It was with a great deal of sadness we learned last week of the passing of talk radio pioneer John Michael, following a heart attack. News reports listed his age as 72, but we were never sure of his age at CKTB Radio, where John ended his lengthy career in 2003. That was his second tour of duty at the station, having first arrived in the mid-80s full of fire and brimstone. He left a few years later, returning to CJRN in Niagara Falls, where he had been since the early 60s. But it was not long before John returned to CKTB and he ended his radio career with a splashy live broadcast from a local restaurant in September of 2003.
John had a career that took him from his native England where he began as a copy boy for the Reuters news agency to the Chicago Tribune's London office, where he covered part of the Queen's Coronation in 1953, to Canada in 1961. He moved from one radio job to another, eventually settling with his young family in Niagara Falls. There, his controversial and caustic style of talk radio began to take shape, and he developed a huge and devoted following. He also caught the attention of the CRTC and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters on more than one occasion due to his often times controversial views.
So what does all this have to do with me, and you? Well, in my career as a radio broadcaster I had the opportunity to work with John during both of his tours of duty at CKTB, and although I often disagreed with his views on things, I always admired his honesty, passion for radio, and his way of "stirring the pot" to generate calls from listeners. But more than that, I grew to admire his off-air demeanor more, which was totally different from his on air persona. He was quiet, very friendly and really cared about those around him. Many times, he and I had great conversations about the business of radio and, of course, the business of music as well. John loved music and incorporated it into his show at every opportunity.
That brings us to the other point about my connection to John: his love of music. During the 90s I had a consulting association with Downtown Fine Music in St. Catharines, and the store supplied some music to John to use on the show, in exchange for an occasional mention on the show. Given what his advertisers were spending, we thought it was a cheap way to get a mention on John's show. And what mentions we got! If John played a song and mentioned in passing you could buy it at the store, the phone would literally ring off the wall with orders: such was the power of John's recommendation. At one point, the store stocked up on every available copy of "The Collection" by Mr. Acker Bilk, causing the supplier to call and ask why we were ordering so many. The reason? John regularly ended his show with "Sailing", a lovely, lilting song he remembered from years ago, and to which he danced an imaginary dance with his wife, Maggy, describing the many ways they would display their love for each other. The thing is, the love was always genuine, it was never schtick. And the listeners simply had to have a copy of the CD! I still have a few copies of the CD here for sale through the website, A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca); it is long out of print, sadly. Ah, the power of a recommendation!
Anyway, that was then and this is now. John will be missed by many; especially by his family who meant everything to him. But he will not soon be forgotten by anyone he touched either in person or through the magic of radio. His last day was spent doing one of his favourite pastimes in retirement: gardening. Thanks for everything, John; the gardening is now done. It is time for "Sailing"...
June 10th, 2008.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Another season ends for Niagara and Hamilton Orchestras
It is the end of May, and once again the Niagara Symphony and Hamilton Philharmonic Orchdestras prepare for the summer break. The Niagara Symphony season ended with their final Pops! concerts the first weekend of May; the Hamilton Philharmonic season ends this weekend with the final Masterworks concert Saturday evening at 7:30 at Hamilton Place. It promises to be an exhilarating concert finale with the Beethoven Ninth Symphony planned for the grande finale.
So, at the end of the season, how do things look for both orchestras as they struggle to survive in an ever more difficult arts and culture environment? Well, things are not perfect, but they are managing quite well, thank you very much. Let's take a look at both orchestras as the season draws to a close and we look forward to next year.
The Niagara Symphony launched their "Thanks and Thoughts" campaign earlier this spring, with the intention of raising $ 150,000 to help keep the orchestra on a sound financial footing while they prepare for the upcoming season. Two arts heavyweights were brought on board to co-chair the campaign: Christopher Newton, artisic director emiritus of the Shaw Festival and Peter Partridge, well-know arts supporter and wealth management consultant. As of this writing, it appears they have fallen short of their goal; however, contributions will still be accepted after the end of May when the campaign was expected to wrap up, and hopes are high the goal will be achieved. I was in the Niagara Symphony offices this week with my donation, and plans are in full swing for the next season. It looks exciting: everything from the Beethoven Third Piano Concerto to a number of neglected treasures such as Kalinnikov's highly-romantic First Symphony. On the Pops side, there will be a tribute to Arthur Fiedler and a musical story based on Dicken's A Christmas Carol, among other things. So, things are looking up. But if you have not had a chance to show your financial support for the Niagara Symphony yet, there is no better time than the present to do so. The new season is ready to go: are you ready to become a part of it?
