This has been a very difficult week for many of us, trying to stay on top of the latest developments regarding the coronavirus known as COVID-19. We knew about it some time ago but until it finally hits home in a significant way - as it did this week - we don't keep it top of mind as perhaps we should.
To briefly recap, the World Health Organization has now officially declared it to be pandemic, with CVID-19 hitting many countries in all corners of the world now. The death toll is now significant in such countries as Italy and of course China, where it all began, but just as significant are the numbers of those affected to one degree or another.
Governments including here in Canada are responding the best they can to try to manage the outbreak and limit the deaths and those affected by the virus in some way. As a result, life as we've known it has been significantly disrupted and will continue to be for some time to come. This is not going away anytime soon, I'm afraid, so we'd best get used to what is fast becoming the new reality.
That does not, however, include panic. While concern and worry about how things will play out is understandable to some degree, full-out panic buying is not the answer, nor is it helpful for the rest of the population trying to come to grips with the same situation.
What we've seen in the past few days is remarkable, and not all for the right reasons. People are taking an every man for himself approach and not showing much if any concern for those around them. If the next person in line is unable to buy such basics as hand sanitizer or toilet paper because the person ahead of them loaded up a year's worth in one shot, well, that's their tough luck. Or so it seems.
The fact is, there is no need for the mass hysteria that seems to be breaking out. We can manage this and still be civil to one another, still show concern for our fellow man, or woman for that matter. Just use a little common sense and we'll get through this. It won't be quick, but we can lessen the pain somewhat by simply being good citizens and thinking of others as well as ourselves.
The economic impact here in Canada, as in other countries, will be far reaching and not a short-term aberration. Not to overstate the case, but it would be realistic to assume a recession of some severity will likely be the outcome with the continuous hits to the economy both here and elsewhere in the world. Some countries might manage the fallout better than others, but the grim reality could very well be a downturn in the economy as a result of COVID-19.
As hard to accept as that fact might be, it will not come without collateral damage. People might be out of work who might otherwise be gainfully employed. Consumers might be reluctant to spend once the pandemic is over for fear of a return or simply because they have taken a financial hit themselves and need to tighten their collective belts.
That is perfectly understandable under the circumstances.
But we have to be open-minded going forward and not forget those who are vulnerable, including those who rely on food banks such as Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold. There could very well be further strain on the resources available to them due to the increased number of cases, so those who can help out certainly should.
Another area that will likely suffer both long term and short term will be the arts. In the short term concerts and events have to be cancelled due to prudency on the part of management in order to protect both their employees as well as the public that comes to the events.
That is why, in the last couple of days, the cancellations have been piling up in my inbox. Some are outright cancellations and others are postponements to a later date. But either way, those organizations are taking an unexpected financial hit and some might never recover from it.
Just since yesterday, the City of St. Catharines through an abundance of caution decided to close many social and cultural venues for the time being, including the Farmer's Market, the Welland Canal Visitors Centre & Museum, all public libraries and of course, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre downtown.
Yes it hurts, especially if you have tickets to events such as tomorrow afternoon's Niagara Symphony concert in Partridge Hall at the PAC. That concert and others in the near future have to be cancelled as a result as there is simply no other venue suitable at the moment, and the management of said organizations such as the NSO are being prudent in their own right.
The ripple effect is significant. An orchestra or ensemble can't simply reschedule to another date usually, as schedules are planned out over a year in advance. So they can and will refund your ticket price because frankly, they can't honour the ticket you paid for.
But there is something you can do to help. Not everyone can afford to do this, admittedly, but if you can afford to, consider donating your ticket price back to the organization as a donation. They can use the money at a difficult time and it cuts down on their losses in a meaningful way. And make no mistake, there will be losses.
Not every concert or event has to be cancelled outright. Some can indeed be rescheduled or delayed, such as the Stratford Festival season for example. They announced yesterday they will cancel performances from April 11th, when they were originally scheduled to get underway, until May 2nd. There is little chance they can make up those lost performances later on in the season, but they can at least offer later dates for the shows affected.
Many simply cannot. The Niagara Symphony, for example, will simply have to bite the bullet and pass on tomorrow afternoon's Masterworks 5 concert at the PAC. Similarly, Gallery Players has cancelled their annual Movie Night scheduled for April 4th. Those two concerts and many others by various organizations will simply be lost.
Not all performances appear to be cancelled, however, so it is wise to check on the performance you were planning to attend in advance to make sure it is on before heading out. I reached out Friday to Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts regarding their next concert this afternoon but so far had not heard back, so I am assuming with no announcement on their website to the contrary it is still going ahead. That will be great news for fans of guitarist Milos, who is scheduled to appear at St. Mark's Anglican Church at 41 Byron Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake at 3 pm this Sunday afternoon. If you have not purchased tickets in advance they should be available at the door.
Beyond the performances though, think of those on minimum wage working in many of our restaurants for example, struggling to make ends meet at the best of times and now with perhaps reduced hours they will find it harder than ever to bridge the gap. Again if you can, why not order in from an affordable establishment thereby giving them such much needed business. And if you can increase your tip even just a little, that would be even better.
