founded in 2000 by the superstar cellist, this ensemble draws from a large pool of instrumental traditions, presenting a Silk Road soundworld that contains everything from the Chinese pipa to the Indian tabla.

The tickets to this show don't run cheap -- they're in the $60-$200 range -- but The WholeNote has a limited number of tickets up for grabs for interested readers. For a chance to win, just click here to fill out the form and answer the following question:

Which pipa virtuoso was a founding member of the Silk Road Ensemble? (hint: she was also a member of the jury panel for this year's Glenn Gould prize!)

For more details on this concert, visit http://masseyhall.com/eventdetail/YoYoMaSilkRoadEnsemble.

Deadline to apply: 4pm on August 22, 2015. Winners will be selected in late August.

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: Loose TEA's "Dissociative Me"

Think Faust - but with a makeover. In this new English-language of Gounod's opera, John Faustus is a recent PhD graduate with a dissociative identity disorder. This 21st-century operatic experiences runs August 18-22, at RED Nightclub -- a venue that artistic director Alaina Viau, artistic director of Loose TEA | Music Theatre, says allowed her to create a "dark and intense world where we can explore common fears of today." Sofa seating and bottle service will both be available. For details, check out our listings or visit http://www.looseteamusictheatre.com.

Other new/corrected August concert listings added online since our summer print issue are as follows:

Aug 13 1:00: Hart House. Music from the Americas - The Map Room Sessions: Pigeonhawk. Live music celebrating the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. Ken Stowar, curator. Hart House Map Room, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-978-0909. Free.

Aug 13 7:00: University Settlement Music & Arts School. Student Recital. University Settlement Auditorium, 23 Grange Rd. 416-598-3444 x243/4. Free.

Aug 14 1:00: Hart House. Music from the Americas - The Map Room Sessions: Lua Or Die. Live music celebrating the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, showcasing talents of artists from across the Americas. Ken Stowar, curator. Hart House Map Room, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-978-0909. Free.

Aug 14 6:00: TD Mosaic Festival. Mekaal Hasan Band. Pakistani music concepts united with jazz harmony and rock drive. Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Dr., Mississauga. 905-615-4311. Free.

Aug 14 8:30: Virgin Mobile. Indie Fridays: Zaki Ibrahim. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-979-9960. Free.

Aug 14 9:30: Harbourfront Centre/Batuki Music Society. Habari Africa Festival: Rocky Dawuni. Ghanaian music star and humanitarian Rocky Dawuni performs Afro-roots and reggae. Harbourfront Centre, WestJet Stage, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. Free.

Aug 15 8:00: Animikii Music Group. Maryam Al-Hashimi. Performing classic music and Arabic songs in a solo piano concert. Musideum, Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $10.

Aug 15 9:00: Harbourfront Centre/Batuki Music Society. Habari Africa Festival: Esie Mensah. Esie Mensah, dancer. Harbourfront Centre, Stage in the Round, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. Free.

Aug 15 10:30: Harbourfront Centre/Batuki Music Society. Habari Africa Festival: Lakeside Late Nights: Mi Casa. South African house collective. Dr Duda, club DJ, producer; J'Something, guitar, vocals; Mo-T, trumpet. Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. $30/$25(adv).

Aug 18 1:00: Hart House. Music from the Americas - The Map Room Sessions: Len Hammond. Live music celebrating the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, showcasing talents of artists from across the Americas. Ken Stowar, curator. Hart House Map Room, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-978-0909. Free.

Aug 18 8:00: Massey Hall. City Cinema. Featuring Live at Massey Hall Season 2 Film: Zaki Ibrahim. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-872-4255. Free. Begins at sunset.

Aug 18 8:00: Musideum. Steve Koven Solo Piano. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20.

Aug 20 1:00: Hart House. Music from the Americas - The Map Room Sessions: Tribe Royal. Live music celebrating the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, showcasing talents of artists from across the Americas. Ken Stowar, curator. Hart House Map Room, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-978-0909. Free.

Aug 20 8:00: Musideum. David Essig. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20.

Aug 21 8:00: Christ Church Cathedral Hamilton. The Evening Watch. Opus 8. Christ Church Cathedral, 252 James St. N., Hamilton. 905-527-1316. Free.

Aug 21 8:30: Virgin Mobile. Indie Fridays: Grand Analog with kLoX. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-979-9960. Free.

Aug 22 7:15: Skyline Music Agency. Zach Deputy. Peter's Players, 830 Muskoka Rd. S., Gravenhurst. 705-687-2117. $75.

Aug 23 2:30: Kawartha Land Trust/Peterborough Symphony. Fresh Airs on Stoney. Open-air concert and reception, plus a pre-concert chat. Dvořák: Wind Serenade Op.44. Musicians from the Peterborough Symphony; Michael Newnham, music director. Juniper Island Pavilion, 510 Stoney Lake-Island 18, Juniper Island. 705-742-1992. Suggested donation $20. Island accessible only by water. Limited water shuttle service ($2) available, must be booked in advance. Free prize draw for concert attendees.

Aug 23 8:00: Musideum. Denis Schingh. Performing original compositions and arrangements of pieces. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20.

Aug 25 8:00: Massey Hall. City Cinema. Featuring Live at Massey Hall Season 2 Film: Dan Mangan & Blacksmith. Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. 416-872-4255. Free. Begins at sunset.

Aug 25 8:00: Musideum. Sandra Taylor. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20; $10(artists).

Aug 26 1:00: Hart House. Music from the Americas - The Map Room Sessions: Chiron String Quartet. Live music celebrating the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, showcasing talents of artists from across the Americas. Ken Stowar, curator. Hart House Map Room, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-978-0909. Free.

Aug 27 1:00: Hart House. Music from the Americas - The Map Room Sessions: Fugitive Minds. Live music celebrating the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, showcasing talents of artists from across the Americas. Ken Stowar, curator. Hart House Map Room, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-978-0909. Free.

Aug 27 8:00: Musideum. Tim Bartsch. Presenting his life journey through original music and storytelling. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20.

Aug 29 7:30: Shoreline Chorus. The Shepherd and The Lamb. Shoreline Chorus with guests The Leith Quartet; Ann-Marie MacDairmid, conductor. Handel: Selected choruses from Messiah; Goodall: The Lord Is My Shepherd (from the Vicar of Dibley); Barber: Agnus Dei, Barber; Dett: Listen to the Lambs; other works. Meaford United Church, 7 Boucher St. E., Meaford. 519-599-2710. $20.

Aug 29 8:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Soirée. Works by Rachmaninoff and others, arranged by Gordon Murray. Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.43 - Variation 18; Vocalise, Op.34 No.14; Piano Concerto No.2(1st mvt); other works. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity St. Paul's United Church (Chapel), 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. $15; $10(st).

Aug 31 7:00: Landen Vieira. UberJazz. Jazz Saxophonist Landen Vieira. Landen Vieira, sax; Adrean Farrugia, piano; Malcolm Connor, bass; Ethan Ardelli, drums. The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. 416-792-4497. PWYC.

Sep 02 12:00_noon: Midday Music with Shigeru. Moellman family. Marie-Caroline Bourque, violin; Jeffrey Moellman, piano; Moellman children: Jonathan, Clara, and Paul, violin and piano. Hi-Way Pentecostal Church, 50 Anne St. N., Barrie. 705-726-1181. $5; free(st).

Sep 02 6:00: The Cathedral Church of St. James. Cantatas in the Cathedral. Bach: Cantata BWV78 and organ works. Sheila Dietrich, soprano; Christina Stelmacovich, alto; Tenor TBA; David Roth, bass; Michael Bloss, organ. Cathedral Church of St. James, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865. PWYC. All donations go directly to the artists.

Sep 03 12:00_noon: Encore Symphonic Concert Band. In Concert: Classics and Jazz. John Edward Liddle, conductor. Wilmar Heights Centre, 963 Pharmacy Ave., Scarborough. 416-346-3910. $10. Incl. coffee and snack. Also Oct 1. 

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Music & the Movies

Keep an eye out this week for WholeNote editor Paul Ennis' latest "Music & The Movies" blog, which will include a special exploration of Around the World in 50 Concerts- the documentary on Amsterdam's Dutch Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra that plays starting August 14 at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 1, will be out on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. The first print issue of our 2015/16 season, covering September 1-October 7, will be on the stands at the end of August.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Early Music, New Spaces

Fall is officially upon us, and a number of music presenters are making the most out of the changing seasons as an opportunity to experiment with new ideas. In the coming weeks, early music groups in particular get the nod for programming much-loved classics with an unusual—or seasonally appropriate—twist.

Tafelmusik’s Tafelscene program, geared at audiences aged 35 and under, gears up for Concert 2 of their popular series Baroque + Beer, at the Tranzac Club. This time around, it’ll be an October 30 “Hallowe’en Madness edition,” which promises attendees “a night of beer, music, and spooky good times in honour of Hallowe’en.” Advance tickets are $20 and include beer samples. For details on this ages 19-35 event and other upcoming Tafelmusik programming for audiences of all ages, check out http://www.tafelmusik.org/concerts-tickets/tafelscene-35-under/baroque-beer-halloween-madness-edition (tafelmusik.org).

In the same vein, Red Bull, of all presenters, brings to Toronto this week an intriguing marriage of Bach and breakdancing. October 16 to 19 at Massey Hall, Red Bull presents Berlin-base dance troupe The Flying Steps, performing with Swedish dancer Anna Holmström to the live accompaniment of excerpts from J.S. Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier. For an idea of how The Flying Steps interprets Bach with breakdance, here’s a clip from one of the group’s earlier performances in their 2014 tour:

If you don’t yet have plans this weekend, this show may just be one to put on your calendar. More info is available at http://www.masseyhall.com/eventdetail/redbullflyingbach, or at http://www.redbull.com/ca/en/music/events/1331678191814/red-bull-flying-bach-canada.

Music That Meets the Eye

On October 19 and 20, Continuum Contemporary Music presents “Souvenir,” an event that features a world premiere nearly 20 years in the making. Six Canadian composers—Linda Bouchard, Alice Ho, Jocelyn Morlock, Michael Oesterle, Randall Smith and Hiroki Tsurumoto—have teamed up with filmmaker Gary Popovich to craft a six-movement, hour-long film shaped by the evolution of our world. The event is billed as a collaborative creation of music and images that “move from our cosmological beginnings through the geological underpinnings of life on earth; major events in human development; and through perpetual cycles of creation and destruction, dizzying heights and meaningless depths.” Souvenir’s soundtrack will be played by performers from the Continuum ensemble, alongside vocalists Shannon Mercer (soprano) and Krisztina Szabo (mezzo-soprano).

“Souvenir” is on at Betty Oliphant Theatre; tickets are $30 with discounts available for seniors, arts workers and students. For a sneak peak, take a look at this video, or visit continuummusic.org.

"One To Watch" is here to watch!  Irmina Trynkos

Music on Film

Finally, Music on Film, the popular series co-hosted by the RCM and Hot Docs, returns October 28 to March 31, showcasing five different music documentaries. Each screening will also feature guest artists in conversation with Mervon Mehta, the Royal Conservatory’s executive director of performing arts.

Fados, the first film of this year’s series, will be at the Bloor Hot Docs cinema on Tuesday, October 28. This Portuguese film, directed by Carlos Saura, examines the musical genre of fado through an exploration of the city of Lisbon. Find out details on this film, and others in the series, at http://bloorcinema.com/templates/content/music_on_film.

PRIZES, PRIZES!

WIN tickets to the TSO’s “Romeo & Juliet” concert featuring violin superstar Nicola Benedetti (along with a collection of Benedetti’s CDs); tickets to the Royal Canadian Military Institute’s 25th annual Massed Military Band Spectacular at Roy Thomson Hall; places in "The WholeNote publisher’s party” at the Ken Page Memorial Trust annual gala and more! Just click the links below and follow the instructions to enter in the contests of your choice. Feel free to enter all three!

TSO with Nicola Benedetti

RCMI Band Spectacular

KPMT annual gala

JUST IN: NEW LISTINGS

ST. STEPHEN-IN-THE-FIELDS’ FUNDRAISING GALA OCTOBER 24

This October 24 at 7pm, the Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields presents a gala evening to raise funds for a permanent bronze version of Timothy Schmalz’s sculpture “Whatsoever You Do,” also known as “Panhandler Jesus.” The evening includes two sets of live music as well as food and wine, featuring performances by pianist Richard Herriott, flautist Isabella Budai with pianist Pei Chen, soprano Mikahi Vergara, and folk artists The Band and Dinah Thorpe, to name a few.

Schmalz’s sculpture has a storied past, its original resin cast having been stolen from the church and then promptly returned with an apology note last winter, only to have shattered from the cold one month later. The community is looking forward to welcoming a permanent version of this work, and this gala will provide the means to help cover the final costs of the art piece.

Tickets are available at the door on the 24th for $20, but reservations are requested; for details, visit saintstephens.ca.

Other new or corrected (*) listings this month include:

Thursday October 16

8:00: Mikhail Turetsky. Soprano. Vocal performances in a variety of styles and languages. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 190 Princes' Blvd. 416-721-4662; 416-226-9151. $55-$95.

Monday October 20

9:30: The Rex Hotel. Mike Herriott and the OTR Band. Tunes by Freddie Hubbard, The Who, Herriott originals, and a special tribute to the late great Kenny Wheeler with a Wheeler arrangement Wheeler of one of Herriott's pieces. Mike Herriott, trumpet; and others. 194 Queen St. W. 647-888-6707.

Friday October 24

6:00: Guelph Youth Singers. GYS Fall Gala: Giving Youth a Voice. Fall fundraising gala with music by GYS Choir III and SATB Choirs. Markus Howard, conductor; Ken Gee, accompanist. Hanlon Convention Centre, 340 Woodlawn Rd. W., Guelph. 519-821-8574. $100.

7:00: St. Stephen-in-the-Fields. Gala Fundraising Evening. Fundraising gala to cover costs of Timothy Schmalz’s “Panhandler Jesus” sculpture. Richard Herriott, piano; Pei Chen, piano; Isabella Budai, flute; Clement Carelse, organist; Neil Houlton, organist; Mikhai Vergara, soprano; and others. 103 Bellevue Ave. 416-921-6350 or 437-345-5889. $20, reservations required.

Wednesday October 29

8:00: Flato Markham Theatre. Mercedes Cheung, violin. Violin recital by 12-year old Mercedes Cheung. Works by Bach, Paganini, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Waxman, Gade, Khachaturian, and others. Mercedes Cheung, violin; Jeanie Chung, piano. 171 Town Centre Blvd.,Markham. 905-305-7469. $20; $5(child/st).

Thursday October 30

7:00: Astana Opera. Voice of Asia. Works by A. Zhubanov, L. Hamidi, E. Rakhmadiev, T. Muhamejanov, Verdi, Tchaikovsky and others. Yerzhan Kulibayev, violin; Astana Opera House Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir; Abzal Mukhitdinov, conductor; and others. Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E. 1-613-695-8055 x221. $25 and up.

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Check out David Podgorski’s blog post on the Toronto Early Music Fair, now online at thewholenote.com! Read it here. 

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Our next issue of HalfTones, Vol 2 No 3, is out on November 13! The next print issue of The WholeNote will be published on November 1.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Our two latest “Conversations <at> The WholeNote” are now up on our website! Hear soprano Suzie LeBlanc’s premise for her latest CD, La Veillée de Noël, and Esprit Orchestra’s music director Alex Pauk on concert curating, new music, and what’s coming up on the next concert, “Revealed Time” on November 23.

Prizes! Prizes!

WIN tickets to opening night of Tafelmusik’s “Messiah”; special “family pack” tickets to Ross Petty Productions’ “Cinderella: The Gags to Riches Family Musical” at the Elgin Theatre; tickets to the upcoming International Divas concert; and entry into the Bach Consort’s Christmas Oratorio performance, featuring renowned soloists alongside members of the TSO and COC! Just click the links below and follow the instructions to enter in the contests of your choice. Feel free to enter all four!

Tafelmusik’s “Messiah”

“Cinderella” at the Elgin Theatre

International Divas

Bach Consort’s “Christmas Oratorio” 

Cinderella, Now In Theatres

Here’s to family-friendly musicmaking -- Ross Petty Productions’ comedic take on the Cinderella story is onstage at the Elgin Theatre this month.

In a fresh take on a classic tale, “Cinderella: The Gags to Riches Family Musical” is Ross Petty’s theatrical offering this holiday season. Running from November 21 to January 4 at the Elgin Theatre, this production provides a child-friendly departure from your typical holiday musicmaking. Featured in the title role is none other than Danielle Wade, best known as the winner of the CBC-TV series “Over the Rainbow.” Ross Petty himself plays the role of Cinderella’s evil stepmother.

The WholeNote has special “family packs” of four tickets -- each pack a $235 value -- available for interested readers! Just visit our Prizes Section and follow a few simple instructions for a chance to win.

This show promises a fair dose of humour, song and dance this season -- for more information, visit http://rosspetty.com/current-show/the-show. 

Handel’s Messiah: A Survival Guide

The weather has dropped to below zero, holiday decorations have made their way into retail outlets, and for concertgoers -- Messiah season is upon us. Standard musical fare during the holiday season, the sheer size and scope of Messiah performances every year can be at times inspiring for this city’s musical life -- and at other times, simply daunting. With performances of Handel’s famous oratorio seeming to start earlier and earlier each year, a “who’s-who” of Messiah musicians in our December issue alone doesn’t seem to cut it. Here’s the lowdown on what’s in store this year, Messiah-wise, as well as a guide on how to navigate local offerings to find the performances that bring you the most musical cheer.

Annual Favourites: Toronto can count on several excellent performances of Handel this season from the usual suspects, who do Messiah concerts every year, and do them well. Chief among these is Tafelmusik -- their run is December 17 to 20 at Koerner Hall, featuring their choir and period-instrument orchestra, with soloists Lydia Teuscher (soprano), James Laing (countertenor), Colin Balzer (tenor) and Brett Polegato (baritone). This show is sold out from year to year, and is an audience favourite in the city. The Tafelmusik run also includes its popular sing-along show, hosted on Dec 21 at Massey Hall by none other than “Herr Handel” himself.

The WholeNote has tickets to opening night of Tafelmusik’s Koerner Hall performance up for grabs -- just check out our Prizes Section to see how to win. For details on Tafelmusik, visit their website, tafelmusik.org.

Other performances from major concert presenters in the city include the Elmer Iseler Singers’ “Handel: Messiah” on December 5, with guests Virginia Hatfield (soprano), Marion Newman (mezzo-soprano), David Pomeroy (tenor), Giles Tomkins (bass) and the Amadeus Choir; and the TSO’s “Messiah,” December 16 to 21, featuring Jane Archibald (soprano), Allyson McHardy (mezzo-soprano), Lawrence Wiliford (tenor) and Philippe Sly (bass-baritone) with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.

For the Out-Of-Towners: Chorus Niagara performs two Messiah concerts this season on December 6 and 7, in Grimsby and St. Catharines respectively. Featuring soloists Jennifer Krabbe (soprano), Lyndsay Promane (mezzo), Charles Sy (tenor) and Tristan Jones (bass), as well as the Talisker Players on period instruments, these concerts are certain not to disappoint if you’re in the area.

The Guelph Chamber Choir also offers a performance using period instruments, with guests Musica Viva Orchestra, on December 20 at Guelph’s River Run Centre.

For a concert that presents Handel alongside other festive offerings, the Huronia Symphony Orchestra’s December 21 concert in Barrie features the Overture to Messiah, as well as works such as Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and a carol sing-along.

Variations: On November 28 to 29 at the Fleck Dance Theatre, Ballet Creole presents “Soulful Messiah,” a performance of tap, African-Caribbean, ballet, jazz and modern dance to the soundtrack of Quincy Jones’ rendition of the Messiah.

Also on the 29th, the Tallis Choir pairs Handel with Purcell, performing Purcell’s “Behold I Bring You Good Tidings, Te Deum and Jubilate” and Handel’s “Anthem for the Foundling Hospital” (which includes the Hallelujah Chorus) with the Talisker Players, at St. Patrick’s Church.

For something family-friendly, the Pax Christi Chorale presents a “Children’s Messiah” on December 13 at 4pm, a more casual performance that is free for children and PWYC for adults.

Finally, look out on December 20 for the Aradia Ensemble at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, where they will present their annual “Dublin Messiah” concert -- its title an homage to the Dublin concert hall where Handel’s work was first performed.

For details on all of the Messiah concerts listed above, as well as many others happening across the province in the coming weeks, take a look at this newsletter’s special Messiah listings section here, where you’re sure to find a performance that seems right for you.

JUST IN: NEW LISTINGS

ADONIS PUENTES’ ALBUM LAUNCH AT HUGH’S ROOM NOVEMBER 18

The fraternal twin brother of Alex Cuba, Cuban singer-songwriter Adonis Puentes has earned a Grammy nomination as the singer for band Mongorama and a JUNO nod for his solo album Sabor a Café. Puentes’ latest album, titled Veinte Anos, is a duo project with Cuban tres player Pancho Amat. A tribute to trova singer Maria Teresa Vera, Veinte Anos has already received a nomination for a Cubadisco Award.

Puentes launches Veinte Anos at Hugh’s Room, on November 18 at 8:30pm. Tickets are $25(adv)/$27.50(door). For a taste of the new album, click here  to see one of Puentes’ latest videos. For more information on the concert, check out our listings below.

Other new or corrected (*) listings this month follow. For a complete list of Messiah listings, click here.

Tuesday November 18

8:30: Hugh's Room. Veinte Años: Homenaje a María Teresa Vera. Album Release. Adonis Puentes, sonero; Pancho Amat, tres player. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $25(adv)/$27.50(door).

Thursday November 20

2:00: Orchardviewers. Toronto Classical Pianist Ricker Choi. In Concert. Toronto Public Library, Northern District, 40 Orchard View Blvd. 416-393-7610. Free. Room 224.

Friday November 21

9:00: Hart House. Fernanda Cunha. Contemporary and traditional Brazilian compositions performed by singer Fernanda Cunha. Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. n/a. Free.

Saturday November 22

7:30: Silverthorn Symphonic Winds. Autumn Rhapsody. Wind ensemble repertoire celebrating the many colours of fall. Alfred Reed: Alleluia! Laudamus Te; Howard Cable: Scottish Rhapsody; Jay Chattaway: Mazama; and others. Yorkminster Citadel, 1 Lord Seaton Rd., North York. $20; $15(sr/st).

Saturday November 29

3:00: Oakville Chamber Orchestra. Extraordinary Talent. Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen; Mozart: Flute Concerto No. 1 in G Major, mvt. 1; Ravel: Tzigane; Handel: et the Bright Seraphim from Samson; Gounod: Je Veux Vivre from Romeo and Juliet; and others. Arielle Silverberg, violin; Chelsie Vaillaincourt, flute; Jasmine Lin, violin; Leslie Bickle, soprano; Geoff Tiller, trumpet; and others. Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Rd, Oakville. 905-483-6787 (OPUS). Free; donations accepted on behalf of ArtHouse.

Sunday November 30

CANCELLED: 8:00: Community Baroque Orchestra of Toronto. In Concert. Works by Telemann, Philidor and Marais. Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. 416-929-0125. By donation.

MESSIAH LISTINGS

Sunday November 23

2:30: Georgetown Bach Chorale. Handel’s Messiah. Presented on historic instruments. St. James' Anglican Church, 6029 Old Church Rd., Caledon East. 905-584-9635. $35; $10(st). Also Nov 29 (eve, Knox Presbyterian, Georgetown), 30 (mat, St. John's United, Georgetown).

Friday November 28

8:00: Ballet Creole. Soulful Messiah. A dance production choreographed to Quincy Jones' R&B rendition of Handel's Messiah. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. $20-$45. Also Nov 29 (mat and eve).

Saturday November 29

2:00: Ballet Creole. Soulful Messiah. A dance production choreographed to Quincy Jones' R&B rendition of Handel's Messiah. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. $20-$45. Also Nov 28(eve) and Nov 29(eve).

7:30: Georgetown Bach Chorale. Handel’s Messiah. Presented on historic instruments. Knox Presbyterian Church (Georgetown), 116 Main St. South,Georgetown. 905-877-2848. $35; $10(st). Also Nov 15 (eve, Lakeshore United, Goderich), 23 (mat, St. James Anglican, Caledon East), 30 (mat, St. John's United, Georgetown).

7:30: Tallis Choir. Purcell's Messiah. Purcell: Behold I Bring You Good Tidings; Te Deum and Jubilate; Handel: Anthem for the Foundling Hospital(including Hallelujah Chorus). Guest: The Talisker Players; Peter Mahon, conductor. St. Patrick’s Church, 141 McCaul St. 416-286-9798. $30; $25(sr); $10(st with ID).

8:00: Ballet Creole. Soulful Messiah. A dance production choreographed to Quincy Jones' R&B rendition of Handel's Messiah. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. $20-$45. Also Nov 28(eve) and Nov 29(mat).

Sunday November 30

 2:30: Georgetown Bach Chorale. Handel’s Messiah. Presented on historic instruments. St. John's United Church (Georgetown), 11 Guelph St., Georgetown, On. 905-877-2531. $35; $10(st). Also Nov 15 (eve, Lakeshore United, Goderich), 23 (mat, St. James Anglican, Caledon East), 29 (eve, Knox Presbyterian Church, Georgetown).

3:00: Guelph Chamber Choir. Carols For Christmas: Carols and Seasonal Readings for Christmas and Winter. Benjamin Britten: Ceremony of Carols; Harold Darke: In the Bleak Midwinter; Fode Fjellheim: Northern Lights; Handel: Hallelujah Chorus; and traditional carols for choir and audience sing-along. Gerald Neufeld, conductor; Alison MacNeill, piano; "Winter’s Eve Trio" (Sharlene Wallace, harp; Joe Macerollo, accordion; George Koller, bass. St. George's Anglican Church, 99 Woolwich St., Guelph. 519-763-3000. $25; $10(st); $5(with eyeGO).

Friday December 5

8:00: Elmer Isler Singers. Handel: Messiah. Guests: Virginia Hatfield, soprano; Marion Newman, mezzo; David Pomeroy, tenor; Giles Tomkins, bass; Amadeus Choir; Lydia Adams, conductor. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E. 416-217-0537. $55; $50(sr); $20(st).

Saturday December 6

2:00: Musikay. How to Handle Messiah. A workshop/sing-along on Handel's Messiah, led by Musikay's Maestro Potvin. Grace Lutheran Church, 304 Spruce St., Oakville. 905-825-9740. $30 general admission.

7:30: Chorus Niagara. Messiah: A Niagara Holiday Tradition for 50 years. Handel's Messiah performed on period instruments. Jennifer Krabbe, soprano; Lyndsay Promane, mezzo; Charles Sy, tenor; Tristan Jones, bass; Talisker Players. Mountainview Christian Reformed Church, 290 Main St. E., Grimsby. 1-866-617-3257 or 905-688-5550 x3257. $35; $33(sr); $25(under 30); $15 (st); $5(eyeGO). Also Dec 7(mat, St. Catharines). Donations welcome of non-perishable food items in support of Grimsby Benevolent Fund.

7:30: Etobicoke Centennial Choir. Sacred Traditions. Handel: Messiah(part 1); seasonal carols and songs. Carl Steinhauser, piano; Henry Renglich, conductor. Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Etobicoke. 416-769-9271. $25.

7:30: Grand Philharmonic Choir. Messiah. Handel. Jennifer Taverner, soprano; Kimberly Barber, mezzo; Cory Knight, tenor; Daniel Lichti, bass-baritone; Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony; Mark Vuorinen, conductor. Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. 519-578-6885. $25–$75.

7:30: Orchestra Kingston. Messiah Sing-Along. Guest soloists; audience participation. Salvation Army Citadel, 816 Centennial Dr., Kingston. 613-634-9312. $15-$20. Rehearsals Nov 25 & Dec 2 at 5:30, Salvation Army Citadel.

Sunday December 7

2:30: Chorus Niagara. Messiah: A Niagara Holiday Tradition for 50 years. Handel's Messiah performed on period instruments. Jennifer Krabbe, soprano; Lyndsay Promane, mezzo; Charles Sy, tenor; Tristan Jones, bass; Talisker Players. Calvary Church, 89 Scott St., St. Catharines. 1-866-617-3257 or 905-688-5550 x3257. $35; $33(sr); $25(under 30); $15 (st); $5(eyeGO). Also Dec 6(eve, Grimsby). Donations welcome of non-perishable food items in support of Community Care.

3:00: Elora Festival and Singers. A Village Messiah. Handel. Elora Festival Singers; Noel Edison, conductor. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 760 St. David N.,Fergus. 519-846-0332. $40.

3:00: St. Anne's Anglican Church. Cantate: A Neighbourhood Christmas Concert. Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Christmas Carols; Handel: Messiah (excerpts); carol-sing. Choir of St. Anne's; Junction Trio & Friends; Matthew Otto, conductor. 270 Gladstone Ave. 416-536-3160. $15; free(child). In support of Youth Scholarship Program, Div. 14, Community Police Liaison Committee.

Friday December 12

7:30: Cellar Singers. Messiah. Handel. Jennifer Taverner, Jennifer Enns Modolo, Joseph Levesque and Benjamin Covey, vocals; Mitchell Pady, artistic director; Blair Bailey, organ. St. Joseph's Church (Bracebridge), 118 McMurray St.,Bracebridge. 705-817-7664. $30; $15(gen/st). Also Dec 14(mat).

Saturday December 13

4:00: Pax Christi Chorale. Children’s Messiah. Handel: favourite choruses and arias. Church of St. Mary Magdalene, 477 Manning Ave. 416-531-7955. PWYC; free(child).

7:30: Arcady. Messiah. Handel. Ronald Beckett, conductor. Ancaster Christian Reformed Church, 70 Garner Rd. E., Ancaster. 877-700-3130. $25.

8:00: Mississauga Symphony Orchestra. Hallelujah! Messiah and Friends. Handel: Messiah(highlights); Bach: Christmas Oratorio Part 1. Guest chorus and solo vocals. Hammerson Hall, Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. $48–$62.

Sunday December 14

 3:00: Cellar Singers. Messiah. Handel. Jennifer Taverner, Jennifer Enns Modolo, Joseph Levesque and Benjamin Covey, vocals; Mitchell Pady, artistic director; Blair Bailey, organ. St. Paul's United Church (Orillia), 62 Peter St. N., Orillia. 705-817-7664. $30; $15(gen/st). Also Dec 12(eve).

 3:00: Peterborough Singers. Handel’s Messiah. Pamela Birrell, soprano; Laura Pudwell, mezzo; Colin Ainsworth, tenor; Michael Adair, bass; Paul Otway, trumpet; and others; Sydney Birrell, conductor. George Street United Church, 534 George St. N., Peterborough. 705-745-1820. $20-$30; $10(st). Also Dec 15(eve).

Monday December 15

7:30: Peterborough Singers. Handel’s Messiah. Pamela Birrell, soprano; Laura Pudwell, mezzo; Colin Ainsworth, tenor; Michael Adair, bass; Paul Otway, trumpet; and others; Sydney Birrell, conductor. George Street United Church, 534 George St. N., Peterborough. 705-745-1820. $20-$30; $10(st). Also Dec 14(mat).

Tuesday December 16

8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Special: Messiah. Handel. Jane Archibald, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo; Lawrence Wiliford, tenor; Philippe Sly, bass; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Grant Llewellyn, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828; 416-593-0688(Chinese). $38-$105. Also Dec 17, 19, 20, 21(mat).

Wednesday December 17

7:30: Tafelmusik. Handel: Messiah. Lydia Teuscher, soprano; James Laing, countertenor; Colin Balzer, tenor; Brett Polegato, baritone; Ivars Taurins, conductor. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208. $49–$119; $39–$104(sr); $29–$104(35 and under). Also Dec 18, 19, 20, and 21: Sing-Along Messiah, Massey Hall(mat).

 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Special: Messiah. Handel. Jane Archibald, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo; Lawrence Wiliford, tenor; Philippe Sly, bass; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Grant Llewellyn, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828; 416-593-0688(Chinese). $38-$105. Also Dec 16, 19, 20, 21(mat).

Thursday December 18

7:30: Tafelmusik. Handel: Messiah. Lydia Teuscher, soprano; James Laing, countertenor; Colin Balzer, tenor; Brett Polegato, baritone; Ivars Taurins, conductor. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208. $49–$119; $39–$104(sr); $29–$104(35 and under). Also Dec 17, 19, 20, and 21: Sing-Along Messiah, Massey Hall(mat).

Friday December 19

7:30: Tafelmusik. Handel: Messiah. Lydia Teuscher, soprano; James Laing, countertenor; Colin Balzer, tenor; Brett Polegato, baritone; Ivars Taurins, conductor. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208. $49–$119; $39–$104(sr); $29–$104(35 and under). Also Dec 17, 18, 20, and 21: Sing-Along Messiah, Massey Hall(mat).

8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Special: Messiah. Handel. Jane Archibald, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo; Lawrence Wiliford, tenor; Philippe Sly, bass; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Grant Llewellyn, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828; 416-593-0688(Chinese). $38-$105. Also Dec 16, 17, 20, 21(mat).

Saturday December 20

7:30: Aradia Ensemble. Dublin Messiah. Handel. Jacqueline Woodley, soprano; Maria Soulis, mezzo; Adam Fisher, tenor; Giles Tomkins, bass; Kevin Mallon, conductor. St. Anne's Anglican Church, 270 Gladstone Ave. 647-960-6650. $35; $20(sr/st).

7:30: Guelph Chamber Choir. Messiah. Handel. Sheila Dietrich, soprano; Daniel Cabena, countertenor; Chris Fischer, tenor; Alexander Dobson, bass; Musica Viva Orchestra on period instruments; Gerald Neufeld, conductor. River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St., Guelph. 519-763-3000. $35/$30(4 or more); $10(st); $5(eyeGO).

7:30: Tafelmusik. Handel: Messiah. Lydia Teuscher, soprano; James Laing, countertenor; Colin Balzer, tenor; Brett Polegato, baritone; Ivars Taurins, conductor. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208. $49–$119; $39–$104(sr); $29–$104(35 and under). Also Dec 17, 18, 19, and 21: Sing-Along Messiah, Massey Hall(mat).

8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Special: Messiah. Handel. Jane Archibald, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo; Lawrence Wiliford, tenor; Philippe Sly, bass; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Grant Llewellyn, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828; 416-593-0688(Chinese). $38-$105. Also Dec 16, 17, 19, 21(mat).

Sunday December 21

 2:00: Tafelmusik. Sing-Along Messiah. Handel. Ivars Taurins, conductor. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-872-4255. $29–$47. Also Dec 17, 18, 19, and 20(Koerner Hall, eve).

3:00: Grand River Chorus. Singalong Messiah. Handel. Grand River Orchestra; Shannon McCracken, soprano; Timothy Wong, countertenor; Shawn Oakes, tenor; Kirk Lackenbauer, baritone. Grace Anglican Church, 15 Albion St.,Brantford. . $25; $15(sr/st).

3:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Special: Messiah. Handel. Jane Archibald, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo; Lawrence Wiliford, tenor; Philippe Sly, bass; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Grant Llewellyn, conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4828; 416-593-0688(Chinese). $38-$109. Also Dec 16, 17, 19, 20.

3:30: Huronia Symphony Orchestra. The Glory of Christmas. Moll/Balaburski: Sadie’s Door (premiere); Handel: Overture to Messiah; Calvert: ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime; Anderson: Sleigh Ride; traditional Christmas classics; carol sing-along. Oliver Balaburski, conductor. Guests: Barrie Belltones Handbell Choir. Collier Street United Church, 112 Collier St., Barrie. 705-721-4752. $25; $10(st); $5(child).

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Our next issue of HalfTones, Vol 2 No 4, is out on December 9! The next print issue of The WholeNote, a double issue for December and January, will be published on December 1.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Music for the New Year

Welcome Vol 2, No 4 of HalfTones -- our update on extra December musical news, and the last issue before we hit 2015! While for some concert presenters, the onset of the New Year is a welcome break and mid-way point in their busy 2014/15 seasons, there are some brave performers who are taking up the challenge of bringing the city some New Year’s musical cheer.