On the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra front, they conclude their season tonight, as mentioned, with the Beethoven Nine along with the Brahms Tragic Overture and Alto Rhapsody. With exceptional soloists and the Bach-Elgar Choir and Grand Philharmonic Chamber Singers, it promises to be a great end to the inaugural season for new artistic director James Sommerville. Overall, the season would have to be considered a success, with strong sales and renewed interest in the orchestra with Sommerville's arrival a year ago. For the upcoming season, the Masterworks series includes everything from the Mahler Fourth Symphony to a performance featuring pianist Anton Kuerti along with his son, conductor Julian Kuerti. On the Pops side, musical comedienne Natalie Choquette returns to kick off the season in September, and John McDermott will be joined by the orchestra in March. The season looks great! On the fundraising front, the Hamilton Philharmonic is always looking for new ways to raise money, and on Monday, May 19th, they held a fundraiser at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area: walkers had their choice of a one-kilometre Chopin Shuffle, a four-kilometre Mozart Meander or the eight-kilometre Handel Hike. It was a great idea, and hardy souls came out for the day of fun and exercise, pledge forms in hand, but alas, the weather did not co-operate. I was on hand for the morning, set up in a tent with other vendors on site, and business was light due to the wind, rain, cold temperatures and even a brief hailstorm! But everyone was pleased with the outcome, in spite of the inclement weather, apparently, so we'll have to see if this becomes an annual event.
So, a tale of two orchestras, and two seasons coming to a close. Both look to 2008/2009 with renewed optimism, as do their subscribers. If you have not had a chance to hear either orchestra for some time or even ever, what is holding you back? You are guaranteed a great afternoon or evening, and the performers are all exceptional musicians. All they need is you!
Next time, I'll step out for my first foray to the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and begin my yearly reviews of plays at Shaw as their 47th season gets underway. And later in the summer, it will be off to Stratford for their season. That should keep your humble scribe out of trouble for the summer!
May 31st, 2008.
So, at the end of the season, how do things look for both orchestras as they struggle to survive in an ever more difficult arts and culture environment? Well, things are not perfect, but they are managing quite well, thank you very much. Let's take a look at both orchestras as the season draws to a close and we look forward to next year.
The Niagara Symphony launched their "Thanks and Thoughts" campaign earlier this spring, with the intention of raising $ 150,000 to help keep the orchestra on a sound financial footing while they prepare for the upcoming season. Two arts heavyweights were brought on board to co-chair the campaign: Christopher Newton, artisic director emiritus of the Shaw Festival and Peter Partridge, well-know arts supporter and wealth management consultant. As of this writing, it appears they have fallen short of their goal; however, contributions will still be accepted after the end of May when the campaign was expected to wrap up, and hopes are high the goal will be achieved. I was in the Niagara Symphony offices this week with my donation, and plans are in full swing for the next season. It looks exciting: everything from the Beethoven Third Piano Concerto to a number of neglected treasures such as Kalinnikov's highly-romantic First Symphony. On the Pops side, there will be a tribute to Arthur Fiedler and a musical story based on Dicken's A Christmas Carol, among other things. So, things are looking up. But if you have not had a chance to show your financial support for the Niagara Symphony yet, there is no better time than the present to do so. The new season is ready to go: are you ready to become a part of it?
