I am wearing two hats while working this weekend: first, my broadcast journalist's hat (that's the fedora with the business card tucked into the band) watching the news on the new Ontario Premier picked at the Liberal Leadership convention in Toronto tonight (Kathleen for the Wynne!); the other is the more sedate homburg while covering the arts beat as I do in this space on a weekly basis.
I will let the political pundits have at it for the discussions on the Liberal Convention this weekend; for my part, let's talk about the Niagara Symphony this weekend and what news they have been making as of late. First off, let me say the Masterworks 3 concert Sunday afternoon at 2:30 promises to be an entertaining and challenging affair.
Guest conductor Earl Stafford will lead the orchestra through their paces in a programme that includes two of my favourite string works: Grieg's delightful Holberg Suite, Op. 40 and the very familiar Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. Also on the programme are the Shostakovich Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a and the difficult and not often heard Clarinet Concerto by Aaron Copland. The nso's Principal Clarinet, Zoltan Kalman will tackle the work and I have no doubt he will be up to the task. He is one of the most accomplished musicians on the local music scene, so this promises to be an event.
Maestro Stafford has had a varied career, but is perhaps best known as Principal Conductor of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, a post he held from 1984 to 2009. He has also worked with such musical greats as Oscar Peterson, Mel Torme, James Ehnes and Evelyn Hart, the long-time Prima Ballerina of the RWB. Ah, Evelyn Hart...one of the women I had an incredible crush on years ago and it has never subsided! But I digress...
Masterworks 3 also marks the launch of a new nso initiative: they have made concerts more accessible to post-secondary students by allowing University and College students to now pay only $12 (plus applicable taxes and fees) to attend concerts by the nso, thanks to the generous support of inaugural sponsor, Scotiabank. This is a great idea and hopefully a positive move toward attracting more young people to concerts by the nso; after all, they are the orchestra's future so best to nurture the relationship now rather than later or perhaps, never.
Tickets are still available at the box office at Brock by calling 905-688-5550, ext. 3257 or picking them up before the concert in person. Should you go, be sure to keep an eye out for yours truly at my usual spot in the lobby before, after and at intermission of the concert, with a table full of great musical ideas available for purchase. The holiday season may be over but you can certainly treat yourself to some great new music for the New Year! If you don't see what you want you can always order through my website at www.finemusic.ca or directly by email at music@vaxxine.com.
One final note, and this came up in discussion at the recent Holiday Pops! concerts following my dissertation in this space last fall on etiquette in the theatre. So an addendum here for the concert hall, and it comes following the orchestra's performance of the wonderful Beatlecracker Suite, a 10-minute compendium of Beatles tunes arranged in the style of the familiar Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite. Since it is several movements long and each is as short as only a minute or more, a problem developed at the December concerts.
Generally speaking, Niagara Symphony patrons are pretty good at knowing when to - and when not to - applaud. The general rule of thumb is only after a work; in other words, a three movement symphony for example, should only elicit applause at the end of the complete work, rather than after each movement. The problem with the Beatlecracker Suite is people threw that rule out the window and applauded after each segment, thus elongating the work needlessly and frankly, breaking up the flow of the work. So please, applaud if you wish, as much as you wish, at the end of the work, not during.
This has been a problem for orchestras since orchestras began playing music, actually, but can be taken to extremes. I recall attending a concert at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto years ago, an orchestra from the U.K. if I remember correctly, and the audience was so earnest in their desire to make them feel welcome they applauded every chance they got, INCLUDING when a stage-hand came out between works to move chairs around on the stage for the next work - how embarrassing! He actually took a bow to much laughter, but I often wonder what they thought backstage on that occasion.
Audiences can go the other way, too, of course. I remember being in London at the home of the Royal Philharmonic back in the mid-80s when the great Sir Yehudi Menuhin played with the RPO and the audience actually hissed his performance! Granted he was in the twilight of his performing career as a violinist at that point but really, does he deserve that sort of reception? Of course not. But audiences there are some of the most demanding in the world, I find, and that event has always stayed with me.
Some time later I was again in Toronto at Roy Thomson Hall and Menuhin appeared with his young orchestra as conductor this time, and he was treated with great reverence by the Toronto concert-goers which seemed very appropriate on that occasion. So basically, use a little common sense and don't go overboard with the applause. People on both sides of the footlights will, I suspect, appreciate it.
Enjoy the weekend!
January 26th, 2013.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
News from Niagara Artists Centre and the Shaw Festival Film Series
A couple of items I wanted to write about this week, both local and both highlighting great success stories you can take in during 2013. With January dragging on and on, any opportunity to get out and support the arts is always welcome!