As usual, Attila Glatz Concert Productions is the big New Year’s presenter this year, with concerts at Roy Thomson Hall both on New Year’s Eve and January 1. They’ve been at this since 1995, and this year’s shows represent their 20th round of New Year’s celebrations. Their big production, beginning at 2:30pm on January 1, is a “Salute to Vienna” gala concert that includes everything from operetta excerpts to Strauss waltzes to polkas. Billed as “North America’s Finest New Year’s Concert,” this show promises a New Year’s Day to remember. The day before this New Year’s Day extravaganza, Attila Glatz also presents “Bravissimo! Opera’s Greatest Hits” on December 31, featuring a star-studded cast and excerpts from works by Puccini, Verdi Rossini, Offenbach and others; all this, and out by 10pm so as to still be able to party the New Year in! For details on both concerts, visit glatzconcerts.com.

The Musicians in Ordinary are also working hard over New Year’s, ringing in 2015 in true Baroque style. Their New Year’s Day matinée concert features works by Scarlatti, Corelli, Vivaldi, Pez and others at Heliconian Hall, and promises to be a beautiful show. And if trekking through town on the first day of the new year doesn’t appeal to you, the group reprises their concert on January 2 at 8pm. All the details are in our listings and at musiciansinordinary.ca.

Finally, if you’re on the hunt for a New Year’s party of a jazzier nature, there are a number of upcoming shows that will be of interest. The Home Smith Bar, Palais Royale and the Toronto Don Valley Hotel are all host this year to shows featuring some excellent musicians (and great food). The Home Smith Bar’s New Year’s Eve Jazz Party features Alex Pangman and her Alleycats; the Toronto All-Star Big Band hosts the gala evening at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel; and Palais Royale presents Aura Rully, world-renowned jazz vocalist and Duke Ellington’s own protégée. A ticket to any of these shows includes dinner and dessert, as well as, of course, some champagne to ring in what we hope will be an excellent year ahead.

Vocal Smorgasbord

Shout-outs to some of Southern Ontario’s innovative choral and vocal programming in the coming days.

There are a number of vocal and choral shows coming this month, in addition to the usual carols and holiday tunes, that look like promising options for December concertgoers. The first couple of shows, two Messiah concerts coming up this weekend, may not seem at first glance like original programming but in fact represent some special variations on a holiday classic. The Cellar Singers perform the Messiah this Friday in Bracebridge and Sunday afternoon in Orillia -- the only performances of the work in Central Ontario with professional orchestra and soloists. They also just might have in their midst a Messiah record-holder in Orillia’s Sue Newman, who between performances, workshops and rehearsals has sung Handel’s classic masterpiece over 450 times. All the info at thecellarsingers.com.

Pax Christi Chorale’s Children’s Messiah also promises something a little different, especially for those who know some younger Handel fans. The show features favourite choruses and arias in a more casual setting that is free for kids and PWYC for adults. The show is 4pm this Saturday December 13 in the beautiful acopustic of Church of St. Mary Magdalene; details at paxchristichorale.org/childrens-messiah/.

For something celebratory but a little less holiday-themed, George Koller’s “International Divas” series presents its final concert in a three-part series on Dec 21 at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. The show features a number of female performers in an entirely acoustic setting. For this “season finale,” Koller presents vocalists Rita Chiarelli, Lara Solnicki, The Ault Sisters, Sharlene Wallace, Maryem Hassan Tollar and Hisaka. Find out more at http://internationaldivas.net/.

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL CONTEST:

TICKETS FROM THE TORONTO CONSORT

The Toronto Consort presents “Yuletide Revels from the Renaissance” with their concert, “The Little Barley-Corne,” this weekend! Joining forces with superstar folk-fiddler David Greenberg, this program of holiday festivities features English ballads, French noëls, country dances and more -- celebrating both the holiday season and the re-release of the Consort’s “Little Barley-Corne” CD.

In a special contest with The WholeNote, the Toronto Consort is offering PAIRS OF FREE TICKETS to their December 14 Sunday matinee show (3:30pm) to the first 10 WholeNote readers who respond correctly to their skill-testing question! Just email editorial@thewholenote.com with your full name and answer the following question for your chance to win:

When was the Toronto Consort album The Little Barley-Corne originally released? (hint: check the Toronto Consort website, torontoconsort.org!)

First 10 correct responses receive a pair of tickets for Sunday! On your marks, get set...email!

JUST IN: NEW LISTINGS

New or corrected (*) listings in December and January include the following:

Monday December 29

8:30: Hugh's Room. A Jazzy Holiday Party to benefit St. Francis Table @ Hugh's Room. The Music of Thelonius Monk. The Westend All Star Jazz Musicians: Jane Bunnett; Adrean Farrugia; Sophia Perlman; Daniel Barnes; Larry Cramer; Chris Butcher. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $20(adv); $22.50(door).

Wednesday December 31

7:30: Jazzy Events/Palais Royale. Aura & Friends: A Jazzy 2015 New Year's Eve. Dinner, dance and live entertainment. Aura Rully; and others. Palais Royale, 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W. 1-888-222-6608 or 416-606-9402. $175. Doors open at 7pm; event runs until 3am. Black tie welcome/jacket required.

Saturday January 3

12:00 noon: Northumberland Learning Connection. Opera Brown-bag Lunch Talks: Le Nozze di Figaro. Half-hour talk and Metropolitan Opera HD broadcast. Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro. Elizabeth Wilson, speaker. Capitol Theatre, 20 Queen Street, Port Hope. 905-885-1071. $5. Coffee and tea included.

Friday January 16

8:00: The Jeffery Concerts. Latin Journey. Songs and melodies of Spain and Latin America. Works by Rodrigo, Granados, de Falla, Villa-Lobos, and others (all arr. David Jacques). Marie-Josee Lord, soprano; David Jacques, guitar; Ian Simpson, double bass. Wolf Performance Hall, 251 Dundas St., London. 519-672-8800. $35; $30(sr); $15(st).

Sunday January 18

2:00: Canzona Chamber Players. In Concert. Brahms Quintet Op. 34. Vadim Serebryany, piano; Csaba Koczó & Sonia Shklarov, violins; Yunior Lopez, viola; Peter Cosbey, cello. St. Andrew by-the-Lake Church, Cibola Avenue, Toronto Island. 416-822-0613. $20. Also 7:30pm, Music Gallery.

Monday January 19

7:30: Canzona Chamber Players. In Concert. Brahms Quintet Op. 34. Vadim Serebryany, piano; Csaba Koczó & Sonia Shklarov, violins; Yunior Lopez, viola; Peter Cosbey, cello. Music Gallery, 197 John St. 416-822-0613. $20. Also 2pm, St. Andrew by-the-Lake Church.

Saturday January 24

7:30: Pocket Concerts. Pocket Concerts: Family Edition. Mozart Flute Quartet in D Major; and others. Les Allt, flute; Cordelia Paw, violin; Rory McLeod, viola; Rachel Desoer, cello. , . 647-896-8295. $40; $25(age 35 and under); $12(age 18 and under). Please phone 647-896-8295 if you have questions about accessibility.

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

For those of you who now finally have the time to do some stress-free internet surfing, our latest “Conversation <at> The WholeNote,” with renowned pianist (and the star of this month’s magazine cover) Angela Hewitt, is up on our website! Check out this and other video interviews with local performers and music professionals on our video page at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/our-videos

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Our next issue of HalfTones, Vol 2 No 5, is out on January 8! The next print issue of The WholeNote, covering Feb 1 to March 7, will be published on January 29.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

IN THE WORKS: ORCHESTRAS

Happy new year, WholeNote readers! 2015 is upon us, and while most of us are still buying new calendars and proposing (and swiftly discarding) our annual resolutions, this city’s musical life doesn’t falter for a moment. Orchestral groups are especially industrious this month, with a TSO Mozart festival in the works, and musical offerings from Esprit and Tafelmusik, among others.

Tafelmusik

At this time, the people of Tafelmusik are just about halfway through their third Tafelmusik Winter Institute, an intensive period orchestra program for experienced early music performers. This year’s theme is “The String Orchestra in Baroque England,” focusing on suites by Locke and Purcell as well as concerti grossi by Handel, Avison and Geminiani. The program culminates in a pay-what-you-can concert on Saturday, January 10 at 7:30pm, where the week’s baroque string players, harpsichordists and lutenists will convene to showcase their newly-learnt skills. It will be an affordable chance to hear some excellent early music -- all the details at tafelmusik.org/concerts-tickets/free-concerts/free-pay-what-you-can-concerts-events.

Later in the month, Tafelmusik also welcomes guest conductor Kent Nagano, in 4 performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 at Koerner Hall January 22 to 25. The program also features Beethoven’s Mass in C Major, performed with the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and soloists. The WholeNote has a pair of tickets to this show up for grabs to an interested reader! For a chance to win, check out our contest page here.

Esprit

Esprit Orchestra also promises an interesting show this month, with “the world’s turning” on Thursday, January 29 at Koerner Hall. Click here for a recent conversation with Esprit artistic director and conductor Alex Pauk in which, among other topics, he discusses this upcoming concert -- and check out our contest page here for a chance to win tickets to the January 29 event.

Mozart@259

The Toronto Symphony’s annual Mozart festival starts next week, featuring a number of soloists across three different concert programs. A special ticket sale for this festival has been extended until tomorrow (Friday) at 5pm: save 20% on your ticket price with the promo code MOZARTFEST. Details on the shows and how to buy tickets are available at tso.ca.

MADE TO ORDER!

The December 26 announcement of new recipients of the Order of Canada included more than half a dozen appointments of musical interest to readers of The WholeNote, including two, the Canadian Brass’s Chuck Daellenbach and singer Suzie LeBlanc, who recently chatted with The WholeNote’s editor-in-chief.

For the transcript of the conversation with Chuck Daellenbach click here. http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/feature-stories/24833-behind-the-scenes-chuck-dallenbach

Click here to listen to the video conversation with Suzie LeBlanc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvTLB3DiYGw

Other December 2014 Order of Canada recipients include: Montreal cellist/pedagogue Denis Brott; Montreal organist John Grew; Quebec Opera’s Gregoire Legendre; indefatigable Toronto organizational mentor and volunteer John Barker Lawson; trumpeter Jens Lindemann; and Montreal conductor, pianist and new music specialist Lorraine Vaillancourt.

Contests

WIN tickets to the Hot Docs Mozart feature this Saturday; tickets to Tafelmusik’s “Beethoven Symphony No. 5” concert with Kent Nagano; tickets to see Esprit Orchestra’s “the world’s turning” featuring two world premieres and Robert Aitken in a soloist role; and a chance to see jazz fusion quartet Yellowjackets at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts! Just take a look below and follow the instructions to enter in the contests of your choice. Feel free to enter all four!

Hot Docs “Searching for Mozart”: Saturday, January 10

WIN a pair of tickets to the first screening in Bloor Hot Docs Cinema’s brand-new series, Composers on Screen: “In Search of Mozart” at 1pm on January 10.

This series, brand-new at the Bloor Cinema and co-presented with The Royal Conservatory, takes a new look at celebrated composers. Phil Grabsky’s “In Search of Mozart”, this Saturday at 1pm, showcases more than 80 of Mozart’s compositions, performed by some of the world’s leading ensembles and musicians--and features a 25,000-mile journey along every route that Mozart travelled.

Want free tickets to the show? We have a small number of tickets available -- just email editorial@thewholenote.com with the subject line HOT DOCS to confirm your availability for your chance to win! Tickets are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. May the speediest emailer win!

(For those who can’t make it on Saturday, the next film, “In Search of Chopin,” will be shown on Sunday, March 1. Details about the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema can be found at bloorcinema.com.)

For our other contests, please click the links below:

Tafelmusik “Beethoven Symphony No. 5” with Kent Nagano: Thursday, January 22

Esprit “the world’s turning”: Thursday, January 29

Yellowjackets at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts: Thursday, January 29

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

With Dec/Jan being a combined issue of the print magazine, listings information continues to stream in in early January. Jazz aficionados should click here for a complete update to the club listings. http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/listings/intheclubsjazz

And speaking of clubs, reviewer Ken Waxman zeroed in on an upcoming show by Ken Aldcroft’s latest group on January 16:

THREADS (Quintet)
10/09/11
Trio Records TRP-019

By Ken Waxman

Every since he arrived in Toronto from his native Vancouver in 2001, guitarist Ken Aldcroft has been a constant presence on this city’s improvised music scene. Whether helping to organize concerts, teaching, playing solo gigs or as part of ensembles of varied sizes, he’s constantly exceeding expectations of what jazz involves. Also exceeding expectations is the first CD by his newest ensemble, which presents this music in concert at Jazz at Oscar’s this month.

Having recorded six CDs with his regular Convergence combo, Aldcroft changes gears on 10/09/11 by supplanting its free-bop orientation for one that offers more space and an almost unmetered beat. Besides Aldcroft, the only Convergence holdover is alto saxophonist Karen Ng, with the band filled out by drummer Germaine Liu plus the characteristic grooves of Josh Cole’s electric bass and Jonathan Adjemian’s analog synthesizer. With each of Aldcroft’s three originals entitled Threads plus a numeral and the disc recorded in 2013, it’s likely the CD title refers to a time of inspiration and composition.

Essentially each of the longish tunes, clocking in at between 18 and almost 25 minutes, showcases varied facets of the quintet. With percussion pulses that slide from parade band whacks to (Canadian) Indian-like rattling and back again, Threads III is the gentlest of the three, with slowly evaporating sax slurs matched with echoing guitar timbres. Threads I has more energy. Here Aldcroft’s crescendo of arpeggiated string licks faces tough, angled reed bites and buzzing synth interjections. Underneath, Adjemian’s staccato blurts plus Liu’s bass drum pops replicate an Upper Canadian version of a Second Line rhythm. Lengthiest of all, the introductory Threads II defines the quintet’s distinct parameters. Harmonized bass and guitar strums steady the beat, leaving enough openings for Ng’s blazing staccato cries, Liu’s irregular thumps and ruffs plus synthesizer fills that at points resemble Morse code, at others what an electric piano would sound like with a cold. Aldcroft’s twangs plus Ng’s volatile tone nudge the narrative towards a satisfying climax.

A notable achievement from an ensemble that offers sonic maturity, even as it’s in the process of being created.

Concert note: The THREADS (Quintet) is in concert at Jazz at Oscar’s, Hart House University of Toronto January 16.

CORRECTIONS

*Saturday, January 31

3:00: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Community Concert. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Elora Festival Singers; Noel Edison, conductor. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St. 416-598-0422 x223. Free.

New listings in January include the following:

Tuesday January 13

1:30: Oakville Opera Guild. Tea with Opera: Don Giovanni. Guest: Howard Dyck, choral conductor. Oakville Central Library Auditiorium, 120 Navy St., Oakville. 905-827-5678. $10 minimum donation. Proceeds towards scholarship awarded annually to a young Canadian singer studying at the U of T Opera Division.

Friday January 16

8:00: The Jeffery Concerts. Latin Journey. Songs and melodies of Spain and Latin America. Works by Rodrigo, Granados, de Falla, Villa-Lobos, and others (all arr. David Jacques). Marie-Josee Lord, soprano; David Jacques, guitar; Ian Simpson, double bass. Wolf Performance Hall, 251 Dundas St., London. 519-672-8800. $35; $30(sr); $15(st).

Sunday January 18

2:00: Canzona Chamber Players. In Concert. Brahms Quintet Op. 34. Vadim Serebryany, piano; Csaba Koczó & Sonia Shklarov, violins; Yunior Lopez, viola; Peter Cosbey, cello. St. Andrew by-the-Lake Church, Cibola Avenue, Toronto Island. 416-822-0613. $20. Also 7:30pm, Music Gallery.

Monday January 19

7:30: Canzona Chamber Players. In Concert. Brahms Quintet Op. 34. Vadim Serebryany, piano; Csaba Koczó & Sonia Shklarov, violins; Yunior Lopez, viola; Peter Cosbey, cello. Music Gallery, 197 John St. 416-822-0613. $20. Also 2pm, St. Andrew by-the-Lake Church.

Saturday January 24

7:30: Pocket Concerts. Pocket Concerts: Family Edition. Mozart Flute Quartet in D Major; and others. Les Allt, flute; Cordelia Paw, violin; Rory McLeod, viola; Rachel Desoer, cello. 647-896-8295. $40; $25(age 35 and under); $12(age 18 and under). Please phone 647-896-8295 if you have questions about accessibility.

Sunday January 25

2:00: Richard Valdez. Concert Valdez - Benefit WarAmps. Benefit concert in aid of the WarAmps Child Amputees. Broadway classics and popular songs. Richard Valdez, tenor. North York Central Library Auditorium, 5120 Yonge St. 416-395-5535. Freewill donation.

2:00: Trio Bravo. Concert 2. Brahms; Piazolla, Selleck; Fauré. Trio Bravo: Terry Storr, clarinet; Baird Knechtel, viola; John Selleck, piano; Guest: John Trembath, cello. All Saints Kingsway Anglican Church, 2850 Bloor St. W. 416-242-2131. $20; $15(sr/st).

Tuesday January 27

12:30: McMaster School of the Arts. David Gerry & Michael Schutz. David Gerry, flute; Michael Schutz, percussion. Convocation Hall (UH213), McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton. 905-525-9140 x24246. Free.

7:00: North York Central Library. Canadian Opera Company Talk: Die Walküre. An examination of Wagner's opera Die Walküre, with special attention given to the winter 2015 revival of Atom Egoyan's COC production. Guest: Wayne Gooding, editor of Opera Canada magazine. North York Central Library Auditorium, 5120 Yonge St. 416-395-5639. Free. Please call to register in advance.

Thursday January 29

8:00: Oakville Infiniti World Artists series. An evening with the Yellowjackets. Russell Ferrante, keys; Bob Mintzer, sax; William Kennedy, drums; Felix Pastorius, bass. Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 130 Navy St., Oakville. 905-815-2021. $60; $53(Big Ticket Member); $49(Big Ticket Plus).

Friday January 30

8:00: McMaster School of the Arts. Andreas Klein. Andreas Klein, piano. Convocation Hall (UH213), McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton. 905-525-9140 x24246. $20; $5(st); $15(sr).

8:00: Oakville Opera Guild. Tea with Opera: Die Walküre. Guest: Iain Scott, opera educator. Location TBA, , Oakville. 905-827-5678. $10 minimum donation. Proceeds towards scholarship awarded annually to a young Canadian singer studying at the U of T Opera Division.

Saturday January 31

12:00 noon: Flautas del Fuego. Danzas del Fuego. W. F. Bach: Sonata in F Major for Two Flutes; Villa-Lobos: "Aria" from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6; Piazzolla: "Tango Etudes" Nos. 4, 5, and 6 (arr. Exequiel Mantega); Caravassilis "Danzas del Fuego" for two flutes and percussion (World Premiere). Flautas del Fuego: Alhelí Pimienta and Izabella Budai, flutes; David Burns, percussion. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St. 416-922-1167. Free.

8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society. Duo Concertante. Complete music for violin/piano by Schubert; second of two concerts. Schubert: Sonatina in D, Rondo, Fantasy in C; Chan Ka Nin: Incantation. Nancy Dahn, violin; Timothy Steeves, piano. KWCMS Music Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673. $30; $25(sr); $20(st).

Sunday February 1

4:00: Georgetown Bach Chorale. Pas de deux. Violin and piano concert. Brahms: Sonata No. 1 in G Major; Prokofiev: Sonata No. 1 in F Minor. Edwin Huizinga, violin; Ronald Greidanus, piano. House Concert (Georgetown), 157 Main St., Georgetown. $45 advance only; no tickets available at the door.

REMEMBERING JIM GALLOWAY

Jim Galloway was The WholeNote's longest standing columnist, tenacious to the last. We greet the news of his passing, on December 30 2014, with sadness. We have lost a blithe spirit, a true champion of live music. On our homepage is the last column he wrote for us, just four weeks ago, followed by links, in reverse order, to his other columns. 

-David Perlman, publisher

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Our next issue of HalfTones, Vol 2 No 6, is out on February 11! The next print issue of The WholeNote, covering Feb 1 to March 7, will be published on January 29.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

SPECIAL CONTESTS ISSUE

Over $1800 in prizes to be won

Concert-wise, this month is as busy as any, with lots of musical offerings in the city—and The WholeNote has put together a special issue of contests to cure your February blues.

From choral concerts, to a night at the opera, to a special weekend package of tickets to three live shows, take a look at the prizes up for grabs below and see what tickles your fancy. This month’s prizes include:

- “Eclectic Circuit”: A special weekend package, with tickets to Show One’s Vadim Repin Canadian recital debut, The Musicians In Ordinary, and the Vienna Piano Trio: March 6-8

- The COC’s Don Giovanni: February 18

- Arvo Pärt’s Passio with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir: March 10

- The “Publisher’s Party”: Music Toronto’s concert with The Gryphon Trio: February 26

- Ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro: March 4

- Continuum Contemporary Music: 30 MORE!: March 8

- Tanya Tagaq, Radik Tyulyush and more at the Aga Khan Museum: March 6-7

Apply for any that interest you on our website, and you may get the chance to get out and listen to some great live music this month!

Music for (and in spite of) Valentine’s

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and is always a good excuse, whether in pairs or in groups, to explore the myriad special events that the city always has on offer f0r the occasion. Whether you’re hoping for a romantic outing or just on the lookout for some quality music, this Saturday promises a number of opportunities for the Valentine’s Day concertgoer.

Prominently featured in our listings this month are those concerts and events that refuse to shy away from the sometimes-touchy Valentine’s Day theme—and often producing unique programming as a result. The Guelph Symphony Orchestra presents a concert Saturday night that will feature Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet (incidentally, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra will also be playing a “Romeo and Juliet”-themed concert, the following weekend on February 21). And on the jazz front, Alleycatz, Chalkers Pub and Palais Royale will all be hosting Valentine’s Day dinners that feature live music by talented local performers. Finally, the Toronto Beaches Children’s Chorus presents “For the Love of Music” on Saturday at 3pm, an all-ages concert featuring soprano Shannon Mercer, tenor Lenard Whiting and pianist Brett Kingsbury.

For those not in the mood, New Music Concerts is presenting an innovative program of works by contemporary Chinese and Canadian composers. Titled “New Works from East and West,” the show will feature pipa virtuoso Weiwei Lan, soprano Stacie Dunlop and violinist Véronique Mathieu. The program is a promising collection of entirely world premieres, an exciting prospect for any new music fan. Also onstage in venues throughout the Danforth this weekend is the Toronto’s eighth Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival. Billed as an “all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event,” the festival will feature over 150 artists across five venues from February 13 to 15. The “weatherproof” aspect is enticing, as is the list of performers. To learn more about the festival, check out winterfolk.com.

SEASON’S GREETINGS

2015/16 season announcements have been cropping up left, right and centre.

Please find below links to news about the year ahead, from the a number of local concert presenters:

The Royal Conservatory:

http://performance.rcmusic.ca/performance-all?season%5b0%5d=5926&mcclnktrk=4

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s:

http://www.tso.ca/en-ca/Media-Room/Media-Releases.aspx?entryID=42430

The Canadian Opera Company:

http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1516Season.aspx

Opera Atelier:

http://www.operaatelier.com/season/15-16-season/

Tafelmusik:

http://www.tafelmusik.org/concert-calendar/upcoming-season

We will keep you informed, in print and online, as more presenters announce their plans for the coming year!

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

Check out our HalfTones listings for info on corrected and new February concert listings added online since this month’s print issue.

First, an apology: we seem to have omitted Hirut Café and Restaurant’s listings from our February “In the Clubs” section. Here they are:

Hirut Cafe and Restaurant

2050 Danforth Ave. 416-551-7560

Every Sun 3pm Open Mic with Nicola Vaughan: folk/country/jazz/world/R&B PWYC; 8pm Eucalyptus Ethio-jazz/Calypso 7-piece band $10/PWYC. Every Wed 8pm Illios Quartet: Smooth Jazz PWYC. February 3, 17 8pm Finger Style Guitar Association PWYC. February 5 7pm In the Round: Master and Smorgasbord Series: jazz/folk/world $10/PWYC. February 14 Romancing the Tone with Sharon Katz: folk/world $10. February 20 8pm Winter Wonderland w/ Arlene Paculan and Friends: pop/eclectic PWYC. February 21 8pm James Brand with Joanne Shaw: British Folk $15(adv)/$18(door). February 27 9pm Hirut Hoot Cabaret $5.

Other corrected and new listings this month include:

Friday February 13

7:00: Just Aïssi. Black History Month: Gumboots Dance. A program and workshop to learn about the Gumboots dance style from South Africa. Just Aïssi, choreographer and percussionist. North York Central Library Auditorium, 5120 Yonge St. 416-395-5639. Free. Call ahead to register.

Saturday February 14

3:00: Toronto Beaches Children's Chorus. For the Love of Music. All-ages concert to benefit the Toronto Beaches Children's Chorus Bursary Fund. Shannon Mercer, soprano; Lenard Whiting, tenor; Brett Kingsbury, piano. Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd. 416-698-9864. $20; $15(sr/st); $10(12 and under). Special pricing available for TBCC families.

9:00: Music Africa/Gladstone Hotel/Africa New Music. Yinka Farinde (Nigeria). Part of the Black History Month 2015 Concert Series. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. 416-649-5336. Free.

Saturday February 21

9:00: Music Africa/Gladstone Hotel/Africa New Music. Amadou Kienou (Burkina Faso) & Katenen Cheka (Mali). Part of the Black History Month 2015 Concert Series. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. 416-649-5336. Free.

Sunday February 22

6:00: Duo Agilis. Themes and Variations for Flute and Piano. Duo Agilis: Izabella Budai, flute; Peichen Chen, piano. Hart House, East Common Room, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-2452. Free.

Friday February 27

8:00: Stereo Live. Haydn, Beethoven and Canning. Works by Haydn and Beethoven, followed by a set with Broken Social Scene's Brendan Canning and friends. Brendan Canning; Keith Hamm, viola; Edwin Huizinga, violin; Aaron Schwebel, violin; Joseph Johnson, cello. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen St. W. 416-597-0227 x2. $20(adv); $25(door); $50(3-concert series). Doors open at 7pm.

Saturday February 28

8:00: Bell'Arte Singers. Masses: Dvorak Mass in D & Schubert Mass in G. Dvorak: Mass in D; Schubert: Mass in G. St. Simon-the-Apostle Anglican Church, 525 Bloor St. E. bellartesingers.ca. $25; $20(sr/st).

8:00: Fanfarones! Hot Springs Serenade. Double wind quintet music to warm the path to spring. Dvorak: Czech Suite; Bird: Serenade; Scott: Sacred Women. Wilmar Heights Centre, 963 Pharmacy Ave., Scarborough. 416-759-7269. $20; $15(sr/st).

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Visit our video page to see our latest Conversation@TheWholeNote, where in light of the Gryphon Trio’s upcoming concert with Music Toronto, publisher David Perlman talks with the ensemble’s pianist Jamie Parker about his life as a performer, professor and a Parker.

Check out the video, and other online interviews, at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/our-videos.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Our next issue of HalfTones, Vol 2 No 7, is out on March 12! The next print issue of The WholeNote, covering March 1 to April 7, will be published on February 27.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

EARLY MUSIC ON THE ROAD

Toronto’s early music presenters have been busy people this month. In the midst of their regular musicmaking activities, both the Toronto Consort and Tafelmusik have been “on the road” these past few weeks -- bravely and boldly going where Toronto’s early music presenters are not often found.

Tafelmusik has just arrived back in the city after a 16-day tour across Australia and New Zealand, garnering rave reviews for their multimedia program House of Dreams. The brainchild of double-bassist Alison Mackay, House of Dreams takes listeners through works by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell and Marais, set against a backdrop of images and paintings from the likes of Vermeer, Canaletto and Watteau -- and this year bringing Tafelmusik to sold-out houses in eight Australian cities as well as Auckland, New Zealand.

Be sure to check out Mackay’s newest multimedia creation, J.S. Bach: The Circle of Creation. The program will premiere at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre this May.

The WholeNote also has tickets up for grabs to one of Tafelmusik’s shows in the nearer future -- Aisslinn Nosky’s “Baroque Misbehaving,” where musical misdemeanours will include works by Purcell, Rosenmüller, Charpentier, Torelli, Oesterle and Telemann. For a chance to win tickets, check out our Prizes section. To learn more about Tafelmusik’s current projects, visit tafelmusik.org.

While Tafelmusik was across the globe, the Toronto Consort journeyed across town to Roy Thomson Hall last week, where the Toronto Symphony was wrapping up their annual New Creations Festival. Both before and after a riveting TSO performance in concert of George Benjamin’s 2012 opera Written on Skin, the Toronto Consort commandeered the lobby for some playing, on baroque flute, hurdy gurdy, baroque guitar and more, in repertoire spanning the centuries from the late medieval French story that inspired Written on Skin to contemporary work.

Kudos to Consort members for successfully navigating the bridge between recent and distant pasts, and for playing two beautiful sets!

Later this month, the Toronto Consort, in collaboration with Michael Slattery and La Nef, will also present a new take on some well-known early music fare. What if John Dowland, the great English lute master, was actually Irish? Their concert on March 27-28 makes a musical argument for Dowland-as-Irishman, setting his famous songs and fantasias with Irish flute, fiddle and cittern. The program, called “Dowland in Dublin,” will be based on La Nef’s stunning 2012 album of the same name, which WholeNote columnist David Podgorski claims has successfully “turned the early music world on its ear.”

The WholeNote has a limited number of concert tickets and CDs, which interested readers have the opportunity to win. For details, check out our Prizes section here. For more info on the Toronto Consort, visit torontoconsort.org.

ATTENTION, ARTS WORKERS

For those in the industry -- especially those who like to be in the know -- the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists (IRCPA) has a number of exciting events coming up, all dedicated to providing forums for artists to exchange ideas, meet colleagues and learn new things. IRCPA programming in the coming months includes a workshop for singers with Joan Dornemann, assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera, and a special panel discussion event in the same building as WholeNote headquarters -- the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) Annex location at 720 Bathurst St.

On the afternoon of Sunday, March 29 at CSI Annex, IRCPA will host “Who’s Who in the Industry” -- a panel discussion with a number of industry professionals. With a panel of concert presenters, managers, journalists and publicists, the event is billed as a forum for artists to speak directly with industry members whose decisions build and shape our city’s musical seasons. David Perlman, publisher at The WholeNote, will be joining the panel for what is sure to be an enlightening discussion -- the list of speakers announced so far  is as follows:

Concert presenters Chris Lorway (Roy Thomson Hall), Jose Ortega (Lula Lounge) and Boris Brott (Opera & Festival Hamilton); managers Annick-Patricia Carrière (Station Bleue, Montreal) and Robert Missen (Bobolink, Toronto); journalists David Perlman (The WholeNote) and Michael Vincent (Musical Toronto); publicists Linda Litwack and Jane Harbury

Take a look at http://ircpa.net/2015/01/whos-who-in-the-industry-panel-discussion-march-29-2015/ttp://ircpa.net/2015/01/whos-who-in-the-industry-panel-discussion-march-29-2015/ for more details about the event. If you are eager to attend and a speedy emailer, send us an email at publisher@thewholenote.com -- the first 4 emailers will each receive a complimentary ticket to this event as guests of The WholeNote!

Hope to see you there!

PRIZES, PRIZES

In this issue: win tickets to the Toronto Consort’s Dowland in Dublin concert with La Nef and Michael Slattery, and to opening night of Tafelmusik’s Baroque Misbehaving. Just click on the following links for a chance to win -- feel free to enter both contests!

Tickets and CD: The Toronto Consort’s “Dowland in Dublin”, Saturday March 28

Tickets: Tafelmusik’s “Baroque Misbehaving”, Thursday April 23

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

First, a correction: in our March issue, we mistakenly wrote that Wolfrey House’s “By His Stripes We Are Healed” concert was on March 4. It is in fact on April 3, and the corrected listing is as follows:

Apr 3 1:30: Wolfrey House. By His Stripes We Are Healed. For Good Friday. Handel: Messiah(excerpts from part 2). Sacred Concert Chamber Ensemble; String Quartet; Vocal Octet. St. Barnabas on the Danforth, 361 Danforth Ave. 416-463-1344. Free.

Our apologies for this error! Other listings added to our website since the March issue can be found below:

 Sunday March 15

1:00: World Fiddle Day Toronto. World Fiddle Day Toronto Jam Session. Practise jam led by Anne Lederman, hosted by Long & McQuade. , . 647 217-4620. Entry by donation. Next session is March 29; see worldfiddledaytoronto.ca for details.

 Thursday March 19

8:00: Daemon Theatre. The Last Five Years. Kaleigh Gorka (Cathy); Josh Wiles (Jamie); Carl Pucl, director/producer; Doug Price, music director; and others. SMCS Centre for the Arts, 1515 Bathurst St. . $30-$45; $20-$25(st/arts worker); $10(student rush tickets, available 1 hour before the show). Also Mar 20(eve), 21(mat and eve).

 Friday March 20

6:30: Lakeshore Arts. The Chocolate Equinox. Evening event including chocolate sampling, concert and silent auction. The Mississauga Symphony String Quartet. The King's Garden, 15 Canmotor Ave., Etobicoke. 416-201-7093. $60(food and chocolate included).

 Saturday March 21

1:00: AKAM Concert Production. Amstel Saxophone Quartet. The Amstel Saxaphone Quartet from The Netherlands performs a program titled "The Unknown Colours of Saxophone.". Bach: Prelude and Fuge in c minor, BWV 537 (arr. Ties Mellema); Germanus: Moonwalk (2013); Brahms: from Symphony No. 3 in F, Op. 90: (arr. R. Jak); Riley: Good Medicine (arr. Bas Apswoude); Glass: Mishima (1985) (arr. Amstel Quartet). Remco Jak, soprano saxophone; Olivier Sliepen, alto saxophone; Bas Apswoude, tenor saxophone; Ties Mellema, baritone saxophone. Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, Chapel-Music Room, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-445-4441. PWYC.

2:00: Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. Stories and Music. A family concert, featuring the tales of Babar the Elephant and more. Melody Thomas, guest narrator. Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, 140 Charlotte St., Peterborough. 705-749-1146. $30; $10(youth). Also at 3:30pm.

7:00: Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Intimate Concert Series 2015. Mukur De, Odissi dance; Toronto Tabla Ensemble and Youth Ensemble; Ritesh Das, artistic director. York Woods Library Theatre, 1785 Finch Ave. W. 1-888-958-2252. $15.

 Thursday March 26

6:45: Guelph Youth Singers. Boychoir. Fundraising movie night featuring a screening of newly-released film "Boychoir.". The Bookshelf, 41 Quebec St., Guelph. 519-821-8574. $15.

 Friday March 27

7:00: Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. Razzmatazz. Jazz fundraiser for the LPCI Music Department. The Ken Hazlett Big Band; LPCI and Glenview stage bands; LPCI Aurum Vocal Ensemble; Alex Dean, guest. Lawrence Park CI Auditorium, 125 Chatsworth Drive. . $20; $10(st).

 Saturday March 28

7:00: Guelph Youth Singers. The Beat of our Drum. Youth choral festival hosted by the Guelph Youth Singers. Sarah Quartel, guest clinician; guest youth choirs from Oakville, Mississauga, Toronto, Hamilton, Halton Hills and Cobourg. Clearview Christian Reformed Church, 2300 Sheridan Garden Dr.,Oakville. 519-821-8574. $15; $10(child).

8:15: Canadian Orpheus Male Choir. Earth Hour Concert. COMC's first Earth Hour Concert -- singing by candlelight to support awareness of climate change. St. Jude's Anglican Church, 160 William St., Oakville. 905-844-3972. $15. Candelight singing starts at 8:30pm.

 Sunday March 29

3:00: Hart House Chorus. Fauré Requiem. Fauré: Requiem; Tudor anthems. Melanie Conly, soprano; Maciej Bujnowicz, baritone; David Bowser, conductor; Suzanne Yeo, accompaniment; and others. Hart House Great Hall, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-2452. Free.

3:00: Kingston Road United Church. Glorious Brass! Works by Gabrielli, Dowland, Byrd, de Pres and Thomas Tallis. Scott Good, trombone; and others. 975 Kingston Rd. 416-699-6091. $20; $10(st); free(ages 12 and under).

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

The WholeNote’s Blue Pages directory of concert presenters can be found year-round on our website -- a warm welcome to taiko superstars Nagata Shachu, who join the directory this month.

Music presenters get the chance to introduce their projects to readers in our annual October Blue Pages issue, but the Blue Pages are available year-round, and musicmaking in southern Ontario happens around the clock and throughout the calendar year. Here’s a warm welcome for Nagata Shachu, newcomers this month to The WholeNote’s Blue Pages directory. Check out their profile below. For all our other Blue Pages listings click here.