On the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra front, they conclude their season tonight, as mentioned, with the Beethoven Nine along with the Brahms Tragic Overture and Alto Rhapsody. With exceptional soloists and the Bach-Elgar Choir and Grand Philharmonic Chamber Singers, it promises to be a great end to the inaugural season for new artistic director James Sommerville. Overall, the season would have to be considered a success, with strong sales and renewed interest in the orchestra with Sommerville's arrival a year ago. For the upcoming season, the Masterworks series includes everything from the Mahler Fourth Symphony to a performance featuring pianist Anton Kuerti along with his son, conductor Julian Kuerti. On the Pops side, musical comedienne Natalie Choquette returns to kick off the season in September, and John McDermott will be joined by the orchestra in March. The season looks great! On the fundraising front, the Hamilton Philharmonic is always looking for new ways to raise money, and on Monday, May 19th, they held a fundraiser at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area: walkers had their choice of a one-kilometre Chopin Shuffle, a four-kilometre Mozart Meander or the eight-kilometre Handel Hike. It was a great idea, and hardy souls came out for the day of fun and exercise, pledge forms in hand, but alas, the weather did not co-operate. I was on hand for the morning, set up in a tent with other vendors on site, and business was light due to the wind, rain, cold temperatures and even a brief hailstorm! But everyone was pleased with the outcome, in spite of the inclement weather, apparently, so we'll have to see if this becomes an annual event.
So, a tale of two orchestras, and two seasons coming to a close. Both look to 2008/2009 with renewed optimism, as do their subscribers. If you have not had a chance to hear either orchestra for some time or even ever, what is holding you back? You are guaranteed a great afternoon or evening, and the performers are all exceptional musicians. All they need is you!
Next time, I'll step out for my first foray to the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and begin my yearly reviews of plays at Shaw as their 47th season gets underway. And later in the summer, it will be off to Stratford for their season. That should keep your humble scribe out of trouble for the summer!
May 31st, 2008.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Spring Is Here - finally!
I know I might be straying from my usual music-themed posts, as is usually the case, but with the wonderful spring weather we are now experiencing, I think we are all feeling a little bit of spring fever right now. There is a method to my madness...this time, at least...
Spring is the time we finally get out into that warm sunshine and take stock of what needs to be done in the yard and to the lawn for another year. That is my project today once I write this: try to bring my lawn back from the abyss and see if I can make it look half-way decent for another season. Raking, de-thatching, seeding, topsoil, core aeration, the whole deal. I know by mid-summer it will look awful again with crabgrass and large brown spots, but hope springs eternal. I may not have the best lawn on the street, but I will try my very best to make sure it is not the worst, either.
So, what does all this have to do with music, you ask? Well, at this time of the year, I find it hard to listen to music while I'm outside, as the music of the birds and other sounds of spring tend to take over. That's not to say I ignore the music altogether: I always install the outside speakers on the patio for when company is over or we want music while dining on the patio. They are probably the worst-looking imitation rock speakers around, but they work and that's all that matters, really. But when I am working around in the yard, I rarely use them. It is just so nice to be outside at this time of the year and hear the music of nature.
There is still much music to listen to, of course, and at the end of the day when I return to my office to catch up on work after toiling away in the garden, I find myself turning to a couple of CDs quite frequently now. The first has been around since the '80s, and features Quebec-based pianist Andre Gagnon with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of London (England), titled "Impressions". This came out as an LP back around 1983 and I acquired the CD version about 10 years ago on the Star label. I can't imagine it not being available, as it is clearly one of his best efforts. Lush orchestral backdrops to his sensitive piano playing, and all original Gagnon tunes. I always think of a misty movie scene when I hear this music, but even in the springtime with the sun shining, it just sounds right. The other collection is a wonderful new 5-CD set of all nine Beethoven Symphonies conducted by Herbert von Karajan, recorded in the late 1950's at EMI's famed Abbey Road studios with the Philharmonia Orchestra. The sound is amazing given the age of the recordings - over 50 years old in some cases. The individual discs come in the small cardboard sleeves rather than the usual jewel boxes, but there is is nice booklet that accompanies the set, and for the price, you can't complain. At A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca), you can order it for only $ 30.00 CDN, plus tax. Free shipping is offered anywhere in Canada. If you find yourself in need of a new copy of the complete Beethoven symphonies, this is a wonderful set to have. I might just put it on again today while working in the garden! Speaking of which, off I go to make some sense of the mess created over the winter months...
Enjoy the spring!