Being kind and civil to the people you meet will go a long way to making life more bearable for all, too. Especially in the case of our health-care workers throughout the system working on the front lines to deal with those affected by the virus, please be patient and above all, pleasant to them. They are doing great work and should be shown thanks and appreciation at every opportunity, not scorn.
Yes, we will be facing tough times in the days, weeks and likely months ahead. It is not going to be easy. But instead of running around thinking of where you can find more toilet paper, why not work together as a team to manage the situation in a caring, compassionate way.
What's more Canadian than that?
Have a great weekend and remember to take care of those who matter.
March 14th, 2020.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Gallery Players bring you Bach on a sunny Sunday afternoon
I know it's difficult being indoors on these early spring days with the sun shining and the promise of warmer weather on the horizon, but hey, everything in moderation, right? After all, you can get your fill of sunshine this morning and later in the afternoon since Daylight Savings Time is here once again.
In between, I humbly suggest an indoor diversion that will be both edifying and enjoyable at the same time, and supremely entertaining.
This afternoon at 2 The Gallery Players of Niagara present the latest concert in their current series in The Recital Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines, entitled "Songs of Life, Year 2: Bach on Turtle's Back - Death." A rather unwieldy title, perhaps, but worth further investigation.
Human expression can take many forms, not the least of which are creation, destruction and transformation, all of which present themselves as connective themes of said expression. These truths are explored through "Songs of Life" by way of solo performances by Tafelmusik violinist Julia Wedman, the dance performances of Brian Solomon and indeed the always transcendent music of J.S. Bach.
This is the second year of a three-year project, with support provided by the Pluralism Fund.
Brian Solomon is not only the dancer for the performance but also the director and choreographer for "Songs of Life". Along with violin soloist Julia Wedman, performers include soprano Sinead White, tenor Asitha Tennekoon, mezzo-soprano Jessica Wright and baritone Keith Lam. Instrumental accompaniment is provided by Alison Melville on flute, Michelle Odorico on violin, Patrick Jordan on viola, Maho Sone on keyboard and Gallery Players Artistic Director Margaret Gay on cello.
There's not a lot of explanation given about the subject matter to be explored in this edition of "Songs of Life" but for those who attended the first instalment last year the continuation will certainly make sense. For those latecomers who missed the first instalment they should readily be up to speed during the concert and even if not, the experience should still prove both interesting and enjoyable.
So with the coming of spring comes new life, new experiences, new ideas. Looks like you can experience all that and more over a two-hour span this afternoon. That to me seems to be time well spent!
Tickets for "Songs of Life" are available in advance by calling Gallery Players at 905-468-1525 or by going to www.galleryplayers.ca. You should also be able to pick up tickets at the door prior to the performance this afternoon at 2 pm.
Have a great weekend!
March 8th, 2020.
In between, I humbly suggest an indoor diversion that will be both edifying and enjoyable at the same time, and supremely entertaining.
This afternoon at 2 The Gallery Players of Niagara present the latest concert in their current series in The Recital Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines, entitled "Songs of Life, Year 2: Bach on Turtle's Back - Death." A rather unwieldy title, perhaps, but worth further investigation.
Human expression can take many forms, not the least of which are creation, destruction and transformation, all of which present themselves as connective themes of said expression. These truths are explored through "Songs of Life" by way of solo performances by Tafelmusik violinist Julia Wedman, the dance performances of Brian Solomon and indeed the always transcendent music of J.S. Bach.
This is the second year of a three-year project, with support provided by the Pluralism Fund.
Brian Solomon is not only the dancer for the performance but also the director and choreographer for "Songs of Life". Along with violin soloist Julia Wedman, performers include soprano Sinead White, tenor Asitha Tennekoon, mezzo-soprano Jessica Wright and baritone Keith Lam. Instrumental accompaniment is provided by Alison Melville on flute, Michelle Odorico on violin, Patrick Jordan on viola, Maho Sone on keyboard and Gallery Players Artistic Director Margaret Gay on cello.
There's not a lot of explanation given about the subject matter to be explored in this edition of "Songs of Life" but for those who attended the first instalment last year the continuation will certainly make sense. For those latecomers who missed the first instalment they should readily be up to speed during the concert and even if not, the experience should still prove both interesting and enjoyable.
So with the coming of spring comes new life, new experiences, new ideas. Looks like you can experience all that and more over a two-hour span this afternoon. That to me seems to be time well spent!
Tickets for "Songs of Life" are available in advance by calling Gallery Players at 905-468-1525 or by going to www.galleryplayers.ca. You should also be able to pick up tickets at the door prior to the performance this afternoon at 2 pm.
Have a great weekend!
March 8th, 2020.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Looking for a bit of serenity on this Leap Day evening?
Very early in my radio broadcasting career - I'm talking back in the mid-70s - I was invited to the opening night of one of the National Ballet of Canada performances at the then-named O'Keefe Centre in downtown Toronto. It never was the best place to view a ballet but back then that was all Toronto had for staging large-scale dance and operatic performances.