Nagata Shachu Japanese Taiko and Music Group

Nagata Shachu, based in Toronto, has enthralled audiences with our mesmerizing and heart-pounding performances of the Japanese drum (taiko) since forming in 1998. We have toured widely throughout Canada, the US and Italy, performing in theatres, concert halls and major music festivals.

While rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, our ensemble’s principal aim is to rejuvenate this ancient art form by producing innovative and exciting music that seeks to create a new voice for the taiko.

Featuring an arsenal of taiko (including the massive O-daiko drum), bamboo flutes, the three-stringed shamisen and an array of gongs, cymbals, shakers and wood blocks, Nagata Shachu will take you on a musical journey beyond all borders!

Joe Liu or Kiyoshi Nagata
416-651-4227
taiko@nagatashachu.com
nagatashachu.com

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Our next issue of HalfTones, Vol 2 No 8, is out on April 14! The next print issue of The WholeNote, covering April 1 to May 7, will be published on March 31.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Yesterday morning, Koerner Hall was host to the announcement that Philip Glass (see our February 2014 WholeNote cover story) is this year’s winner of the Glenn Gould Foundation’s prestigious Glenn Gould Prize. Publisher David Perlman, who was at the announcement, reports back.

The moment at which GGF jury chair Bob Ezrin named Philip Glass the winner of the 11th Glenn Gould Prize was, in true Glassian spirit, both a climax and an anti-climax. The buzz, around the WholeNote office anyway, had been strongly towards this year’s prize putting a dent in the growing feeling over the past few prizes, that “male, whiteish, mid-twentieth century, sort-of-American” are prerequisite characteristics for the winner. The fact that this year’s jury consisted of six women and three men contributed more than a little to the feeling that maybe this would be the year things started to tilt. Listening to Ezrin describe the individual jurors as he introduced them somewhat dispelled that feeling: all six women were “beautiful” along with their brains; and the three men apparently were not. (Don’t worry Jay Hunter Morris, we think you’re cute.)

But the announcement of Glass as laureate had a grand and comfortable feel -- not just relief at his indisputable worthiness, but also hints of excitement in terms of where “the Prize” is headed as it matures and evolves. The GGF wants the prize to be seen as an award for a lifetime of transformative creative influence in all the arts, not just music, and Glass, because of his adventures across disciplines, certainly is that -- his voice heard and felt far further even than his name is known.

Even more telling, the range of passion, intellect and creative talent in the jury assembled on the stage was something to behold. Their willingness to be there, and their evident pleasure in having taken part in the cause they had been assembled for speaks to a process with integrity. 

Stay tuned for lots of details over the coming months (where and when the award ceremony and related bunfests will be, and whom Glass has chosen for the City of Toronto Protege Prize that goes with the award). Meanwhile you can get an inkling of how various Glass is in his explorations as early as Wednesday June 10 at Massey Hall, when he appears with Ashley MacIsaac in a concert called Cape Breton Fire.  

CONCERT CONTROVERSY: LISITSA & THE TSO

Toronto’s largest musical presenter has been in the news lately after a controversial (and seemingly last-minute) move to pull piano soloist Valentina Lisitsa from her scheduled April 8/9 performances of Rachmaninov 2. TSO president Jeff Melanson’s stated reason was that Lisitsa’s Twitter activity, in regard to the political and territorial crisis in Ukraine, was “deeply offensive to some.” The decision sparked a firestorm of response, for and against.

True to our mandate of trying to list everything going on so you can make up your own mind, you will find, below, links to a sampling of the thoughtful things being said about the TSO/Lisitsa affair.

Musical Toronto

April 6: Musical Toronto’s overview of the situation right when the decision was made public:

http://www.musicaltoronto.org/2015/04/06/breaking-tso-bans-upcoming-soloist-valentina-lisitsa-over-political-views/

April 8: The Toronto Symphony CEO Jeff Melanson interviews to explain his decision-making process:

http://www.musicaltoronto.org/2015/04/08/interview-toronto-symphony-ceo-jeff-melanson-breaks-his-silence/

April 9: John Terauds weighs in on Lisitsa’s position as a public figure:

http://www.musicaltoronto.org/2015/04/09/john-terauds-valentina-lisitsa-social-media-and-the-public-etiquette-of-art/

The Globe and Mail

April 7: Robert Everett-Green’s collection of quotations from Toronto’s classical music community:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/classical-music-world-reacts-to-tso-dropping-pianist-valentina-lisitsa/article23830354/

April 8: Marcus Gee on the type of precedent the TSO may have set with this decision:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/columnists/why-the-tso-set-a-terrible-precedent-by-barring-pianist-valentina-lisitsa/article23845288/

National Post

April 13: Kelly McParland on why criticism of the TSO neglects the nature of the artist as a public figure:

http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/kelly-mcparland-would-you-let-valentina-lisitsa-play-your-piano-i-wouldnt

New York Times

April 8: The story as seen from an outside perspective

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/09/world/americas/toronto-orchestra-drops-pianist-over-tweets-about-ukraine.html?_r=0

Finally, lest you think that amongst all of this compiling we don’t have an opinion of our own, our editor-in-chief, David Perlman weighs in with this: “Leaders, like firefighters, get paid big bucks to put out fires when they happen, not just to wait for them to go out of their own accord. Looks to us as though Melanson acted decisively and for that he deserves credit. Some people agree with his decision. Some disagree. That’s the nature of the beast. Where he went horribly wrong, in our opinion, is not the decision but the reasons he gave for the decision. ‘Deeply offensive to some’?! What a terrifyingly unsustainable, deeply disturbing precedent to have on the books.”

PRIZES, PRIZES

In this issue: Win tickets to the Canadian Opera Company’s upcoming productions of The Barber of Seville and a Schoenberg/Bartok double-bill, as well as the chance to hear renowned Italian pianist Romeo Scaccia at the Glenn Gould Studio. Just click on the following links for a chance to win -- feel free to enter both contests!

The Barber of Seville at the COC: April 29

Bluebeard’s Castle/Erwartung double-bill at the COC: May 6

Romeo Scaccia at the Glenn Gould Studio: April 25

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

G27 OPEN REHEARSAL AT CSI ANNEX

This Thursday, Torontonians have the chance to get a taste of how a professional music group runs its rehearsals -- and also of what’s coming up in the near musical future. group of 27, billed as “Toronto’s All-Star Classical Band,” is hosting an open rehearsal this Thursday April 16 at the Annex location of the Centre for Social Innovation, in advance of their April 17 concert “Disquiet.” The group is a powerhouse chamber orchestra with musicians culled from such ensembles as the Toronto Symphony, and the upcoming programme includes the TSO’s Sarah Jeffrey performing Mozart’s Oboe Concerto, as well as works by CPE Bach, Haydn and Jocelyn Morlock. Friday’s concert is PWYC; Thursday’s open rehearsal is free. For more details on Thursday’s event, check out our listings update below or visit http://groupof27.com/open-rehearsal-at-the-social-innovation-centre/. 

Wednesday April 15

7:30: Plumbing Factory Brass Band. Tsar Trek II - The Sequel. Exploring the best-loved compositions of seven giants of Russian music. Kabalevksy: Comedian's Galop; Shostakovich: Festive Overture; Rimsky-Korsakov: Concerto for Trombone and Band; Tchaikovsky: Finale - Symphony No. 4 in F minor; and others. Plumbing Factory Brass Band; Henry Meredith, director; Myles Skinner, trombone. Byron United Church, London, 420 Boler Rd, London. 519-471-1250. $15; $10(st).

Thursday April 16

8:00: group of 27/The WholeNote. Disquiet - Open Rehearsal. An open community rehearsal for the group of 27’s upcoming concert, with music, lattes and cash bar. Eric Paetkau, director; Sarah Jeffrey, oboe soloist. Centre for Social Innovation Annex, 720 Bathurst St. Free. RSVP online via groupof27.com.

Friday April 17

8:00: Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison. Afrika Djelly Birthday Edition. Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison; Andrea Henry (Sugar Jones); Lesley "Waah Waah" Waldron; Djungle Bouti Orchestra; and others. BlakBird Lounge, 812b Bloor St. W. 416-576-3834. $10.

Saturday April 25

8:00: Michael Gabriel. Michael Gabriel "Strings Attached". Michael Gabriel, singer-songwriter; Trina Nadeau, cello; Karen Spithoff, violin; Caroline Olsen, viola; Sandy Ludwig, piano and percussion; and others. The Pearl Company, 16 Steven St., Hamilton. 905-524-0606. $20.

Friday May 1

7:30: Afiara Quartet. Spin Cycle Pre-Release Party: Afiara Quartet & DJ Skratch Bastid. Pre-release event to celebrate the release of the Afiara Quartet's latest album. 918 Bathurst Centre, 918 Bathurst St. 647-294-6349. $15(adv); $20(door).

Sunday May 3

2:30: Recitals at Rosedale. Wanderlust…There and Back Again. Schumann Mignon/Harper songs and also songs of Schubert, Duparc, Berlioz and traditional folk songs from the British Isles about journeys and coming home. Lucia Cesaroni, soprano; Anthony Cleverton, baritone; Emily D'Angelo, mezzo; Rachel Andrist, piano. Rosedale Presbyterian Church, 129 Mt. Pleasant Rd. 416-921-1931. $35.

Tuesday May 12

1:30: Oakville Opera Guild. The Life of an Opera Singer. Guest: Cassandra Warner, mezzo-soprano. Oakville Central Library, 120 Navy St., Oakville. 905-634-6977. $10 minimum donation. Proceeds towards scholarship awarded annually to a young Canadian singer studying at the U of T Opera Division.

Friday May 29

8:00: Oakville Opera Guild. Friday night meeting. Location, subject and guest artist TBA, Oakville. 905-634-6977. $10 minimum donation. Proceeds towards scholarship awarded annually to a young Canadian singer studying at the U of T Opera Division.

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Ever wanted to immediately hear exactly what our CD reviewers are talking about? The WholeNote is in the process of launching a brand-new online Listening Room, where you can take advantage of enhanced reviews with added features, including the option to listen to sample tracks from reviewed discs.

→ continue to the Listening Room

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Our next issue of HalfTones, Vol 2 No 9, is out on May 14! The next print issue of The WholeNote, covering May 1 to June 7, will be published on Thursday April 30.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!

Summer festival season starts off on the right foot.

With summer on the horizon and the regular concert year beginning to wrap up, the season of music festivals is officially on its way. From special summer music series to outdoor celebrations to partnerships with this year’s Pan Am games, there is sure to be something for everyone -- and from the look of the two major music festivals setting up for the coming weeks, this musical summer will be one to watch.

First of the festival early-birds is the RCM’s annual 21C, a major new music festival that boasts over 21 premieres across 5 days of concerts. With the Royal Conservatory on Bloor St. as home base, 21C’s May 20-24 programming this year pulls out all the stops, with an emphasis on musical collaborations. Internationally-acclaimed Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho makes an appearance as a featured composer and workshop leader, as well as Stewart Copeland of The Police, who joins forces with pianist Jon Kimura Parker for a show of new compositions and refreshing arrangements of well-known works. And of course, who could forget DJ Skratch Bastid -- featured on the cover of our May issue (!) -- who has been working with the Afiara String Quartet and a number of young composers to put a new spin on contemporary music.

Just in case you were thinking that getting tickets to Skratch Bastid and the Afiara Quartet’s show was a lost cause, the RCM has just announced that the concert is moving from Mazzoleni Hall to Koerner Hall, so new seats are sure to have opened up. In addition, The WholeNote has a number of all-access festival passes -- as well as tickets to Saariaho’s concert Light and Matter -- up for grabs for readers! For details, just take a look at our “Prizes” section below.

Following 21C is SING! the Toronto Vocal Arts Festival from May 27 to 31, which will feature all things a cappella. Based in the historic Distillery District (but with concert venues booked throughout the city over the weekend), SING! boasts a schedule jam-packed with workshops and concerts, and an impressive roster of local and international performers. Featured artists this year include award-winning a cappella groups Take 6 (USA) and Rajaton (Finland) as well as choirs and soloists from across the globe. One particularly intriguing concert to catch will be Kristin Hoff’s performance of Ana Sokolović’s intimate opera Love Songs -- those listening will be able to get a preview of Sokolović’s music before the premiere of her Canadian Opera Company commission, La Reine-garçon, which is slated for the COC’s 2019/20 season.

Concert tickets to a number of concerts hosted by the SING! Festival are available for readers of The WholeNote -- just scroll down to our “Prizes” section to apply for your chance to win.

Festival season in Toronto, it seems, will start off with a bang -- and these two are just the beginning of an entire summer of innovative musical programming in and around the city. To stay updated on festivals worth checking out near you, be sure to take a look at The WholeNote’s Green Pages summer festival and event directory, included in our June/July/August issue. 

MULTIMEDIA: MUSIC AND IMAGE

This city seems to thrive with a cross-disciplinary spirit -- and a number of upcoming concerts promise a visually unique, and musically rewarding, multimedia experience.

First up is “The Distance Between,” a show co-presented by Ensemble Polaris and Baroque Music beside the Grange. The event will feature short films by Gabriele Grotto, Liz Gibson-DeGroote, Alicia Harris, Pierre Tremblay, Gerda Cammaer and students at Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts, along with newly-composed and improvised live music by Ensemble Polaris. Each of the films, using footage shot in Iceland, New Zealand, Italy and the south of France, explore the ideas of “home” and “away”. The show is this Saturday, May 16 at 8pm, and seems well worth checking out. Details at http://ensemblepolaris.com/performances/.

Later in the month is Continuum Contemporary Music’s collaborative project with Subtle Technologies, taking place this year at the new location of The Theatre Centre on Queen St. “Collide!” is a cross-disciplinary project that will combine the efforts of Canadian composers, musicians, scientists and artists to explore scientific phenomena. The WholeNote has a pair of tickets to this show up for grabs to readers -- for contest details and more on this concert, check out our “Prizes” section below.

PRIZES, PRIZES

In this issue: Win festival passes and tickets to the RCM’s 21C Festival, tickets to Toronto’s SING! festival, tickets to Continuum Contemporary Music’s multimedia show “Collide!”, a special 4-ticket and dinner package to The Play of Daniel with the Toronto Consort, and tickets to hear Stravinsky and Poulenc’s great chorus+orchestra works in Oakville. Just click on the following links for a chance to win -- feel free to enter all of the contests!

Festival Passes and tickets to the 21C Festival: May 20-24

Tickets to the SING! Festival: May 27-31  

Tickets to Continuum’s “Collide!”: May 28

4-ticket and dinner package to The Play of Daniel: May 24

Tickets to Masterworks of Oakville Chorus and Orchestra: May 23-24

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

The Seven Deadly Sins by the Friends of Gravity, May 22 & 23

A new group breaking into Toronto’s musical theatre scene, The Friends of Gravity present a new production of Die Sieben Todsünden -- The Seven Deadly Sins, with music by Kurt Weill and text by Bertolt Brecht. Billed as “intimately scaled, bold and contemporary in expression”, this will be a cabaret-flavoured arrangement of the originally orchestral score, with silent film taking the place of the original production’s ballet ensemble. Looks like an intriguing start to a promising new company. Details below in our listings, or at http://thefriendsofgravity.org/.

Wednesday May 20

8:30: Zula Presents. Rempis/Johnston/Ochs Trio. Chamber-jazz trio. David Rempis; Darren Johnston; Larry Ochs. The Pearl Company, 16 Steven St.,Hamilton. 905-524-0606. $15; $12(sr/st/un(der)waged.

Friday May 22

8:00: Friends of Gravity. Seven Deadly Sins. Pocket-sized production of Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins. Scott Gabriel, conductor; Stephanie Conn (Anna I & II); Max Christie, clarinet; Branko Džinović, accordion; Joelle Morton, bass. St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, 509 Dundas St. E. 416-700-5914. $25; $20(st). Also May 23.

9:00: Afrika Djelly. "It's All About Da Beat". Music and party in celebration of International Drum Month. Djungle Bouti Orchestra; Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison, director; and others. BlakBird Jaz, 812b Bloor St. W. $10. Doors open at 8:30.

Saturday May 23

8:00: Friends of Gravity. Seven Deadly Sins. Pocket-sized production of Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins. Scott Gabriel, conductor; Stephanie Conn (Anna I & II); Max Christie, clarinet; Branko Džinović, accordion; Joelle Morton, bass. St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, 509 Dundas St. E. 416-700-5914. $25; $20(st). Also May 22.

Monday May 25

8:00: Small World Music. A Nepal Earthquake Relief Benefit. An evening of music to raise funds for Nepal earthquake relief. Autorickshaw; FreePlay Duo; Voices of Asia project; Dorjee Tsering; Justin Gray; and others. Small World Music Centre, Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. 416-536-5439. $20.

Tuesday May 26

8:00: Jazz Bistro. CD Release: Aimée Butcher's "The World Is Alright". Aimée Butcher, vocalist/composer; Chris Pruden, piano; Brandon Wall, guitar; Jeff Deegan, bass; Robin Claxton, drums. 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $15; $10(st).

Friday May 29

7:00: National Presbyterian Museum. Farewell Concert for St. James, Thamesville. Organ pieces, soprano solos, soprano duets and hymns played in the year 1900, the year the church building was opened. Dr. Roger Bergs, organist; Karianne Pasma, soprano; Suzanne Schaafsma, soprano. St. James Presbyterian Church, 29 Ann St.,Thamesville. 519-864-1119. $20(adv); $15(adv, sr/st/underemployed); $5(adv, ages 12-18); free(under 12). At the door, tickets are an additional $5.

Saturday May 30

7:00: Dixie Presbyterian Church. Musical Duets: Classical Masterpieces for the Soul. Works by Brahms, Schubert, Saint-Saens and others. Katsiaryna Khatsko, piano; Lucia Barcari and Danielle Girard, violins; Katerina Utochkina, mezzo-soprano. Dixie Presbyterian Church, 3065 Cawthra Rd., Mississauga.905-277-1620. $10. Followed by refreshments and assorted desserts.

Saturday June 6

7:00: Scola Cantorum. Spring Concert: Choral Extravaganza. Works by Mendelssohn, Bruckner, Kodaly, Vierne, Faure and Franck. Hungarian St Elizabeth Scola Cantorum. St. Elizabeth Of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, 432 Sheppard Ave. E. 416-300-9305. $20; $10(st). Post-concert reception.

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Ever wanted to immediately hear exactly what our CD reviewers are talking about? The WholeNote is in the process of launching a brand-new online Listening Room, where you can take advantage of enhanced reviews with added features, including the option to listen to sample tracks from reviewed discs.

→ continue to the Listening Room

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Even though the next print issue of our magazine will be the last until September, HalfTones will keep you informed throughout the summer! Here are the next issues of HalfTones coming up:

Vol 2 No 10: Wednesday, June 17

Vol 2 No 11: Tuesday July 7

Vol 2 No 12: Tuesday August 11

The special summer print issue of The WholeNote, covering June 1 to September 7, will be on the stands at the beginning of June.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

“NEW YEAR, NEW ME”

Concerts bringing something different to the table for 2016

2015’s days are numbered. As usual, the holiday season means that a new year is right around the corner, and as usual, that means us promises ourselves to do more, struggle less, and be better come January. Maybe it’s naive of us to think that the New Year’s Resolution is still a useful exercise, but if you need some musical inspiration for yours then you’re in luck. In addition to the abundance of holiday concerts and NYE parties this time of year, there are a number of innovative concert presenters that are bringing new ideas to the table. Here’s a few shows where you can celebrate fresh starts, find some peace of mind, or learn something new this January.

If you’re already feeling the need to listen to some non-holiday-themed music and can’t wait until the new year, the Ontario Philharmonic’s show in Oshawa this Saturday December 19 is a good bet. Their program of Mendelssohn and Chopin is classic concert fare, perfect for those who want the holiday earworm out of their head. See http://www.ontariophil.ca/index.php?ID=1 for details.

For an atypical NYE experience, those in Hamilton might want to check out a concert at Melrose United Church. Crystal Journey’s David Hickey will be playing two sets with paiste gongs, vibraphone, santoor and crystal bowls, with a gong to ring in the new year. The show includes tea and vegan snacks, and guests are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats or blankets to lie down on if they wish. Could be a relaxing and family-friendly alternative to the NYE party scene -- for details, visit http://www.crystaljourney.ca/live-performances.

On New Year’s Day, industrious early-musickers Musicians in Ordinary are presenting a matinée show that celebrates famous composers’ own fresh starts. Titled “Opus 1’s,” the show will feature first compositions by Handel, Vivaldi and other baroque composers at Yorkville’s Heliconian Hall. And if you’re busy on the 1st but still want to hear what these musical beginnings sound like, the show is on again the following evening. More info is available at http://www.musiciansinordinary.ca/concerts/heliconian-series/.

On another note, sometimes a new year can mean a fresh perspective on a difficult situation. I FURIOSI plays a concert on January 9, and as usual with their shows, it will be a bold new take on baroque repertoire. UNREQUITED tackles the subject of unrequited love, taking on music about lopsided emotions and hopeless circumstances. Soprano Merry-Anne Stuart and organist Stephanie Martin will join the ensemble for the program. Check out http://ifuriosi.com/concerts/ for details.

Finally, January 11 will be an opportunity to learn about a new approach to music-making, and what it has to offer. Composer Alexander Rapoport has organized “Theremin Meets Piano,” a concert at Gallery 345 that will feature the piano alongside the iconic electronic instrument. Curious concertgoers will also hear theremin player Pamelia Stickney’s demonstration of the instrument, as well as have the chance to try it out themselves. Details at http://www.gallery345.com/performances.php#jan11.

If more standard NYE fare is more what you had in mind, there’s no shortage of other gala events, parties, and concerts scheduled to ring in the new year--for full listings, check out our website or a copy of our December/January issue. In the meantime: happy holidays, WholeNote readers, and here’s hoping for an even happier new year.

DISCOVERIES: RECORDINGS REVIEWED

Two seasonal CDs for your holiday playlist

Just in time for the holidays we’ve received two seasonal delights. Dianne Wells reviews Winter Nights, a Pax Christi Chorale CD of “deeply thought out and sensitive” works by director Stephanie Martin, and a “hilarious” send-up of some Christmas favourites, The Most Wonderful Time… Maybe by local powerhouse vocal jazz trio Broadsway…

Winter Nights - Works by Stephanie Martin     
Pax Christi Chorale; Stephanie Martin
Independent SJM010 (paxchristichorale.org)

Stephanie Martin’s 20th anniversary as artistic director of the Pax Christi Chorale is fittingly honoured by this premiere recording of her own pieces. In addressing modern composition, she elects, in her own words, to “follow Britten’s vision of the ‘holy triangle’ between composer, performer and audience. In an ideal musical triangle, a new piece can satisfy the intellectual needs of the composer, respect the limitations of the performing forces, and move the audience.” The result of this approach is a collection of deeply thought out and sensitive works that harken to the past while maintaining a high degree of originality. The chosen texts are quite stimulating as well, drawing from classical giants such as Tennyson, Campion, Milton and Yeats, biblical texts, as well as offerings from the composer and her most gifted sister, Cori Martin. Rise up my love, my fair one gives a respectful nod to Healey Willan, one of Martin’s forebears at St. Mary Magdalene’s. Her five-movement cantata Winter Nights is a wonderful study of the pleasures and mysteries of the season and the final selection on the disc Now the Queen of Seasons provides a rousing opportunity to celebrate with exuberant organ and the True North Brass.  Of course, as always, the Pax Christi Chorale gives superb performances throughout, in the hands of its consummate conductor.

Dianne Wells

The Most Wonderful Time… Maybe     
Broadsway
Independent BWCD002 (thebroadswayshow.com)       

In the honoured tradition of Fractured Fairy Tales (i.e. The Three Little Pigs from the wolf’s point of view), we have in this recording hilarious send ups of some of the best known and loved Christmas songs. That’s not to say that the multi-talented women of Broadsway, Heather Bambrick, Diane Leah and Julie Michels don’t have their serious moments. Set amongst wacky, reworked renditions of Baby It’s Cold Outside and Most Wonderful Time of the Year are some pretty heartfelt renderings of quieter songs like Gordon Lightfoot’s Song for a Winter’s Night and Corlynn Hanney’s Christmas Angel. The singing and especially the harmonies are gorgeous and enhanced by a few excellent players. Colleen Allen delivers stunning saxophone solos while a solid foundation is provided by bassists George Koller and Michael McClennan with percussionists Davide DiRenzo and Tom Jestadt. There are a number of clever medleys on the recording featuring quite innovative intertwinings of tunes, especially in Jingle Bells/Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree which adds snippets of Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Deck the Halls, some at breakneck speed. And that’s not all; as an added bonus, the women deliver some pretty convincing chipmunk impressions with Christmas Don’t Be Late.

Dianne Wells

Correction from Vol 21 No 4:

A Conversation Piece

Dr. Réa Beaumont

Shrinking Planet Productions SPP0090 (reabeaumont.com)

A Listening Room print advertisement for pianist Dr Réa Beaumont's CD "A Conversation Piece" should have appeared in December/January's combined edition of The WholeNote, and we regret the error. Readers who would like to enjoy the enhanced review of Dr. Beaumont's CD should click here: http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/booksrecords2/editorscorner/25581-editor-s-corner-september-2015. Listening Room enhanced reviews include clicks to listen and clicks to buy.

Speaking of records, if you haven’t already you should take a look at Ori Dagan’s column VINYL REVIVAL (http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/beatcolumns-sp-2121861476/intheclubsjazz2/25775-vinyl-revival), for tips on records, and on how, where and what to buy in Toronto. And if records interest you, keep an eye on our Twitter page @TheWholeNote this Friday -- where you might have the chance to win some exclusive record-related prizes. We’ll say no more for now!

PRIZES, PRIZES!

Exclusive contests from The WholeNote

IN THIS ISSUE: Chances to win tickets to hear the Talisker Players in concert or receive free-of-charge entry into a Music Appreciation course at the RCM--plus some hints on how to win other special prizes exclusive to WholeNote readers.

Follow the links below to enter:

Talisker Players: High Standards, Sunday January 10

The Royal Conservatory: Music Appreciation Course of your choice, January-June

Plus, a correction and a reminder about another contest that we run every month:

Who IS February's Child?

In the Dec/Jan print edition we neglected to say HOW you can enter our regular contest "We Are ALL Music's Children". See If you know who it is in the mystery photo! You can take another look at the clues here, in the right-hand column: http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/musical-life/whoismusicalchild

To enter your name in a draw for some great prizes (tickets and recordings) please send your best guess by email to musicschildren@thewholenote.com by January 25, 2016.

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: THE MUMMERS’ MASQUE, DEC 17-19

For an alternative yet still-festive option amidst a season of Christmas concerts, check out the Toronto Masque Theatre’s production of “The Mummers’ Masque” December 17 to 19. Billed as a ‘Newfoundland Christmas Kitchen Party,” the show will be a celebratory combo of music, dance and storytelling in Toronto’s Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. The show will carry on a 400-year-old Newfoundland holiday tradition, and promises more of the innovative work that we’ve come to expect from TMT. For details on the show, check our listings below or visit http://www.torontomasquetheatre.com/node/40.

Other new/corrected December/January concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

CONCERTS

Dec 17 12:15: St. George's Cathedral (Kingston). Advent Concert. Works by Mendelssohn, Grieg and Holst. Valery Lloyd-Watts and Clare Gordon, pianos. 270 King St. E., Kingston. 613-548-4617. Freewill offering.

Dec 18 8:30: Zula Music & Arts Collective Hamilton. Samuel Blaser Quartet plus Dave Gould. Samuel Blaser Quartet; Dave Gould, percussive strings. Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, 51 Stuart St., Hamilton. 905-522-3003. $15; $12(adv/st). CANCELLED.

Dec 19 2:00: Toronto Masque Theatre. Mummer's Masque. Carla Huhtanen (St. George); Marion Newman (Rival Knight/Dragon); Christopher Mayell (Princess Zebra); Giles Tomkins (Father Christmas); step dancers; children's choir; jug band; and others. Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, 106 Trinity St. 416-410-4561. $50; $43(sr); $20(30 and under). Also Dec 17, 18, 19(8pm).

Dec 19 7:30: Niagara Symphony Orchestra. Home for the Holidays. Joey DeBenedetto, vocals; Katie Kerr, vocals; Bradley Thachuk, conductor. FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722. $64; $59(sr); $32(30 and under); $14(st); $12(child); $5(EyeGo). Also Jan 20(2:30).

Dec 20 2:00: Quinte Symphony Orchestra. A Quinte Christmas. Beethoven: Symphony No.5; Christmas sing-along. Dan Tremblay, conductor. Centennial Secondary School, 160 Palmer Rd, Belleville. 613-967-3970. $25; $20(sr); $10(st); free(child).

Dec 31 8:30: Crystal Journey. In Concert. Paiste gongs, vibraphone, santoor and crystal bowls. Melrose United Church, 86 Homewood Ave.,Hamilton. 905-928-9706. $25. Includes tea and vegan treat. Child care available. Chairs will be provided or bring your own yoga mat or blanket.

Jan 06 6:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Cantatas in the Cathedral. Bach: Canata "Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen", BWV123; and organ works. Teresa Mahon, soprano; Simon Honeyman, countertenor; Asitha Tennekoon, tenor; James Baldwin, bass; David Briggs, organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865. PWYC. All donations go directly to the artists.

Jan 10 4:00: Church of St. Mary Magdalene. Organ music for the octave of Epiphany. Andrew Adair, organ. Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto), 477 Manning Ave. 416-531-7955. Free.

Jan 23 8:00: Guitar Society of Toronto. Classical Guitarist Paolo Martelli. Works by Bach on an 11-string guitar, Assad, Bellinati, and others. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-964-8298. $30; $25(sr/st).

Feb 07 4:00: Church of St. Mary Magdalene. Organ music by Felix Mendelssohn. Andrew Adair, organ. Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto), 477 Manning Ave. 416-531-7955. Free.

MAINLY CLUBS, MOSTLY JAZZ

Dec 17 7:00. The Jerry Cans. The Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. $15/$12.50(adv) at www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/10255

Dec 18 6:00. Guy Moreau, vocals; Kevin Barrett, guitar; Carrie Chestnutt, sax.120 Diner, 120 Church St. 416) 792-7725 or advance tickets at moreau.guy@gmail.com.

Dec 18 8:30. Foggy Hogtown Boys Christmas @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $25/$22.50(adv)

Dec 19 4:00. York Jazz Ensemble with vocalists George Westerholm & Beverly Taft. Swing & jazz & blues. Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Rd. 416-489-7931. $10 cover

Dec 20 12_noon. The Ault Sisters Xmas Matinee. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604. $22.50/$20(adv); $10(child).

Dec 23 8:30. Have A Bluesy Xmas with Paul DesLauriers Band, Jerome Godboo & Selena Evangeline. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604. $30/$25(adv)

Dec 30 8:30. Suzie Vinnick. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604. $25/$22.50(adv)

Dec 31 9:30. New Years Eve @ Hugh’s Room with Chris Whiteley, Diana Braithwaite & Sam Broverman. 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604. $50/$45(adv).

Dec 31 10:00. Jeanine Mackie Band. The Jazz Bistro. 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $150. Dinner package includes 5-course gourmet dinner, live entertainment, party favours and champagne at midnight

Jan 6 8:30. Alex Pangman & Kevin Clark. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604. $30/$25(adv)

Jan 9 8:30. Joanna Chapman-Smith. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $20/$18(adv)

Jan 17 2:00. Beverly Taft (vocals) with David Restivo (piano). Jazz, bossa, blues & originals. Morgans on the Danforth, 1282 Danforth Ave. 416-461-3020. No cover

Jan 31 4:30. Beverly Taft (vocals) with Nathan Hiltz (guitar) and Artie Roth (bass). Jazz originals, bossa and blues. The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St. 416-961-9425. No cover.

MUSIC THEATRE

Dec 17 7:30. Lower Ossington Theatre. Avenue Q. Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Book by Jeff Whitty. Directed by Seanna Kennedy. 100A Ossington Ave. 416-915-6747. $49.99–$59.99. Until Jan 10. Start times vary.

Dec 17 7:30. Lower Ossington Theatre. Jesus Christ Superstar. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Tim Rice. Directed by Alan Kinsella. 100A Ossington Ave. $49.99–$59.99. 416-915-6747. Until Jan 17. Start times vary.

Jan 15 8:00. Hart House Theatre. Into the Woods. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine. Directed by Jeremy Hutton. Musical Direction by Giustin MacLean. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Cir, Toronto. 416-978-8849. $28; $17(sr); $15(st); $12(st on Wed). Until Jan 30. Start times vary.

FILM SCREENINGS

Dec 29 2:00 pm. Living Arts Centre. Opera Film Series: Le Nozze di Figaro - Opera Film Series. David McVicar, stage director; Ivor Bolton, conductor; Erwin Schrott (bass) Figaro; Anita Hartig (soprano) Susanna. 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. $20

GROUP MEETINGS

Jan 8 7:30 CAMMAC Recorder Players’ Society. Amateur recorder players are invited to join in the playing of early music. Mount Pleasant Road Baptist Church, 527 Mount Pleasant Rd. 416-597-0485 or cammac.ca  $15 (non-members). Refreshments included.

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY THIS FRIDAY

Keep your eyes peeled on Twitter this Friday, because @TheWholeNote will be making a special announcement about a chance to win some pretty great prizes...a MUST if you are a music lover or vinyl aficionado! We’ll say no more until then, though...

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 5, will be out on Monday, January 11, 2016. Our current print issue is a special DOUBLE ISSUE covering December 1-February 7; the February print issue will be on the stands at the end of January.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

TIME OF TRANSITIONS

Music to get you out of the post-holiday slump

The holiday season may be over, but the winter season is far from finished. Post-holiday blues can hit hard this time of year, as it’s back to work for most of us--and the slump at the start of the year can be found on our concert calendars as well, with shows taking shape slowly as ensembles return to rehearsals. Concerts take time to prep, and the interim can have would-be concertgoers feeling like the new year is off to a slow start.

Spring weather and sunny days may still be a long way away, but in the intervening weeks there are still some quick-on-the-draw ensembles with exciting musical offerings. Whether they feature wintertime classics, look forward towards the spring or just provide some musical food for thought, here are some January shows to help you cast off the old year and think ahead to bigger and better things.

This month, Ensemble Polaris is innovative as ever with a program set to ease you smoothly out of the holiday mindset. “Santa’s Gone Home!” on January 27 at Saint Bartholomew’s Anglican Church is the ensemble’s winter concert, and promises a lot more than your average Christmas carols. The program is made up of tunes from Canada, Scandinavia and Appalachia, plus some other surprises--one of which is explained only as “a tad of Nutcracker Nouveau”. If you haven’t yet had the chance to experience Ensemble Polaris’ eclectic instrumentation and “North-inspired” musical mandate (http://ensemblepolaris.com/about/), now is the time. The show will also be repeated on January 31 at 3pm, at Heliconian Hall. Details on both shows in our listings at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/listings/concertsgta.

The TSO has just returned from a tour to Florida--lucky--but they’re still prolific as ever, with a Mozart festival on the horizon. Mozart@260, January 15 to 23, is an annual event, and this year’s festival features the Jupiter Symphony and D-minor Requiem. The symphony will be paired with excerpts from Don Giovanni and Mozart’s “Jeunehomme” Piano Concerto, played by Alexandre Tharaud. The Requiem concerts also look promising for Mozart fans, where Mozart’s final work will be presented as a semi-staged production. Details on the festival at http://www.tso.ca/en-ca/concerts-and-tickets/2015-2016-Season/Subscription-Series/Mozart-at-260-Festival/Mozart-at-260-Festival.aspx.

Looking forward--you can get a preview of the end of Tafelmusik’s 2016 season on Saturday, January 16, at the final round of the first-ever Tafelmusik Vocal Competition. Starting at 1pm at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, nine singers will compete for three winning spots. The three winners--one each of alto, tenor and bass--will perform Zelenka’s Missa omnium sanctorum in Tafelmusik’s final concerts of the season. Admission to listen to the competition on Saturday is free--for details, check out http://www.tafelmusik.org/education/tafelmusik-vocal-competition.

SOUNDS/SIGHTS

Multimedia projects in the city this month

For those who like watching music-making as much as listening to it, a number of upcoming projects may spark your visual (and musical) interest. Starting this Wednesday at the Four Seasons Centre is Opera: Faces & Words--a photography exhibit that presents portraits of opera singers alongside a selection of lyrics that they find personally meaningful. The same project will be repeated with the same singers at 5-year intervals, with the aim of capturing their growth as people and performers as time passes. From January 13 to February 27, the Four Seasons Centre will display a portion of this project, which will feature six members and graduates of the COC Ensemble Studio--Lauren Segal, Allyson McHardy, Jacqueline Woodley, Andrew Haji, Charlotte Burrage, and Karine Boucher. For details on the exhibit, visit http://www.operafacesandwords.com/.