Spring is the time we finally get out into that warm sunshine and take stock of what needs to be done in the yard and to the lawn for another year. That is my project today once I write this: try to bring my lawn back from the abyss and see if I can make it look half-way decent for another season. Raking, de-thatching, seeding, topsoil, core aeration, the whole deal. I know by mid-summer it will look awful again with crabgrass and large brown spots, but hope springs eternal. I may not have the best lawn on the street, but I will try my very best to make sure it is not the worst, either.
So, what does all this have to do with music, you ask? Well, at this time of the year, I find it hard to listen to music while I'm outside, as the music of the birds and other sounds of spring tend to take over. That's not to say I ignore the music altogether: I always install the outside speakers on the patio for when company is over or we want music while dining on the patio. They are probably the worst-looking imitation rock speakers around, but they work and that's all that matters, really. But when I am working around in the yard, I rarely use them. It is just so nice to be outside at this time of the year and hear the music of nature.
There is still much music to listen to, of course, and at the end of the day when I return to my office to catch up on work after toiling away in the garden, I find myself turning to a couple of CDs quite frequently now. The first has been around since the '80s, and features Quebec-based pianist Andre Gagnon with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of London (England), titled "Impressions". This came out as an LP back around 1983 and I acquired the CD version about 10 years ago on the Star label. I can't imagine it not being available, as it is clearly one of his best efforts. Lush orchestral backdrops to his sensitive piano playing, and all original Gagnon tunes. I always think of a misty movie scene when I hear this music, but even in the springtime with the sun shining, it just sounds right. The other collection is a wonderful new 5-CD set of all nine Beethoven Symphonies conducted by Herbert von Karajan, recorded in the late 1950's at EMI's famed Abbey Road studios with the Philharmonia Orchestra. The sound is amazing given the age of the recordings - over 50 years old in some cases. The individual discs come in the small cardboard sleeves rather than the usual jewel boxes, but there is is nice booklet that accompanies the set, and for the price, you can't complain. At A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca), you can order it for only $ 30.00 CDN, plus tax. Free shipping is offered anywhere in Canada. If you find yourself in need of a new copy of the complete Beethoven symphonies, this is a wonderful set to have. I might just put it on again today while working in the garden! Speaking of which, off I go to make some sense of the mess created over the winter months...
Enjoy the spring!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Niagara Symphony Reaches Out to Community for Help
It has been awhile since we last addressed the issue of funding of our arts organizations in this space, and frankly, since the last time I wrote not much has changed. The Niagara Symphony has just launched their "Thanks and Thoughts" fundraising campaign, co-chaired by two prominent arts supporters in the Niagara area: Christopher Newton, Artistic Director Emeritus for the Shaw Festival, and Peter Partridge, wealth-management consultant in St. Catharines. The goal is an ambitious but attainable $ 150,000 by May 30th. The campaign will be formally announced at this weekend's final Masterworks concert at Brock Centre for the Arts, Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm.
Last spring, you might recall, the symphony launched an SOS Campaign to raise a staggering $ 500,000 to keep the organization afloat. The goal proved to be overly ambitious, of course, as only $ 85,000 was raised through donations, including $ 14,000 alone from board members. Still, it was announced in June there was enough money raised to keep the symphony going into the next season - their 60th - at Brock Centre for the Arts. However, in January of this year, things appeared bleak again following the sudden departure of new Executive Director Denise Stone last November. The board, faced with another cash crunch, collaborated with several staff members and musicians to provide personal loans to buy a shared GIC to serve as collateral for a six-month line of credit for the symphony. Together, board members and friends made pledges toward the purchase of the $ 75,000 GIC. This GIC secured a line of credit to help guarantee the completion of the current season and buy them some time to re-start their fundraising efforts. And that brings us to this weekend's announcement of the $ 150,000 campaign.
In short, the symphony is stuck between a rock and a hard place yet again, as public funding for the arts is at an all-time low, and people are growing weary of supporting yet another organization in need of our donations. But, can we afford to let the symphony die? Clearly, the answer is no. Everyone must do what they can to help out during this fundraising campaign, no matter how large or small the amount. The Niagara Symphony provides community outreach programs besides their 12 concerts during the season, and these programs touch many who otherwise might not be exposed to quality music. The Niagara Symphony Summer Camp is a prime example of community outreach paying dividends for the public at large, as many young musicians get their first taste of creating music for themselves. But there's more. Many of the orchestra's musicians teach in the area, either in structured programs or on their own, and that enriches the community as well.