From that very first night I was hooked. I always found it to be an escape for me, no matter what the programme was. I loved the big classical ballets, of course, but always went with an open mind when a mixed programme of shorter, more contemporary works was being staged.
From there I got to know people at the National Ballet School and often attended student performances at their home base as well to see what the young and up-and-coming talent was doing.
That love affair with the ballet in particular and dance in general lasted well into this century for me, although I must admit I have not been for many years now.
My interest was piqued, however, when news came of a programme of piano music accompanied by meditative dance to be held tonight in Hamilton at the Church of St. John the Evangelist. How appropriate, I thought, an art form incorporating leaping into the mix should be performed on this evening, February 29th...leap year, of course...
The pianist in question is Hamilton-based pianist/composer Robert Bruce and the dance is provided by dancer/choreographer Kate Hilliard. Together they will present the Hamilton premiere of Eternal Spring, comprising gentle and evocative piano music composed by Robert Bruce himself, melded with specially-conceived meditative dance by Hilliard.
In this hectic world full of angst, tension and news headlines attacking us from all directions, a meditative programme for modern times might seem to be just what the doctor ordered. It's largely modelled on the aesthetic value system that existed in Western European art during the period predating our present one, roughly from 1870 to 1910.
A lot changed around the time of the nineteen-teens, not the least of which was the turmoil the world was plunged into with the start of the First World War in 1914. Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring rocked the sensibilities of ballet patrons of the day as well, leaving behind the calmer, quieter aesthetic people had enjoyed up until that time in favour of the more daring and avant-guard works to come later in the last century.
Eternal Spring strives to recreate the more intimate and daydream-y atmosphere in which subtle expressions of beauty are presented as the main content. Think of calming, gently flowing music and dance working in graceful harmony with each other and you have the picture clearly in focus.
Drawing inspiration from neo-classicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau among others, Eternal Spring transports the audience into a place of serenity. If you want a modern equivalent perhaps yoga or even meditation could provide a basis on which to draw comparisons here, but really the work is highly original in its own right.
A musical balm for the senses amid the furor and clamour of the modern world? Seems like as good a place as any to escape to during a leap year or any other year for that matter...
Eternal Spring will be presented for one night only tonight at 8 pm at The Rock on Locke, the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Hamilton. Doors open at 7:30 and tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance using PayPal. There is also a seniors/student rate of $15. Advance tickets can be had by going to www.robertbrucemusic.com.
The Rock on Lock, for the uninitiated, is at 320 Charlton Avenue West in downtown Hamilton.
Enjoy the weekend!
February 29th, 2020.
From that very first night I was hooked. I always found it to be an escape for me, no matter what the programme was. I loved the big classical ballets, of course, but always went with an open mind when a mixed programme of shorter, more contemporary works was being staged.
From there I got to know people at the National Ballet School and often attended student performances at their home base as well to see what the young and up-and-coming talent was doing.
That love affair with the ballet in particular and dance in general lasted well into this century for me, although I must admit I have not been for many years now.
My interest was piqued, however, when news came of a programme of piano music accompanied by meditative dance to be held tonight in Hamilton at the Church of St. John the Evangelist. How appropriate, I thought, an art form incorporating leaping into the mix should be performed on this evening, February 29th...leap year, of course...
The pianist in question is Hamilton-based pianist/composer Robert Bruce and the dance is provided by dancer/choreographer Kate Hilliard. Together they will present the Hamilton premiere of Eternal Spring, comprising gentle and evocative piano music composed by Robert Bruce himself, melded with specially-conceived meditative dance by Hilliard.
In this hectic world full of angst, tension and news headlines attacking us from all directions, a meditative programme for modern times might seem to be just what the doctor ordered. It's largely modelled on the aesthetic value system that existed in Western European art during the period predating our present one, roughly from 1870 to 1910.
A lot changed around the time of the nineteen-teens, not the least of which was the turmoil the world was plunged into with the start of the First World War in 1914. Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring rocked the sensibilities of ballet patrons of the day as well, leaving behind the calmer, quieter aesthetic people had enjoyed up until that time in favour of the more daring and avant-guard works to come later in the last century.
Eternal Spring strives to recreate the more intimate and daydream-y atmosphere in which subtle expressions of beauty are presented as the main content. Think of calming, gently flowing music and dance working in graceful harmony with each other and you have the picture clearly in focus.
Drawing inspiration from neo-classicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau among others, Eternal Spring transports the audience into a place of serenity. If you want a modern equivalent perhaps yoga or even meditation could provide a basis on which to draw comparisons here, but really the work is highly original in its own right.
A musical balm for the senses amid the furor and clamour of the modern world? Seems like as good a place as any to escape to during a leap year or any other year for that matter...
Eternal Spring will be presented for one night only tonight at 8 pm at The Rock on Locke, the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Hamilton. Doors open at 7:30 and tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance using PayPal. There is also a seniors/student rate of $15. Advance tickets can be had by going to www.robertbrucemusic.com.