Also on this month is Century Song, a song/dance/film/projected art hybrid presented by Volcano Theatre, in collaboration with Crooked Figure Dances and the Moveable Beast Collective. The show is soprano Neema Bickersteth’s interpretation (alongside director Ross Manson and choreographer Kate Alton) of 100 years of women’s identities, set to 100 years of music by Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, John Cage, Georges Aperghis, and Reza Jacobs. All this to say that it looks to be a powerful production, whether it’s the music, the visuals or the story that brings you there. The show runs at the Theatre Centre’s Progress Festival from January 19 to 23, as part of a cross-Canada festival circuit--consider catching it then. Details at http://volcano.ca/production/century-song/.

Finally, while not multimedia, strictly speaking, a concert on January 18 by the Associates of the TSO deserves an honourable mention. “Colours in Music: Composers with Synaesthesia” features chamber music by well-known composers who have also identified in some way as synesthetes. It has piano and string works by Liszt, Sibelius, Messiaen, Duke Ellington and Amy Beach on the program, and seems like a promising show. More info on this concert and on the Associates of the TSO can be found at http://www.associates-tso.org/5small.html.

PRIZES, PRIZES!

Free tickets to the COC’s Siegfried

IN THIS ISSUE: The Ring is back. The second half of the COC’s 2015/16 season opens with Siegfried, part three of Wagner’s four-part cycle. Click here for a chance to win free tickets.

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: ONE NIGHT ONLY: THE GREATEST MUSICAL NEVER WRITTEN, January 27 to February 14

From January 27 to February 14, the Factory Theatre is host to ONE NIGHT ONLY: THE GREATEST MUSICAL NEVER WRITTEN. This two-act musical comedy is completely improvised, dictated by audience suggestions, bringing together local improvisers and sketch comedy performers to create a brand new musical every performance. The music-meets-comedy production stars Canadian Comedy Award-winners alongside singers Miriam Drysdale and Kevin Vidal--and hints at a special guest appearance by Colin Mochrie. For details on the show, look at our listings below or visit https://www.factorytheatre.ca/what-s-on/one-night-only/.

Other new/corrected January concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

CONCERTS

Friday January 15

7:30: The Royal Conservatory. Tony Yike Yang and Charles Richard-Hamelin. Chopin piano works performed by International Chopin Competition medallists. Mazzoleni Concert Hall, Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208. $50.

Saturday January 16

8:00: Acoustic Harvest. A Pre-Winterfolk Showcase. Brian Gladstone, Tony Quarrington, HOTCHA!, David Storey, and others. St. Nicholas Anglican Church, 1512 Kingston Rd. $25(door); $22(adv).

Sunday January 17

2:00: Living Arts Centre. Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci - Opera Film Series. Film screenings of two Italian operas, in a production by the Royal Opera under Antonio Pappano. 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. $20.

Tuesday January 19

12:00: Department of Music, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. RBC Foundation - Music @ Noon. Faculty Recital: Patricia Dydnansky, flute. Cairns Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722. Free.

Thursday January 21

12:00: University of Guelph. Thursday at Noon - Faculty Showcase. Goldschmidt Room, 107 MacKinnon Bldg., 50 Stone Rd. E., Guelph. 519-824-4120 x52991. Free.

2:00: Orchardviewers. A Concert of Newfoundland. Toronto Public Library, Northern District, 40 Orchard View Blvd. 416-393-7610.

Friday January 22

7:30: Department of Music, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. ENCORE! Professional Concert Series presents: Canadian Guitar Quartet. Partridge Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722. $29; $23(sr/st); $5(eyeGo).

Saturday January 23

7:00: Hart House. Chamber Strings Pop Concert. Original singer-songwriter compositions and popular music. Hart House Great Hall, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-2452. Free.

8:00: Music Gallery/AIMToronto. Adam Rudolph - Go: Organic. Adam Rudolph, direction; SlowPitch, electronics/turntables; Tova Kardonne, vocals; Zoe Alexis-Abrams, vocals; Jackson Welchner, vocals, and others. Music Gallery, 197 John St. 416-204-1080. $20; $15(adv); $10(members). Pre-concert interview by Nilan Perera at 7:15pm.

Sunday January 24

2:00: Canzona Chamber Players. TRIO INK. Works by Mozart, Bach and Brahms. Yosuke Kawasaki, violin; Wolfram Koessel, cello; Vadim Serebryany, piano. St. Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church, Cibola Ave.,Toronto Island. 416-822-0613. $20. Also Jan 25 at the Music Gallery.

Monday January 25

7:30: Canzona Chamber Players. TRIO INK. Works by Mozart, Bach and Brahms. Yosuke Kawasaki, violin; Wolfram Koessel, cello; Vadim Serebryany, piano. St. George the Martyr Church, 197 John St. 416-822-0613. $20. Also Jan 24 on Toronto Island.

Tuesday January 26

12:00: Department of Music, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. RBC Foundation - Music @ Noon. Faculty Recital: Tim White, trumpet and Lesley Kingham, piano. Cairns Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722. Free.

Wednesday January 27

12:30: University of Waterloo Department of Music. Noon Hour Concerts: Everett Hopfner: Sounds Like Canada. Enns: Piano Sonata No. 1; and other Canadian works. Everett Hopfner, piano. Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd. N., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24226. Free.

8:00: Factory Theatre. One Night Only: The Greatest Musical Never Written. Two-act improvised musical comedy, dictated by audience suggestions. 125 Bathurst St. . $32.40-$60.65. Also Jan 28, 29, 30, 31(mat), Feb 2, 3, 4, 5, 6(mat/eve), 7(mat), 9, 10, 11, 12, 13(mat/eve), 14(mat).

Thursday January 28

12:00: University of Guelph. Thursday at Noon - A Feast for the Ears. Sheila Dietrich, soprano. Goldschmidt Room, 107 MacKinnon Bldg., 50 Stone Rd. E., Guelph. 519-824-4120 x52991. Free.

Sunday January 31

2:00: Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. HCA Concert Series presents: André Laplante. Schubert: Sonata in A major D 664; Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales and Sonatine; Liszt: Ballade No.2 in b; Chopin: Nocturne. Op.62 No.1in B; Polonaise Fantasy in A-flat. 126 James St. S, Hamilton. 905-528-4020. $15-$27.

2:00: Pocket Concerts. Mendelssohn in Cabbagetown. A living room concert with music, food and wine. Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in c; and others. Emily Rho, piano; Aaron Schwebel, violin; Britton Riley, cello. 647-896-8295. $45; $30(age 19-35); $15(under 18). The exact address will be provided when tickets are purchased.

7:00: Melos Choir and Period Instruments. Baroque Idol. Final competition round for local young singers performing baroque music. St. George's Cathedral (Kingston), 270 King St. E., Kingston. 613-767-7245. $10.

Tuesday February 2

12:00: Department of Music, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. RBC Foundation - Music @ Noon. Recital: Voice Students. Cairns Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722. Free.

Wednesday February 3

12:30: University of Waterloo Department of Music. Noon Hour Concerts: Music of the Future. Eric Ross, theremin; Mary Ross, video art. Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd. N., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24226. Free.

8:00: Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society. Penderecki String Quartet. Beethoven: Op.18, No.2; Schubert: Impromptus, D899; Louis Vierne: Piano Quintet in c, Op.42. Penderecki String Quartet; Leopoldo Erice, piano. KWCMS Music Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673. $35; $20(st).

Thursday February 4

12:00: University of Guelph. Thursday at Noon - Music from the Future. Multimedia Concept Boulevard d'Reconstructie (Op. 54). Eric and Mary Ross. Goldschmidt Room, 107 MacKinnon Bldg., 50 Stone Rd. E., Guelph. 519-824-4120 x52991. Free.

Friday February 5

8:00: group of 27. Beauty Packs a Punch Basket. Finzi: A Severn Rhapsody, Op.3; Lalo: Aubades; Dubois: Cavatine for Horn; Massenet: Valse Tres Lente; Frehner: Apollo X. Gabe Radford, horn; Nadina Mackie Jackson, bassoon. Centre for Social Innovation, 720 Bathurst St. 416-323-1292. $30; $25(st); $10(under 18). $5 off when you buy your ticket in advance online.

MAINLY CLUBS, MOSTLY JAZZ

Friday January 15

9:00: Jazz at Oscar's. Jazz Night - Sarah Jerrom. Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. Free.

10:00: Kevin Morris. The Man I Love. Cabaret featuring songs about men in love with men. Works by Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, Nina Simone, and others. Kevin Morris, vocals; Chris Tsujiuchi, keyboard and vocals; Matthew Karaś, bass; Robert Purcell, drums. Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St. 416-975-8555. $20(door); $15(adv).

Saturday January 16

1:00: Tafelmusik. Tafelmusik Vocal Competition. Final round of the inaugural Tafelmusik Vocal Competition. Baroque arias by Handel, Bach and Zelenka. Nine vocal soloists; Christopher Bagan, harpsichord and organ. Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-964-9562 x221. Free.

Sunday January 17

2:00: Beverly Taft. Beverly Taft. Jazz, bossa, blues and originals. Beverly Taft, vocals; David Restivo, piano. Morgans on the Danforth, 1282 Danforth Ave. 416-461-3020. No cover.

Friday January 22

8:30: Hugh's Room. Poor Angus. Original and traditional Scottish, Irish and East Coast themed pieces. 2261 Dundas St. W.416-531-6604. $25(door); $22.50(adv).

9:00: Jazz at Oscar's. Jazz Night - Sam Broverman. Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. Free.

Friday January 29

9:00: Jazz at Oscar's. Jazz Night - Mark Kazakevich. Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. Free.

Sunday January 31

4:30: Beverly Taft. Beverly Taft. Jazz, bossa, blues and originals. Beverly Taft, vocals; Nathan Hiltz, guitar; Artie Roth, bass. The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St. 416-961-9425. No cover.

Friday February 5

9:00: Jazz at Oscar's. Jazz Night - Harley Card. Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. Free.

ETCs

Wednesday January 20

7:30: Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir. Call for Members/Open Rehearsal. Guests welcome to meet the choir, sing along or just listen. Dewi Sant Church, 33 Melrose Ave. 905-474-6045. Free.

Wednesday January 27

6:00: Istituto Italiano di Cultura. International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2016. Literature and music dedicated to Italian-Jewish writer and chemist Primo Levi. Excerpts from Primo Levi’s literary work “If This is a Man” read by actor Michael A. Miranda; Musical intermissions featuring classic Klezmer repertoire performed by Robbie Grunwald, pianist and Drew Jurecka, violinist. Alliance Francaise Theatre, 24 Spadina Rd. 416-921-3802 x221. Free.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 6, will be out on Thursday, February 11, 2016. Our current print issue is a special DOUBLE ISSUE covering December 1-February 7; the February print issue will be on the stands at the end of the month.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

WHOLENOTE NEWS: “JUST ASK LUDWIG”!

TheWholeNote.com has a new look!

We’ve been busy these past few months giving our website a little makeover. The new site gives you all of the latest feature stories at a glance, plus easy access to columns and record reviews. Our goal is to make things clean, simple and easy to read and find.

Most exciting development so far is that we are testing a special new feature called ASK LUDWIG to help you do the one thing you can’t in our print issues--search and filter the listings according to such factors as date range, geographic zone, keywords in the listings themselves, and your particular musical interests. (In case you were wondering, LUDWIG stands for Listings Utility Database for WholeNote Information Gathering.) ASK LUDWIG allows for inquiries to the database directly from our website and we are very excited by its potential to change the way you use our listings to plan your concert-going schedule. Want to see only the choral concerts happening in Niagara region this month? Just ask LUDWIG. Want to search only for concerts in downtown Toronto this week that feature something by Beethoven? LUDWIG can save you a ton of page-turning or scrolling. Check it out for yourself at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/listings/ask-ludwig. And if you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we want to hear them. Get in touch at systems@thewholenote.com to tell us what you’re thinking.

So, here’s to what our musical future holds, and thanks for coming along for the ride!

- The WholeNote team

THE IDEA OF NORTH

Scandinavian artists in Toronto this month

It’s not often that we get to connect with our fellow northerners on the other side of the Atlantic. The coming weeks, however, offer plenty of opportunity for just that, as Scandinavian performers figure prominently in the listings this month.

Swedish a cappella group Kongero will be travelling to Toronto to headline a concert at Lula Lounge next Tuesday. The show is a fundraiser and teaser for this year’s SING! Toronto Vocal Arts Festival, which will run this year from May 4 to 15. Taking inspiration from traditional Swedish music and folk song, the four vocalists who make up Kongero have cultivated a unique sound, and have the vocal chops to pull off something impressive next week. Local group Countermeasure will also perform at the concert. Give Kongero’s music a listen at http://www.kongero.se/index.php/en/music, and visit http://www.lula.ca/events/2016/feb/sing.html to find out more about the event.

Also Toronto-bound is 29-year-old Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang, who will make her local debut in a recital at Koerner Hall on March 2. A student of Anne-Sophie Mutter, Frang was catapulted to international fame after being named the Credit Suisse Young Artist of the Year in 2012. She’ll appear at Koerner in a program featuring works by Schubert, Fauré and Lutoslawski, with Michail Lifits at the piano. Frang’s show was one of WholeNote editor Paul Ennis’ top classical picks for the coming month--to check out his take on Frang and her upcoming recital, read on here: http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/beatcolumns-sp-2121861476/classical-and-beyond/25853-frang-and-skride-in-local-debuts. For concert details, visit http://performance.rcmusic.ca/event/frang_lifits.

Finally, a month away but still of note is Mooredale Concerts’ two matinee shows on March 13, which mark the Canadian debut of Denmark’s Ensemble MidtVest. Comprising a string quartet, a wind quintet and a piano, the musicians of Ensemble MidtVest are known for their captivating interpretations of mixed-instrumental chamber music. They’ll be performing as part of Mooredale’s mainstage series at 3:15pm, as well as appearing earlier in the afternoon 1:15pm in a “Music and Truffles” concert for children aged 5-11. All the details at https://www.mooredaleconcerts.com/event/ensemble-midtvest-canadian-debut/.

PRIZES, PRIZES!

IN THIS ISSUE: Chances to win tickets to hear the Talisker Players in concert; Tafelmusik in its “Best of Mozart” program; Soundstreams’ presentation of the music of James Macmillan; and the COC’s latest production: The Marriage of Figaro.

Follow the links below to enter:

Canadian Opera Company: The Marriage of Figaro, Wednesday February 17

Tafelmusik: The Best of Mozart, Friday February 26

Talisker Players: Spirit Dreaming, Tuesday March 1

Soundstreams: The Music of James MacMillan, Tuesday March 8

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: XIA QUARTET AT SEICHO-NO-IE, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13

“Start with a stunning acoustic, and a gorgeous building in a part of town where you might not expect to hear classical music.” That’s TSO bassist Tim Dawson’s description of Seicho-No-Ie, a Japanese non-denominational centre of worship near Victoria Park subway station. He’s been planning a chamber music series there for three years now, and the third concert of the venue’s 2015/16 season is this Saturday. The hour-long concert will feature the XIA Quartet: Robert Uchida, concertmaster for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, alongside violinist Shane Kim, violist Theresa Rudolph and cellist Joseph Johnson of the TSO. If you don’t have plans yet for this Saturday, here’s one to mark on your calendar. Details in our listings below.

Other new/corrected February concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

Thursday February 11

7:00: The Music Gallery. Music Gallery Fundraiser: 1976: Our 40th Birthday Party. Fundraiser with a "1976" theme. Silent auction, new music trivia, and music of the 1970s. Music Gallery, 197 John St. 416-204-1080. $20(adv).

Friday February 12

8:00: John Kameel Farah. Music for Organ and Synthesizers. Minimalistic and maximalistic cosmos-themed compositions and improvisations featuring synthesizers, keyboards and the pipe organ. Grace Toronto Church, 383 Jarvis St.. Entry by donation. Suggested donation: $10.

Saturday February 13

3:00: Seicho-No-Ie Toronto/Tim Dawson. XIA Quartet. XIA Quartet: Robert Uchida, violin; Shane Kim, violin; Theresa Rudolph, viola; Joseph Johnson, cello. Seicho-No-Ie Toronto, 662 Victoria Park Ave. . $20; free(12 and under). A non-perishable food donation is also appreciated.

8:00: Theatre Ancaster. Love Notes...With a Twist. 11th annual Valentine's show. Cabaret-style show featuring a variety of songs, from romantic ballads to upbeat rock. Tracy Cain, voice; Adrian Gorrissen; voice; Sarah Jones, voice; Linda Davis, voice; Splendour in the Brass; and others. Old Firehall Arts Centre, 334 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. 905-304-SHOW (7469). $27; $24(sr); $12(st). Also February 14.

8:30: Hugh's Room. Jackie Richardson & Micah Barnes – A Jazz Valentine. 2261 Dundas St. W.416-531-6604. $28(adv)/$32(door). Also February 14.

Sunday February 14

2:00: Theatre Ancaster. Love Notes...With a Twist. 11th annual Valentine's show. Cabaret-style show featuring a variety of songs, from romantic ballads to upbeat rock. Tracy Cain, voice; Adrian Gorrissen; voice; Sarah Jones, voice; Linda Davis, voice; Splendour in the Brass; and others. Old Firehall Arts Centre, 334 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. 905-304-SHOW (7469). $27; $24(sr); $12(st). Also February 13.

8:30: Hugh's Room. Jackie Richardson & Micah Barnes – A Jazz Valentine. 2261 Dundas St. W.416-531-6604. $28(adv)/$32(door). Also February 13.

Monday February 15

10:00am: Westben Arts Festival Theatre. Family Day Concert with Andrew Queen & Campfire Crew. A sing-along concert for all ages. Clock Tower Cultural Centre, 36 Front St. S., Campbellford. 705-653-5508 or 1-877-883-5777. PWYC. All proceeds go towards Westben Youth Programming.

Wednesday February 17

7:30: Casa Loma. A Stradivarius for the People. Matteo Fedeli, violin; Emilio de Mercato, piano. 1 Austin Terrace. 416-923-1171 or 647-725-1841. $55. Fedeli will play a violin made by Antonio Stradivari in 1715.

7:30: Matapa World Music Series. Kongero - Swedish Folk'appella! Kongero (Swedish a cappella ensemble). Hamilton Spectator Auditiorium, 44 Frid St., Hamilton. 289-396-9906. $25; $20(sr/st).

8:00: Harbourfront Centre. Badke. Palestinian dance and music. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. $54; $15(st).

8:30: Hugh's Room. Jane Siberry. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $35(adv); $40(door).

Friday February 19

7:00: Denis Schingh. In Concert. Music by Erik Satie, Chick Corea, Weather Report, Supertramp, and others. Paintbox Bistro, 555 Dundas St. E. $10.

Saturday February 20

10:00am: Westben Arts Festival Theatre. Saturday Morning Tunes with Andrew Queen & Campfire Crew. An interactive storytelling concert with stories, songs, an art activity and snacks. Clock Tower Cultural Centre, 36 Front St. S.,Campbellford. 705-653-5508 or 1-877-883-5777. $5 per child. Parents and caregivers are free. Recommended for ages 4-8. Pre-registration required. Free CD with pre-registration.

7:30: Niagara Symphony Orchestra. POPS! 3: Oscar's Score Book. Music from classic movies. Music from The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Titanic, Chariots of Fire, Star Wars, and others. Stephanie Martin, voice; Gavin Hope, voice; Jeans ‘n Classics Band. Partridge Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722 or 1-855-515-0722. $64; $59(sr); $32(30 and under); $14(st); $12(15 and under); $5(eyeGO). Also February 21(mat).

8:30: Hugh's Room. Music of Burt Bacharach. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $27.50(adv); $30(door).

Sunday February 21

1:30: Westben Arts Festival Theatre. Westben Ceildh Kitchen Party Fundraiser. A fundraiser celebrating Celtic music, poetry, food and drink. Music by Kilt Trip with Pat Mctaggart, Luke Mercier, Andy Thompson, Jana Reid; and guests. Clock Tower Cultural Centre, 36 Front St. S., Campbellford. 705-653-5508 or 1-877-883-5777. $25-$50 plus tax. Doors open at 1:30pm with a scotch tasting from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.

2:30: Niagara Symphony Orchestra. POPS! 3: Oscar's Score Book. Music from classic movies. Music from The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Titanic, Chariots of Fire, Star Wars, and others. Stephanie Martin, voice; Gavin Hope, voice; Jeans ‘n Classics Band. Partridge Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722 or 1-855-515-0722. $64; $59(sr); $32(30 and under); $14(st); $12(15 and under); $5(eyeGO). Also February 20(eve).

Monday February 22

7:30: Associates of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Winds of the 20th Century. Nielsen: Wind Quintet; Françaix: Sixtour; Janáček: Mládí ("Youth") Suite for Wind Sextet. Leonie Wall, flute; Sarah Jeffrey, oboe; Joseph Orlowski, clarinet; Amy Zoloto, bass clarinet; Gabriel Radford, horn; Samuel Banks, bassoon. Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-282-6636. $20; $17(sr/st).

Tuesday February 23

7:00: Jazz Bistro. Avery Raquel Quartet. 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $10.

Wednesday February 24

8:00: Toronto Blues Society. Andria Simone & Some of Those Guys. Graham Mallany, guitar; Mark Wilson, bass. 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $10.

Thursday February 25

8:30: Hugh's Room. David Francey CD Release. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $30(adv); $35(door). Also February 26.

Friday February 26

8:30: Hugh's Room. David Francey CD Release. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $30(adv); $35(door). Also February 25.

Saturday February 27

8:30: Hugh's Room. Gregg Lawless. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $25(adv); $30(door).

Sunday February 28

3:00: Chorus Hamilton. In Concert. Orff: Carmina Burana. Chorus Hamilton; Fanshawe Chorus London; David Holler, direction; Erika Reiman, piano; and others. Christ Church Cathedral, 252 James St. N., Hamilton. 905-318-9381. $25; $20(sr/st).

3:00: La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra. In the Spotlight 2016. Works by Bach, Mozart, Massenet, Schubert and Bruch. Port Hope United Church, 34 South St., Port Hope. 1-866-460-LJYO (5596). $20; $15(st); free(12 and under).

Monday February 29

8:00: Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts. "Bakuon": Legend of the Heartbeat. Taiko performance by YAMATO the Drummers of Japan, as part of their 2015/16 world tour. 88 Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090 or 1-800-265-0710. $49; $20(st); $5(eyeGO). Also March 1 at 12 noon.

7:30: Toronto Masque Theatre. A Passage to India. Salon event with a behind-the-scenes look at Toronto Masque Theatre's upcoming commission, The Man Who Married Himself. The Atrium, 21 Shaftesbury Ave. 416-410-4561. $20.

8:30: Hugh's Room. Simon Townshend. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $20(adv); $22.50(door).

Tuesday March 1

12:00: Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts. "Bakuon": Legend of the Heartbeat. Taiko performance by YAMATO the Drummers of Japan, as part of their 2015/16 world tour. 88 Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090 or 1-800-265-0710. $49; $20(st); $5(eyeGO). Also February 29(eve).

Friday March 4

3:00: Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. Music Ed Plus Vocal & Woodwind Chamber Ensemble. FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre lobby, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-5550. Free.

8:00: Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra. The Bold and the Beautiful. Shostakovich: Festive Overture; Chopin: Piano Concerto; Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture; music by the winner of the Young Composer's Competition. David Jalbert, piano. Martingrove Collegiate Institute, 50 Winterton Dr., Etobicoke. 416-239-5665. $30; $25(sr); $15(st).

8:00: KWCMS. Jeremy Bell, violin; Shoshana Telner, piano. Grieg: Violin Sonata no. 1; Beethoven: Sonata no. 7 in c (op. 30 no. 3); Robert Ward: Lamentation and Scherzo; Alkan: Le Festin d'Aesop. KWCMS Music Room, 57 Young St. W.,Waterloo. 519-886-1673. $30; $20(st).

Saturday March 5

7:00: Ryerson Community Concert Series. Concert Classics: Solo Piano Music with Alexei Gulenco. Alexei Gulenco, piano; the Hamilton Choir Project. Ryerson United Church, 265 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. . Admission by donation ($20 suggested).

7:30: Canadian Men's Chorus. A Celtic Ceilidh. Celtic music from around the world. Mark Sirett: When You Are Old (premiere); Eleanor Daley: Skye Boat Song, Lake Isle of Innisfree; and others. Greg Rainville, director; Christina Faye, piano; Julie Ourceau, fiddle; Amy O'Neil, flute; Bill Kervin, bodhran; and others. The Music Gallery, 197 John St. 519-305-1351. $30/$20(under 30)(adv); $35/$25(under 30)(door).

8:00: DaCapo Chamber Choir. Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind. An all-Shakespeare choral concert. David Archer: In Sweet Music (world premiere); George Shearing: Songs & Sonnets by Shakespeare; Stephen Chatman: Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind; Harry Freedman: Songs from Shakespeare; Jaakko Mäntyjärvi: Four Shakespeare Songs. Catherine Robertson, piano; Greg Prior, bass. St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 23 Water St. N., Kitchener. 519-725-7549. $25; $20(sr); $15(st); $5(child/eyeGO). Also March 6.

Sunday March 6

4:00: Vivace Vox. Choral Concert: Highlights from Les Misérables. Linda Eyman, music director. Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-455-9238. $20; $15(sr/st).

3:00: DaCapo Chamber Choir. Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind. An all-Shakespeare choral concert. David Archer: In Sweet Music (world premiere); George Shearing: Songs & Sonnets by Shakespeare; Stephen Chatman: Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind; Harry Freedman: Songs from Shakespeare; Jaakko Mäntyjärvi: Four Shakespeare Songs. Catherine Robertson, piano; Greg Prior, bass. St. John's Lutheran Church, 22 Willow St., Waterloo. 519-725-7549. $25; $20(sr); $15(st); $5(child/eyeGO). Also March 5.

8:00: KWCMS. Heidi Wall, piano. Bach: Prelude and Fugue #21 from Book 1 in bb; Liszt: Transcendental Etudes No. 11 & 12; Haydn: Sonata #52 in Eb (HXVI: 52); Alexander Stankovski: Traumprotokoll. KWCMS Music Room, 57 Young St. W., Waterloo. 519-886-1673. Admission by donation. Tax receipts for donations of $20 or more.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 7, will be out on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The next print issue of our 2015/16 season, covering March 1-April 7, will be on the stands at the end of February.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

THE WHOLENOTE IS HAVING A PARTY!

It’s our birthday—our 20th birthday, in fact—and you are all invited! After 20 years of covering music in Toronto and the area, we think that a party is called for.

On Friday, September 25—that’s a week and a half from now—we will be hosting a special FREE concert and reception in collaboration with Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, Tafelmusik, the Toronto Consort and Culture Days, to celebrate 20 years of The WholeNote. Hosted by Mary Lou Fallis and David Perlman, there will be performances by many favourite artists featured over the years in the magazine, including:

...Adi Braun, Adrianne Pieczonka, Eve Egoyan, David Fallis, Adrean Farrugia, Alison Melville, Julie Michels, Angela Park, Sophia Perlman, Christina Petrowska Quilico, Stephen Ralls, Scott St. John, Bruce Ubukata, Chris Verrette and Julia Wedman ...

So, here’s the practical info: the show starts at 7pm at Trinity-St. Paul’s, in Jeanne Lamon Hall. The event is free, but you do need to reserve a ticket—for more details on how to do that, phone 416-922-8435 x21, or visit culturedays.ca or the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1054458367921705/.

We don’t mean to toot our own horn (actually yes we do!), but we think we have quite the lineup for this concert, and we think you should join us.

Save the date and reserve your tickets, and hopefully, we’ll see you there!

-The WholeNote

24-HOUR FLASH CONTEST: FREE TICKETS TO TAFELMUSIK

We are all closely following Tafelmusik’s concert season this year, as they begin to narrow in (we think) on who will replace Jeanne Lamon as their new music director. To kick off 2015/16, Tafelmusik brings in two guest directors for the first two concerts who made appearances with the orchestra last year: Rodolfo Richter, who begins the season with The Human Passions Sept 16-20; and Cecilia Bernardini, who was an audience favourite last year and returns to lead the orchestra in Musik Mania at the beginning of October. These are two violinists to watch, and two concerts to make sure you attend—and of course, regardless of the intrigue, Tafelmusik always brings excellent early music programming and top-notch musicianship to the table.

The WholeNote has a special ticket package up for grabs-- two tickets to The Human Passions this Friday, September 18, and two tickets to Musik Mania on Friday, October 2. Hear both of these amazing guest artists play with the orchestra in the first two concerts of their season ($364 value). You have only 24 hours before this contest closes! The clock is ticking.

→ ENTER THIS CONTEST

OPERA INFO

Where to get the primer on Pyramus and Thisbe before it goes onstage at the COC this fall. If you don’t know about Pyramus and Thisbe yet, now’s the time to find out.

The 2010 opera by Barbara Monk Feldman will receive its world premiere at the COC in one month, where it will run in a programme with Monteverdi’s Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda and Lamento d’Arianna from October 20 to November 7. Between Monk Feldman and Monteverdi, the production will traverse 400 years from opera’s beginnings to the music of today. Kudos to the Canadian Opera Company for championing daring music from a living, Canadian composer—we can’t wait to hear it.

And if you don’t know what to expect from this premiere, September is full of events that might give you a preview of what will happen when the curtain rises on October 20. Take a look and see if any interest you.

Friday, September 18/Tuesday, September 29: Kristina Szabó at Soundstreams

Toronto audiences will have a chance to hear mezzo-soprano Kristina Szabó, who will sing the role of Thisbe (as well as those of Arianna and Clorinda for the Monteverdi) at the COC, this month in a September 29 concert presented by Soundstreams. Szabó joins Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka for “Adrianne Pieczonka: Beyond the Aria,” a programme of works by Crumb and Llugdar plus Beatles songs arranged by Berio.

You can also hear Szabó this Friday in Soundstreams’ more intimate show “Music and Poetry,” a part of their Salon 21 series, where Canadian poet Beatriz Hausner and three Canadian composers will present their interpretations of the poetry of Federico García Lorca. Szabó will sing a Lorca text set three different ways by composers Anna Atkinson, Juliet Palmer and Chris Thornborrow. Details on both these shows at soundstreams.ca.

Thursday, September 24: “Opera Exchange,” Thursdays at Noon at U of T

The University of Toronto’s free Thursdays at Noon series presents a panel discussion on the mythic, literary and visual art sources of the Pyramus and Thisbe legend on Thursday, September 24 in Walter Hall. Panelists will include professors from the Department of English, Department of Fine Art and Faculty of Music, as well as composer Norbert Palej and of course, Barbara Monk Feldman herself. More info available at https://music.utoronto.ca/concerts-events.php?eid=596.

Tuesday, September 29: Love Shards of Sappho at the COC Vocal Series

In a free noontime concert produced in collaboration with Arrraymusic, the COC Vocal Series presents a program of vocal and chamber music featuring women composers and the female voice. This concert’s program features Linda Caitlin Smith’s Hieroglyphs and Barbara Monk Feldman’s The Love Shards of Sappho, a chamber work dating from 2001. If you want to hear some of Monk Feldman’s other music live before the COC’s big reveal, here’s when to do it. Details at http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/FreeConcertSeries.aspx.

Note: Arraymusic will repeat its performance of Linda Caitlin Smith’s Hieroglyphs as part of the CMC/Toronto New Music Alliance’s New Music 101 Series on October 3-- see our HalfTones listings in this newsletter for details.

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: Hieroglyphs and An Extended Look at the Piano, Part 1

Check out our HalfTones listings for info on this and other new/corrected September concert listings added online since our last print issue.

Saturday, October 3 at 2pm, catch Arraymusic’s performance of Linda Caitlin Smith’s Hieroglyphs and Dr. Réa Beaumont’s exploration of extended techniques on the piano through the music of Barbara Pentland. Arraymusic and Beaumont will present their work as part of the CMC/Toronto New Music Alliance’s free New Music 101 series with the Toronto Public Library. This event, the first in the NM101 series’ 2015/16 season, will be at Northern District Library (40 Orchard View Blvd., 416-532-3019). If you want to learn more about new music (or if you just want to hear some interesting explorations in sound), stop by the library and have a listen.

Other new/corrected September concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

Sep 15 12:00_noon: Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Brock University. Imagaining The City Festival. Pop Up Performance. Colin Maier, oboe and other instruments; Alexander Sevastian, accordion. 15 Artists’ Common, St. Catharines. 905-688-5550 x3817. Free community event. Also, Sep 16, 17, 18.

Sep 18 7:30: Brampton Folk Club. Friday Folk Night: Emory Lester and Jill Jones Band. Emory Lester, mandolin; Jill Jones, vocals. Opening act: Neil Sharp and Alan McKnight. Sanderson Hall, St. Paul’s United Church, 30 Main St. S., Brampton. $15; $12(st/sr). 647-233-3655 or 905-874-2800). www.bramptonfolk.ca

Sep 19 8:00: Jeffrey Concerts. New Orford Quartet. Wolf Performance Hall, London Public Library, 251 Dundas St., London. 519-672-8800. $35; $30(sr); $15(st)

Sep 27 7:00: Prater Ensemble. Eiffel Tower. Roufat Amiraliev, violin; Roman Timofeev, piano. Works by Fauré, Ravel, and Saint-Saëns. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-859-0955. [No price listed in e-mail.]

Sep 26 8:00: Canadian Sinfonietta. Piano Trios: Wine & Cheese Series. Fauré: Piano Trio; Michael Pepa: “Mozartino”; Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No.1. Erika Crino, piano; Joyce Lai, violin; Andras Weber, cello. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-922-3618. $30; $25(sr); $20 (st)

Sep 26 8:30: Zula Music & Arts Collective Hamilton. Something Else! Creative Music Series. IN THE SEA. (Josh Zubot, violin; Tristan Honsinger, cello; Nicolas Caloia, double bass). Guests: ESCHATON (Aaron Hutchinson, trumpet, synthesizer, electronics, percussion; Connor Bennett, saxophones, bass, vocals). Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 289-993-1993. $15; $12(st)

Sep 24 7:00: Anne Lindsay's Soloworks. Anne Lindsay, violin/fiddle, voice. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St., Village of Alton, Caledon. 519-941-0559. $15. Tickets available online at www.altonmill.ca, or at Gallery Gemma in the Alton Mill.

Sep 26 8:10: Gordon Murray Presents. Piano Soirée. Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43 – Variation 18 (arr. G. Murray); Vocalise, Op.34 No.14 (arr. G. Murray); Concerto No. 2 – Mvt 1 (arr. G. Murray); other works. Gordon Murray, piano. Trinity-St. Paul's United Church (Chapel), 427 Bloor St. W. 416-631-4300. $15; $10(st)

Auditions

Oriana Women’s Choir. If you are interested in joining this auditioned choir, you are welcome to sit in at our open rehearsal on Tuesday, Sept 22. Rehearsals start at 7:30 pm at North Toronto Collegiate Institute, 70 Roehampton Ave. Please email if you would like to attend info@orianachoir.com

Festivals, Fairs & Festivities

Sep 25 11:30am–2:00pm: Glenn Gould Foundation/Glenn Gould Studio. Happy Birthday Glenn Gould!. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the recording that launched Gould’s international career – Bach’s Goldberg Variations. The public is invited to join in celebrating the legendary Canadian pianist and view the unveiling of the Government of Canada’s “Person of Historic Significance” plaque in his name. Activities include a “photobooth” with the iconic Glenn Gould “park bench” sculpture, tours of the CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio, presentations of Sony Classical’s new release Glenn Gould: Remastered, sculptor Ruth Abernethy’s new book A Narrative of Life and Bronze, and performances by the Glenn Gould School’s award-winning Ruby Piano Trio and the Salvation Army Canadian Staff Band. Outside the CBC Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front Street W.

Lectures, Salons, Symposia

Sep 26 6:00: CM Hour. Lecture and Demonstration: Time Travel Through Music. Bach, Schubert, Chopin, Prokofiev. Borjana Hrelja, piano; Chris Malone, presenter. Chopin Room, Collegium Musicum Conservatory of Music. 12 Peter St. S., Port Credit-Mississauga. 905-274-6100. Free. A Canada Culture Days event.