Two things must be done to solve this problem: we must give what we can to help out the Niagara Symphony during this current fundraising campaign. But on a larger scale, we must work to persuade our elected officials that support for the arts must be taken into consideration when planning their budgets. And this goes not only for municipal politicians, but also regional, provincial and federal representatives as well. Locally, only the City of St. Catharines contributes to the Niagara Symphony; can not other municipalities contribute as well? It has become clear from similar campaigns in Brantford, Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo that fundraising campaigns can be successful if everyone works together to pool their resources. But the bigger picture also needs to be addressed: we need to properly fund these organizations so they don't have to go to the public cap in hand on a regular basis; while these same organizations have to be able to better manage the finances they have. Only then will we finally reap the rewards of a properly funded and well managed arts organization.
Come on, Niagara, support your Niagara Symphony Orchestra this spring!
April 12th, 2008.
Last spring, you might recall, the symphony launched an SOS Campaign to raise a staggering $ 500,000 to keep the organization afloat. The goal proved to be overly ambitious, of course, as only $ 85,000 was raised through donations, including $ 14,000 alone from board members. Still, it was announced in June there was enough money raised to keep the symphony going into the next season - their 60th - at Brock Centre for the Arts. However, in January of this year, things appeared bleak again following the sudden departure of new Executive Director Denise Stone last November. The board, faced with another cash crunch, collaborated with several staff members and musicians to provide personal loans to buy a shared GIC to serve as collateral for a six-month line of credit for the symphony. Together, board members and friends made pledges toward the purchase of the $ 75,000 GIC. This GIC secured a line of credit to help guarantee the completion of the current season and buy them some time to re-start their fundraising efforts. And that brings us to this weekend's announcement of the $ 150,000 campaign.
In short, the symphony is stuck between a rock and a hard place yet again, as public funding for the arts is at an all-time low, and people are growing weary of supporting yet another organization in need of our donations. But, can we afford to let the symphony die? Clearly, the answer is no. Everyone must do what they can to help out during this fundraising campaign, no matter how large or small the amount. The Niagara Symphony provides community outreach programs besides their 12 concerts during the season, and these programs touch many who otherwise might not be exposed to quality music. The Niagara Symphony Summer Camp is a prime example of community outreach paying dividends for the public at large, as many young musicians get their first taste of creating music for themselves. But there's more. Many of the orchestra's musicians teach in the area, either in structured programs or on their own, and that enriches the community as well.
Two things must be done to solve this problem: we must give what we can to help out the Niagara Symphony during this current fundraising campaign. But on a larger scale, we must work to persuade our elected officials that support for the arts must be taken into consideration when planning their budgets. And this goes not only for municipal politicians, but also regional, provincial and federal representatives as well. Locally, only the City of St. Catharines contributes to the Niagara Symphony; can not other municipalities contribute as well? It has become clear from similar campaigns in Brantford, Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo that fundraising campaigns can be successful if everyone works together to pool their resources. But the bigger picture also needs to be addressed: we need to properly fund these organizations so they don't have to go to the public cap in hand on a regular basis; while these same organizations have to be able to better manage the finances they have. Only then will we finally reap the rewards of a properly funded and well managed arts organization.
Come on, Niagara, support your Niagara Symphony Orchestra this spring!
April 12th, 2008.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Happy Easter - early this year!
Well, here we are, on the cusp of Spring, finally, and Easter arrives this very weekend. Earlier than usual, you say? Right you are! We'll talk a little Easter trivia this week before getting to some Easter-related music you might be interested in, courtesy my website, A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca).
I received some of this information courtesy my website designer, the affable Lex Parker of St. Catharines, who is always searching for interesting information to share. First of all, let's talk about Lent, the 46-day period (including Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. The word Lent is from the Anglo-Saxon lencten, meaning spring. Lenctentid, or springtide, was the Saxon name for March because March is the month in which days begin to lengthen (also a root of "tent"). The Great Fast, falling as it does largely in the month of March, adopted the term.