The Rock on Lock, for the uninitiated, is at 320 Charlton Avenue West in downtown Hamilton.
Enjoy the weekend!
February 29th, 2020.
Friday, February 21, 2020
Catherine Wilson's Ensemble Vivant begins the New Year with a new disc
Just over a month ago I had a phone call while waiting in my doctor's office for an appointment and it was from one of my favourite musicians I've gotten to know over the years. Catherine Wilson, based in Toronto, was at the other end with some good news: her musical group Ensemble Vivant had just released a brand-new CD and she wanted to send me a copy so I could be one of the first to hear it.
To say that news was the highlight of my doctor's appointment that day goes without saying, especially I was shortly afterwards the recipient of the ubiquitous flu shot!
Catherine was effusive with her description of the new disc, the group's 14th release and the new one available now from the Opening Day Entertainment Group. Entitled Latin Romance, the recording is a tasteful and refined ode to the venerable tango. Covering a wide spectrum of Latin-American music ranging from the familiar such as Ernesto Lecuona's Andalucia and Isaac Albeniz' Tango in D to lesser-known works (to North American ears at least) by composers such as Gismonti, Piazzolla, Guarnieri and even Antonio Carlos Jobim.
The proverbial icing on the cake was the inclusion of Leroy Anderson's Serenata, a purely North American confection if ever there was one, yet it feels comfortably at home alongside Latin American composers from the past and present.
The disc has an overall feel of warmth and cohesiveness that makes it instantly as comfortable as putting on your dressing gown and slippers when you come home after a long hard day out in the cold of a Canadian winter. The main reason for this is because the musicians feel as comfortable playing this music as much as we do listening to it.
Catherine's group have performed the gamut of musical styles together for many years now so there is really not much they have not encountered in one form or another. They work well together and feel totally at home alongside some notable guests from Toronto's jazz and world music scenes.
Ensemble Vivant features Catherine Wilson on piano, Jim Vivian on bass, Cory Gemmell on violin, Norman Hathaway on viola and Sybil Shanahan on cello. They're joined on this disc by Juan Carlos Medrano and Luisito Orbegoso on Latin percussion, Kevin Turcotte on trumpet and Don Thompson on vibes.
Together they bring a joy of music making that is truly infectious, inviting the listener to, if not get up and dance the tango, at least feel they are being transported to some warmer clime where they could watch dancers do it for them.
As joyful as this collection is, it also comes tinged in unexpected sadness as a follow-up phone call from Catherine revealed the composer of an original composition on the disc had just passed away. Catherine was beside herself when we spoke that day, as she had only heard the night before of the passing of Canadian composer John Burke, who contributed the Art Tango La Despedida to the disc.
John, who was born in 1951 and was a composer of many orchestral, choral and chamber works over his lengthy career, passed suddenly and peacefully at his home in Marmora, Ontario.
John and Catherine's group had a musical association that went back many years and included the world premiere of Dr. Burke's Heiratikos at the 2010 International World Music Festival at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
Just this past December Catherine and Ensemble Vivant launched the new disc at a sold out concert at Hugh's Room in Toronto and included the world premiere of John's contribution to the disc, La Despedida, which translates as The Farewell.
It was a bittersweet event as John was in the audience for the premiere that night and it would prove to be the final time Catherine would play before her old friend. In spite of the fact he planned to write more music for the group, the inclusion of La Despedida on Latin Romance will indeed prove to be his farewell.
We go through this life making friends, some closer than others of course, and a chosen few become friends through their musical gifts shared together. As we hear on Latin Romance, the friendship ran deep for both John Burke and Catherine Wilson's Ensemble Vivant.
Thanks for the music, John. And thanks to Catherine and her group for championing his music both now and no doubt in the future too. Because that's what friends do. They remember and never forget.
Have a great weekend.
February 21st, 2020.
To say that news was the highlight of my doctor's appointment that day goes without saying, especially I was shortly afterwards the recipient of the ubiquitous flu shot!
Catherine was effusive with her description of the new disc, the group's 14th release and the new one available now from the Opening Day Entertainment Group. Entitled Latin Romance, the recording is a tasteful and refined ode to the venerable tango. Covering a wide spectrum of Latin-American music ranging from the familiar such as Ernesto Lecuona's Andalucia and Isaac Albeniz' Tango in D to lesser-known works (to North American ears at least) by composers such as Gismonti, Piazzolla, Guarnieri and even Antonio Carlos Jobim.
The proverbial icing on the cake was the inclusion of Leroy Anderson's Serenata, a purely North American confection if ever there was one, yet it feels comfortably at home alongside Latin American composers from the past and present.
The disc has an overall feel of warmth and cohesiveness that makes it instantly as comfortable as putting on your dressing gown and slippers when you come home after a long hard day out in the cold of a Canadian winter. The main reason for this is because the musicians feel as comfortable playing this music as much as we do listening to it.
Catherine's group have performed the gamut of musical styles together for many years now so there is really not much they have not encountered in one form or another. They work well together and feel totally at home alongside some notable guests from Toronto's jazz and world music scenes.