This week our local MP, Rick Dykstra, announced as part of the Government's Economic Action Plan 2012, federal funding to the tune of $24,400 for improvements to the Niagara Artists Centre in downtown St. Catharines. In a release this week, Dykstra said: "Our government, through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, is demonstrating its continued support for communities across Canada. Here in St. Catharines, these local projects, like the one being undertaken by the Niagara Artists Centre, will create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in our community."
According to Stephen Remus, Minister of Energy, Minds and Resources for the Niagara Artists Centre (I love that title, by the way!), the funding will go towards installing a grass roof above the Show Room Gallery along with a small area for film screenings, music and literary events.
The Niagara Artists Centre is one of our great local arts resources, housed in a historic building at 354 St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines. The wide range of arts-related programming paired with the vision provided by Remus means yet another reason to venture downtown for some cultural fulfillment. You can even become a member of NAC for a very affordable price, so that might be something you want to consider for the new year.
For more information on NAC, call them at 905-641-0331 or go to www.NAC.org. They are open to the public Saturday afternoons from 12 to 4.
The Shaw Festival might be dark as far as live theatre is concerned, although the box office is now open for orders for the upcoming 2013 season. But in this quiet time at Shaw, people in the know head to the Festival Theatre Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons for the annual Film Series. There are two series, the Documentary film series on Fridays at 5:30 pm and the Feature Film series Saturday afternoons at 3 pm.
The Documentary film series continues until February 15th, with the remainder of the schedule including Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel on February 1st; Chasing Ice on February 8th; and Under African Skies February 15th.
The Feature Film series continues this afternoon, in fact, with the Oscar-nominated film Argo at 3 pm. The rest of the series includes Robot & Frank January 26th; A Late Quartet February 2nd; Anna Karenina February 9th; Silver Linings Playbook February 16th and finally, Quartet on February 23rd.
Now, I don't go to a lot of movies these days, although my far better half attends both series regularly each season. But two in the Feature Film series have caught my eye and I likely will be attending Quartet and A Late Quartet, both classically-themed films that look very interesting.
Consulting the online bible of all things film-related, the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), both these films get good reviews from contributors since they were released last year. Quartet is directed by Dustin Hoffman and stars Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon and Billy Connolly, and according to IMDB, the film takes place at a home for retired opera singers, where an annual concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday is taking place. For opera singers, this would be a big deal, you know. But an eternal diva named Jean arrives on the scene just in time to throw the proverbial wrench into the proceedings, as she is the former wife of one of the residents. Opera intrigue in a movie about retired opera singers? Why not?!
A Late Quartet is directed by Yaron Zilberman and stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener, and looks to be a rather more serious affair than Quartet. The synopsis from IMBD describes the storyline thusly: "members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and insuppressible lust." Insuppressible lust? I'm in!
It is rare two classical-music-themed movies would come out in a single year, and rarer still they are both garnering a lot of buzz in movie circles, but that seems to be the case with these two, so I will be attending both at the Shaw Festival next month to see for myself what all the buzz is about.
For more information on the Shaw Festival film series, go to www.shawfest.com/films or call 905-468-2172.
See you at the theatre!
This week our local MP, Rick Dykstra, announced as part of the Government's Economic Action Plan 2012, federal funding to the tune of $24,400 for improvements to the Niagara Artists Centre in downtown St. Catharines. In a release this week, Dykstra said: "Our government, through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, is demonstrating its continued support for communities across Canada. Here in St. Catharines, these local projects, like the one being undertaken by the Niagara Artists Centre, will create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in our community."
According to Stephen Remus, Minister of Energy, Minds and Resources for the Niagara Artists Centre (I love that title, by the way!), the funding will go towards installing a grass roof above the Show Room Gallery along with a small area for film screenings, music and literary events.
The Niagara Artists Centre is one of our great local arts resources, housed in a historic building at 354 St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines. The wide range of arts-related programming paired with the vision provided by Remus means yet another reason to venture downtown for some cultural fulfillment. You can even become a member of NAC for a very affordable price, so that might be something you want to consider for the new year.
For more information on NAC, call them at 905-641-0331 or go to www.NAC.org. They are open to the public Saturday afternoons from 12 to 4.
The Shaw Festival might be dark as far as live theatre is concerned, although the box office is now open for orders for the upcoming 2013 season. But in this quiet time at Shaw, people in the know head to the Festival Theatre Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons for the annual Film Series. There are two series, the Documentary film series on Fridays at 5:30 pm and the Feature Film series Saturday afternoons at 3 pm.