Okay, so we're almost at the end of Lent this year, as Holy Week is upon us. So why is Easter so early this year? Well, as you may know, Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, which this year is March 20th. This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar. So, based on that information, Easter can actually be one day earlier than this year, on March 22nd, but that is pretty rare.
Quite frankly, this year is the earliest Easter many of us will ever see in our lifetimes, and only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early before. If you were, say, 95 years old this year, you might have remembered the last time Easter fell on March 23rd, in 1913. The next time Easter will be this early again will be in the year 2228, or 220 years from now. The next time Easter will fall a day earlier than this year, March 22nd, will be in the year 2285, or 277 years from now. The last time it fell on March 22nd was in 1818, so no one alive today has or ever will see it any earlier than this year. Something to think about, right?
So, how do we tie this in with music, which is what we usually write about in this forum? Well for many, myself included, Easter is synonymous with music, and specifically the music written by Johann Sebastian Bach. His several Easter cantatas have been recorded many times over the years, but four of them, numbers 4, 31, 66 and 134 have been collected onto a wonderful two-cd package from Berlin Classics featuring the Thomanerchor, Leipzig, with the Leipzig Gewandaus Orchestra. Very well priced at $ 27.00 plus tax for the collection. Another very well priced Easter collection is Music for Eastertide, featuring various artists and excerpts from Bach's St. Matthew Passion, as well as the cantatas 4, 56, 106 and 134. This is exceptionally well priced at $ 10.00 plus tax, from Edel Classics. Also available at the same price from Berlin Classics, although not Easter-themed but again the music of Bach, is a collection featuring the Kammerorchester Berlin directed by Peter Schreier and soloists Edith Mathis and Theo Adam along with Schreier in performances of Bach's Coffee and Peasant Cantatas. Still not enough Bach for you? How about an exceptionally well-priced 10-cd set from Berlin Classics featuring complete performances of the Mass in B minor; St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion and the Christmas Oratorio? Many ensembles and soloists are featured here, and the price of only $ 60.00 plus tax is truly astounding. All of these collections just arrived and are available for ordering through A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca). And as always, shipping is free within Canada.
Happy Easter, everyone!
I received some of this information courtesy my website designer, the affable Lex Parker of St. Catharines, who is always searching for interesting information to share. First of all, let's talk about Lent, the 46-day period (including Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. The word Lent is from the Anglo-Saxon lencten, meaning spring. Lenctentid, or springtide, was the Saxon name for March because March is the month in which days begin to lengthen (also a root of "tent"). The Great Fast, falling as it does largely in the month of March, adopted the term.
Okay, so we're almost at the end of Lent this year, as Holy Week is upon us. So why is Easter so early this year? Well, as you may know, Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, which this year is March 20th. This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar. So, based on that information, Easter can actually be one day earlier than this year, on March 22nd, but that is pretty rare.
Quite frankly, this year is the earliest Easter many of us will ever see in our lifetimes, and only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early before. If you were, say, 95 years old this year, you might have remembered the last time Easter fell on March 23rd, in 1913. The next time Easter will be this early again will be in the year 2228, or 220 years from now. The next time Easter will fall a day earlier than this year, March 22nd, will be in the year 2285, or 277 years from now. The last time it fell on March 22nd was in 1818, so no one alive today has or ever will see it any earlier than this year. Something to think about, right?