Ensemble Vivant features Catherine Wilson on piano, Jim Vivian on bass, Cory Gemmell on violin, Norman Hathaway on viola and Sybil Shanahan on cello. They're joined on this disc by Juan Carlos Medrano and Luisito Orbegoso on Latin percussion, Kevin Turcotte on trumpet and Don Thompson on vibes.
Together they bring a joy of music making that is truly infectious, inviting the listener to, if not get up and dance the tango, at least feel they are being transported to some warmer clime where they could watch dancers do it for them.
As joyful as this collection is, it also comes tinged in unexpected sadness as a follow-up phone call from Catherine revealed the composer of an original composition on the disc had just passed away. Catherine was beside herself when we spoke that day, as she had only heard the night before of the passing of Canadian composer John Burke, who contributed the Art Tango La Despedida to the disc.
John, who was born in 1951 and was a composer of many orchestral, choral and chamber works over his lengthy career, passed suddenly and peacefully at his home in Marmora, Ontario.
John and Catherine's group had a musical association that went back many years and included the world premiere of Dr. Burke's Heiratikos at the 2010 International World Music Festival at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
Just this past December Catherine and Ensemble Vivant launched the new disc at a sold out concert at Hugh's Room in Toronto and included the world premiere of John's contribution to the disc, La Despedida, which translates as The Farewell.
It was a bittersweet event as John was in the audience for the premiere that night and it would prove to be the final time Catherine would play before her old friend. In spite of the fact he planned to write more music for the group, the inclusion of La Despedida on Latin Romance will indeed prove to be his farewell.
We go through this life making friends, some closer than others of course, and a chosen few become friends through their musical gifts shared together. As we hear on Latin Romance, the friendship ran deep for both John Burke and Catherine Wilson's Ensemble Vivant.
Thanks for the music, John. And thanks to Catherine and her group for championing his music both now and no doubt in the future too. Because that's what friends do. They remember and never forget.
Have a great weekend.
February 21st, 2020.
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Music to celebrate Valentine's Day this weekend
With tomorrow being Valentine's Day, I thought I'd offer up a trio of musical suggestions for you to romance your sweetie with something other than just flowers and chocolates this year, although either or both of them might be a great accompaniment to any of these upcoming concerts.
First up, Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts gets the romance going tomorrow night with A Century of Heroes: The music of Frank Sinatra, Jon Hendricks, Billy Eckstine and Nancy Wilson. Popular jazz vocalist Kurt Elling fronts an all-star band in Partridge Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines for an evening of swing classics from the Great American Songbook and beyond.
Holding a dozen Grammy nominations and eight Jazz Journalists Association Awards for "Male Singer of the Year", not to mention a fourteen-year run atop the DownBeat Critics Poll, Elling knows his way around a finely-crafted tune, much as the predecessors he salutes in the show did during their time. My personal favourite has always been Sinatra, of course, but the classic 50s Capitol recordings remain for me the pinnacle of Old Blue Eyes' craft, so no doubt several songs from that era will be on the programme.
Elling will be including several original compositions in the mix tomorrow night as well I'm told, so that will be an added bonus to keep things up to date as well as timeless.
Tickets are almost sold out for the performance tomorrow night, but you can book online at www.bravoniagara.org or call 289-868-9177. You can also stop by the PAC box office tomorrow if you're downtown to pick up your tickets in person in advance of the performance. The show begins at 8 pm, by the way.
On Saturday night you can head down the QEW to downtown Hamilton and stop by FirstOntario Concert Hall, formerly Hamilton Place, for the next concert with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Music Director Gemma New.
Entitled Scheherazade, the performance features the famous orchestral masterpiece of the same name by Rimsky-Korsakov illustrating the tale of One Thousand and One Nights. In its own way, it is a perfect accompaniment to a romantic weekend as it involves one woman dazzling her man with never-ending tales lasting, well one thousand and one nights, give or take...
The HPO's Principal Trombone David Pell shows why he is a virtuoso on the instrument when he is featured in the Trombone Concerto by Tomasi, and the full orchestra will be in full bloom as they lead off with the popular Semiramide Overture by Rossini.
The concert begins at 7:30 Saturday night. For tickets, call the box office at 905-526-7756.
Finally, the Niagara Symphony presents their third Pops! concert this weekend, both Saturday night at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 and will be a decidedly more popular programme this weekend. Entitled Music of the knights, the concert highlights music composed by three famous "Sirs", Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul McCartney and Elton John and includes a number of hits from the Broadway stage as well as from many a playlist these days.
Selections will include Memory from Cats and Don't Cry for Me, Argentina from Evita by Webber, Crocodile Rock by John and Yesterday by McCartney, among others.
Tickets to any of the Niagara Symphony concerts are available by calling the FirstOntario PAC box office at 905-688-0722. Or you can visit in person while you're downtown buying the flowers and chocolates!
Now, if you decide to go for the trifecta and book all three, well, I won't say you'll be the most popular partner on the planet, but you'll be darn close. Oh, and the idea is gender-neutral too. Anyone can book for whomever they are attached to or wish to be. After all, love should be nothing if not democratic, right?