Sep 26, 10:30-noon. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Culture Days Singsation. With guest conductor Jenny Crober. Join members of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Singsation community to read through a selection of choral favourites. Bring your voice; we'll provide the sheet music. Centre for Social Innovation, 720 Bathurst St. Free.

Workshops

Sep 12 & 13: Musikay. Music/sight-reading for choristers. Sep 12: 10:00am – 12:30 Level 1 (beginner); 2:00 – 4:30 Level 2 (intermediate). Sep 13: 2:00 – 4:30 Level 3 (advanced). Grace Lutheran Church, 304 Spruce St. Oakville. 905-825-9740; musikay.ca

Sep 20 2:00: CAMMAC Toronto Region. Reading of Dvorak: Stabat Mater for singers and instrumentalists. Norman Reintamm, conductor.  Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St. 416-551-5183.

Sep 26 & 27: Musikay. Music learning and preparation. Sep 26: 10:00am – 12:30 Level 1 (beginner); 2:00 – 4:30 Level 2 (intermediate). Sep 27: 2:00 – 4:30 Level 3 (advanced). Grace Lutheran Church, 304 Spruce St. Oakville. 905-825-9740; musikay.ca 

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Conversations @ The WholeNote

Don’t miss our latest “Conversation @ The WholeNote,” where publisher David Perlman interviews pianist Stewart Goodyear. Up now on our website!

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 2, will be out on Thursday, October 15, 2015. The next print issue of our 2015/16 season, covering October 1-November 7, will be on the stands at the end of September.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

REACHING OUT AND COMING TOGETHER: DAVID WARRACK’S ABRAHAM ORATORIO

It’s a story that’s been a long time in the making.

After years of preparation, Wednesday, October 28 sees the world premiere of David Warrack’s oratorio Abraham, at Metropolitan United Church. Tenor Richard Margison sings the title role.

The production of this oratorio is in many ways a group effort, and brings together artists and faith-based groups from across the GTA. Joining Margison and his five fellow principal vocalists (Ramona Carmelly, Meredith Hall, Hussein Janmohamed, George Krissa and Theresa Tova) are the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Jarrahi Sufi Choir with Whirling Dervishes, and the Bach Children’s Chorus. The production is a joint project of the Intercultural Dialogue Institute (IDI) GTA, Metropolitan United Church, Toronto Area Interfaith Council and Holy Blossom Temple. David Warrack himself, who is perhaps best known as one of Canada’s leading creative minds in the music theatre world, will be at the piano.

This coming together is key to Warrack’s compositional vision. “Abraham is at the base of three of the world’s great faiths,” Warrack says on the production’s website. “This oratorio is reminding us that we all come from the same place and we must find a way to share this world. We need to get past a lot of the things that have divided us.”

Warrack defines an oratorio as “an epic story”—and by tracing key moments of the Old Testament story and casting the founding father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in a unique and dramatic light, he hopes to present a message of cooperation and peace.

Proceeds from the premiere of Abraham will go towards the Syrian Refugee Program at Metropolitan United Church. For tickets and more information, check out www.abrahamoratorio.ca or phone 416-809-6044.

FREE TICKETS - COME AND GET ’EM!

Exclusive contests from The WholeNote

IN THIS ISSUE: Chances to win free concert tix, and a lot of them. Tickets to hear shows featuring the Canadian Opera Company (in productions of La Traviata and Pyramus and Thisbe), the Talisker Players, Tafelmusik, Sultans of String and Renée Fleming are all up for grabs this week!

Follow the links below to enter. Feel free to enter as many as you like (or all five!):

Talisker Players: Renovated Rhymes, Tuesday October 27

Tafelmusik: Baroque Masters feat. Elisa Citterio, Friday November 6

*24 HOURS TO ENTER* Canadian Opera Company: La Traviata, Wednesday October 21 and Pyramus and Thisbe, Wednesday October 28

Sultans of String: ‘Subcontinental Drift’ CD Release + 4-CD box set, Friday October 30

Renée Fleming:  Renée Fleming at Roy Thomson Hall, Friday October 30

TAFELMUSIK: NEW FACES/PLACES

News of special initiatives from Tafelmusik and appearances by Tafelmusik folk abound this month. To start, Sunday, November 1 is a date you’ll want to bookmark—The Sound Post has organized a matinée salon concert, featuring none other than the lovely Jeanne Lamon (plus some of her very talented friends). The show is free, and although program details haven’t been released yet we’re willing to bet it will be a concert worth hearing. The space at The Sound Post is limited, so you’ll want to call ahead to reserve seats. Phone 416-971-6990 x244, and find all the details below in our HalfTones listings.

In other news, Tafelmusik has announced two exciting new projects of late. The first is the inaugural Tafelmusik Vocal Competition, an international contest for altos, tenors and baritones/basses under the age of 35. Applications close today, and we’re excited to follow the process as the orchestra selects its winners. The three prizewinners will appear as soloists in Zelenka’s Missa omnium sanctorum with the orchestra in April and May of 2016, and will be mentored by soprano soloist Dorothee Mields. They also each will receive $2000 in prize money. You can learn more about the competition online, at http://www.tafelmusik.org/education/tafelmusik-vocal-competition.

Meanwhile, while we wait for Tafelmusik to announce the competition winners, there’s always “Taste of Tafelmusik” on October 28. The orchestra promises to get “up close and personal,” bringing baroque chamber music to the Gladstone Hotel on Queen West. The show will feature performances by Chris Verrette, Julia Wedman, Stefano Marcocchi, Christina Mahler and Charlotte Nediger, and food from the Gladstone kitchen, which will be paired with the music, is included in the ticket price.

Less than 50 tickets are left for this event, so if you’d like to get a taste of Tafelmusik it’s best to act quickly. Find all the important info on the Tafelmusik website, at http://www.tafelmusik.org/concert-calendar/concert/taste-tafelmusik.

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: Book Launch for From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall: Ethel Stark and the Montreal Women’s Symphony Orchestra

Published by Second Story Press, From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall tells the story of the Montreal Women’s Symphony Orchestra, an all-women ensemble that became the first Canadian orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall. The book launch, on Wednesday, October 28 at Another Story Bookshop (315 Roncesvalles Ave.), will include a reading, live music, food, a photography exhibit and a book signing with the author Maria Rachwal. Details on the event are available below in our HalfTones listings or at www.fromkitchentocarnegiehall.com.

Other new/corrected October concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

New In the GTA Listings, October 17-November 1

Oct 17 7:30: In Concert. Songs of the Soul: The Music of Sri Chinmoy. Sahadeva Ensemble; Mandu & Visuddhi; Shamita's Strings; and others. St. Michael's College School, 1515 Bathurst St. 647-748-8513. Free.

Oct 17 7:30: Toronto Concert Orchestra. An Evening with Beethoven. Beethoven: Gratulations Minuet; Piano Concerto No.3 in c; Symphony No.8 in F. Younggun Kim, piano; Kerry Stratton, conductor. Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, 230 St. Clair Ave. W. 1-800-222-6608. $40; $25(sr/st).

Oct 18 2:30: ORMTA Central Toronto Branch. ORMTA 2015 Young Artist Concert: Johann Derecho, pianist. Works by Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Liszt. Canadian Music Centre, 20 St. Joseph St. 416-532-1539. $20; $12(adv). Discounts for ORMTA members. Supports music student scholarships.

Oct 20 7:30: Toronto Masque Theatre. Ben Jonson and the Masque. Atrium, 21 Shaftesbury Ave. 416-410-4561. $20; $15(under 30).

Oct 22 12:00 noon: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. Music at Noon. Guy Few, trumpet/piano; Stephanie Mara, piano. Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave., Waterloo. 519-884-1970 x4439. Free.

Oct 23 8:00: Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts. Classic Albums Live. Supertramp: Crime of the Century. 88 Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090 or 1-800-265-0710. $38; $20(uGO); $5(eyeGO).

Oct 24 7:00: Nisbet Lodge-McClintock Manor Foundation. Northern Lights Chorus. Calvary Church Toronto, 746 Pape Ave. 416-469-1105. $30; $45(concert & reception). Reception and Silent Auction 5:45. Doors open for concert at 6:15.

Oct 24 8:00: Guitar Society of Toronto. Carlo Marchione. Works by Schumann, Mauro Giuliani, Ferdinand Rebay; and others. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-964-8298. $30; $25(sr/st).

Oct 24 8:00: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. WLU Symphony Orchestra. Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave., Waterloo. 519-884-1970 x4439. $15; $7.

Oct 28 7:00: Second Story Press. Book Launch: From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall: Ethel Stark and the Montreal Women’s Symphony Orchestra. Another Story Bookshop, 315 Roncesvalles, Ave. www.fromkitchentocarnegiehall.com. Free.

Oct 29 12:00 noon: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. Music at Noon. Leslie Fagan, soprano; Lorin Shalanko, piano. Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave., Waterloo. 519-884-1970 x4439. Free.

Oct 31 8:00: Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music. WLU Wind Orchestra. Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave., Waterloo. 519-884-1970 x4439. $15; $7(sr/st).

Nov 1 2:00: The Sound Post. Jeanne Lamon and Friends. 93 Grenville St. 416-971-6990 x244. Free; please call to reserve.

New In the Clubs Listings, October 16-30

Oct 16 9pm. Sam Broverman & Bernie Senensky. PAL Celebrity Club, 110 The Esplanade. 416-886-5465. No cover. PWYC.

Oct 18 7pm. Monica Chapman, voice; Igor Babich, sax; Rebecca Hennessy, trumpet; Christopher Butcher-trombone; Nathan Hiltz, guitar; Bill King, piano; Dave Young, bass; Mark Kelso, drums. Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $12.

Oct 24 3:30pm. The Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble. “Back at The Rex”. The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, 194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475 or 905-270-4757

Oct 25 7pm. Judith Lander Celebrates “From My Life”. Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $20

Oct 25 7:30pm. Sam Broverman, Mark Kieswetter, Jordan O'Connor, bass. Jester's Court, 279 Queen St., Port Perry. $15 cover.

Oct 26, 7:30pm. Cover One Another. Alex Pangman, Barbra Lica, Denielle Bassels, George Koller, Genevieve Marentette, Sam Broverman and Tyler Yarema. Musical direction by Eric St. Laurent. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307.

Oct 28 8pm. Toronto Blues Society’s Hump Day Series.  Andria Simone & Some of Those Guys. Dave Kirby, guitar; Mark Wilson, bass. Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. $10; $8(Toronto Blues Society Members).

Oct 28 9pm. Your Mess Album Release Concert. Melissa Lauren; Nathan Hiltz and Eric St-Laurent, guitars; Tyler Emond, bass; Sly Juhas, drums and percussion; and guests. The Burdock Music Hall, 1184 Bloor St. W. 416-546-4033. $12; $10(adv)

Oct 29 9pm. Sunnie Paxson, jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer and producer; Laura Robinson; Rich Brown, bass; Steve Heathcote, drums. The Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $20. Also Oct 30.

CANCELLED: Oct 26 7pm A Tribute Evening Remembering Ray Jessel. Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. 416-886-5299.

CANCELLED: Oct 31 7pm Lea DeLaria. The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 3, will be out on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. The next print issue of our 2015/16 season, covering November 1-December 7, will be on the stands at the end of October.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

"A SNAPSHOT OF WHO YOU ARE"

Sondra Radvanovsky, back in Toronto

There’s a new video up on our website--and it’s all about how one of the world’s great operatic talents is planning on coming back home.

WholeNote publisher David Perlman sat down with Sondra Radvanovsky last month in her Caledon home to talk about her upcoming recital at Koerner Hall, and about the growing relationship between Radvanovsky and Toronto audiences in the years to come.

At this time, Radvanovsky has just completed a run of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. She’ll be back in Toronto by December, where she has a masterclass at U of T planned for the 1st of the month, plus a Koerner Hall recital three days later on December 4 that promises some exciting repertoire. “I think nowadays the whole context of recital has changed,” she says. “I think the audience wants to see kind of a snapshot of who you are.” The show is presented by Show One Productions, and will include a mixture of art songs and arias--what Radvanovsky refers to as sticking to the art-song “language of the recital” but trying to “end it with a bit of a ‘Wow!’”

Local audiences will have many more opportunities to hear ‘wow’-worthy performances in the future. In our video Radvanovsky talks about coming back every year from now on, and about conversations in the works with Alexander Neef about Toronto as her home and a place for musical experimentation. She’s dropped some hints about an appearance in the COC’s 2016/17 season, but she’s good at keeping a secret--so we’ll have to wait until the season launch in January to find out the details.

In the meantime, we think that you should make sure you attend the recital on December 4--and we even have some tickets to help make that happen. In an exclusive contest for WholeNote readers and video-watchers, we are giving away tickets to Radvanovsky’s recital--click here or check out our ‘PRIZES, PRIZES!’ section to apply for a chance to win!

To check out the full video, click here --and to read more about the interview in David Perlman’s story for our November issue, visit our website at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/musical-life/221-features/25705-sondra-radvanovsky-comes-home.

MESSIAH ON THE HORIZON

An early-bird’s guide to performances of Handel’s Messiah this year

It’s almost that time of year again. For those keeping a pulse on our local live music scene, winter means the holiday season, and the holiday season means, inevitably, the Messiah. Handel’s famous masterpiece is a timeless work, and one that is performed over and over, every year without fail. It can admittedly be a little bit of a daunting task to find a performance that suits you, at a time where it seems like everyone is performing the same type of concert.

That’s why The WholeNote has taken to writing up an annual Messiah guide each December, covering what each Messiah season has to offer and what the masterwork means to us. This year, look for Howard Dyck’s very interesting [personal take on the work in our December issue. It seems, however, like the season is creeping up earlier and earlier each year, which, believe it or not, means that waiting until December will cause you to miss a few notable productions. So, for those of you who don't want to wait any longer before deciding where, when and how often to take in Handel's Messiah this holiday season, here are some quick picks of anticipated sitings and sightings of this work that continues to confound its naysayers, delight its devotees and win over new audiences with every Halleluia.

The big ones: It wouldn’t be real coverage of Handel’s Messiah in Toronto without talking about the productions by Tafelmusik and the TSO. Both shows are annual favourites in the city--especially Tafelmusik’s ‘sing-along’ edition, which is sold out every year. Tafelmusik’s production is December 16 to 19 at Koerner Hall (sing-along on the 20th), and the TSO’s is December 19 and 20, with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Against the Grain Theatre is also putting on a major Messiah production this year at Massey Hall, which will run from December 16 to 18.

Those with a head-start: This year’s award to earliest Messiah production goes to Masterworks of Oakville Chorus & Orchestra, who will present their show this weekend on November 20 to 22. If you need to get into the Messiah spirit early, here’s where to do it. A number of presenters outside of Toronto will also host November Messiah concerts, including Oriana Singers of Northumberland (November 28) and Barrie Concerts (also November 28).

Also in November is the RCM’s concert featuring the Vienna Boys Choir, who will sing an excerpt from the Messiah as well as other choral works on November 29 at 3pm. The show is completely sold out, but rush tickets will be available, and this choir is good enough to warrant lining up the day of.

New and exciting: Two concerts that we’ll call “Messiah-themed” open on December 7 this year, and are worth checking out. The first is “Handel Foundling Hospital,” put on by the Musicians in Ordinary and St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum. The performance will feature Handel’s Foundling Hospital Anthem, a piece constructed largely from Messiah excerpts as a fundraiser for a London orphanage. Also on the program are works by Francesco Geminiani, a contemporary of Handel’s in London at the time.

Also on December 7 (and December 8) is Soundstreams’ “Ear Candy: Electric Messiah.” This will be a totally re-imagined performance of the classic, featuring an impressive list of artistic and musical collaborators--among them York University Electroacoustic Orchestra and vocalist Christine Duncan. Should be fun, and a new kind of festive.

As always, there are too many performances of this masterwork this year to name them all here--our last count put us at over 30 productions--so keep an eye on our November and December listings, as well as the December issue, for the whole story. Happy concert-hunting!

NEW IN THE CITY

New venues and ‘new music’ in Toronto this month

November has a lot in store in the “new” category--new music, new ensembles and new concert spaces. This Saturday marks two such events. 2pm on the 21st is New Music 101, a lecture/concert/discussion presented at Northern District Public Library. We confess that we are biased--our publisher David Perlman is hosting the event--but there are other reasons why it should be on your radar. This week’s session will feature Continuum Contemporary Music in a presentation of artistic director Ryan Scott’s doctoral research in Tokyo, as well as keyboard group junctQin in a demonstration of extended piano techniques using the music of Tomi Räisänen. Later that evening at 8pm is Toy Piano Composers’ “TBA 3,” featuring all manner of brand-new works. More on there two events here, respectively: http://continuummusic.org/seasons/1516/new-music-101.php

https://www.musicgallery.org/the-toy-piano-composers-to-be-announced-3/.

The following weekend on November 27 and 28 marks the return of the Gryphon Trio’s multi-disciplinary show Constantinople at Toronto’s Ismaili Centre. Composed by Christos Hatzis, the Constantinople project returns to Toronto as part of The Ismaili Centre’s Cities of Arrival series. The centre, which opened in September of last year, closes its series with this show, but plans on presenting more musical offerings in the future--and is a venue to take note of. Details on the series at http://www.citiesofarrival.com/.

Finally, November 19 gets an honourable mention: this Thursday is the first-ever concert of new electroacoustic initiative TOLOrk (https://www.facebook.com/events/940316142714409/) in a program full of brand-new sound art, as well as the fall concert for U of T’s contemporary music ensemble (https://www.facebook.com/events/1666222003663048/), which will feature among other contemporary offerings bassoonist Bianca Chambul in Gubaidulina’s “Concert for Bassoon and Low Strings.” It’s a shame that audiences won’t have the option of attending both; both, however, seem like a promising choices.

PRIZES, PRIZES!

Exclusive contests from The WholeNote

IN THIS ISSUE: Win tickets to Sondra Radvanovsky’s recital at Koerner Hall; Boesmans’ opera Julie at CanStage; an upcoming shows with Tafelmusik, the Toronto Jazz Orchestra and the Peterborough Singers--all up for grabs now on our website!

Follow the links below to enter. Feel free to enter as many as you like (or all five!):

Sondra Radvanovsky: In Recital at Koerner Hall, Friday, December 4

CanStage/Soundstreams: Julie (+$50 to Le Papillon on Front), Sunday, November 22

Tafelmusik: Bach Christmas Oratorio, Friday, December 4

Toronto Jazz Orchestra: The Big Band Tap Revue, Sunday, November 29

Peterborough Singers: Yuletide Cheer, Saturday, November 28

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: SCARAMELLA: “BACH - ALIO MODO”

In today’s DJ-heavy culture, we hear a lot about sampling and re-sampling in music, but these techniques go way back--and though he maybe didn’t do it digitally, J.S. Bach was a sampling expert. In Scaramella’s upcoming show on Saturday November 28 at 8pm, viol performers embrace the musical sample to interpret and re-interpret a number of works by Bach. Find concert details below in our listings, or at https://m.facebook.com/events/943436542365405/?ref=106&action_history=null.

Other new/corrected November concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

Nov 21 7:30: Brock University. Nocturne: Songs of the Night. Avanti Chamber Singers. Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 278 Parnell Ave., St. Catharines. $25; $20(sr/st); $5(eyeGo); $5 discounts for some advance tickets available.

Nov 21 7:30: Toronto Concert Band. Fall 2015 Concert. Carmina Burana, Movements 1-4; Shenandoah; Ross Roy; Kingsmere Overture; Tir Na Nog; Quad City Stomp; Fields of Honour; and others. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W. $15.

Nov 21 8:00: Acoustic Harvest. Noah Zacharin. Robinson Hall, St. Nicholas Anglican Church, 1512 Kingston Rd. $25/$22(adv). Wheelchair accessible, free parking.

Nov 22 4:00: Vivace Vox. Going For Baroque! Handel: The King Shall Rejoice (Coronation Anthem). Linda Eyman, musical director; Community Baroque Orchestra of Toronto. Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-455-9238. $20; $15(sr/st).

Nov 22 7:30: University of Waterloo Department of Music. Modern & Medieval: Music by Arvo Pärt and others. University of Waterloo Chamber Choir; Grand Philharmonic Chamber Choir; GPC Youth Choir; Laurier Singers. First United Church (Waterloo), 16 William St. W., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24256. $10; $5(sr/st).

Nov 26 12:30: York University Department of Music. Remembering Ann Southam. Southam: Stitches in Time, Altitude Lake, Where, Rivers (excerpts), Glass Houses (excerpts). Christina Petrowska Quilico, piano. Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building, YU, 4700 Keele St. 647-459-0701. Free. ***correction from November issue***

Nov 26 7:00: Toronto City Opera. Fall Fundraiser & Season Preview. Bickford Centre Theatre, 777 Bloor St. W. Donations accepted.

Nov 27 7:30: University of Waterloo Department of Music. Balinese Gamelan Ensemble. Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24256. Free.

Nov 28 7:00: University of Waterloo Department of Music. Inspiration & Peace. Vaughan Williams: Hodie; Britten: A Ceremony of Carols; Nickel: The Requiem For Peace; Quartel: Snow Angel; Celtic Mouth Music; and others. University of Waterloo Choir. First United Church (Waterloo), 16 William St. W., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24256. $10; $5(sr/st).

Nov 28 7:30: John Laing Singers. The Star of Bethlehem. Rheinberger: The Star of Bethlehem; and others. Roger Bergs, artistic director; Simon Walker, organ/piano; and others. St. Paul's United Church (Dundas), 29 Park St. W., Dundas. $25; $20(sr); $5(st); free(child).

Nov 28 7:30: Peterborough Singers. Yuletide Cheer. Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano; Serouj Kradjian, composer; Venabrass Quintet; Ian Sadler, organ; Sydney Birrell, conductor. George Street United Church, 534 George St. N., Peterborough. 705-745-1820. $30; $20(under 30); $10(st).

Nov 28 8:00: Canadian Children's Opera Company. A Cup of Kindness. Members of the Canadian Children's Opera Company; Teri Dunn, Lynn Janes, Emily Bird, Adine Mintz, conductors. Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd. 416-366-0467. $25; $15(sr/st); $5(child).

Nov 28 8:00: Ontario Pops Orchestra. Inaugural Concert. Rossini: William Tell Overture Finale; Adele: Skyfall; Bizet: Habanera, Carmen; Beethoven: Symphony No. 5, Mvt 1; movie soundtracks; and others. Carlos Bastidas, conductor; Shannon Butcher, voice; Stephanie Vega, voice; Marianne Zin, voice. Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Etobicoke. $15.

Nov 28 8:00: Scaramella. Bach - Alio Modo. An all-Bach program inspired by the idea of the musical sample. Elizabeth Rumsey, Joëlle Morton, tenor viols; Josephine van Lier, Debra Lonergan, bass viols; Marilyn Fung, violone; David Rumsey, harpsichord. Victoria College Chapel, 91 Charles St. W. 416-760-8610. $30; $25(sr); $20(st).

Nov 29 2:00: University of Waterloo Department of Music. Jazz Ensemble. Seasonal jazz classics. UW Jazz Ensemble; Michael Wood, director. Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd. N., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24256. $10; $5(sr/st). Reception follows.

Nov 29 4:30: Christ Church Deer Park. Jazz Vespers. Mike Murley, saxophone; David Occhipinti, guitar. 1570 Yonge St. 416-920-5211. Free. ***correction from November issue***

Nov 29 6:00: Canadian Music Centre/Musica Reflecta. Opus Testing: (De)Collage Workshop/Concert Featuring the Hybridity Ensemble. A collaborative project between the Hybridity Ensemble and local composers. Canadian Music Centre, 20 St. Joseph St. 416-961-6601 x202. PWYC.

Nov 29 7:00: University of Waterloo Department of Music. Instrumental Chamber Ensembles. Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd. N., Waterloo. 519-885-0220 x24256. Also Nov 30. Reception follows.

Dec 04 7:30: Church of the Holy Trinity. The Christmas Story. In a Toronto tradition since 1938, this Nativity play celebrates its 78th season. 10 Trinity Sq. 416-598-4521 x301. Suggested donation $20/$5(child). Advance ticket reservations available. The church is wheelchair accessible; ASL interpretation at selected performances. Also Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20(mat) and Dec 11, 12, 18, 19 and 20(eve).

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 4, will be out on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. The next print issue is a DOUBLE ISSUE, covering December 1-February 7 -- it’ll be on the stands at the end of November.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Peter Maxwell Davies’ Canada Connection

In a recent article by Andrew Clements, The Guardian referred to the late Sir Peter Maxwell Davies as “one of the great fixed points in the firmament of British music.” The internationally-renowned composer and former Master of the Queen’s Music died of leukemia on Monday, at the age of 81.

Perhaps best known in North America for works like his music theatre piece Eight Songs for a Mad King, Maxwell Davies was a prolific composer who over his long career tried his hand at an array of classical genres and styles. From his early experimental—and at times controversial—pieces, to his more symphonic writing of the 1970s, to his ‘light classical’ approach later in life, Maxwell Davies’ musical voice was a many-chaptered, multifaceted one.

It just so happens that Maxwell Davies was a frequent visitor to Canada and the United States, both as a guest composer and conductor—and sometimes serving as both, as he did on tour in Canada with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 1988. He also left a musical impression, writing Job—a massive three-part oratorio, over an hour in length—for the CBC Vancouver Orchestra and Vancouver Bach Choir, who premiered it in 1997.

More locally in the Toronto scene, Maxwell Davies proved a valuable resource for such local fixtures as Aradia Ensemble’s Kevin Mallon—who was a student of his at Dartington College of Arts—and New Music Concerts, when the organization was still in its infancy. In the early years of NMC in the 1970s—a tone-setting time both for the young concert series and the Canadian new music scene at large—Maxwell Davies compositions figured prominently in the programming, featured alongside works by Claude Vivier in 1976 as well as in a show specifically dedicated to Maxwell Davies later that year. Interviewed at the time by the CBC, NMC director Robert Aitken cited Maxwell Davies’ aesthetic as an approachable, complementary counterpart to music like that of Vivier’s, and the 1970s as a transitional time for new music, where “music is more exciting now than it perhaps has ever been...where literally, anything goes.”

That interview is archived online here by the Canadian Music Centre, where you can check it out for a glimpse into Toronto’s—and Maxwell Davies’—musical past. And as for New Music Concerts, now approaching its 45th season, things still seem musically as exciting as ever. You can find details on their upcoming April 3 program “Viva Electronica”, which features electroacoustic works from a host of Canadian composers, here.

Incidentally, baroque ensemble Aradia is scheduled to close its 2015/16 season with a performance on June 4 of none other than Maxwell Davies’ infamous Eight Songs for a Mad King, featuring a guest appearance by Montreal-based new music group Paramirabo. While maybe the reason behind why this performance’s suddenly-apt timing isn’t the cheeriest one, the piece is a real modern classic, and Aradia and Paramirabo are sure to put on a top-notch show. The concert is on June 4; details online at aradia.ca.

Different Drums

Japanese percussion in Toronto this month

Several unique collaborative shows take place in the coming weeks, and percussion—more specifically, Japanese percussion—has ended up as the thread that ties them all together.

This Saturday at the Theatre Centre, Soundstreams presents “Electric Counterpoint,” a concert of minimalist music in anticipation of Steve Reich’s visit to Toronto this April. Part of Soundstreams’ new Ear Candy series, the show program is a mix of Reich’s music with new works by artists who he has inspired, namely DJ SlowPitchSound, longtime Owen Pallett collaborator ‘Prince Nifty’ on guitar and electronics, and ‘Mas Aya’ on percussion and electronics. Along with Reich’s perhaps better-known works Electric Counterpoint and It’s Gonna Rain, local percussionists Germaine Liu and Dan Morphy will tackle the duet Nagoya Marimbas, written in 1994 for performers at Japan’s Nagoya College of Music. In his program notes for the piece, Reich specifies that the piece “requires two virtuosic performers,” and Liu and Morphy certainly fit the bill. Details on the show can be found here.

Dan Morphy revisits Japanese percussion on April 2 at the Harbourfront Centre, with his quartet Torq. The percussion ensemble are the guest artists for premier Japanese Canadian taiko ensemble Nagata Shachu’s upcoming concert, which will feature a blend of musical traditions from around the globe. More here.

Finally, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) hosts a collaborative show on April 7 featuring the work of three artists from different regions of Japan. “The Tsumugu Concert” brings together flutist and taiko drummer Keita Kanazashi, Amami Island-based folk singer Anna Sato, and shamisen player Chie Hanawa for a show with a unique, and definitively Japanese sound. The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre is located near Don Mills, in what has recently become an arts-and-culture oasis outside of the downtown core (the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre, celebrated along with the JCCC for their collections, architecture and music programming, are basically right across the street). If you haven’t made the trip to this part of town yet, April 7 is a good time to do so. Details on “The Tsumugu Concert” here.

PRIZES, PRIZES!

Exclusive contests from The WholeNote

IN THIS ISSUE: Chances to win tickets to hear Tafelmusik’s take on solo and chamber music in “Bach: Goldberg Variations”; tickets to Opera Atelier’s production of Lucio Silla; tickets to Soundstreams’ concert with Steve Reich; and a 24-hour flash contest to hear violinist Pinchas Zukerman live at Roy Thomson Hall. Read on to enter!

Follow the links below to enter, Feel free to enter as many as you like (or all four!):

*24 HOURS TO ENTER* Pinchas Zukerman and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra: Sunday March 20

Tafelmusik: Bach: Goldberg Variations, Friday April 1

Opera Atelier: Lucio Silla, Thursday April 7

Soundstreams: Steve Reich at 80, Thursday April 14 

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: MUSIDEUM’S FINAL CONCERTS, MAR 16-30

After nearly 10 years as a treasured musical hub and concert venue in the city, Musideum at 401 Richmond St. will be closing its doors on April 2. For those who want to say goodbye to Musideum before it closes, their final concert series runs until March 30, with the following dates: March 16 (jazz), March 17 (world), March 20 (experimental), March 22 (folk) and March 30 (70s retro blast). Admission is by donation ($10-$20 suggested), with all proceeds going towards the costs of closing the venue. A big thank-you to Musideum owner Donald Quan for his years of work at this space, and best of luck to him for his future endeavours.

Other new/corrected March concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

Friday March 18

7:30: Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. Encore! Series: Beverley Johnston and Marc Djokic. Beverley Johnston, percussion; Marc Djokic, violin. Partridge Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722. $29; $23(sr); $5(eyeGO).

Saturday March 19

4:30: Beach United Church. Sidwell Jazz Choir and Band. Upper School Chamber Chorus and Upper School Jazz Ensemble of Sidwell Friends School, from Washington, D.C. 140 Wineva Ave. . Freewill offering.

8:00: Nota Bene Baroque Players & Singers. Music for Easter. Works by Bach and Handel. Nota Bene Baroque Players & Singers; Howard Dyck, conductor. St. James Anglican Church (Dundas), 137 Melville St., Dundas. 1-866-303-0009. $35; limited number of free student tickets available with ID, first-come/reserve. Inquire for details. Also March 20(mat) at First United Church, Waterloo.

Sunday March 20

2:00: Nota Bene Baroque Players & Singers. Music for Easter. Works by Bach and Handel. Nota Bene Baroque Players & Singers; Howard Dyck, conductor. First United Church (Waterloo), 16 William St. W., Waterloo. 1-866-303-0009. $35; limited number of free student tickets available with ID, first-come/reserve. Inquire for details. Also March 19(eve) at St. James Anglican Church, Dundas.

2:00: Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. Palm Sunday Concert. Beethoven: Elegischer Gesang; Haydn: Little Organ Mass; Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus. Timothy Eaton Memorial Church Sanctuary Choir and Chamber Orchestra; Elaine Choi, conductor; Stephen Boda, organ. 230 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-925-5977. Freewill Offering.

2:30: Niagara Symphony Orchestra. Masterworks 4: Time Chronicles. Haydn: Symphony No. 49 "La Passione"; Conway Baker: Contours; Bach: Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor. Aisslinn Nosky, violin/conductor; Brian Baty, double bass. Partridge Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722. $64; $59(sr); $32(under 30); $14(st); $12(under 15); $5(eyeGO).

7:00: Arcady. Handel's Messiah. Arcady Ensemble; Ronald Beckett, director. Pioneer Memorial United Church, 1974 King St. E., Hamilton. 905-545-9552. $25.

7:00: Knox Presbyterian Church. The Dying Saviour. Johann Wilhelm Hertel: The Dying Saviour. Senior choir and soloists of Knox Presbyterian Church, with strings and organ. Roger Bergs, conductor. 630 Spadina Ave. 416-921-8993. Freewill offering.

Saturday March 26

8:00: Shahriyar Jamshidi. Dilan Ensemble: In the Shadow of the Fatherland. Two bowed string artist from different musical backgrounds (Iran and Canada) present music of the Kurds. Raphael Weinroth-Brown, cello; Shahriyar Jamshidi, Kamanche and vocals. Small World Music Centre, Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. 416-536-5439. $20.

Thursday March 31

7:30: Cathedral Church of St. James. The Choir of Royal Holloway. Claudio Monteverdi: Ave maris stella; Orlando Gibbons: O clap your hands; Ēriks Ešenvalds: Long Road; and organ improvisation. Rupert Gough, conductor; David Briggs, organ. 65 Church St. 416-364-7865. Free. 

NEW ONLINE: VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH MARSHALL PYNKOSKI, OPERA ATELIER

Opera Atelier’s upcoming production of Mozart’s Lucio Silla has been receiving praise from across Europe, and will be a Canadian premiere. In our latest Conversation @ The WholeNote, publisher David Perlman sits down with Opera Atelier co-artistic director Marshall Pynkoski about opera-making and the upcoming show. Watch the video here or below.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 8, will be out on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. The next print issue of our 2015/16 season, covering April 1-May 7, will be on the stands at the end of March.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

“Poetic Worlds”: Eve Egoyan’s Earwitness Tour

British composer Michael Finnissy has said of pianist Eve Egoyan that “she illuminates the music she plays.” Certainly, Egoyan has long been one of Toronto’s leading interpreters of contemporary keyboard music, especially when it comes to inventive musical projects—and the idea of a very literal ‘illuminated music’ has been put to the test by her this year, in a big way.

Egoyan has just returned to Canada from the American leg of her latest project—what she’s called her Earwitness Tour. The tour is a collaboration between Egoyan and fellow Canadians Nicole Lizée, Michael Snow, John Oswald and David Rokeby, and is an experiment in the blending of musical and visual worlds. Most of the works on the program were written for Egoyan’s Yamaha disklavier, an acoustic piano with a digital interface that will transform her performance into projected visual imagery. At first thought, the instrument seems like an extension of the synesthetic ‘colour organ’ experiments from the 18th century—proposals for keyboards where each key triggered a particular light or coloured panel. But with the technology available today, Egoyan’s disklavier can achieve much more dynamic results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnUOKknyOY&feature=youtu.be

The Canadian portion of the tour begins this Friday in Montreal at McGill University and continues in Toronto on Thursday, April 21 at the Aga Khan Museum, where it will be presented in collaboration with Toronto’s Images Festival. Tickets for the Toronto show are available for purchase on the Aga Khan Museum’s website, where you can also find details about the museum’s collection, current photo exhibition, and busy calendar of other performing arts events.

In an interview with The WholeNote last fall, Egoyan spoke with publisher David Perlman about her hopes for what the tour would represent. “It’s a project that’s just growing and growing, but it is a very delicate project, because the music and the image have to blend,” she said. “It’s not just music accompanying a visual narrative; it’s not just patterns you are seeing visually to mimic the music...So the mandate is to see if there can truly be a new—I don’t want to call it a new art form – but yeah, how much success can one have in bringing the two art forms into a closer relationship?”

When asked about the benefits of contemporary music—her home base, musically—for experimenting with this relationship, Egoyan pointed to the scene’s intimacy.

“I think contemporary music is, for most, a small business...It’s a poetic world,” she explained. “A world of poetry, and I don’t belittle it. It’s very important, and how it resonates with other art forms. My dialogue with other artists and art forms through what I produce is very important to me. It’s a ground from which a lot springs forth.”

To read more about Eve Egoyan and her current collaborative efforts, check out the full interview, at http://ow.ly/10BFfE.

Continuing Cultural Dialogues: Canadian Immigrants, Then and Now

In the midst of a time when more people than ever are immigrating and seeking refuge in Canada, a number of Toronto music presenters have been trying to steer the conversation towards cultural dialogue, emphasizing the experiences that we can offer recent immigrants, and the richness that they bring to the country.