So, how do we tie this in with music, which is what we usually write about in this forum? Well for many, myself included, Easter is synonymous with music, and specifically the music written by Johann Sebastian Bach. His several Easter cantatas have been recorded many times over the years, but four of them, numbers 4, 31, 66 and 134 have been collected onto a wonderful two-cd package from Berlin Classics featuring the Thomanerchor, Leipzig, with the Leipzig Gewandaus Orchestra. Very well priced at $ 27.00 plus tax for the collection. Another very well priced Easter collection is Music for Eastertide, featuring various artists and excerpts from Bach's St. Matthew Passion, as well as the cantatas 4, 56, 106 and 134. This is exceptionally well priced at $ 10.00 plus tax, from Edel Classics. Also available at the same price from Berlin Classics, although not Easter-themed but again the music of Bach, is a collection featuring the Kammerorchester Berlin directed by Peter Schreier and soloists Edith Mathis and Theo Adam along with Schreier in performances of Bach's Coffee and Peasant Cantatas. Still not enough Bach for you? How about an exceptionally well-priced 10-cd set from Berlin Classics featuring complete performances of the Mass in B minor; St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion and the Christmas Oratorio? Many ensembles and soloists are featured here, and the price of only $ 60.00 plus tax is truly astounding. All of these collections just arrived and are available for ordering through A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca). And as always, shipping is free within Canada.
Happy Easter, everyone!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Funny how life works out that way!
Well, it has been a while, hasn't it? Okay, first let me explain where I've been since my last posting in November. Running a music order business (www.finemusic.ca) means November is starting into my busy time of the year. Imagine my dismay when, just as things are getting busy, I lose the motherboard on my computer! Frantic repairs failed and even more frantic shopping for a new system followed, with the end result being a brand spanking new business-class computer with a LONG warranty, just in case. Then it was working on getting back up to speed again with a whole new system while managing the ever-increasing business over the Christmas buying season. My thanks to the attentive staff at Beatties Basics and Compusmart in St. Catharines for giving me the advice I needed to select the right system for my needs.
That should have been the end of it, but it is funny how life gets in the way every now and again. Three days before Christmas, father went into the hospital with a serious infection that kept him there for three weeks. Once he was ready to leave, it was apparent he wasn't ready to go home and live on his own again, so a hastily-arranged search of area retirement residences brought us to the great people who run St. Catharines Place, and they just happened to have room for dear ol' Dad. A move ensued, and then the massive amounts of changing from one home to another: change of address, paying of bills for Dad, preparing to sell his apartment and emptying it of many years of memories. It is hard work, and I don't mind telling people it has been a very difficult roller-coaster of emotions as you try to evaluate every piece in the apartment - do you save it or pitch it? I am still at it, but in the home stretch of preparing the apartment for sale at the end of the month. And Dad? He's doing fine, and looking better every day.
So, that is what has been happening the last few months. There simply have not been enough hours in the day to get everything done, and something literally had to give. So thanks for your patience, and rest assured I will be writing (ranting?) with somewhat more regularity from now on. I want to write about the planned summer music venue planned for Niagara-on-the-Lake, for example, but want to read up on it first and get all the details before I offer my views on the idea. That's for another day...
That should have been the end of it, but it is funny how life gets in the way every now and again. Three days before Christmas, father went into the hospital with a serious infection that kept him there for three weeks. Once he was ready to leave, it was apparent he wasn't ready to go home and live on his own again, so a hastily-arranged search of area retirement residences brought us to the great people who run St. Catharines Place, and they just happened to have room for dear ol' Dad. A move ensued, and then the massive amounts of changing from one home to another: change of address, paying of bills for Dad, preparing to sell his apartment and emptying it of many years of memories. It is hard work, and I don't mind telling people it has been a very difficult roller-coaster of emotions as you try to evaluate every piece in the apartment - do you save it or pitch it? I am still at it, but in the home stretch of preparing the apartment for sale at the end of the month. And Dad? He's doing fine, and looking better every day.
So, that is what has been happening the last few months. There simply have not been enough hours in the day to get everything done, and something literally had to give. So thanks for your patience, and rest assured I will be writing (ranting?) with somewhat more regularity from now on. I want to write about the planned summer music venue planned for Niagara-on-the-Lake, for example, but want to read up on it first and get all the details before I offer my views on the idea. That's for another day...
Monday, November 5, 2007
Another change at the top for the Niagara Symphony
Well, here we go again...after a lengthy search about this time last year for a new Executive Director, the Niagara Symphony is about to embark on another search. It has been a tumultuous year for our local symphony orchestra, as shortly after the season ended last spring, new Executive Director Denise Stone went public with the dire financial straits of the orchestra. In short, if they couldn't raise $ 500,000 in about five weeks, the 60th anniversary season would not get underway in the fall. There was a mobilization of fundraising forces resulting in a partial goal achieved: enough to cover the new season had been raised, thereby putting the symphony on a more sound financial footing. They didn't raise all they had hoped to raise, but had staved off closure of the orchestra - at least for now.