The Documentary film series continues until February 15th, with the remainder of the schedule including Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel on February 1st; Chasing Ice on February 8th; and Under African Skies February 15th.
The Feature Film series continues this afternoon, in fact, with the Oscar-nominated film Argo at 3 pm. The rest of the series includes Robot & Frank January 26th; A Late Quartet February 2nd; Anna Karenina February 9th; Silver Linings Playbook February 16th and finally, Quartet on February 23rd.
Now, I don't go to a lot of movies these days, although my far better half attends both series regularly each season. But two in the Feature Film series have caught my eye and I likely will be attending Quartet and A Late Quartet, both classically-themed films that look very interesting.
Consulting the online bible of all things film-related, the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), both these films get good reviews from contributors since they were released last year. Quartet is directed by Dustin Hoffman and stars Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon and Billy Connolly, and according to IMDB, the film takes place at a home for retired opera singers, where an annual concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday is taking place. For opera singers, this would be a big deal, you know. But an eternal diva named Jean arrives on the scene just in time to throw the proverbial wrench into the proceedings, as she is the former wife of one of the residents. Opera intrigue in a movie about retired opera singers? Why not?!
A Late Quartet is directed by Yaron Zilberman and stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener, and looks to be a rather more serious affair than Quartet. The synopsis from IMBD describes the storyline thusly: "members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and insuppressible lust." Insuppressible lust? I'm in!
It is rare two classical-music-themed movies would come out in a single year, and rarer still they are both garnering a lot of buzz in movie circles, but that seems to be the case with these two, so I will be attending both at the Shaw Festival next month to see for myself what all the buzz is about.
For more information on the Shaw Festival film series, go to www.shawfest.com/films or call 905-468-2172.
See you at the theatre!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Kiwanis St. Catharines Music & Arts Festival coming soon.
Last weekend a gentleman arrived at my door with a request to stock copies of the current Official Syllabus for the upcoming Kiwanis St. Catharines Music & Arts Festival, which will be held from April 8th to the 27th of this year. Even though I run a web-based business, thereby limiting the number of people actually coming to pick up orders, I agreed to stock copies of the Official Syllabus in case people contact me requesting a copy of it.
I have no idea if anyone will, but just in case, I thought I would publicize the fact in my weekly blog post to give them some publicity as the annual event is set to get underway again this year. When you think about it, although April seems a long time off, the actual deadline for entries is coming up a month from now on February 15th. Whether online, mailed or delivered by hand, the deadline is the same.
The Festival Chair, Peter Brown, is available if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding the Festival at peter@copperbeechco.com; for general enquiries or to volunteer your services, you can contact Claudette Borowski at cborowskimusic@gmail.com. Any other information should be available through the website at www.stcatharineskiwanisfestival.ca including festival dates and locations.
Categories range from piano, strings, guitar, classical guitar, brass and woodwinds, band, vocal, dance and speech arts. So a wide range of arts are celebrated with the Kiwanis Music & Arts Festival, with ages of participants ranges widely, from very young to young adult. You never know what you'll hear until you actually go and watch the performances unfold.
I remember being asked a number of years ago to emcee the annual gala performance in St. Catharines, usually held at the end of April or beginning of May, and it was always inspiring to see such young, talented people performing at such a high level on their chosen musical instrument. Performances were not always letter perfect, but they are not expected to be. That being said, the calibre of performances were uniformly high. This year's Festival of Stars Celebration will be held May 16th, by the way, and all participants receive a certificate.
In addition to Peter Brown and Claudette Borowski, the Kiwanis St. Catharines team includes George Cleland overseeing strings; Michelle Cumiskey with vocals; Anne Deyme of Rysons United Music Studios of St. Catharines overseeing guitar/brass/woodwind and band categories; Deanna Smith with speech arts; Jordan Setacci with dance and Jeanne teSligte, piano. Together, they all endeavour to carry out the mission to encourage, nurture and support performances and educational activities in the city; musicians can enhance their interpretive and musical styles as a means of strengthening character development and further their enjoyment of the arts.
Once again, the deadline for entries this year is February 15th, and the Official Syllabus is now available at many locations throughout the city of St. Catharines, including my offices for A Web of Fine Music. If you want to pick up a copy here, send me an email directly at music@vaxxine.com and I will set one aside for you.
Of course, if you need a recording of music for a performance for preparations, I can certainly help you there as well; just send me an email or go through my website at www.finemusic.ca and I will do my very best to get a recording of a particular work for you.
Let the competitions begin!