Good luck and enjoy the weekend!
February 13th, 2020.
First up, Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts gets the romance going tomorrow night with A Century of Heroes: The music of Frank Sinatra, Jon Hendricks, Billy Eckstine and Nancy Wilson. Popular jazz vocalist Kurt Elling fronts an all-star band in Partridge Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines for an evening of swing classics from the Great American Songbook and beyond.
Holding a dozen Grammy nominations and eight Jazz Journalists Association Awards for "Male Singer of the Year", not to mention a fourteen-year run atop the DownBeat Critics Poll, Elling knows his way around a finely-crafted tune, much as the predecessors he salutes in the show did during their time. My personal favourite has always been Sinatra, of course, but the classic 50s Capitol recordings remain for me the pinnacle of Old Blue Eyes' craft, so no doubt several songs from that era will be on the programme.
Elling will be including several original compositions in the mix tomorrow night as well I'm told, so that will be an added bonus to keep things up to date as well as timeless.
Tickets are almost sold out for the performance tomorrow night, but you can book online at www.bravoniagara.org or call 289-868-9177. You can also stop by the PAC box office tomorrow if you're downtown to pick up your tickets in person in advance of the performance. The show begins at 8 pm, by the way.
On Saturday night you can head down the QEW to downtown Hamilton and stop by FirstOntario Concert Hall, formerly Hamilton Place, for the next concert with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Music Director Gemma New.
Entitled Scheherazade, the performance features the famous orchestral masterpiece of the same name by Rimsky-Korsakov illustrating the tale of One Thousand and One Nights. In its own way, it is a perfect accompaniment to a romantic weekend as it involves one woman dazzling her man with never-ending tales lasting, well one thousand and one nights, give or take...
The HPO's Principal Trombone David Pell shows why he is a virtuoso on the instrument when he is featured in the Trombone Concerto by Tomasi, and the full orchestra will be in full bloom as they lead off with the popular Semiramide Overture by Rossini.
The concert begins at 7:30 Saturday night. For tickets, call the box office at 905-526-7756.
Finally, the Niagara Symphony presents their third Pops! concert this weekend, both Saturday night at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 and will be a decidedly more popular programme this weekend. Entitled Music of the knights, the concert highlights music composed by three famous "Sirs", Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul McCartney and Elton John and includes a number of hits from the Broadway stage as well as from many a playlist these days.
Selections will include Memory from Cats and Don't Cry for Me, Argentina from Evita by Webber, Crocodile Rock by John and Yesterday by McCartney, among others.
Tickets to any of the Niagara Symphony concerts are available by calling the FirstOntario PAC box office at 905-688-0722. Or you can visit in person while you're downtown buying the flowers and chocolates!
Now, if you decide to go for the trifecta and book all three, well, I won't say you'll be the most popular partner on the planet, but you'll be darn close. Oh, and the idea is gender-neutral too. Anyone can book for whomever they are attached to or wish to be. After all, love should be nothing if not democratic, right?
Good luck and enjoy the weekend!
February 13th, 2020.
Saturday, February 8, 2020
It's all about the singing this weekend
It's all about the singing this weekend, as we collectively try to keep warm and comfortable during the cold winter months we've been enduring. So if you feel the need to escape the cold for an afternoon of song on a Sunday, I have a couple of great musical suggestions for you.
Here in Niagara the 25th season of Gallery Players of Niagara continues with a performance tomorrow afternoon at 2 at Silver Spire United Church in downtown St. Catharines. The Gallery Players have programmed a concert entitled From Home and Afar - A Journey of Enchantment, and it will take listeners on a voyage from Canada to Germany and back again, with a festive stop in warmer Argentina for good measure.
The all-star performers include mezzo-soprano Kristin Hoff, along with Caitlin Boyle on viola, Timothy Phelan on guitar and Antoine Joubert on piano. That's typical of Gallery Players concerts, as the musical personnel is never constant. You always hear something new each time out, and that for me is the joy of this artistic endeavour.
On the programme will be Two Songs for mezzo, viola and piano, Op. 91 by Johannes Brahms, Three Songs for mezzo, viola and piano by Frank Bridge, Sid Rabinovitch's Canciones sefardies for guitar and mezzo, and Penelope for piano and voice by Cecilia Livingston. Instrumentally, the concert will be rounded out with Timothy Phelan's own arrangement for viola and guitar of Astor Piazzolla's Histoire du Tango.
The tango, incidentally, just never seems to go out of fashion, either as a musical form or dance form. It's as popular now as ever, with the music of Piazzolla really defining the genre. I mention that because next weekend in this space I'll be writing about a brand-new CD release by the Toronto-based Ensemble Vivant, who have just recorded and released their new Latin Romance CD. It is chock full of tangos to light up your Valentine's Day weekend, so keep an eye out for that next week.
Getting back to the Gallery Players performance tomorrow, tickets should be available at the door prior to the concert or in advance by calling 905-468-1525 or logging on to www.galleryplayers.ca.