Just after this 60th anniversary season got underway, Denise announced she was leaving the symphony effective the end of this week, and once again Candice Turner-Smith would become Interim Executive Director. No doubt the stress of the past several months has taken its toll on Stone, as she prepares for a new challenge as Emergency Services co-ordinator for the City of St. Catharines. This is likely a good fit for Denise, as she was head of the Red Cross locally before taking the top job with the Niagara Symphony. So where does that leave the orchestra? It would be premature to say they are back in good financial territory, although the dark days of the last few months appear to be history. But once again they are faced with uncertainty at the top, and one wonders what phychological effect that might have on the musicians, not to mention the patrons who support them. I am sure the lengthy search process now underway will produce another bumper crop of qualified candidates; I only hope this will be the final search for some time. Stability at the top is crucial for the musical - and financial - health of this organization. Symphony Board President Patricia Hodge stated Ms. Stone "successfully led the organization through significant challenges and the NSA is in a stronger position thanks to her leadership." Hodge goes on to say: "These are exciting times for the orchestra, and we will be looking for a leader to continue to enhance our strategic plan, to further develop community partnerships and increase our audience base." We wish the board well in their search, and Denise Stone in her new responsibilities with the city.
On a different but related note, the next Masterworks concert of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra's season comes up this Saturday night, November 10th at the Great Hall of Hamilton Place. Titled "Lest We Forget", the Remembrance Day concert, beginning at 7:30 pm, includes the Egmont Overture and Incidental Music by Beethoven, as well as the Concerto for Harp and Orchestra by the late Canadian composer Oscar Morawetz, and the lovely Mathis der Maler symphony by Paul Hindemith. Should be a nice evening of music with the HPO, and once again I will be in the lobby before, after and at intermission of the show with a table of musical treasures for sale through A Web of Fine Music. If you are going, please stop by and say hello - I'd love to see you!
Mike Saunders
November 5th, 2007.
Just after this 60th anniversary season got underway, Denise announced she was leaving the symphony effective the end of this week, and once again Candice Turner-Smith would become Interim Executive Director. No doubt the stress of the past several months has taken its toll on Stone, as she prepares for a new challenge as Emergency Services co-ordinator for the City of St. Catharines. This is likely a good fit for Denise, as she was head of the Red Cross locally before taking the top job with the Niagara Symphony. So where does that leave the orchestra? It would be premature to say they are back in good financial territory, although the dark days of the last few months appear to be history. But once again they are faced with uncertainty at the top, and one wonders what phychological effect that might have on the musicians, not to mention the patrons who support them. I am sure the lengthy search process now underway will produce another bumper crop of qualified candidates; I only hope this will be the final search for some time. Stability at the top is crucial for the musical - and financial - health of this organization. Symphony Board President Patricia Hodge stated Ms. Stone "successfully led the organization through significant challenges and the NSA is in a stronger position thanks to her leadership." Hodge goes on to say: "These are exciting times for the orchestra, and we will be looking for a leader to continue to enhance our strategic plan, to further develop community partnerships and increase our audience base." We wish the board well in their search, and Denise Stone in her new responsibilities with the city.
On a different but related note, the next Masterworks concert of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra's season comes up this Saturday night, November 10th at the Great Hall of Hamilton Place. Titled "Lest We Forget", the Remembrance Day concert, beginning at 7:30 pm, includes the Egmont Overture and Incidental Music by Beethoven, as well as the Concerto for Harp and Orchestra by the late Canadian composer Oscar Morawetz, and the lovely Mathis der Maler symphony by Paul Hindemith. Should be a nice evening of music with the HPO, and once again I will be in the lobby before, after and at intermission of the show with a table of musical treasures for sale through A Web of Fine Music. If you are going, please stop by and say hello - I'd love to see you!
Mike Saunders
November 5th, 2007.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