January 14th, 2013.
I have no idea if anyone will, but just in case, I thought I would publicize the fact in my weekly blog post to give them some publicity as the annual event is set to get underway again this year. When you think about it, although April seems a long time off, the actual deadline for entries is coming up a month from now on February 15th. Whether online, mailed or delivered by hand, the deadline is the same.
The Festival Chair, Peter Brown, is available if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding the Festival at peter@copperbeechco.com; for general enquiries or to volunteer your services, you can contact Claudette Borowski at cborowskimusic@gmail.com. Any other information should be available through the website at www.stcatharineskiwanisfestival.ca including festival dates and locations.
Categories range from piano, strings, guitar, classical guitar, brass and woodwinds, band, vocal, dance and speech arts. So a wide range of arts are celebrated with the Kiwanis Music & Arts Festival, with ages of participants ranges widely, from very young to young adult. You never know what you'll hear until you actually go and watch the performances unfold.
I remember being asked a number of years ago to emcee the annual gala performance in St. Catharines, usually held at the end of April or beginning of May, and it was always inspiring to see such young, talented people performing at such a high level on their chosen musical instrument. Performances were not always letter perfect, but they are not expected to be. That being said, the calibre of performances were uniformly high. This year's Festival of Stars Celebration will be held May 16th, by the way, and all participants receive a certificate.
In addition to Peter Brown and Claudette Borowski, the Kiwanis St. Catharines team includes George Cleland overseeing strings; Michelle Cumiskey with vocals; Anne Deyme of Rysons United Music Studios of St. Catharines overseeing guitar/brass/woodwind and band categories; Deanna Smith with speech arts; Jordan Setacci with dance and Jeanne teSligte, piano. Together, they all endeavour to carry out the mission to encourage, nurture and support performances and educational activities in the city; musicians can enhance their interpretive and musical styles as a means of strengthening character development and further their enjoyment of the arts.
Once again, the deadline for entries this year is February 15th, and the Official Syllabus is now available at many locations throughout the city of St. Catharines, including my offices for A Web of Fine Music. If you want to pick up a copy here, send me an email directly at music@vaxxine.com and I will set one aside for you.
Of course, if you need a recording of music for a performance for preparations, I can certainly help you there as well; just send me an email or go through my website at www.finemusic.ca and I will do my very best to get a recording of a particular work for you.
Let the competitions begin!
January 14th, 2013.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Some random thoughts on Social Media to start the New Year
It's a new year and I have learned a new word: conversate. Ever hear of it? Neither have I, but it is apparently what we do now, rather than CONVERSE. Sheesh. Will we have any language left by the time the next generation reaches our age? The way things look right now, I am beginning to have my doubts.
I was thinking of this over the past week as I mulled over what to write about this weekend, and I thought this would be the best time to offer my thoughts on social media and the use thereof by one and all. First off, let me state I am using social media myself more and more all the time, mostly due to work responsibilities rather than I want to, but I do in fact find it rather helpful chasing down stories and people for interview material on the CKTB morning show, which I produce each weekday morning. My use of Facebook and Twitter is more of a news-gathering device more than anything else, really, and that aspect of it I find quite useful.
My own postings on both are increasing as time goes by, and in fact you might have noticed I now post my weekly blog to both Facebook and Twitter each weekend. If you want to follow me on either, I would love to add you to my circle of colleagues on both. For Facebook, I simply use my name, Mike Saunders rather than the business name, A Web of Fine Music. For Twitter, my handle is @finemusicman, and last time I checked I was up to about 61 followers since I started on Twitter in the fall. The more the merrier, I always say, and while you're at it, why not add yourself as a follower of my blog right here on the site?
Now, those are the nuts and bolts of the matter. On the subject of social media in general, I have sort of a love/hate relationship with the whole idea of social media; I have begun to worry people are spending far too much time on social media when the time could perhaps better be spent actually interacting with people on a more personal level. How many times have you thought to yourself, rather than phone or meet someone in person, you simply just email them or send a message with either Facebook or Twitter? Far too many times, I suspect, and the problem seems to be we can avoid people we don't want to take the time with but at least keep a civil distance from them without ignoring them entirely. Nothing wrong with that, as we all have people in our lives we don't want to spend too much time with, but it can be taken too far so as to interact almost exclusively on either and lose the human contact entirely.
Sure, Facebook has been a boon to people finding long-lost friends and even family members and is especially helpful for helping to organize class reunions for your alma mater. But we cannot and should not allow it to overtake our lives and be the driving force of almost all our social interactions on a daily basis. Don't laugh; the less you interact on a personal level with people, you risk losing the ability to properly handle social situations when they actually do arise.