In December, the Toronto Symphony and Toronto Musicians’ Association joined forces to invite Syrian clarinetist/composer Kinan Azmeh to record with the orchestra, as part of the orchestra’s welcome for Syrian refugees who have just moved to Canada. Azmeh was flown in last-minute from Paris to record his “November 22nd” Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra, for which he and the orchestra members volunteered their time. You can listen to the piece, and read about his visit, here: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2015/12/18/tso-flies-in-syrian-composer-for-refugee-welcome-video.html.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but Azmeh’s website notes a tentative performance with the TSO on June 28 of this year so it’s safe to say this won’t be his last appearance in Toronto. Mark the date in your calendars (in pencil) and keep an ear out.

More recently, at the end of March the Canadian Opera Company announced its participation in the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Cultural Access Pass (CAP) program, an initiative to provide recent immigrants to Canada with opportunities to explore the country. Starting this month, the COC will be setting aside 40 free tickets to every dress rehearsal for CAP holders. Participants will also be able to attend pre-performance ‘Opera Chats’ and informal tours of the Four Seasons Centre.

In addition to this new opera initiative, the CAP program includes free entry to events, parks and attractions across the country. If you (or someone you know) have received your Canadian citizenship within the past year, visit www.icc-icc.ca or phone 1-888-359-6998 for more information on the CAP and how to register.

Finally, in terms of recognizing the value and potential of these types of dialogue, one need look no further than two events in the listings this month. This Sunday, April 17, Vesnivka Choir, Canada’s leading Ukrainian women’s choir, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a concert featuring works that Vesnivka has commissioned over the last five decades. Singing alongside the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir and Roman Borys (cello) and Halyna Dziuryn (violin), Vesnivka will celebrate its 50-year history as a leading voice of Ukrainian music in Toronto. In the April issue of The WholeNote, Leslie Ferenc—one of the girls who sang in the choir when it was founded in 1965—writes about what to expect and what this concert means to her (read the article here). And exactly one week later on April 24, the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble will present a concert in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, featuring songs, music and dance traditions brought to the country by Ukrainian immigrants over the last century. These two concerts alone are living and singing proof of what a welcoming home can support, and what musical collaboration can do.

Details on both these shows are available in the listings at www.thewholenote.com.

Sara Constant is social media editor at The WholeNote and studies musicology at the University of Amsterdam. She can be contacted at editorial@thewholenote.com.

PRIZES, PRIZES!

Exclusive contests from The WholeNote

IN THIS ISSUE: Win tickets to the COC’s productions of Carmen and Maometto II; Tafelmusik’s concert of works by Zelenka and Bach; and the Talisker Players’ season closer “Cross’d By The Stars”. Read on to enter!

*24 HOURS TO ENTER* Canadian Opera Company: Carmen, Wednesday April 20

Tafelmusik: Zelenka and Bach, Friday April 29

Talisker Players: Cross’d By The Stars, Tuesday May 3

Canadian Opera Company: Maometto II, Wednesday May 11 

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: TD Jazz Festival News Corp - Call for Applications

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival runs this year from June 24 to July 3, and is seeking applications for its TDJ News Corps—an initiative for post-secondary students interested in writing about jazz. Successful applicants will be given full media accreditation for the festival, and apprentice as music journalists under John Terauds (musicaltoronto.org, former Toronto Star) and Mark Wigmore (JAZZ.FM91). The deadline for applications is Friday, April 22; details available at http://torontojazz.com/tdj-news-corps.

Other new/corrected April concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

Friday April 15

8:00: Theatre Ancaster. What Happens in Vegas. A Musical revue to salute iconic artists who captured audiences in Las Vegas. Selections by Sinatra and the Rat Pack; Donny and Marie; Elton John; Shania Twain; Tom Jones; and others. Ancaster High School, Theatre Auditorium, 374 Jerseyville Rd. W., Ancaster. 905-304-7469. $32; $27(sr); $17(st). Also April 16, 22 and 23(8pm), April 17(2pm).

8:30: Hugh's Room. Martyn Joseph. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $22.50(adv); $25(door).

9:00: Jazz Bistro. CD Release: Moons (Alma Records). Myriad3. 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $15. Also April 16.

Saturday April 16

3:30: Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble. Back At The Rex. Arrangements of popular jazz songs featuring 12 vocalists. Rex Jazz and Blues Bar, 194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475.

8:00: Aga Khan Museum. Great Poets Series: Reflections on Rumi at the Aga Khan Museum. Traditional Persian music. Mahsa Vahdat and Marjan Vahdat, vocals; Shervin Mohajer, kamancheh; Tord Gustavsen, piano; Naghmeh Farahmand, percussion. 77 Wynford Dr. 416-646-4677. $55; $44(sr/st) embers receive 10% off. Members receive 10% off.

Sunday April 17

2:00: Estonian House Art Committee. Afternoon of Jazz with Armas Maiste. Jazz from the 1960s that inspired the abstract expressionist painter Peeter Sepp. Armas Maiste, piano. Estonian House, 958 Broadview Ave. 416-461-7964. By donation. This "happening" is produced in conjunction with the art exhibit, Peeter Sepp Colour My World.

5:00: St. George's Cathedral. Choral Evensong. A special service of Choral Evensong in honour of St. George. Works by Thomas Tomkins, Charles Stanford and John Reading. St. George's Cathedral Evensong Choir. St. George's Cathedral (Kingston), 270 King St. E., Kingston. 613-548-4617.

7:30: Lula Lounge. CD Release: The Horses Are Loose. Bill Heffernan. 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. $10. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Wednesday April 20

8:30: Hugh's Room. Emm Gryner & Sarah Smith Double Bill. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $25(adv); $30(door).

Friday April 22

8:00: Gallery 345. Mitch Yolevsky, Clarinet and Cecilia Lee, Piano. Works by Poulenc, Saint-Saëns, Debussy and others. 345 Sorauren Ave. 416-822-9781. $20/PWYC.
8:30: Hugh's Room. Patrick Brealey’s Tribute to Roy Orbison. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $22.50(adv); $25(door).

Saturday April 23

5:30: Derek Bon Entertainment and TJ Ferris Enterprises. An Evening with The King of Instruments. Works by Bach, Brahms, Handel, Mozart and Widor. Ian Sadler, organ. Sydenham Street United Church, 82 Sydenham St., Kingston. 1-800-265-0710. $40. Gourmet dinner with cash bar and concert. Proceeds to help the ministries of Sydenham Street United Church.

6:00: Chalkers Pub. Amirault/Young Duo. Steve Amirault, piano/vocals; Dave Young, bass. 247 Marlee Ave. 416-789-2531. $15.

7:30: John Laing. St. George and the Dragon. Musical by John Laing for St. George's Day. Lara Housez (Dragon); Adam Smith (St. George); Annette Ashley (princess); Brian DeBoer (King); and others. The Church of the Ascension (Hamilton), 64 Forest Ave., Hamilton. $15; free(children under 12).

Sunday April 24

3:00: Amici Chamber Ensemble. Illumination. Chamber music inspired by moonlight and stars. Cho-Liang Lin, violin; Teng Li, viola; Joaquin Valdepeñas, clarinet; David Hetherington, cello; Serouj Kradjian, piano. Mazzoleni Concert Hall, Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-871-4275. $10-$45.

Saturday May 7

POSTPONED TO JUNE 10: 7:30: Opera by Request. Catalani's La Wally. In concert with piano accompaniment. Sarah Hood (Wally); Paul Williamson (Giuseppe Hagenbach); Michael Robert-Broder (Vincenzo Gellner); Brigitte Bogar (Walter); and others; William Shookhoff, piano and music director. College Street United Church, 452 College St. 416-455-2365. $20.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 9, will be out on Monday, May 16, 2016. The next print issue of our 2015/16 season, covering May 1-June 7, will be on the stands at the end of April.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

SUMMER SPACES

The summer music scene in Toronto is alive and well. It’s just not happening in the places where we usually look.

One emerging theme in recent musical years has been the genre-bending and border-crossing that goes along with putting familiar music in alternative spaces. This summer the trend continues, with two upcoming concert series that make a point of using venues that take the city’s musical life out of the concert hall, and into a more public sphere.

Play the Parks, now entering its fourth season, is a summer concert initiative from the Downtown Yonge BIA. This year’s series, running June 22 to September 18 and curated by Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, promises concerts all summer long in four of Toronto’s downtown green spaces: Trinity Square Park will host concerts of dance music from across the Americas; the College Park courtyard, jazz, funk and soul; the McGill Granby Parkette, a variety of world music; and Mackenzie House, classical.

Between the four venues, the series is slated to present at least 1-2 free shows per week, all summer long. The series opener is one week from today on June 22 (5pm) and features the Massey Hall Band--a promising start to a summer of free music. For series details, visit http://www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/.

New this year and worth adding to your calendar is ClassyAF, a project from sisters Talisa and Naomi Blackman that bills itself as “a way to eat tacos while also listening to great music.” All jokes aside, the Blackman sisters have programmed a promising four-concert series, all of which will take place at Mexican restaurant La Rev on Dundas St. W. Concert headliners include violinist Rebecca MacLeod, an alumna of Carnegie Mellon, The Glenn Gould School and U of T (July 7); cello duo VC2 (July 14); pianists Indira Nanavati-Cadeña and Tom King alongside percussionist Daniel Morphy (July 21); and cellist Sarah Steeves in a program of Rachmaninoff, Lau and Piazzolla (July 28). Talisa Blackman herself also joins in as a piano accompanist for three of the four shows.

The series offers a fresh take on some classical favourites, and the taco suggestion is admittedly persuasive. Details at http://www.classyafshow.com/.

NEW IN REVIEWS

In light of maritime band Ten Strings and a Goat Skin’s upcoming Ontario tour, WholeNote reviewer Ivana Popovic takes a look at their latest album.

Auprès du Poêle

Ten Strings and a Goat Skin

Independent (tenstringsandagoatskin.com)

Woodstoves, community, dancing, good cheer, fire in the heart – such is the atmosphere on this album, and the aura of this music. It brought dance to my feet and the love of life to my mind, in no particular order.

This is the third CD released by the acoustic trio from Prince Edward Island. Rowen Gallant

(fiddle, viola, tenor banjo, vocals), Jesse Périard (guitar, pump organ, backing vocals) and Caleb Gallant (bodhràn, foot percussion, snare, cajón, clawhammer banjo, vocals) may be young but each is a very accomplished musician in his own right.

While rooted in Acadian and Scottish roots and their love for traditional maritime music, Ten

Strings and a Goat Skin were able to expand on this album into truly original interpretations and add unique compositional voices of their own, spicing it with indie and world music flavours. Thus this album comprises of a curious mix of original and traditional tunes and features an array of guest musicians, including Leonard Podolak (also producer of this album) and the members of Les Poules à Colin.

The title track, Auprès du Poêle, moves along with elegance and drive, and features a lovely scat voice/violin duet towards the end. Among many engaging tunes, my favourite were tracks 4, 5 and 6. When First I Came To Caledonia is a beautifully arranged traditional Cape Breton ballad – the dark viola timbre and the mellow voice add the melancholy touch. Shoot the Moon, one of the original tunes, has a few world music twists and a beautiful fiddle/percussion episode. Finally, Maluron Lurette, starts with a solitary melody that continues through progression of instruments and voices.

Sizzling fiddles, dynamic guitars and banjos and ever driving percussion – this album promises and delivers good times.

Ivana Popovic

Concert Note: Ten Strings and a Goat Skin’s busy summer schedule includes three stops in Ontario – July 7 at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, July 8 at the Almonte Celtfest in Almonte and July 9-10 at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia.

ONE BIG CONTEST

We have free tickets to all mainstage shows at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Enter to win a pair:

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JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: Music in the Square & Summer Concert Series

Summer is the perfect time of year for a road trip--and if southern Ontario features prominently in your travel plans, the city of St. Catharines has just sweetened the deal, with two free concert series in public spaces this year. The first, Music in the Square, promises free midday performances at the city’s weekly farmers markets, June 4 to September 24; the second is a free summer concert series, on various dates from June 29 to July 20 in St. Catharines’ Montebello Park. If you’ve been thinking of visiting St. Catharines lately, one of their concert dates this summer would make for a good time. Details below in our HalfTones listings.

Other new/corrected summer concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

Series

June 2-July 24. Lower Ossington Theatre. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice. The Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. 416-915-6747. $49.99-$59.99. Days and times vary. Visit www.gogogojoseph.com for details.

June 4-September 24, 11:00am-1:30. City of St. Catharines. Music in the Square. Market Square, 91 King St., St. Catharines. Free. Visit http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/MarketEvents.asp?_mid_=10054 for details.

June 28-August 30, 12:00 noon. Play the Parks. Dance Inspiring Fusion of the Americas. Trinity Square Park. Days and performers vary. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

June 29-July 20, 6:00. City of St. Catharines. Summer Concert Series. Montebello Park, St. Catharines. Free. Visit http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/SummerConcertSeries.asp for details.

July 6-September 7, 12:00 noon. Play the Parks. Shapeshifting Classical. Mackenzie House,  82 Bond St. Days and performers vary. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

July 7-July 28, 7:00/9:00. #ClassyAF. La Rev, 2848 Dundas St. W. Days and performers vary. $15-$20. Visit www.classyafshow.com for details.

July 7-September 8, 12:00 noon. Play the Parks. Funky Lunchtime Soul. College Park Courtyard. Days and performers vary. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

July 7-September 18. Play the Parks. Festive Summer Streets. McGill Granby Parkette. Days, times and performers vary. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

Individual Listings

Wednesday June 22

5:00. Play the Parks. Play the Parks Launch Event. The Massey Hall Band. Trinity Square Park. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

Friday June 24

8:00: Toronto Creative Music Lab. Final Concert. Premieres by emerging composers and performers. 918 Bathurst Centre, 918 Bathurst St. 416-417-4469. $10. Doors open at 7pm.

Wednesday June 29

7:00: TD Toronto Jazz Festival/Lula Music and Arts Centre. Monica Chapman. Monica Chapman, vocals; Dave Restivo, piano; Alex Coleman, bass; Chris Wallace, drums; Nathan Hiltz, guitar; Rebecca Hennessy, trumpet. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. $15; $12(adv). Reservations recommended.

Friday July 1

1:00: University of Toronto. Canada Day Carillon Recital. Original carillon compositions, classical arrangements, folksongs and other festive Canadiana. Roy Lee, carillonneur; Joan Shaw, carillonneur-in-training; and Elisa Tersigni, carillonneur-in-training. Soldiers’ Tower War Memorial, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-978-348. Free. Commemorating the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

Sunday July 3

8:30: Hugh's Room. Harpeth Rising. "Chamberfolk" featuring violin, cello and banjo. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $22.50(adv); $25(door).

Thursday July 7

8:30: Hugh's Room. Ten Strings and a Goat Skin: Album Launch. Album launch for Auprès du Poêle. PEI traditional music. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $22.50(adv); $25(door).

Tuesday July 12

9:00: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Jazz Series: Julie McGregor Quintet. Featuring Perry White, sax; Kieran Overs, bass; Kevin Dempsey, drums; Matt Newton, piano. 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill. 905-787-8811. Free.

Thursday July 14

12:30: St. Paul's Bloor Street. Choral Concert. Works by Stanford, Elgar, Vierne and others. Downing College Choir, Cambridge, UK; William Mason, Director of Music. 227 Bloor St. E. 416-961-8116. Free.

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE

Watch the video of our latest interview with Douglas McNabney, on his final year as AD with Toronto Summer Music:

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The current print issue of The WholeNote is a SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE, covering June 1-September 7-- but HalfTones continues throughout the summer!

Vol 3 No 11: Monday, July 4

Vol 3 No 12: Wednesday, August 10

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

HalfTones
Vol 3 No 11: July 4, 2016

YEAR IN REVIEW: And the award goes to…

At the annual Dora Awards last Monday, music productions both large and small triumphed, with big wins in both indie and grand-scale arenas.

The Doras, named after Canadian theatre visionary Dora Mavor Moore, have been running since 1978, with the aim of recognizing local productions of theatre, music theatre, opera and dance. Like any annual awards ceremony, the Dora awards provide a nice way of looking back at some of the season’s standouts--and with an emphasis on local theatre, giving due credit to some of the key players in the Toronto scene.

The COC was a favourite on Monday, with a staggering eight wins--five of which were for their production of Wagner’s Siegfried last winter. The Siegfried team was awarded Outstanding Production in the opera division, as well as prizes for direction, musical direction, scenic design and lighting design. Baritone Quinn Kelsey (Germont) and soprano Ekaterina Siurina (Violetta) both won Doras for their performances in the COC’s La traviata, which also won for Best Costume Design.

Homegrown operas also took home prizes this year, with Tapestry Opera winning Best New Musical for John Harris and Marjorie Chan’s new work M’dea Undone and Against the Grain winning Outstanding Performance - Ensemble for their “barefoot, costumed, choreographed” version of Handel’s Messiah.

To hear more from Tapestry, you may have to wait until 2016/17--but Against the Grain will be co-producing Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia as part of the Toronto Summer Music Festival on July 22. Details on the show here -- and if you’re looking for a pair of tickets, look no further than our contest in this issue of our newsletter!

In other news, this year’s list of Order of Canada appointments has just been released, with a number of familiar musicians on the roster. 2016 appointments include jazz saxophonist P.J. Perry, pianist and musicologist Elaine Keillor--who is currently on faculty at Carleton University--and soprano Barbara Hannigan, fresh off the heels of a January appearance in Toronto with the TSO.

All in all, a lot of well-deserved attention this past week for Canadian musical talent both local and internationally-based. A huge congrats to all winners, appointments and nominees this year. Onto the next!

TICKET GIVEAWAY: THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA AT TSMF

Win tickets to a one-night-only production of Britten’s opera The Rape of Lucretia at Toronto Summer Music. Click here to enter!

SILK ROAD ONSCREEN

Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble hits the big screen

Last September, Roy Thomson Hall played host to the Silk Road Ensemble--renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s global music project almost 20 years in the making. Their appearance coincided with the world premiere at TIFF of The Music of Strangers, a new documentary about Yo-Yo Ma’s vision behind the group.

Now, the film is back, with screenings at Hot Docs Bloor Cinema July 8 to 14. Directed by Morgan Neville--who was also behind Oscar-winning music documentary 20 Feet from Stardom--The Music of Strangers promises an in-depth look at the Silk Road project, from its inception in 2000 as an attempt to bring together folk musics from across the globe to its prominent status today.

Details on the Hot Docs screenings next week can be found here. Watch the trailer of the movie below:

Incidentally, The WholeNote featured one member of the Silk Road Ensemble--pipa virtuoso Wu Man--on the cover of our September 2015 issue, and another--Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh--in our April issue of HalfTones, when he collaborated with the Toronto Symphony on a recording to welcome recent Syrian refugees to Canada. At that time in April, the latter had a tentative Toronto date in his calendar, for a June solo appearance with the TSO. Turns out that concert was postponed--meaning, hopefully, that he’ll still be back, to follow up his last-minute partnership with the orchestra this April with a full-length concert. We’ll keep you updated as details emerge. In the meantime, here’s the video of Azmeh’s composition November 22nd, which he recorded in Toronto during his April visit.

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: JULY JAZZ AT HUGH’S ROOM

It may be the end of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, but jazz life in the clubs continues this month, with a host of listings at such local music hotspots as Hugh’s Room on Dundas St. W. In the coming weeks, Hugh’s Room hosts Ten Strings and a Goat Skin (July 7), Fathead (July 23), Kevin Breit & Rebecca Jenkins with the Upper York Mandolin Quartet (July 29), Matt Molloy, John Carty & Arty McGlynn (August 2), and Kiran Ahluwalia (August 6)--plus a weekly jazz night hosted by JAZZ.FM91 every Monday in July. Details at hughsroom.com.

Other new/corrected July concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

Festivals/Series

One quick note on the topic of summer series: our summer festival listings at thewholenote.com are now searchable! Sort through festival offerings according to your interest and availability, to find the concerts you want to see. Try it out here.

Other summer series omitted from our last print issue include:

June 4-September 24, 11:00am-1:30. City of St. Catharines. Music in the Square. Market Square, 91 King St., St. Catharines. Free. Visit www.stcatharines.ca for details.

June 17-September 2, 6:30/8:00. Roy Thomson Hall/Sunfest. Live on the Patio. Days and performers vary. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-593-4822. Free. Food and drinks available. Two sets; doors open at 5pm.

June 28-August 30, 12:00 noon. Play the Parks. Dance Inspiring Fusion of the Americas. Trinity Square Park. Days and performers vary. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

June 29-July 20, 6:00. City of St. Catharines. Summer Concert Series. Montebello Park, St. Catharines. Free. Visit stcatharines.ca for details.

July 6-September 7, 12:00 noon. Play the Parks. Shapeshifting Classical. Mackenzie House,  82 Bond St. Days and performers vary. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

July 7-July 28, 7:00/9:00. #ClassyAF. La Rev, 2848 Dundas St. W. Days and performers vary. $15-$20. Visit www.classyafshow.com for details.

July 7-September 8, 12:00 noon. Play the Parks. Funky Lunchtime Soul. College Park Courtyard. Days and performers vary. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

July 7-September 18. Play the Parks. Festive Summer Streets. McGill Granby Parkette. Days, times and performers vary. Free. Visit www.downtownyonge.com/playtheparks/ for details.

July 8-10. Harbourfront Centre. Future Routes. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. Times and performers vary. Free. Visit harbourfrontcentre.com for details.

Individual Listings

Monday July 11

9:00: The Burdock. Isabel (Fryszberg) and The Uncommons w/ Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party. 1184 Bloor St. W. 416-546-4033. $8(adv); $10(door). Doors open at 8:30pm.

Tuesday July 12

8:00: Gallery 345. Stanislav Pronin, violin and Alex Seredenko, piano. Work by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev and Piazzolla/Gubaidulina. 345 Sorauren Ave. 416-822-9781. $25; $10(st).

Friday July 15

8:00: Gallery 345. The Art of the Piano: David Virelles. 345 Sorauren Ave. 416-822-9781. $25; $10(st).

Saturday July 23

11:00am: South Coast Jazz. David Sanbiorn with the Galen Weston Band. David Sanborn; Galen Weston Band; David Restivo; June Garber; Juliann Kuchocki; Shuffle Demons. Port Dover and Area Arena, 809 St. George St., Port Dover. 519-774-2787. $20-$70. Details at www.southcoastjazz.com.

Thursday July 28

8:00: Randolph Academy. Footloose. Music by Tom Snow; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford. Stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst St. 1-855-985-2787. $22. Also July 29-30 and August 4-6(8pm), and July 30 and August 6(2pm).

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The current print issue of The WholeNote is a SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE, covering June 1-September 7-- but HalfTones continues throughout the summer!

Vol 3 No 12: Wednesday, August 10

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Volume 3 Number 10. August 10, 2016

BASSOON OUT LOUD

Launching Monday August 15, Nadina Mackie Jackson’s new concert series puts bassoon in the spotlight

“I believe in creating opportunities for myself and for other people,” says bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson, in conversation at The WholeNote office. With a new 12-concert series in Toronto slotted for this season—plus a potential bassoon-themed summer festival in the making—it seems like she’s doing just that.

Bassoon Out Loud is Jackson’s latest project: a season of more-or-less-monthly chamber concerts, all at Yorkville’s Heliconian Hall. Jackson will perform at each concert, sticking to a regimen of at least one bassoon concerto per show. But apart from this, she has dispensed with the typical ‘soloist + accompaniment’ recital formula, instead opting for monthly collaborations with local guest instrumentalists, singers, writers and storytellers, each of whom will also bring their own latest projects—including solo repertoire of their own—to the concert hall.

The launch for the series is this Monday, August 15. Titled “The Company You Keep,” it features Jackson alongside local writer and storyteller Leslie Magowan, who will read excerpts from her book What I Learned in School. Jackson will also be joined onstage by a small ‘string section’—Ema Nikolovska on violin, Rory MacLeod on viola, and Bryan Lu on cello—for the chamber-music portion of the show.

For Jackson, a major motivation for the series is to revitalize the bassoon as an instrument—and build long-lasting musical relationships around the discovery of what the bassoon can do. “People always say that there is nothing for bassoon,” Jackson says. “Not only is there an enormous amount, there is more written every day. But if people don’t hear it, they think there’s nothing—and that’s not true.”

While Jackson herself has a busy performing and teaching schedule, she couldn’t help feeling that the bassoon deserved more time in the limelight. And in an industry where large-scale classical concerts can require years of planning and a lot of red tape, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

“I know so many fascinating people,” says Jackson. “I know so much great music. And I’m tired of waiting.”

Bassoon Out Loud opens on Monday, August 15, 7pm at Heliconian Hall. For details on the show, plus descriptions of other concerts in this series, visit www.nadinamackiejackson.com.

TOP 30, T.O.

Where to find CBC’s Top 30 Under 30 in the city this season

Last week, CBC Music released its 2016 “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30”—the latest edition of its annual shortlist of promising local musicians. As always, the list boasts an impressive range, both in age (from 29-year old working professionals to 10-year-old pianist Janaya Lo) and geographically, with featured performers from across the country. And as one might expect, a number of those performers have upcoming concert dates in Toronto this season—concert dates that, considering the CBC’s reliable track record for predicting up-and-coming Canadian talent, are worth taking note of.

If you’re looking to hear the CBC’s “30-under-30” musicians, the Canadian Opera Company seems a likely place to start. Four of CBC’s under-30s this year have upcoming appearances at the Four Seasons Centre this season. 23-year-old mezzo-soprano Lauren Eberwein appears with the COC this winter, to sing Wellgunde in its February 2017 production of Wagner’s Götterdämmerung, and 21-year-old Toronto native Emily d’Angelo—a recent graduate of U of T’s voice program—will sing the role of Zweite Dame in the COC’s January/February 2017 production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. In addition to her role with the COC, d’Angelo will also sing at Koerner Hall on November 11, in concert with four other young award-winning artists in a Royal Conservatory show titled “Generation Next.” Also performing at the COC this season are 25-year-old soprano Chelsea Rus, who will be featured in a free noontime recital on December 1, and 28-year-old horn player Mikhail Babiak, who can be found throughout the season in the orchestra pit.

In the contemporary music world, CBC-favoured groups to watch include Continuum Contemporary Music (possibly including 26-year-old bassoonist Darren Hicks), as well as Toy Piano Composers and Caution Tape Sound Collective, both of which are home to local composer Bekah Simms. Other dates to mark down are November 13—where pianist Matt Poon will perform a recital at U of T’s Hart House as winner of the 2016 Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition for Canadian contemporary music—and January 31, 2017, where 23-year-old accordionist Michael Bridge will play a program of new works with percussionist Michael Murphy, as part of U of T’s annual new music festival. Under-30s lists aside, local school venues like U of T (as well as York University, the Royal Conservatory, and numerous other institutions throughout southern Ontario) have busy year-round concert schedules, and are surefire places to hear young Canadian talent.

You can find the complete list of the CBC’s “Top 30 under 30,” with bios of all of the featured musicians, here on their website. Kudos to all those featured—and here’s to a promising season ahead!

JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

THE ASHKENAZ FESTIVAL RETURNS TO TORONTO: August 30-September 5

Ashkenaz, the biennial festival of global Jewish culture, returns to Harbourfront this summer on August 5, boasting an impressive musical lineup. Headliners include The Klezmatics and “Jewish-funk supergroup” Abraham Inc., as well as appearances by such Canadian folk music staples as the Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra and Lemon Bucket Orkestra—perfect music for one last end-of-summer party. For details on the festival, visit www.ashkenaz.ca.

Other new/corrected August concert listings added online since our last print issue include:

Thursday August 11

8:30: Hugh's Room. Qristina and Quinn. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $22.50(adv)/$25(door).

Friday August 12

8:30: Hugh's Room. Alfie Zappacosta. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $40(adv)/$45(door).

Friday August 12 to Sunday August 14

Batuki Music Society. Habari Africa Festival. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. Free.

Sunday August 14

12:30: TorontoJazzBuzz.com/Vintage & Swing Concerts. Retro Concert Hall Thrills for Vintage-Wearing Swing Fans. Capital Focus Jazz Band. Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave. 416-923-8137. $20 (cash only at the door). Doors open at noon. Vintage attire not mandatory but welcomed!

Monday August 15

7:00: Nadina Mackie Jackson. Bassoon Out Loud: The Company You Keep. Works by Telemann, Scarlatti, Braun, Lussier and Mignone. Leslie Magowan, writer and storyteller; Nadina Mackie Jackson, solo bassoon; and others. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-453-7607. $30; $20(sr/st).

Saturday August 20

7:30: Choirs Ontario. Ontario Youth Choir: Fresh Voices. Allan Bevan: Full fathom Five; Jeff Enns: Hear My Prayer; Grete Pedersen: Norwegian Wedding March; Claudio Monteverdi: Si, ch'io vorrei morire; Eriks Esenvalds: Stars. Robert Cooper, conductor; Edward Moroney, piano. All Saints' Anglican Church (Peterborough), 235 Rubidge St.,Peterborough. 416-923-1144. $25; $20(sr/st).

Sunday August 21

3:00: Choirs Ontario. Ontario Youth Choir: Fresh Voices. Allan Bevan: Full fathom Five; Jeff Enns: Hear My Prayer; Grete Pedersen: Norwegian Wedding March; Claudio Monteverdi: Si, ch'io vorrei morire; Eriks Esenvalds: Stars. Robert Cooper, conductor; Edward Moroney, piano. Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd. 416-923-1144. $25; $20(sr/st).

Saturday August 27

9:30am: Ontario Shape Note Singers. Central Ontario All-Day Sacred Harp Singing. A traditional all-day singing from The Sacred Harp, 1991 edition (the “Denson Book”). Singers and listeners alike are welcome to attend, and can stay for all or any part of the day. Detweiler Meetinghouse, 3445 Roseville Rd., Ayr. 647-838-8764. PWYC.

8:00: Small World Music. Moonlight over the Maghrib. Original compositions and improvisations by Richard Robeson and Shahriyar Jamshidi. Richard Robeson, guitar/ukulele; Shahriyar Jamshidi, kamanche; Sina Khosravi, percussion. Small World Music Centre, Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. 416-536-5439. $20; $15(st).

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

Volume 22 (!) of The WholeNote kicks off next month, with our September 2016 issue. Pick up a copy on the stands starting September 1!

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Sara Constant is social media editor at The WholeNote and studies musicology at the University of Amsterdam. She can be contacted at editorial@thewholenote.com.

One Last Summer

For better or worse, this summer will be one of big musical changes. For one, this year will be Douglas McNabney’s last as director of the celebrated Toronto Summer Music Festival, and TSM has just announced his successor: none other than TSO concertmaster Jonathan Crow.

The choice is not entirely unexpected. Crow is already familiar with the Toronto Summer Music scene, appearing there regularly as a guest performer and mentor at the festival academy. And as a frequent performer both in Toronto and on the festival circuit, Crow certainly has the musical chops to know what makes festival programs work.

“Jonathan has amazing credentials and brings his extremely impressive talents as a performer and skills as an artistic administrator to TSM,” says Lawrence Herman, Chair of the TSM Board of Directors. “We couldn’t be more pleased and excited to be welcoming [him].”

That’s not to say that he doesn’t have big shoes to fill. McNabney, who will officially step down from his position this August, has shown a talent these past five years for exceptional festival programming. 2016 will be no exception. McNabney’s final run with TSM, titled “London Calling,” promises a three-week exploration of British music, “from the baroque to the British Invasion.”

In a 2013 interview with Trish Crawford of the Toronto Star, McNabney spoke of Toronto Summer Music as “an oasis in a desertlike musical scene”—a concert-goer’s saving grace during a time of year when most music presenters pack up for vacation. With Jonathan Crow soon at its helm, hopefully the festival will continue to be such an oasis, for many years to come.

For a sneak preview of “London Calling,” running from July 14 to August 6, head to the Four Seasons Centre tomorrow (Wednesday May 18) at noon for a free lunchtime concert featuring Axel Strauss and alumni from the TSM academy. Details at http://www.torontosummermusic.com/special-events/. And for a look into McNabney’s earliest musical memories, be sure to check out his recent interview in our Music’s Children column, from our May issue: http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/musical-life/whoismusicalchild/26032-may-s-child-douglas-mcnabney.

On a less positive note across the Atlantic, it looks like this summer will also serve as swan song for the EUYO, the European Union’s premier youth orchestra. After being cut off from EU funding, the orchestra is due to cease operations after its 2016 summer tour. It’s hard to imagine where young musician hopefuls would be in Canada without something like the NYOC, and harder still to see the European Union lose their equivalent. Orchestra admin have started a campaign, #SAVEEUYO, to try to rescue the orchestra from closure—for details, visit http://www.euyo.eu/discover/news/.  

Music in Miniature: Tiny instruments in concert this month

Like all good things, music sometimes comes in small packages. At least, that’s how it seems this month in the Toronto new music scene, where a number of upcoming shows, rather than using instruments that are common classical fare, have chosen instead to feature their miniature cousins.

This Thursday (May 19) at 8pm, junctQin keyboard collective presents “Tomi Räisänen: A Portrait,” a look into some of the Finnish composer’s most recent musical work. That work includes two world premieres, music scored for “guitar and balloons,” and a piece for two toy pianos and tape. For the members of junctQin, who are always eager to experiment with keyboard instruments of all sorts and kinds, the toy piano duet will be an opportunity to bring some less common keyboard timbres to the table. The concert is the culmination of Räisänen’s week-long residency with junctQin in Toronto, and well worth a watch. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/612637242219789/.

One week later on May 26, the musicians of Continuum Contemporary Music present “Japan: NEXT,” their main contribution to the RCM’s 21C Festival. UK-based ensemble Okeanos is travelling to Toronto for the festival—and they’re bringing two shōs (Japanese mouth organs) with them.

A free reed instrument like the harmonica or accordion, the shō was originally used in Japanese gagaku court music, but is increasingly gaining traction among contemporary composers, especially after John Cage composed several of his Number Pieces in the early 90s for famous shō player Mayumi Miyata. Naomi Sato, a saxophonist and shō player currently based in the Netherlands, captures some of the instrument’s unique timbral qualities in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUpr1F1dZt0.

To hear more, visit Continuum’s website to find the details of their upcoming concert. 

PRIZES, PRIZES!

Exclusive contests from The WholeNote

IN THIS ISSUE: 24 HOURS ONLY to win tickets to hear Alison Mackay’s latest Tafelmusik creation “Tales of 2 Cities: The Leipzig-Damascus Coffee Houses” this Friday, or tickets to hear award-winning soprano Kathleen Battle in her May 29 program about the Underground Railroad.

Follow the links below:

*ONLY 24 HOURS TO ENTER*

Tafelmusik: Tales of 2 Cities, Friday May 20

Roy Thomson Hall: Kathleen Battle - Underground Railroad, Sunday May 29

 JUST IN: CORRECTED AND NEW LISTINGS

FEATURED LISTING: Suite Melody Care Benefit Concert, May 27 at 6:30pm 

On Friday, May 27, Canadian Music Competition prizewinner Leslie Ashworth joins forces with top-notch local performers violist Eric Nowlin, violinist Barry Shiffman and pianist Dianne Werner, in a fundraising event for her non-profit Suite Melody Care. A youth volunteer community program, Suite Melody Care organizes concerts by young volunteer performers in long-term care facilities, retirement homes and hospitals, linking young musicians with audiences in need across the province. For details on the fundraiser event, see our listings below or visit www.suitemelodycare.com.

Other new/corrected May concert listings added online since our last print issue are as follows:

Thursday May 19

7:00: Alberto Munarriz. Tango Seminar three: Golden era and decline - 1930s to 1960s. Part three of four in a lecture series on the history of tango. University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work, 246 Bloor St. W. $15/PWYC. More info: alberto.j.munarriz@gmail.com.

8:30: Hugh's Room. NeeMa CD release. Opener: Abigail Lapell. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $22.50(adv); $25(door).

Friday May 20

8:30: Hugh's Room. Crystal Shawanda. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $30(adv); $35(door).

Wednesday May 25

7:30: Gravenhurst Opera House. Fats Meets Louis. A celebration of the music of Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong. Jon Seiger, piano/trumpet/voice; Neville Dickie; Jack Hutton. 295 Muskoka Rd. S., Gravenhurst. 888-495-8888. $25(adv); $30(door).

7:30: Toronto Concert Orchestra. Grieg Piano Concerto No. 2. Carl Petersson, piano; Mira Solovianenko, soprano; Anna Shalaykevych, piano; Kerry Stratton, conductor; Harp Sinfonia (Andrew Chan, conductor). Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Rd. $65.