Meantime in Elora tomorrow afternoon the ever-popular Soup & Song concert will be held at St. John's Church in the heart of Elora. I'm told the soup tickets are sold out, which is a regular occurrence for this popular winter event, but there are still tickets available for the concert featuring The Elora Singers directed by Mark Vuorinen. Mr. Vuorinen will also be discussing the music on the programme, which includes three cantatas by J.S. Bach.
Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich is one of Bach's earliest cantatas, although the date of composition is really not known. But the sparse orchestration Bach gave the cantata coupled with the prominence of the choir - no surprise there with Bach - makes it an excellent vehicle for the considerable talents of The Elora Singers. Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir was composed in either 1707 or 1708 and remains one of Bach's earliest surviving cantatas. It is also an early example of Bach's interest in counterpoint. Finally, the Singers will perform Weinen, klagen, sorgen, zagen, a cantata consisting of seven movements and originally composed by Bach for the third Sunday after Easter.
The sound of St. John's Church, The Elora Singers' home base, is absolutely radiant and the cosy surroundings add to the flavour and intimacy of hearing the Singers at this time of year. No huge, drafty church here, so you'll be warmed by the music as well as by the soup beforehand.
For tickets and more information call the box office at 519-846-0331 or go to www.elorasingers.ca.
Enjoy your weekend!
February 8th, 2020.
Here in Niagara the 25th season of Gallery Players of Niagara continues with a performance tomorrow afternoon at 2 at Silver Spire United Church in downtown St. Catharines. The Gallery Players have programmed a concert entitled From Home and Afar - A Journey of Enchantment, and it will take listeners on a voyage from Canada to Germany and back again, with a festive stop in warmer Argentina for good measure.
The all-star performers include mezzo-soprano Kristin Hoff, along with Caitlin Boyle on viola, Timothy Phelan on guitar and Antoine Joubert on piano. That's typical of Gallery Players concerts, as the musical personnel is never constant. You always hear something new each time out, and that for me is the joy of this artistic endeavour.
On the programme will be Two Songs for mezzo, viola and piano, Op. 91 by Johannes Brahms, Three Songs for mezzo, viola and piano by Frank Bridge, Sid Rabinovitch's Canciones sefardies for guitar and mezzo, and Penelope for piano and voice by Cecilia Livingston. Instrumentally, the concert will be rounded out with Timothy Phelan's own arrangement for viola and guitar of Astor Piazzolla's Histoire du Tango.
The tango, incidentally, just never seems to go out of fashion, either as a musical form or dance form. It's as popular now as ever, with the music of Piazzolla really defining the genre. I mention that because next weekend in this space I'll be writing about a brand-new CD release by the Toronto-based Ensemble Vivant, who have just recorded and released their new Latin Romance CD. It is chock full of tangos to light up your Valentine's Day weekend, so keep an eye out for that next week.
Getting back to the Gallery Players performance tomorrow, tickets should be available at the door prior to the concert or in advance by calling 905-468-1525 or logging on to www.galleryplayers.ca.
Meantime in Elora tomorrow afternoon the ever-popular Soup & Song concert will be held at St. John's Church in the heart of Elora. I'm told the soup tickets are sold out, which is a regular occurrence for this popular winter event, but there are still tickets available for the concert featuring The Elora Singers directed by Mark Vuorinen. Mr. Vuorinen will also be discussing the music on the programme, which includes three cantatas by J.S. Bach.
Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich is one of Bach's earliest cantatas, although the date of composition is really not known. But the sparse orchestration Bach gave the cantata coupled with the prominence of the choir - no surprise there with Bach - makes it an excellent vehicle for the considerable talents of The Elora Singers. Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir was composed in either 1707 or 1708 and remains one of Bach's earliest surviving cantatas. It is also an early example of Bach's interest in counterpoint. Finally, the Singers will perform Weinen, klagen, sorgen, zagen, a cantata consisting of seven movements and originally composed by Bach for the third Sunday after Easter.
The sound of St. John's Church, The Elora Singers' home base, is absolutely radiant and the cosy surroundings add to the flavour and intimacy of hearing the Singers at this time of year. No huge, drafty church here, so you'll be warmed by the music as well as by the soup beforehand.
For tickets and more information call the box office at 519-846-0331 or go to www.elorasingers.ca.
Enjoy your weekend!
February 8th, 2020.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
No shortage of music available in downtown St. Catharines this weekend
The weekend is here and if you are craving some great music in an equally great setting, I have a couple of suggestions for you. Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon can be musically enjoyed in downtown St. Catharines.
First off, the Marilyn I. Walker Cultural Leader Series continues this evening in the Recital Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre downtown at 7:30.
Guitar Extravaganza 2020 is Brock University's annual celebration of the guitar, featuring The Mighty Niagara Guitar Orchestra, comprised of 70 classical guitarists from throughout Niagara and the rest of Southern Ontario. Performers travel from as far away as Sarnia, Sudbury, Ottawa and even Boston to perform right here in our own backyard. And they all perform under the direction of Artistic Director/Conductor and Brock University guitar instructor Timothy Phelan.