Thursday May 26

7:00: Alberto Munarriz. Tango Seminar four: New Paths...no just Piazzolla - 1960s to present. Part four of four in a lecture series on the history of tango. University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work, 246 Bloor St. W. $15/PWYC. More info: alberto.j.munarriz@gmail.com.

Friday May 27

6:00: Gravenhurst Opera House. Summer Season Gala. Gala evening of music and food. Sheila McCarthy; Marc Jordan; Russell deCarle; Kenny Munshaw; the Johnny Max Band; and others. 295 Muskoka Rd. S., Gravenhurst. 888-495-8888. $50. This gala, in support of Meagan's Walk, also features a 'Taste of Gravenhurst' featuring samplings from local chefs.

6:30: Suite Melody Care. Benefit Concert and CD/DVD Release. Private fundraiser concert with reception, dinner and CD/DVD. Bach; Mozart; Beethoven; Dvorak; and others. Leslie Ashworth, violin/viola/piano; Eric Nowlin, viola; Barry Shiffman, violin; Dianne Werner, piano. University Club of Toronto, 380 University Ave. 289-681-8154. $125 (includes reception, dinner with wine, concert and CD/DVD).

8:30: Hugh's Room. Mad Dogs and Englishmen. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $40(adv); $45(door).

9:00: Jazz Bistro. AMERANOUCHE. 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $12. Second set 10:30pm. Also May 28 ($15).

Saturday May 28

4:30: Music @ Main & Danforth. What a wonderful world: A Jazz Vespers. A selection of Jazz standards. Bill MacLean, vocals; Michael LaLonde, bass; Brian Stevens, piano. Hope United Church, 2550 Danforth Ave. 416-691-9682. Free.

7:00: Milton Choristers. Canada Sings, Eh? A celebration of Canadian music. Knox Presbyterian Church (Milton), 170 Main St. E., Milton. 905-875-1730. $25; $5(st/child).

9:00: Jazz Bistro. AMERANOUCHE. 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $15. Second set 10:30pm. Also May 27 ($12).

Sunday May 29

2:00: Hugh's Room. Ella and Louis Remembered – 60th Verve Anniversary Celebration. Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $25(adv); $27.50(door).

3:30: Jubilate Singers. Spring Songs. Pops, Broadway, folk and Mozart. Polson Park Free Methodist Church, 139 Robert Wallace Dr., Kingston. 613-389-8110. Donations appreciated.

4:00: Harbourfront Centre. Barbados on the Water's Sunday Afternoon Jazz. Marisa Lindsay, voice; Vita Chambers, voice; Eddie Bullen, piano. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. $15.

7:30: Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble. The Music of Gil Evans and Miles Davis. Brian Kane, trumpet; Bruce Cassidy, EVI. Humber College Auditorium, 3199 Lakeshore Blvd. W. 905-270-4757. $20; $10(sr/st).

Saturday June 4

8:00: Spectrum Music. Tower of Babel. New music by the Spectrum composers evoking interpretations on the story of the Tower of Babel. Amos Hoffman, oud/guitar; Noam Lemish, piano; Peter Lutek, clarinet; Justin Gray, bass; Derek Gray, drums. Alliance Française de Toronto, 24 Spadina Rd. $15; $10 sr/st/arts worker. Pre-concert chat at 7:15.

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING

The next issue of HalfTones, Vol 3 No 10, will be out on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Our summer print issue of the magazine, covering June 1-September 7, will be on the stands at the end of May.

Please contact halftones@thewholenote.com with any HalfTones inquiries.

Sara Constant is social media editor at The WholeNote and studies musicology at the University of Amsterdam. She can be contacted at editorial@thewholenote.com.

Welcome to issue #10 of HalfTones—The WholeNote magazine’s e-newsletter that continues monthly through the summer! Here’s where you can find the latest local music news, contests, extra concert listings and more. For additional updates on summer musical happenings throughout Toronto and beyond, be sure to also check out our summer issue of the magazine and our website at thewholenote.com.

- NOTEWORTHY -

TAFELMUSIK IN LEIPZIG

By William Littler

LEIPZIG--Leipzig likes to think of itself as the city of music and with Johann Sebastian Bach having been one of its citizens for the last decades of his life, the annual June Bach Festival (Bachfest) becomes a natural high point of celebration.

This year it also became a high point of celebration for Tafelmusik, when the Toronto period-instrument orchestra was honoured by an invitation to be ensemble-in-residence, performing in the June 13 opening concert in St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche) as well as two more in the other principal church of Bach´s day, the St. Nicholas (Nikolaikirche).

Since 2014 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of Bach´s second eldest son, Tafelmusik, like many other performers in the ten-day, 100-plus event program, has embraced music by Carl Phillip Emanuel, including, in the opening concert, a Magnificat new to the players and so full of harmonic variety and melodic invention that it easily stood comparison with his father´s great D Major Magnificat, daringly programmed in the same concert.

READ MORE

CANADIAN MUSIC FOR GAMELAN TURNS 30:

Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan Explores the Music of its First Decade

By Andrew Timar

Where to start with Toronto’s Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan? Perhaps it’d be best to mention that I was there at the group’s genesis, invited by its composer/founder Jon Siddall. Over three decades later I’m

still a proud member of its roster of musicians, with 30 concert seasons, international tours, over 200 new works and 10 albums under its collective belt. While my bias here is clear, my tenure with ECCG as musician, composer, arranger and past artistic director also ought to qualify me to speak about its past and present projects with passion.

The ECCG has the distinction of being Canada’s first group playing music on an Indonesian gamelan (orchestra). Recently it has been digging into its first decade of commissions of foundational Canadian and American music for gamelan, some not heard this century.

ECCG artistic director Blair Mackay makes a case for these early works. “There are a handful of works from the 1983-1993 era that formed the basis of the ECCG sound as well as our overall approach to playing the actual instruments.” The eight-member group presents these foundational compositions in two intimate June concerts at the Arraymusic Studio, 155 Walnut Ave., Toronto. The first was staged on June 15 and the second will happen on June 22 at 8pm.

READ MORE

FESTIVAL WATCH: TORONTO JAZZ

The 27th TD Toronto Jazz Festival is right around the corner—starting tomorrow, in fact—and promises a plethora of exciting shows across over 40 Toronto venues. With artists that continue to broaden the definition of “jazz programming” and are attracting international attention, this festival is something you won’t want to miss. The WholeNote has CONCERT TICKETS to some of these genre-expanding shows—Hiromi, Buika and Measha Brueggergosman—available to LUCKY readers! Take a look at our “Special Offers” section below to find out more.

FOLLOW THE FROG!

For those of you on the hunt for summer music festivals in the coming weeks, all you have to do is pick up a copy (paper or “digital flipthrough”) of The WholeNote and follow the green frog pin! The frog will lead you through the issue to listings and profiles of local music festivities. To get you started, here are a few festivals in the city that join the TD Jazz Fest in the listings during the coming weeks:

- The Artists’ Garden Cooperative presents garden concerts Wednesday evenings in July and August, featuring everything from chamber music to blues to spoken word. To get a taste of what they offer, the AGC’s annual launch party, with sample performances by this season’s musicians, is this Tuesday June 24 at 4:30pm. The event is free but RSVPs are necessary—just visit artistsgardencoop.com or phone 416-487-0705 for details.

- The Harbourfront Centre hosts a “Canada Day Extravaganza” June 27 to July 1, with a lineup that features musicians of all sorts and kinds! Among the performers are selections from other Toronto summer series, including the Ashkenaz and Tirgan festivals, musicians from Lula Lounge and The WholeNote’s own Jim Galloway and the Wee Big Band. Info on the weekend’s events can be found at http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/festivals.cfm?festival_id=162.

- Finally, if you’re willing to venture outside of Toronto, be sure to look into Owen Sound’s Sweetwater Brass Festival (June 27 to June 29), Music and Beyond in Ottawa(July 5 to July 17) and the Montreal Jazz Festival (June 26 to July 6). There’s lots of music this month all across Canada!

MICHAEL KOLK

In his guitar feature “Classical Comeback” in the summer issue of the magazine, Terry Robbins describes guitarist Michael Kolk’s mid-February recital at Heliconian Hall as “as fine a display of classical guitar playing” as he has ever seen. Double good news: Kolk is back at Heliconian Hall this coming Monday June 23; and you can WIN TICKETS to the recital. See our “Special Offers” section below for details.

- SPECIAL OFFERS -

CONTEST: With the TD Toronto Jazz Fest right around the corner, the WholeNote has tickets to what are sure to be some of the most exciting concerts in the city next week:

Tuesday June 24: HIROMI: THE TRIO PROJECT

Known for her high-energy playing and billed as “one of jazz piano’s most brazenly virtuosic players,” Japanese-born pianist Hiromi will play at this festival alongside trio members Anthony Jackson (bass) and Simon Phillips (drums). Hiromi takes the stage at Koerner Hall, Tuesday at 8pm.

Wednesday June 25: BUIKA

Afro-Spanish singer Buika has collaborated with the likes of Chucho Valdés and Pat Metheny, sung for filmmaker Pedro Almodovar and is the author of two books. Drawing inspiration from flamenco roots and jazz, Buika sings as part of the Jazz Fest at Koerner Hall, 8pm on Wednesday.

Thursday June 26: MEASHA BRUEGGERGOSMAN

Measha Brueggergosman, Canadian soprano extraordinaire, performs a selection of jazz standards for this year’s festival. Described as a “force to be reckoned with, with an innate musicianship and voluptuous voice,” Brueggergosman is sure to bring something special to the Koerner Hall stage. She performs with a group of Toronto’s finest musicians in recital on Thursday at 8pm.

Want a shot at winning a pair of tickets? Just click here, select your date availability, and answer the following question:

In which year did Toronto Downtown Jazz program the very first Toronto Jazz Fest?

For more info on the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, check out torontojazz.com.

CONTEST: Featured in The WholeNote’s summer issue, superstar guitarist Michael Kolk is back in Toronto on Monday June 23 at 8pm, with a sure-to-impress recital of Bach, Debussy, Barrios, Hétu and Gerhard at Heliconian Hall. The WholeNote has tickets to be won by lucky readers! Click here and answer this question for a chance to win:

Name one of the two other guitarists that Terry Robbins mentions alongside Michael Kolk in the summer WholeNote’s “Classical Comeback” feature.

Updates on Kolk can be found at michaelkolkguitar.com.

- DISCOVERIES -

In preparation for Tony Malaby’s upcoming performances at The Rex with Kayos Theory (June 27 and 28), reviewer Ken Waxman takes a look at a Malaby CD:

Somos Agua

Tony Malaby: Tamarindo

Clean Feed CF 304 CD (cleanfeed-records.com)

By Ken Waxman

An essay on the intricacies of saxophone improvisation, New York tenor man Tony Malaby explores every nuance of reed sounds on this matchless session, backed only by the four-square pacing of William Parker’s double bass and the rhythmic flow of drummer Nasheet Waits. Reminiscent of similar trio tours-de-force by Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson, the seven selections make up a suite whose parts flow logically and seamlessly into one another. At the same time, Malaby’s solos confirm his experimental credo by exposing as many split tones and screeches as emotive flutters and gentling tones.

READ MORE

- LISTINGS UPDATE -

Please find below additions to our June and early July listings, plus corrections from our last print issue (marked *):

Friday June 20

8:00: Music Gallery/Shiraz Ensemble. Shiraz Ensemble in Concert. Classical Persian music, with a focus on the work of Ostad Faramarz Payvar. Pedram Khavarzamini, tonbak; Araz Salek, tar; Amin Reyhani, santour; Kousha Nakhaei, kamanche. Music Gallery, 197 John St. 416-204-1080. $25 ($20 member/st).

Monday June 23

5:00: Canadian Music Centre. Lazy Afternoon CD Launch with Byron Bellows. Performances of two of Bellows' works off of his CD "Lazy Afternoon." Cecilia Quartet. 20 St. Joseph St. 416-961-6601. An RSVP by email to aayotte@musiccentre.ca is required.

Thursday June 26

8:00: Ernest Balmer Studio. When the Sun Comes Out. Toronto premiere of a chamber opera by composer Leslie Uyeda and poet/librettist Rachel Rose. Teiya Kasahara as Solana; Stephanie Yelovich as Lilah; Keith Lam as Javan; Maika’i Nash, pianist. 55 Mill St. 416-537-6066. $15-$35. Also June 27.

8:30: Lee's Palace. Lemon Bucket Orkestra. 529 Bloor St. W. 416-532-1598. $20. Doors open at 8:30pm. 19-plus event.

Thursday July 3

8:00: Lula Music and Arts Centre. Yoser Rodriguez Trio & Cafe Con Pan. Jazz/Cuban/Mexican. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. $10.

Friday July 4

7:30: Lula Music and Arts Centre. Free Friday Summer Series: Laura Fernandez. Latin jazz. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. Free before 8pm.

10:30: Lula Music and Arts Centre. Cuba Libre Friday with Conjunto Chappotin. Salsa. Conjunto Chappotin. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. $15.

Saturday July 5

10:30: Lula Music and Arts Centre. El Gremio. Salsa. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. $15.

Tuesday July 8

10:30: Small World Music. Mokoomba - The New Sound of Zimbabwe. African. Mokoomba. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307. $20(adv); $25(door).

Thursday July 24

*7:00: Summer Music in the Garden. Music from the Gardens of India. North Indian classical ragas. Bageshree Vaze, voice; Vineet Vyas, tabla. Toronto Music Garden, 475 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. Free.

- STRICTLY CLASSIFIED! (summer only) -

Pass the word! For only $12 (20-word max) you can have a classified ad on our website right now, without waiting for the September issue. Email classad@thewholenote.com

Here’s a taste of the new ones. Click here to read the complete collection.

“FREE SINGING WORKSHOPS WITH VOCAL COACH & AUTHOR TAMMY FREDERICK, SUN July 20 & SUN Aug 17, 1 – 2 pm. www.simplysing.ca. RSVP: 416-850-0972”

“MUSIC DIRECTOR POSITION: St. John’s United Church located in the heart of downtown Oakville, Ontario, is searching for a new Director of Music.  We are a vibrant congregation with music being integral to weekly worship where we explore and enjoy a wide range of musical genres and expressions. We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic music director who is skilled as both an organist and choir director. In worship we enjoy a 3-manual Casavant organ, Kawai Baby Grand and a digital keyboard. The music director’s responsibilities include a well-established senior choir, growing junior choir and bell choir. Compensation for this 20 hour/week position is commensurate with credentials and experience and will follow the RCCO guidelines. We welcome applications from accompanist and conducting teams. Please forward your resume including references to stjohnsmusicsearch@hotmail.com.”

And on the subject of classifieds, apologies to Patty Kelly whose ad as it appeared in the June/July/Aug omitted the last two lines. Ouch! Here it is in full:

“SENSIBLE VOCAL TRAINING:  DO YOU LOVE TO SING? NEVER TOOK THAT LEAP INTO FORMAL TRAINING? Now's the time for a summer of adventure and fun. Come to Pattie's Vocal Gym for "SummerSing":  a sensible and sensationally fun intensive program aimed at the newcomer . Discover and build your voice, learn how to use it, and get your adrenaline moving. Experienced singers are also welcome: take this opportunity to tone and tune up your instrument for the coming season. For sessions through July and August at special rates call Pattie now! 905-271-6896 vocalsense.ca”

- DATES WITH HALFTONES - 

You can count on HalfTones right through the summer and into the fall! Upcoming HalfTones publication dates include:

Vol. 1 #11: Monday July 7 2014

Vol. 1 #12: Tuesday August 12 2014

For all inquiries, including those members interested in submitting news items for HalfTones consideration, please contact halftones@thewholenote.com a minimum of one week prior to the appropriate publication date. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook here or Follow us on Twitter here.

Finally, feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in The WholeNote HalfTones.

HalfTones is compiled and edited by Sara Constant, Social Media Editor

Welcome to issue #11 of HalfTones—The WholeNote magazine’s e-newsletter that continues monthly through the summer! Here’s where you can find the latest local music news, contests and extra concert listings for the coming month. For additional updates on summer music in Toronto and beyond, take a look at the summer issue of the magazine.

- NOTEWORTHY -

ONTARIO’S MUSICAL SUMMER: FOLLOW THE FROG!

For many of those on the hunt for musicmaking, summer is festival season. In Ontario alone this month, dozens of festivals are offering up programs featuring artists and guest performers both returning and brand-new. For The WholeNote’s guide to music festivities in the coming weeks, all you have to do is pick up a copy (paper or “digital flipthrough”) of the summer issue and follow the green frog pin! The frog will lead you through the issue to listings and profiles of festivals in the area.

Featuring prominently in the festival listings this month is the Toronto Summer Music Festival, which runs from July 22 to August 12 right in the heart of the city and features everything from recitals to chamber music to, this year, a special appearance by the TSO at Koerner Hall. This summer’s programming is titled “The Modern Age” and highlights the astonishing breadth of compositional styles from the early 20th century, including works by Strauss, Prokofiev, Bartók and Schoenberg. Alongside the large concerts, Toronto Summer Music also runs a “SHUFFLE” series of informal, 5pm shows at Heliconian Hall—all the details for this series are in the “Listings Update” section below!

The festival brings a host of exciting performers to the stage at Koerner Hall and at UofT’s Walter Hall—you can get a sneak peek of the TSO’s first-ever Koerner Hall appearance at a chamber concert featuring members from the orchestra on August 7, and superstar guitarist Miloš Karadaglić (featured in Terry Robbins’ story for our summer issue) plays a recital on August 8. The WholeNote has tickets for both these shows to be won by lucky readers! For details, see our “Special Offers” section below. For more info on the festival, visit torontosummermusic.com.

If you prefer a day trip out of the city to a trip downtown, Stratford Summer Music (July 14 to August 24) also boasts an impressive lineup of performers. The festival’s roster of artists includes Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Jane Bunnett with her new group Maqueque, violinist Hilary Hahn with pianist Jan Lisiecki, and the TorQ percussion quartet. TorQ also leads a week-long seminar this year, and participates in a special project named “Tom Percussion Island,” where Tom Patterson Island will play host for six days to percussion-based installations, interactive works and pop-up concerts. To read up on what Stratford Summer Music has to offer, check out stratfordsummermusic.ca, and take a look at Wendalyn Bartley’s article from our summer issue!

There are, of course, many more festivals of all sorts and kinds in the coming month. Here’s just a taste of the other music festivals that join Toronto Summer Music and Stratford Summer Music in The WholeNote’s July listings:

Beaches International Jazz Festival, July 18 to July 27

Festival of the Sound, July 18 to August 10

Newmarket jazz+ Festival, August 1 to August 4

Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, July 24 to August 7

Sun Life Financial UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival, July 18 to July 20

For details on these and other events, take a look at our festival listings or our Green Pages Festival Directory.

MUSIC FROM SCRATCH @ THE CMC

This year, Contact Contemporary Music is teaming up with the Canadian Music Centre to host the annual “Music from Scratch”—a free week-long workshop for ages 15-21. The week includes open rehearsals with the Contact ensemble, workshops guided by composer Graham Flatt in creative listening, writing, and vocal, movement, graphic and improvisation exercises, and a final concert performance to wrap up the program. For details or to register for the workshop, contact Matthew Fava (416-961-6601 x207, mfava@musiccentre.ca) or visit contactcontemporarymusic.org.

CONGRATS!

Finally, some congratulations are in order—of the numerous musicians among this June’s 86 new appointments to the Order of Canada, two Torontonians have been honoured with this recognition and deserve mention here. Alex Pauk, perhaps best known as the mastermind behind Esprit Orchestra, and composer Victor Davies have both been appointed Members of the Order of Canada. Their citations are as follows:

“Alexander Peter Pauk, C.M.

Toronto, Ontario

For his contributions to the development of contemporary Canadian orchestral music and for his promotion of Canada’s composers.”

“Victor Davies, C.M.

Toronto, Ontario

For broadening the appeal of contemporary Canadian music and for supporting the legal rights of Canada’s composers.”

Congrats to both of these fine musicians on their work and their appointments!

- SPECIAL OFFERS -

CONTEST: TICKETS TO TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC

The WholeNote has tickets for two of the concerts from this year’s Toronto Summer Music Festival to be won by lucky readers! On August 7, members of the TSO perform a chamber music concert at Koerner Hall, which includes a Dohnányi sextet and arrangements of works by Mahler and Strauss. August 8 at Koerner Hall, internationally-renowned guitarist Miloš Karadaglić’s recital promises to be an entertaining and impressive performance.

For a chance to win tickets to one of these two shows, just click here and answer the following question:

Both of the programs for these shows contain pieces that are arrangements. Name one of the arrangers of a work from either the “Spotlight on the TSO” concert (August 7) or Miloš Karadaglić’s recital (August 8).

(hint: Take a look on the Toronto Summer Music Festival’s website at torontosummermusic.com!)

Deadline to apply is July 20 at noon. Winners will be drawn from all correct responses.

We wish you luck!

- DISCOVERIES -

Andrew Timar takes a listen to Autorickshaw’s new album -- the world music ensemble will be featured at the Oakville Jazz Festival on August 9, and is scheduled to perform on November 15 at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, a stunning new facility set to open on Wynford Drive in the fall.

The Humours of Autorickshaw

Autorickshaw

Tala Wallah Records TW 005 (autorickshaw.ca)

By Andrew Timar

The JUNO-nominated world music ensemble Autorickshaw’s delightfully exciting fourth album is a rich record of a particular transcultural Toronto musical masala. Make no mistake; The Humours of Autorickshaw is no parochial product however. Rather its achievement resonates across other communities of musicians forging other new musical hybrids. In its ambitious aspirations—adventurous genre mixings, and in some of its lyrics touching, contentious reaches of the human condition—it will resonate with select global audiences.

Viewed as an album The Humours of Autorickshaw reflects perhaps most obviously the music of both North and South India, digested over years of study and performance by a growing group of Toronto musicians anchored by Autorickshaw co-leaders Suba Sankaran (vocals) and Ed Hanley (tabla). They composed much of the music. The album is also as much informed by both classical and vernacular Western musical instruments and idioms. There are strong jazz, rock, funk and even punk features.

READ MORE

- LISTINGS UPDATE -

Please find below additions to our July and early August listings:

Tuesday July 8

8:00: Musideum. Ed Hanley Tabla Solo. Traditional tabla solos in rhythmic cycles of 7, 10, 11 and 16 beats. Ed Hanley, tabla; Rattan Bhamrah, esraj. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W.416-599-7323. $20.

Wednesday July 9

8:00: Musideum. Namgar. Mongolian Folk World Fusion. Namgar, vocals; and others. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20.

Thursday July 10

8:00: Jazz Bistro. Joel Miller @ The Jazz Bistro. Joel Miller, saxophone. 251 Victoria St. 416-363-5299. $10; $15 on July 11 and 12. Also each night at 9:30pm and 11pm. Also July 11 and 12.

8:00: Musideum. The Uncertainty Principle Duo. Andrew Boniwell, piano; Richard Underhill, saxophone. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20; $10(st/artist).

Friday July 11

8:00: Musideum. Pleistocene Serenade. New music. Lief Mosbaugh, oboe; Carol Gimbel, viola; Raphael Roter, percussion; Philip Fournier, piano and composition. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $10.

Saturday July 12

8:00: Musideum. The Westwood Chamber Players. Brahms: Clarinet trio; Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (arr. piano 4-hands and clarinet; Frank Horvat: new work. Michael Westwood, clarinet; Erika Nielsen, cello; Gregory Millar and Lisa Millar, Millar Piano Duo. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20.

Sunday July 13

3:00: Musideum. Huu Bac Quartet. World jazz. Huu Bac Quach, composer, dan bau, erhu, quena, guitar; Guillaume Martineau, piano; Jean-Félix Mailloux, bass; Étienne Mason, drums. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20.

Tuesday July 15

8:00: Musideum. Valeria Matzner. World Latin. Valeria Matzner, vocals; Max Senitt, drums; Scott Metcalfe, piano; Scott Kemp, bass. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20

Thursday July 17

8:00: Musideum. The Larry Bond Quartet. Original compositions by Larry Bond from the CD "Out in Front"; debut performances of recent compositions; works by Kenny Barron, Cedar Walton, Wayne Shorter. Larry Bond, piano; Bruce Redstone, saxophone; Bob Mills, bass; Richard Moore, drums. Suite 133 (main floor), 401 Richmond St. W. 416-599-7323. $20.

8:00: StageWorks Toronto. Assassins. Musical. Stephen Sondheim, music and lyrics; John Weidman, book. Lorraine Kimsa, co-director; Michael Yaneff, co-director; Luke Witt; Hugh Ritchie; Rich Burdett; Russ Underdown; Dylan Brenton; and others. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place. 416-803-5287. $25. Also Jul 18, 19, 20(mat), 23, 24, 25, 26(mat and eve) and 27(mat).

Friday July 18

8:30: Hugh's Room. Duane Andrews & Craig Young @ Hugh's Room. Duane Andrews and Craig Young, guitars. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $18(adv); $20(door).

Sunday July 20/Monday July 21

1:00: Kantele Players of Agricola and Musideum. Kantele Workshops and Concert. Beginner and intermediate for 5-15 string kanteles. Arja Kastinen, kantele/clinician. Agricola Lutheran Church, 25 Old York Mills Rd. 416-599-7323. $25 (single workshop); $40 (both workshops). July 20, 1-4pm: beginner workshop; July 21, 9am-12pm: intermediate workshop; July 21, 1-4pm: intermediate workshop part II; July 21, 7pm: participant concert.

Wednesday July 23

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. Drew Jurecka Trio. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. Drew Jurecka, violin; Mark Kieswetter, piano; Clark Johnston, bass. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

Thursday July 24

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. Carissa Klopoushak. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. Folk-inspired program. Carissa Klopoushak, violin; Alexandru Sura, cimbalom. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

Friday July 25

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. Marin Nasturica. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. Marin Nasturica, accordion. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

Wednesday July 30

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. Lui Fang. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. Chinese classical, folk and contemporary works for pipa from both east and west. Lui Fang, pipa. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

Thursday July 31

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. Nico Dann's Rhododendron. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. A modern jazz ensemble led by drummer Nico Dann. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

Friday August 1

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. Carol Gimbel and Pemi Paull. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. Solo and duo works for viola, acoustic and electronic. Carol Gimbel and Pemi Paull, violas. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

Wednesday August 6

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. University of Toronto Jazz Combo. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. Staff and students of the jazz program at UofT. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

Thursday August 7

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. The Bicycle Opera Project Part 1. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. Small-scale contemporary opera. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

Friday August 8

5:00: Toronto Summer Music Festival. The Bicycle Opera Project Part 2. Part of the OLG SHUFFLE concert series. Small-scale contemporary opera. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. 416-408-0208. PWYC.

- STRICTLY CLASSIFIED! (summer only) -

Pass the word! For only $12 (20-word max) you can have a classified ad on our website right now, without waiting for the September issue. Email classad@thewholenote.com.

Click here to read the complete collection of summer classifieds.

- DATES WITH HALFTONES -

You can count on HalfTones right through the summer and into the fall! The next HalfTones publication date is Tuesday August 12 (Vol. 1 #12). After that, be sure to keep an eye out for The WholeNote’s first print issue of its 20th season on Thursday September 4, and the September issue of HalfTones on Tuesday September 16.

For all inquiries, including those members interested in submitting news items for HalfTones consideration, please contact halftones@thewholenote.com a minimum of one week prior to the appropriate publication date. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook here or Follow us on Twitter here.

Finally, feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in The WholeNote HalfTones.

HalfTones is compiled and edited by Sara Constant, Social Media Editor

Welcome to issue #12 of HalfTones—The WholeNote magazine’s regular midmonth e-newsletter. Here’s where you can find the latest local music news, contests, and extra concert listings for the rest of the month. For additional updates on summer music in Toronto and beyond, take a look at the summer issue of the magazine—and see you in September with the first print issue of our 20th season!

FOLLOW THE FROG

ROUNDING UP AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER’S MUSIC FESTIVALS

Back-to-school ads and concert season announcements notwithstanding, the summer’s not over yet! There are several worthy music festivals you should keep on your radar as summer draws to a close:

-- The Ashkenaz Festival, a biennial highlight of the Toronto summer, is one of the world’s largest showcases of Jewish music and culture. This year’s festival takes place at Harbourfront (as well as other smaller venues across the GTA) August 26 to September 1, and includes a wealth of both free and ticketed events, featuring performances by musicians both local and internationally-renowned. All the details at ashkenazfestival.com.

-- JUST ANNOUNCED: The program for the 2014 Guelph Jazz Festival is out and on their website! The festivities take place September 3 to 7, and all the info can be found at guelphjazzfestival.com/2014.

-- If you happen to be Alberta-bound this September, Honens—best known for their prestigious piano competition—takes its first leap into the festival scene, with an inaugural Honens Festival September 4 to 7 in Calgary. Even if you can’t be there in person, the festival will be one to keep tabs on—performers include singer Martha Wainwright, pianist Alexandre Tharaud, and a primer on music of the early 20th century with Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker. More on the event at honens.com/PerformancesEvents/Tickets.aspx.

-- There’s also, of course, the inaugural year of the Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts. On September 5 they present the Ontario premiere of the one and only James Ehnes with his string quartet. Not a concert to miss—and The WholeNote has tickets to be won by lucky readers! Just click here or see our CONTEST section below.

CHORAL SCENE, AT HOME AND ABROAD

Welcome home to the 44 members of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, from an international tour to the 10th World Symposium on Choral Music!

The Hamilton Children’s Choir, the only choir representing Canada at the symposium, returns from a week in South Korea, which included a special performance for the Embassy of Canada in Korea. The World Symposium on Choral Music, organized once every three years, brings together choirs, presenters and choral conductors from around the globe. The last symposium, held in Puerto Madryn, Argentina, hosted nearly 1,500 attendees from 51 countries. For the HCC’s blog of their trip, visit hamiltonchildrenschoir.org.

Closer to home, the Ontario Youth Choir wraps up a three-concert Canadian tour on Sunday, August 24, with a program entitled “Roots and Wings.” The choir of 40 singers aged 16-23 travels to Toronto after ten days of rehearsals, masterclasses and voice lessons at the University of Ottawa. The show is 3pm at Grace Church on-the-Hill; details are available in the LISTINGS section below, or at choirsontario.org/EventManager/detail?id=8a3620c2474d9b9501475fd0997a0344.

BACK IN TOWN: NEW MUSIC 101

The New Music 101 series has announced three new sessions for the coming fall. Presented by the Toronto New Music Alliance, the series presents monthly, one-hour-long crash-courses in exploring some of what the Toronto new music scene has to offer. The sessions are Monday nights (September 8, October 6, November 3) on the third floor of the Toronto Reference Library (with an extra Tuesday night session October 7 at Palmerston Library) and don’t require any fee or registration.

This fall’s sessions include a presentation on contemporary opera by Toy Piano Composers and the Bicycle Opera Project in September, demonstrations on parallels in musical and literary narratives in October, and a November exploration of the relationship between sound and visual imagery with New Adventures in Sound Art and pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico. If you’re interested in attending, more details are available at musiccentre.ca/node/122448.

RESONATE

Resonate is a new, student-run benefit concert series in Toronto, that seeks to raise awareness and funds for lesser-known philanthropic causes through annual performances. Founded by Luke Chang and Jason Lee, two students at Harvard University, the organization’s inaugural concert in 2013 raised over $2,000 to assist relief efforts for the earthquake that occurred that April in Sichuan, China.

Resonate’s second annual concert is 7:30pm on Saturday, August 23, at U of T’s Victoria College Chapel. Proceeds from the show will be donated to the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights, set to open its doors this September. The lineup includes young performers from conservatories and schools across North America, and promises an exciting program for a worthy cause. For more on Resonate, and for details and ticket info for the upcoming concert, see our LISTINGS section or visit resonatemusic.org.

TORONTO’S OPEN STREETS/BLOOR STREET CULTURAL CORRIDOR

On Sunday, August 17 and Sunday, August 31, the Royal Conservatory of Music and Royal Ontario Museum will present a cultural hub on Bloor Street as part of the Open Streets TO initiative. On these two days, passersby will have the opportunity to enjoy informal music performances from 9:30am until noon, a public piano, and an outdoor café presented by b espresso. The ROM also joins the festivities, with activities outside the museum inspired by its special Forbidden City exhibition of ancient China.

More info about Open Streets TO is available at www.openstreetsto.org. More on the Bloor Street Cultural Corridor is at bloorstculturecorridor.com.

CONTEST: JAMES EHNES STRING QUARTET

On September 5, Bravo Niagara! presents the Ontario premiere of superstar violinist James Ehnes with his string quartet, against the picturesque backdrop of Niagara’s vineyards. The WholeNote has tickets to be won by lucky readers (1 pair of tickets = $127 value)! Just click here and answer the following question for your chance to win:

Name one other member of the Ehnes quartet.

(hint: check out the event’s webpage at bravoniagaraimf.com/index.php/falling-for-music)

For details on Bravo Niagara! and the upcoming show, visit bravoniagaraimf.com.

JUST IN: LISTINGS

Tuesday August 12

6:30: Palais Royale. Waterfront Tuesdays at Palais Royale. Dinner and dancing with live music. Vivianna and her Jelly Bean Jazz Band; Glenn Chipkar, vocalist. 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W. 416-533-3553 x22. Free with dinner; $10 cover without purchase of dinner. Also Aug 26. Doors open at 6pm.

8:30: Hugh's Room. Kruger Brothers. Jens Kruger, banjo, vocals; Uwe Kruger, guitar, lead vocals; Joel Landsberg, bass, vocals. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $27.50(adv); $30(door).

Wednesday August 13

2:30: Barrie Concerts. Seniors Serenade. Bach; Beethoven; Ginastera; Brahms; Handel; Chopin; Liszt. Tabitha Johnson, piano. Grace United Church, 350 Grove St. E., Barrie. 705-726-1181. Free.

9:30: ANTE Up Productions/SummerWorks Festival. And Now, The End. A Sci-Fi Musical-Drama about a small Canadian town as it faces an imminent apocalypse. Tamara Bernier Evans; Troy Adams; Paulo Santalucia; Jeff Yung; Ruth Goodwin; and others. Book: Victoria Houser; Emily Nixon; Drew O'Hara; Zach Parkhurst; Jake Vanderham. Music and lyrics: Jake Vanderham. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave. 416-907-0468. $15. Also Aug 15(7pm), Aug 16(10pm) and Aug 17(5pm).

Friday August 15

6:30: Istituto Italiano di Cultura/CHIN Radio. Italian Opera: Tribute to Franco Zeffirelli -- "La Boheme". Film screening of Puccini's "La Boheme" as directed by Italian director Franco Zeffirelli. Mirella Freni; Adriana Martino; Gianni Raimondi; Rolando Panerai; and others. Franco Zeffirelli, director; Herbert von Karajan, conductor. Alliance Française de Toronto, 24 Spadina Rd. 416-921-3802 x227. Free.

7:00: Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Indian Diaspora Festival. Performances in Indian music and dance forms, tabla and kathak. Razak Pirani, tabla; Rina Mehta, kathak dance. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston Ave. 1-888-958-2252. $20.

8:00: Paintbox Bistro. Branches. CD launch for Denis Schingh's new solo piano album. 555 Dundas St. E. 647-748-0555. $10.

Sunday August 17

2:30: Peterborough Symphony/Kawartha Land Trust. Fresh Airs on Stoney. An open-air concert on the shore of Stoney Lake. Peterborough Symphony. Viamede Resort, 595 Mount Julian Viamede Road, Woodview. 705-742-1992. By donation only. Suggested $20. Pre-concert chat by music director Michael Newnham begins the performance at 2:30pm.

Wednesday August 20

12:00 noon: Barrie Concerts. Music at St. Andrews. Bach; Hindemith; Bedard. Lenard Whiting, organ; Michael Gomiega, piano. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 47 Owen St.,Barrie. 705-726-1181. $5; Students free.

Saturday August 23

7:30: Resonate. Fundraiser for Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Victoria College Chapel, 91 Charles St. W.647-926-1331. $20; $10(sr/st).

Sunday August 24

3:00: Choirs Ontario. Roots and Wings. Ontario Youth Choir. Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd. 416-923-1144. $25; $20(sr/st); free for children 12 and under. Tickets available through eventbrite.ca.

Wednesday August 27

8:30: Hugh's Room. Albert Lee @ Hugh's Room. Albert Lee, guitar; John "J.T" Thomas, keyboards; Will MacGregor, bass; Jason Smith, drums. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $35(adv); $40(door).

Wednesday September 3

12:00 noon: Barrie Concerts. Midday Music with Shigeru. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances; Brahms: Hungarian Dances. Marketa Ornova and Jialiang Zhu, pianos. Hi-Way Pentecostal Church, 50 Anne St. N., Barrie. 705-726-1181. $5; Students free.

Friday September 5

8:00: Scott Thomson and Susanna Hood. The Muted Note. Premieres of new music, dance and poetry based on P.K. Page poems. Susanna Hood, choreography; Scott Thomson, composition; and others. The Citadel, 304 Parliament St. 416-364-8011. $20. Also Sept 6(8pm) and Sept 7(2pm).

DATES WITH HALFTONES

Volume No. 2 of HalfTones starts in the fall—first issue on September 16! Also, be sure to keep an eye out for the September issue of The WholeNote’s 20th season—available in online flipthrough format on September 1 and on the stands September 4!

For all inquiries, including those members interested in submitting news items for HalfTones consideration, please contact halftones@thewholenote.com a minimum of one week prior to the appropriate publication date. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook here or Follow us on Twitter here.

Finally, feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in The WholeNote HalfTones.

HALFTONES #6
FEBRUARY 18, 2014

Welcome to issue #6 of The WholeNote’s monthly e-newsletter HalfTones!  Next issue of the print magazine will be out Friday February 28. In the meantime, here’s the mid-month music news, plus some great contests and special ticket offers to check out.

NOTEWORTHY
CONTESTS
LISTINGS UPDATE
SIGN UP FOR HALFTONES

- NOTEWORTHY - 

MOVIE (AND MUSIC) NIGHTS

Music/movie pairings are in vogue with concert programmers and cinemas alike this month. The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is teaming up with the RCM once more to present Music on Film, a series of Monday-night screenings February 24-April 7. The films feature everything from Flamenco to electronic instruments, and include special guest performances and Q&As moderated by the RCM’s very own Mervon Mehta. A series pass is $30 ($26 for Bloor Cinema Members), with single tickets going for $15 each. More info at www.bloorcinema.com.

Concerts for the movie-lover also abound, with the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony’s “Pixar in Concert” show Wednesday, February 26 -- featuring music and imagery from the likes of Finding Nemo and Toy Story -- and Chorus Niagara’s live choral soundtrack to silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc on Friday, February 28 and Saturday, March 1. Details for the Pixar show at http://kwsymphony.ca/2013_14/subscription/specials.php, and more on Chorus Niagara at http://www.chorusniagara.ca.

PS: The WholeNote has been thinking about movie music as well -- our February issue’s cover story features the one and only Philip Glass in his collaboration with Godfrey Reggio for the film Visitors. Read up on Glass and Reggio’s recent noteworthy work on our site at http://thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/blog/music-and-the-movies/24746-visitors-a-collaborative-effort.

JUNOS: ONES TO WATCH

The big upcoming show for Canadian recorded music is, of course, the JUNO awards, this year March 24-30 in Winnipeg.  We’re seeing some familiar names among the nominees -- quite a few of the albums up for awards this year have already been reviewed in The WholeNote’s DISCoveries section! If you’re looking to read up on JUNO candidates this year, here’s a list of nominees, with links to any reviews that have appeared in The WholeNote:

Vocal Jazz Album of the Year

Amy McConnell & William Sperandei for “Stealing Genius”: Feb 2013
Erin Propp with Larry Roy for “Courage, My Love”
Matt Dusk for “My Funny Valentine – The Chet Baker Songbook”: April 2013
Mike Rud feat. Sienna Dahlen for “Notes On Montréal”
Sonia Johnson, Charles Biddle Jr. and Annie Poulain for “Triades”

Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year

Brandi Disterheft for “Gratitude”: Dec 2012
Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra for “Habitat”: Dec 2013
Darcy James Argue's Secret Society for “Brooklyn Babylon”: July 2013
Earl MacDonald for “Mirror of the Mind”
Trifolia for “Le refuge”: Oct 2013

Traditional Jazz Album of the Year

Carn Davidson 9 for “Nine”: June 2013
Ian McDougall 12tet for “The Ian McDougall 12tet LIVE”
John MacLeod & His Rex Hotel Orchestra for “Our Second Set”: Sept 2013
Mike Downes for “Ripple Effect”: Dec 2013
Phil Dwyer and Don Thompson for “Look for the Silver Lining”

Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble

James Ehnes for “Prokofiev Complete Works for Violin”: Feb 2014
Jan Lisiecki for “Chopin: Études”: June 2013
Janina Fialkowska and the Chamber Players of Canada for “Mozart: Concertos Nos. 13 & 14”
Louis Lortie for “Liszt at The Opera”
Stewart Goodyear for “Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas”: Dec 2012

Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment

Angela Hewitt for “Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 17 & 27”: June 2013
James Ehnes for “Britten & Shostakovich: Violin Concerti”: June 2013
Nadina Mackie Jackson and Guy Few with Group of 27 for “Canadian Concerto Project, Volume One”: Feb 2014 
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra for “House of Dreams”: Feb 2014
Toronto Symphony Orchestra for “Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances & Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring”: Dec 2013

Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral Performance

Group of 27 feat. Shannon Mercer for “Berlioz: Les nuits d'été – Palej : The Poet & the War, Rorate Coeli”: Feb 2014 
Isabel Bayrakdarian for “Ravel, Sayat-Nova & Kradjian: Troubadour & the Nightingale”: Dec 2013
Marie-Nicole Lemieux and André Gagnon for “Lettres de Madame Roy à sa fille, Gabrielle”
Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Alexander Weimann, Owen Willets, Karina Gauvin, Allyson McHardy, Amanda Forsythe and Nathan Berg for “Handel: Orlando”: Oct 2013
Vancouver Chamber Choir for “A Quiet Place: Music for Healing III”

Classical Composition of the Year

Allan Gordon Bell for “Field Notes”: Sept 2013
James O’Callaghan for “Isomorphia for Orchestra and Electronics”
R. Murray Schafer for “Quatuors à cordes No. 12”: June 2013
Stephen Chatman for “Magnificat”: Nov 2013
Tim Brady for “Atacama: Symphonie No. 3”: April 2013

World Music Album of the Year

Adonis Puentes for “Sabor A Café”
Azam Ali and Loga R.Torkian for “Lamentation of Swans – A Journey Towards Silence”
David Buchbinder and Odessa/Havana for “Walk to the Sea”: Nov 2013
Kobo Town for “Jumbie in the Jukebox”
Lemon Bucket Orkestra for “Lume, Lume”

Also, JUNO nominees Amy McConnell and William Sperandei are performing March 20, 21 and 22 at Toronto’s Jazz Bistro. The duo’s debut album “Stealing Genius is nominated for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.  Details for their Toronto performances are at www.jazzbistro.ca!

MUSIC: NEW AND EARLY

Other news for the Toronto music scene:

The beginning of March is proving to be a promising time for new music in the city. Starting Monday, March 3, the Toronto New Music Alliance is back with its popular New Music 101 series at the Toronto Reference  Library. The March 3 session features features New Music Concerts with French percussionist Jean-Pierre Drouet, and junctQin Keyboard Collective who will give an overview of their collaborative history, presenting score samples and instrument demonstrations. The series continues March 10 and 17, with Toronto music critic John Terauds hosting all three sessions  -- some details at http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT149139&R=EVT149139. More to come in the March issue of The WholeNote.

March also means the TSO’s New Creations Festival, this year featuring composer and guest conductor John Adams with concerts March 1, 5 and 7 and tickets as cheap as $14. More at http://www.tso.ca/en-ca/new-creations-festival.aspx.

As for early music, on March 1 the Tallis Choir of Toronto will be presenting a concert at St. Patrick’s Church, 141 McCaul Street. The first half of the concert is a recreation of the music of a requiem as it may have been celebrated on August 22, 1499 at the court of Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy and sister of Richard III -- the very king whose reburial is the source of recent dispute (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-26000248). The show will also include works from the “Eton Choir Book”. Single tickets go for $30 ($25 for seniors), and there are special group rates for 10 or more. All the details at 416-286-9798, and at www.tallischoir.com!

The exploration of a land steeped in history is also the focus of Trio Arkel’s March 9 concert “Land of the Kalevala”, where they feature the music of Finnish composers. They’ll be playing string trios by Sibelius and Saariaho, and will be joined by guests for Lindberg’s Quintet for Clarinet and Strings -- more info at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/576857.

- PRIZES AND SPECIAL OFFERS -

CONTEST 1: Mozart is coming to Mississauga! 7:30pm on March 1, the MCS Chorus is presenting Mozart’s Coronation Mass as well as a selection of his other works -- and they’re offering TWO PAIRS of FREE tickets for readers!  Just click here and answer the following question for your chance to win:

“Which of Mozart’s works is catalogued as K.618?” (hint: we’re thinking of a motet!)

For more info on this concert check out http://mcschorus.ca/node/67.

CONTEST 2: For jazz fans, here’s another prize up for grabs: Massey Hall is offering a FREE PAIR of tickets to The Spring Quartet’s appearance on Thursday, February 27! This quartet harnesses the talents of renowned jazz giants Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding and Leo Genovese for what’s sure to be an incredible show. Want a chance at the tickets? Just click here and answer: Which columnist at The WholeNote previewed this concert in our February 2014 issue? (hint: here’s a link to our online copy: http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/aboutus/wholenotepdf)

For details on the Massey Hall show and to listen to The Spring Quartet’s recent live recording of “The Ethiopian Blues”, check out http://www.masseyhall.com/eventdetail/1427.

(Deadline for both these contests is midnight Sunday, February 22)

EXCLUSIVE OFFER 1: Friday, February 28 and Saturday, March 1 is the weekend for the Toronto Consort’s “Carnival Revels” -- a show featuring music from the streets of Carnival season in Renaissance Italy. In true carnival spirit, they’re offering a very special deal for WholeNote readers -- for their Saturday, March 1 concert only, get TWO TICKETS FOR $10! There’s a limit of 15 pairs for this offer, so send us an email at halftones@thewholenote.com with the subject line CARNIVAL REVELS and we’ll confirm ticket availability with you -- then just show up on March 1 with a guest, $10 and enjoy what’s sure to be an entertaining evening. Additional info on the Toronto Consort at http://www.torontoconsort.org/season/schedule.html.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER 2: It has been one year since Austrian researchers published the full extent of Nazi collaboration by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra;now on March 17, at the Glenn Gould Studio, the Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership has organized a panel discussion/concert titled The Arts in Vienna: A Proud History, A Painful Past. Clemens Hellsberg, violinist, current chairman of the Vienna Phil will be among the distinguished panelists, in a discussion that explores Austrian society during the First and Second World Wars, as well as current tensions and efforts at reconciliation in Europe. The evening will also feature a special music performance by members of the Vienna Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble. This event is invite-only, but The WholeNote has 4 AVAILABLE TICKETS for interested readers. Email publisher@thewholenote.com by Friday February 21 if you are interested in joining The WholeNote contingent attending the event.

- LISTINGS UPDATE -

Please find below additional events added to our February listings:

Friday, February 21

8:00: The Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble. Hotfoot: Cool Jazz. A performance of the music of Bruce Cassidy with special guests Bruce Cassidy and The Hotfoot Orchestra. Pat Murray, vocals; Bruce Cassidy, flugelhorn and EVI; Kevin Turcotte, trumpet; William Carn, trombone; Vern Dorge, alto saxophone; and others. Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. 905-306-6000. $20-$40.

Thursday, February 27

8:00: Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie. ALLONEWORD. A suite of six works set to and inspired by selections from Biber's Rosary Sonatas. John Oswald, arranger/director; Svetlana Lunkina. Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham. 905-305-7469. $49-$54.

8:30: Hugh's Room. John Hammond. John Hammond. 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. $47.50(adv); $50(door). Reservations by phone and at hughsroom.com. Also Feb 28.

Friday, February 28

8:00: MOonhORsE Dance Theatre. Older & Reckless - Edition #31 - ALL DUETS. A collaborative performance featuring seven dance artists, a poet and a five-piece band in four duets. Michael Marye; Suzette Sherman; Vivine Scarlett; Michelle Muir; Stelio Calagias; Tim Spain; Yvonne Ng; Robert Glumbek. Dancemakers Studio 313, Distillery District, 9 Trinity St. 416-504-6429 x30. $25; $22(st/sr/CADA). Also Mar 1 at 8pm (with $10 belly dance workshop at 5:30pm), Mar 2 at 2pm.

Saturday, March 1

10:30am: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Singsation Saturday Choral Workshop. Sing with the choir. Latin American inspired choral music. Ana Alvarez Sandoval, guest conductor. Cameron Hall, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St. 416-598-0422 x221. $10. Refreshments included. tmchoir.org.

- DATES WITH HALFTONES -

That’s all for now -- for those of you who are wondering, here’s a list of upcoming HalfTones publication dates:

Vol. 1 #7: Tuesday March 18 2014
Vol. 1 #8: Tuesday April 15 2014
Vol. 1 #9: Thursday May 15 2014
Vol. 1 #10: Tuesday June 17 2014
Vol. 1 #11: Monday July 7 2014
Vol. 1 #12: Tuesday August 12 2014

For all inquiries, including those members interested in submitting news items for HalfTones consideration, please contact halftones@thewholenote.com  a minimum of one week prior to the appropriate publication date.

Be sure to look for The WholeNote Vol. 19 No. 6 at the beginning of March (and for our next issue of HalfTones on March 18)! Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook here or Follow us on Twitter here.

Finally, feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in The WholeNote HalfTones.

HalfTones is compiled and edited by Sara Constant, Social Media Editor

HALFTONES #7
MARCH 18, 2014

Here we are with issue #7 of HalfTones, The WholeNote’s mid-month e-newsletter with news, extra listings and ticket offers.  Take a look here at what’s on in Toronto for the rest of month -- and look for the next issue of the print magazine at the beginning of April!

NOTEWORTHY
CONTESTS
LISTINGS UPDATE
SIGN UP FOR HALFTONES

- NOTEWORTHY -

Staging the Song Cycle

The song cycle seems to be in vogue with Toronto theatres this month.  Contemporary dance innovators Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie bring lieder to the stage with “Dichterliebe: A Poet’s Life”.  Featuring dancer Laurence Lemieux, baritone Alexander Dobson and pianist Jeanie Chung, the show promises audiences a refreshing experience of the songs of Schubert and Schumann.  “Dichterliebe” is onstage at the dance company’s Toronto studio-theatre March 27 and 28, with follow-up appearances in Guelph and Burlington.  More info here: http://colemanlemieux.com/portfolio/dichterliebe-tour/, and a video clip here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwEAOtOLOcc&feature=youtu.be for a taste of what the group has planned.

Acting Up Stage Company also features song in a 10th-anniversary production of William Finn’s “Elegies: A Song Cycle” -- a series of staged songs that tell the stories of people both real and imagined in an effort to capture the breadth of the human experience.  Starring Thom Allison, Barbara Barsky, Steven Gallagher, Joel Gomez and Eliza-Jane Scott, “Elegies” is onstage March 21 to April 13 at Daniels Spectrum -- all the details here: http://actingupstage.com/productions/elegies.

And also speaking of staging -- Michael Patrick Albano, resident stage director at the University of Toronto Opera Division, talks opera and education withThe WholeNote columnist Christopher Hoile as U of T’s Faculty of Music celebrates its 50th year in the Edward Johnson Building on Queen’s Park.  The school’s presentation of Britten’s opera Albert Herring opens March 20 at the MacMillan Theatre.  You can access the interview at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/blog/general-music/24800-interview-with-michael-patrick-albano.

Dutch Visitors

If it’s the case that Tafel’s search for a successor to Jeanne Lamon is following the typical orchestral practice of bringing in potential candidates to guest-conduct, then Tafel watchers should pay particular attention to the visit of Dutch-Italian violinist Cecilia Bernardini who makes her Tafelmusik debut March 27 to 30, 2014, directing the instrumental portion of the programme A Night in Paris: Le Concert Spirituel at Jeanne Lamon Hall.

The concert title -- and programme -- harkens back to 18th-century France’s first public concert series.  Bernardini makes her Tafelmusik debut at this show.  A public guest artist masterclass with Bernardini, as part of Tafelmusik’s “Baroque Mentors” series, will also be offered on Saturday March 29 at 1pm.  Tickets for masterclass auditors are a mere $10 and are available at the door.  Details about the masterclass are available here (http://www.tafelmusik.org/concert-calendar/events/masterclass-cecilia-bernardini), and info about the concert can be found at http://www.tafelmusik.org/concert-calendar/concert/night-paris-le-concert-spirituel.

Visitors from the Netherlands also abound in the Toronto new music scene, with the upcoming Dutch-Canadian contemporary music summit “Gaudeamus: Deconstructed and Reconstructed”.  Presented by the combined forces of Array Music, Continuum Contemporary Music and the Music Gallery, Gaudeamus is April 3-4 and is a special coming-together of musicians and compositions Dutch and Canadian.  The full story is covered by columnist Wendalyn Bartley in our March issue:  http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newmusic/24789-in-the-spirit-of-gaudeamus.

In the aftermath of the festivities, Continuum presents Amsterdam-based guests Trio 7090 in a concert of music by Iannis Xenakis, Michael Finnissy, Cassandra Miller, Trevor Grahl and Guus Janssen.  The show is April 12, and all the details are available on Continuum’s website (http://continuummusic.org/seasons/1314/trio-7090-on-tour.php).

Robert Lepage

In recognition of the Québécois writer, director, designer, and actor Robert Lepage being named as this year’s recipient of The Glenn Gould Prize, a retrospective highlighting his cinematic work is showing at TIFF Bell Lightbox, March 27 to April 1.  “Robert Lepage: Possible Worlds” includes screenings of his work from 1994 to 2013, and Lepage himself will be in attendance for select screenings.  Details here (http://tiff.net/cinematheque/robertlepage).

As part of The Glenn Gould Prize, Lepage has chosen the L’orchestre d’hommes-orchestres (LODHO) to receive The City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize.  He will present the award to members of LODHO following a special performance of their work Cabaret brise-jour on March 29 at 2pm at The Theatre Centre in Toronto.  For the complete run of Cabaret brise-jour, consult The WholeNote’s listings at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/listings/concertsgta.

The Benefit Show

At this time of the year there is also a plethora of musical events that act as benefits or fundraisers for their presenters.  In support of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Conductor’s Challenge fundraising campaign, chorister Sam Broverman is joined by pianist Peter Hill, guitarist Tony Quarrington and singer Charlie Davidson for “The Mendelssohn Choir Gets Jazzed”, March 21 from 5-8pm.  The event is at Gate 403, and there is no cover charge, with all donations to the music appreciation jar donated to the choir.  More info about the venue at http://www.gate403.com.

Also coming up: on March 31 at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, actress Shirley Douglas and Tony Award-winning Brent Carver join a lineup of performers to “Holler 4 Health Care”.  The event is part of a National Day of Action for a new Federal-Provincial Health Accord organized by the Canadian Health Coalition (www.healthcoalition.ca).  More info is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/563190377110432/.

- SPECIAL OFFERS -

CONTEST: MCS Chorus’ final concert of their 2013/14 season, “Gloried Voices”, presents lyrical a cappella repertoire ranging from the 16th-20th centuries.  The concert, on April 26 at Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic Church in Mississauga, features Bach's motet BWV 227 Jesu, meine Freude, Palestrina's Aeterna Christi munera, Duruflé's Four Motets on Gregorian Themes and motets by Bruckner, Willan and Daley.

MCS Chorus is offering TWO PAIRS OF FREE TICKETS to interested readers of The WholeNote!  All you have to do is name one of Maurice Duruflé’s 4 motets.  Click here to answer for your chance to win!

For more information on MCS Chorus and their upcoming concert, check out http://mcschorus.ca/.

CONTEST: The COC is presenting Handel’s Hercules this April 5 to 30, starring bass-baritone Eric Owens in the title role.  We have TWO FREE TICKETS for the Wednesday April 30 performance up for grabs -- for a chance to win, just click here and answer the following question:

Hercules this year is under the direction of Peter Sellars, who also directed the COC’s production of a famous Wagner opera in 2013.  What is the name of this opera?

For more info on the COC and Hercules, visit http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1314Season/Hercules.aspx.

SPECIAL OFFER: If you’re age 30 or under and interested in early music, don’t forget about the Toronto Consort’s Club Consort -- “under-30s” who sign up for their mailing list are eligible to buy tickets for only $10 (limit of 2).  Their next event, Francesco Cavalli’s Giasone performed in concert, is on April 4, 5 and 6.  Take a look at http://www.torontoconsort.org/season/clubconsort.html to learn more about this deal.

- LISTINGS UPDATE -

Thursday March 20

7:30: Brock University. De Temps Antan. A celebration of International Francophone Day. Québécois folk music. De Temps Antan. Sean O'Sullivan Theatre, Centre for the Arts, 500 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines. 1-866-617-3257. $36/$32/$27; $20(st); $16(13 and under); $5(eyeGO).

Friday March 21

8:00: Acting Up Stage Company. Elegies: A Song Cycle. Works by Finn. Thom Allison, Barbara Barsky, Steven Gallagher, Joel Gomez and Eliza-Jane Scott. Aki Studio, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E. 1-800-838-3006. $30–$50; $20–$40(st/arts workers). Also Mar 22, 23(mat), 26, 27. 28, 29(mat and eve), 30(mat), Apr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5(mat and eve), 6(mat), 8, 9, 10, 11, 12(mat and eve), 13(mat).

Sunday March 23

4:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Weekly Organ Recital: Andrew Ager. St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865 x224. Free.

Tuesday March 25

1:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Weekly Organ Recital: David Briggs. St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865 x224. Free.

4:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Weekly Organ Recital: David Briggs. St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865 x224. Free.

Thursday March 27

8:00: Jasmyn Fyffe and Natasha Powell. Gimme One Riddim. A Dance-Theatre production set to ska music, incorporating Caribbean, contemporary and street dance influences. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. $18-$30. Discounts available for artists, students, and seniors. Also Mar 28(mat and eve) and Mar 29(eve).

Saturday March 29

8:00: Karen Schuessler Singers. Brahms' Requiem. Brahms: Requiem. Karen Schuessler Singers; Monica Whicher, soprano; Daniel Hambly, baritone; Tina Yanchus and James Hibbard, piano duo. Wesley-Knox United Church, 91 Askin St., London. 519-455-8895. $20(adv); $18(sr, adv); $22(door); $20(sr, door); $10(st). Free for children 6-12 when accompanied by an adult.

Sunday March 30

2:00: Hart House Chorus. Die Schöpfung (The Creation). Haydn: The Creation. Hart House Chorus; David Bowser, conductor; Ania Hejnar, soprano; Charles Sy, tenor; Michael Nyby, bass-baritone; NYCO Symphony Orchestra. The Great Hall, Hart House, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-709-0260. Free.

3:00: Guelph Symphony Orchestra. People's Choice. Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro Overture; Wallace: Acacia Street; Dukas: Villanelle for Horn and Orchestra; Mahler: Adagietto from Symphony No.5; Burge: Flanders Fields Reflections and an audience request. Sharlene Wallace, harp; Tony Snyder, horn. River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St., Guelph. 519-763-3000. $35; $17(under 30); $10(child); $5(eyeGO).

3:00: Nota Bene Baroque Players. Baroque Travel Quiz. Musical selections hinting at the identities of famous landmarks. Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick St.,Kitchener. 226-88-9567. $28; $25(sr); $5(st/eyeGo); free(under 12).

4:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Weekly Organ Recital: David Briggs. St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865 x224. Free.

7:00: Spiritus Ensemble. Bach/Kaiser/Handel: St. Mark Passion. Canadian premiere. Spiritus Ensemble; Nota Bene Baroque Players; Daniel Lichti, Jesus; Lenard Whiting, Evangelist; Kenneth Hull, conductor. St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 23 Water St. N., Kitchener. 519-743-0228. $20; $10(st).

Tuesday April 1

7:30: University of St Michael’s College. Baroque Music Concert. Pergolesi: Stabat Mater; Biber: Litany of Loreto; Confitebor tibi; and other works. Musicians In Ordinary (Christopher Verrette, conductor); Hallie Fishel, soprano; Charlotte Burrage, mezzo; choir and soloists of St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum (Michael O’Connor, conductor). St. Basil's Church, 50 St. Joseph St. Free. Donations welcome.

Thursday April 3

7:00: Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Next Generation. New works. Ritesh Das, director. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston Ave. 888-958-2252. $20.

Friday April 4

7:00: Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Next Generation. New works. Ritesh Das, director. Cedarbrae Library Theatre, 545 Markham Rd., Scarborough. 888-958-2252. $18.

Saturday April 5

7:30: Korean Canadian Symphony Orchestra. Young Artist Series: Concert No. 48. Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Nocturne); Piano Concerto No.1 (Presto-Molto Allegro e Vivace); Fair Melusina (Overture); Gershwin: Three Preludes for Solo Piano; Humperdinck: Hansel & Gretel (Evening Prayer); and other works. Richard Lee, conductor; Grace Shin, piano. Guests: Members of Bach Children's Chorus. St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church, 849 Don Mills Rd., North York. 416-737-0521. $25; $10(st).

- DATES WITH HALFTONES -

That’s all for now -- for those of you who are wondering, here’s a list of upcoming HalfTones publication dates:

Vol. 1 #8: Tuesday April 15 2014

Vol. 1 #9: Thursday May 15 2014

Vol. 1 #10: Tuesday June 17 2014

Vol. 1 #11: Monday July 7 2014

Vol. 1 #12: Tuesday August 12 2014

For all inquiries, including those members interested in submitting news items for HalfTones consideration, please contact halftones@thewholenote.com a minimum of one week prior to the appropriate publication date.

Be sure to look for The WholeNote Vol. 19 No. 7 at the beginning of April (and for our next issue of HalfTones on April 15)! Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook here or Follow us on Twitter here.

Finally, feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in The WholeNote HalfTones.

HalfTones is compiled and edited by Sara Constant, Social Media Editor

HALFTONES #8
April 15, 2014

Welcome to issue #8 of HalfTones, The WholeNote’s mid-month e-newsletter with local music news, reader contests and extra listings. Here’s our update on what’s happening with Toronto musicmaking this month -- look for the next issue of The WholeNote’s print magazine at the beginning of May!

NOTEWORTHY
CONTESTS
LISTINGS UPDATE
SIGN UP FOR HALFTONES

- NOTEWORTHY -

COMPOSER CONVERSATIONS

With spring’s (more-or-less) arrival and details about this year’s programming for Luminato Festival, the RCM’s 21C Festival and the like out on the web, composers’ new musical creations are having their fair share of the spotlight.

The Pax Christi Chorale has been championing new and recent music all year, with a 2013/14 season of works composed entirely in the 20th or 21st centuries. Their season closes in Toronto on Sunday, April 27 with “Passion & Peace” -- a program of 20th century interpretations of ancient texts. The concert features guest quintet True North Brass, and premieres a new piece by Pax Christi artistic director Stephanie Martin, called Now the Queen of Seasons. It’ll be quite the show -- and the chorale is offering a PAIR OF FREE TICKETS to an interested reader.  Check out our “Special Offers” section for details!

For a pre-concert primer, click here for a Conversation@TheWholeNote with Stephanie Martin herself interviewed by The WholeNote publisher David Perlman. They talk composition, concertizing and the upcoming premiere -- and you’ll find the hints you need to win those free tickets! The video is online here.

For more info on the Pax Christi Chorale and their upcoming concert, take a look at http://www.paxchristichorale.org/.

Another “new music conversation” you can tune into this week is Paul Steenhuisen’s “The SOUNDLAB New Music Podcast” interview with clarinettist and composer Jörg Widmann. Widmann is the  featured composer of the upcoming New Music Concerts show on April 18, which features six of his recent compositions (four of them Canadian premieres). The podcast is completely free of charge, and is available on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/soundlab-new-music-podcast/id438086263. For concert details about New Music Concerts’ “A Portrait of Jorg Widmann” on April 18, visit http://www.newmusicconcerts.com/2013-2014/widmann/widmann.html.

Finally, in the spirit of celebrating the musical 21st century, the RCM’s 21C Festival is looking for its 21st work to premiere in May. Young composers, take note: they’ve opened up the search with an online contest, and are accepting video submissions until April 21. The first stage of the selection process is public voting via YouTube, so those interested in having a say on which work is chosen should keep an eye out for videos on The Royal Conservatory’s YouTube channel in the coming days. Details about the contest (and the selection process) are available here: http://performance.rcmusic.ca/21stpremiere.

A COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Sistema Toronto, our city’s extension of the Venezuelan El Sistema music education program, is putting on its first-ever community fundraiser, with their April 27 Spring Symphony Gala Concert. Organized by the Sistema Parkdale Parents Committee, the event is family-friendly and will feature performances by guests as well as El Sistema students. Tickets can be purchased for the entire gala or for only the concert portion of the afternoon -- more info about the event and Sistema Toronto can be found at http://sistema-toronto.ca/.

- SPECIAL OFFERS -

Contest: From May 9 to 24, the COC presents Don Quichotte, Massenet’s 1910 operatic take on Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote. The opera will star bass Ferruccio Furlanetto in the title role of Cervantes’ imaginative hero.

We have TWO FREE TICKETS to the May 14 production of Don Quichotte available for interested readers -- just click here and answer the following question to enter the draw:

What is the name of Don Quichotte’s dutiful squire/sidekick? He’s played by Quinn Kelsey in the COC production!

For more info on the COC’s Don Quichotte, visit http://coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1314Season/DonQuichotte.aspx.

Contest: If you’re looking to hear musical classics in concert, Clarkson Music Theatre is presenting “Ya Gotta Dream” at Eden United Church in Mississauga, May 9 at 7:30pm and May 10 at 2pm and 7:30pm. The show features numbers from the likes of Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as well as songs with composers as diverse as Handel and Michael Jackson. The group is offering TWO FREE TICKETS, applicable for any of their three shows -- click here and answer for your chance to win:

In which year was Clarkson Music Theatre founded? (Hint: check out their website)

For more on the company, email info@clarksonmusictheatre.com or visit their website at http://www.clarksonmusictheatre.com/.

Contest: Continuum Contemporary Music closes off its 2013/14 season with “By other means” on May 4, a celebration of things experimental. The ensemble boasts a program comprising of “seismic resonance, raving beats and the unleashed voices of crude materials.” among other things, and will feature the world premiere of a work by Germany-based Canadian Thierry Tidrow. We have TWO FREE TICKETS for this show up for grabs! Take a look on our website here and answer the following:

Apart from Tidrow, who is the other Canadian composer featured on Continuum’s May 4 program?

Details on Continuum Contemporary Music and the upcoming concert are available at http://continuummusic.org/seasons/1314/by-other-means.php.

Contest: In preparation for the Pax Christi Chorale’s upcoming show “Passion & Peace”, The WholeNote has interviewed artistic director and composer Stephanie Martin as part of our series Conversations@TheWholeNote. We have TWO FREE TICKETS for the chorale’s Sunday, April 27 concert (3pm) up for grabs -- and you’ll find the clue you need to win by checking out the first few minutes of this video interview!

Just click here to answer the following question for your chance to win:

The concert features the premiere of a new work by Martin called Now the Queen of Seasons. From which century is the original hymn upon which the piece was composed? (hint: you’ll find your answer just after 1:20 minutes into the video!)

Watch the video here. For more info on the Pax Christi Chorale and their upcoming concert, check out the “Noteworthy” section of this newsletter, or take a look at http://www.paxchristichorale.org/.

- LISTINGS UPDATE -

Please find below additional listings for the rest of the month:

Thursday, April 17

Apr 17 8:00: Spectrum Music. Early Expressions. Braid: Chauvet; and other contemporary musical interpretations of early human art. David Braid and Florian Hoefner, pianos; Ton Beau String Quartet. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst St. 416-937-6180. $15; $10(sr/st/arts worker). 7:30: pre-concert chat.

Saturday, April 26

9:00am: Collective of Black Artists (COBA). Dance & Drum-a-thon. The annual fundraiser for the COBA's Children's Dance & Drum Program. Classes in hip hop, Caribbean, Bollywood, dance hall jazz, and African dancing, led by COBA dancers and guest artists. COBA Studio, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E. 416-658-3111. $5 per class; $25 for the day.

7:30: Coro San Marco. Singing Together. A celebration of cultural diversity through choral music. Cantabile Choir; Coro San Marco; CroArte Chorale; Joyful Singers; Levada & Orion Ukrainian Choirs Toronto; Nayiri Armenian Choir of Toronto; Schola Cantorum; Toronto Taiwanese Choir; TKPC GodStar Children's Choir; Bells of St. Matthew's. Toronto Korean Presbyterian Church, 67 Scarsdale Rd., North York. 416-399-8053 or 905-275-6880. $15.

7:30: Hamilton Children's Choir. Talento! A fundraiser event for the Hamilton Children's Choir Financial Award Fund, featuring HCC alumni, members and friends. Emma Bergin, soloist; Alex Fawcett-Riis, soloist; 'OREO' Vocal Ensemble; Kate Hoskin, soloist; Derek Shen, pianist; Lads & Gents HCC Boys Choir; HCC Ilumini Choir; and others. Cathedral Place, 252 James St N,Hamilton. 905-527-1618. $30; $25(sr); $20(st). Tickets include tea/coffee/dessert.

7:30: The Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble. Big Band Open Mic. Bloor Street United Church, 300 Bloor St. W. 905-270-4757. $20.

Sunday, April 27

1:30: Sistema Toronto. Spring Symphony Gala Concert. An afternoon fundraiser for Sistema Toronto organized by the Sistema Parkdale Parents Committee. Bonar-Parkdale Presbyterian Church, 250 Dunn Ave. 416-545-0200. Gala and concert: $50; $10(under 12); Concert only: $10; free(under 12). Gala reception is 1:30-2:45pm; Concert begins at 3pm. A portion of each adult gala ticket is tax-receiptable.

7:00: Tranzac Club. Improv:Tranzaction. A daytime workshop and evening performance focused on improvised music. Lina Allemano; Victor Bateman; Anne Bourne; Ryan Driver; Nick Fraser; Tania Gill. 292 Brunswick Ave. 647-778-4555. $24 (incl. workshop). Workshop begins at 12:30pm. Concert at 7pm.

Sunday, May 4

11:00am: Gallery 345. The Complete Mozart Violin Sonatas. All 28 sonatas performed live on one day, divided into four concerts. Jacques Israelievitch, violin; Christina Petrowska Quilico, piano. 345 Sorauren Ave. 416-822-9781. $20; $10(st); all four concerts: $50/$25(st). Subsequent three concerts at: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00.

Friday, May 9

7:30: Clarkson Music Theatre. Ya Gotta Dream. A Concert to inspire, to dream, to celebrate. Works by Handel, Presley, O. Peterson, M. Jackson and others. Bob Hardinge, conductor. Eden United Church, 3051 Battleford, Mississauga. 905-615-4720. $20. Also May 10(mat/eve).

8:00: Show One Productions. Vladimir Spivakov and the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. 35th Anniversary Tour. Works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Piazzolla. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. $55-$125.

- DATES WITH HALFTONES -

That’s everything for the coming weeks -- for those who are wondering, here is a list of upcoming HalfTones publication dates:

Vol. 1 #9: Thursday May 15 2014

Vol. 1 #10: Tuesday June 17 2014

Vol. 1 #11: Monday July 7 2014

Vol. 1 #12: Tuesday August 12 2014

For all inquiries, including those members interested in submitting news items for HalfTones consideration, please contact halftones@thewholenote.com a minimum of one week prior to the appropriate publication date.
Be sure to look for The WholeNote Vol. 19 No. 8 at the beginning of May -- which includes our annual Canary Pages choral directory -- and for our next issue of HalfTones on May 15! Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook here or Follow us on Twitter here.

Finally, feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in The WholeNote HalfTones.

HalfTones is compiled and edited by Sara Constant, Social Media Editor

Welcome to issue #9 of HalfTones, The WholeNote’s mid-month e-newsletter with local music news updates, special offers and extra listings. Check out here what’s new this month in the Toronto musicmaking scene -- and be sure to look for the next issue of The WholeNote in print June 4. Heads up, the June 4 mag combines June, July, August - your one-stop guide to the best of the summer.

Below you will find the archive of our HalfTones mid-monthly newsletter. To receive upcoming HalfTones in your email inbox, you can use the Newsletter Signup form on this page.