The Department of Music presentation features Niagara natives Paul Wiebe and James Bryan as they join special guests Rene Izquierdo from Cuba, Elina Chekan from Belarus and Emma Rush. The music is composed and/or arranged by three Niagara-area musicians, James Bryan, Timothy Phelan and Floyd Turner.
I remember years ago listening to the 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett, who regularly featured some of the best guitarists in the world performing in unison, and the sound was always enjoyable. Some of those old recordings have made it on to CD and I have a couple in my collection at the moment, in fact. But 70 classical guitarists? That is something special, and it should be a spectacular performance tonight.
Tickets should be available at the FirstOntario PAC box office prior to the show tonight.
Meantime in Partridge Hall at the PAC tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 the Niagara Symphony presents a concert entitled Simply Irresistible, the fourth concert in their Masterworks series for the current season.
Maestro Bradley Thachuk conducts the orchestra along with featured soloist Jinjoo Cho on violin in some rather heavy-duty music leaning towards unbridled romance, just in time for the romantic day coming up later this month.
The NSO continues their Sibelius cycle with the Symphony No. 5, certainly one of Sibelius' great orchestral works, as a concert finale. Leading off will be Toronto-based composer Kevin Lau's Dark Angels concert suite, adapted from his full-length ballet of the same name that was commissioned by the National Ballet of Canada back in 2017. Lau's interpretation of the Medusa myth is both tense and dark, but along with the Sibelius will show a decidedly full-bodied facet of the Niagara Symphony that perhaps suits the darker winter months as we hibernate until warmer weather arrives.
Sandwiched in between those two orchestral works will be one of the most interesting of the last century's showcases for violin as young violinist Jinjoo Cho joins the NSO in Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto. Now considered an American classic, the work was considered "unplayable" when it premiered many years ago. Now, young violinists regularly showcase the work in their repertoire as something of a calling card as they build their musical careers.
If Groundhog Day makes you gag and the Super Bowl makes you yawn, clearly you yearn for something more substantial. The Niagara Symphony has your back this weekend at the PAC!
Tickets should be available from the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre box office prior to the performance tomorrow afternoon or in advance by calling 905-688-0722.
Have a great weekend!
February 1st, 2020.
First off, the Marilyn I. Walker Cultural Leader Series continues this evening in the Recital Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre downtown at 7:30.
Guitar Extravaganza 2020 is Brock University's annual celebration of the guitar, featuring The Mighty Niagara Guitar Orchestra, comprised of 70 classical guitarists from throughout Niagara and the rest of Southern Ontario. Performers travel from as far away as Sarnia, Sudbury, Ottawa and even Boston to perform right here in our own backyard. And they all perform under the direction of Artistic Director/Conductor and Brock University guitar instructor Timothy Phelan.
The Department of Music presentation features Niagara natives Paul Wiebe and James Bryan as they join special guests Rene Izquierdo from Cuba, Elina Chekan from Belarus and Emma Rush. The music is composed and/or arranged by three Niagara-area musicians, James Bryan, Timothy Phelan and Floyd Turner.
I remember years ago listening to the 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett, who regularly featured some of the best guitarists in the world performing in unison, and the sound was always enjoyable. Some of those old recordings have made it on to CD and I have a couple in my collection at the moment, in fact. But 70 classical guitarists? That is something special, and it should be a spectacular performance tonight.
Tickets should be available at the FirstOntario PAC box office prior to the show tonight.
Meantime in Partridge Hall at the PAC tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 the Niagara Symphony presents a concert entitled Simply Irresistible, the fourth concert in their Masterworks series for the current season.
Maestro Bradley Thachuk conducts the orchestra along with featured soloist Jinjoo Cho on violin in some rather heavy-duty music leaning towards unbridled romance, just in time for the romantic day coming up later this month.
The NSO continues their Sibelius cycle with the Symphony No. 5, certainly one of Sibelius' great orchestral works, as a concert finale. Leading off will be Toronto-based composer Kevin Lau's Dark Angels concert suite, adapted from his full-length ballet of the same name that was commissioned by the National Ballet of Canada back in 2017. Lau's interpretation of the Medusa myth is both tense and dark, but along with the Sibelius will show a decidedly full-bodied facet of the Niagara Symphony that perhaps suits the darker winter months as we hibernate until warmer weather arrives.
Sandwiched in between those two orchestral works will be one of the most interesting of the last century's showcases for violin as young violinist Jinjoo Cho joins the NSO in Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto. Now considered an American classic, the work was considered "unplayable" when it premiered many years ago. Now, young violinists regularly showcase the work in their repertoire as something of a calling card as they build their musical careers.
If Groundhog Day makes you gag and the Super Bowl makes you yawn, clearly you yearn for something more substantial. The Niagara Symphony has your back this weekend at the PAC!
Tickets should be available from the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre box office prior to the performance tomorrow afternoon or in advance by calling 905-688-0722.
Have a great weekend!
February 1st, 2020.
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