What can you expect when you connect with me on either Facebook or Twitter? Well, first let me tell you what you won't find. Foul language is one. Nothing irks me more than to read a post by someone using expletives such as the f-bomb; remember, this is media, and that means people are (hopefully) actually reading your posts. So for the sake not only of decorum but also good manners and sense, keep it clean. Basically, if you wouldn't say the word or phrase in your normal conversation with your mother, for example, it doesn't belong on social media either.
The second thing you won't find in my posts are pictures that are of no use to anyone but the person who took the picture. In other words, I don't take pictures of my lunch or any other meal of the day or the venue I happen to be in at the moment, be it public or private. Maybe it is just me, but I remain unconvinced this sort of posting is of any social value whatsoever. A funny picture or video or a clever saying? Sure, that is fair game for the entertainment value alone. But the far-too-personal posts are not for me and I shun them at all costs.
What I will post, on the occasional opportunities I do, in fact, post, are random thoughts on Twitter and Facebook and often something shared I have found of particular interest. I don't profess to offer any great insights into the world around us, other than to say if I have an opinion on something I might just share it. Nothing wrong with that, I believe, as public discourse is always healthy in this day and age. I will often post items I feel are of interest to those who read my blog on a regular basis, usually involving the performing arts or some related topic, or on music topics which hopefully will appeal to those who check out my website, www.finemusic.ca.
So, I've taken the plunge with social media in a big way over the past year and a lot of that has been due to the fact I now own an iPhone 4S, so both Facebook and Twitter are at my fingertips at all times. No need to sit on the sidelines when you can get yourself into the game, I always say. The phone, incidentally, has more features than I will ever learn about nor make regular use of. I almost cringed at the mere thought of acquiring one a few months back, as I did not want to be connected at all times. But due to job requirements I felt it was in my best interests to do so, and here we are today.
Saunders with an iPhone and on social media. The mind boggles...
Happy New Year!
January 5th, 2013.
I was thinking of this over the past week as I mulled over what to write about this weekend, and I thought this would be the best time to offer my thoughts on social media and the use thereof by one and all. First off, let me state I am using social media myself more and more all the time, mostly due to work responsibilities rather than I want to, but I do in fact find it rather helpful chasing down stories and people for interview material on the CKTB morning show, which I produce each weekday morning. My use of Facebook and Twitter is more of a news-gathering device more than anything else, really, and that aspect of it I find quite useful.
My own postings on both are increasing as time goes by, and in fact you might have noticed I now post my weekly blog to both Facebook and Twitter each weekend. If you want to follow me on either, I would love to add you to my circle of colleagues on both. For Facebook, I simply use my name, Mike Saunders rather than the business name, A Web of Fine Music. For Twitter, my handle is @finemusicman, and last time I checked I was up to about 61 followers since I started on Twitter in the fall. The more the merrier, I always say, and while you're at it, why not add yourself as a follower of my blog right here on the site?
Now, those are the nuts and bolts of the matter. On the subject of social media in general, I have sort of a love/hate relationship with the whole idea of social media; I have begun to worry people are spending far too much time on social media when the time could perhaps better be spent actually interacting with people on a more personal level. How many times have you thought to yourself, rather than phone or meet someone in person, you simply just email them or send a message with either Facebook or Twitter? Far too many times, I suspect, and the problem seems to be we can avoid people we don't want to take the time with but at least keep a civil distance from them without ignoring them entirely. Nothing wrong with that, as we all have people in our lives we don't want to spend too much time with, but it can be taken too far so as to interact almost exclusively on either and lose the human contact entirely.
Sure, Facebook has been a boon to people finding long-lost friends and even family members and is especially helpful for helping to organize class reunions for your alma mater. But we cannot and should not allow it to overtake our lives and be the driving force of almost all our social interactions on a daily basis. Don't laugh; the less you interact on a personal level with people, you risk losing the ability to properly handle social situations when they actually do arise.
What can you expect when you connect with me on either Facebook or Twitter? Well, first let me tell you what you won't find. Foul language is one. Nothing irks me more than to read a post by someone using expletives such as the f-bomb; remember, this is media, and that means people are (hopefully) actually reading your posts. So for the sake not only of decorum but also good manners and sense, keep it clean. Basically, if you wouldn't say the word or phrase in your normal conversation with your mother, for example, it doesn't belong on social media either.
The second thing you won't find in my posts are pictures that are of no use to anyone but the person who took the picture. In other words, I don't take pictures of my lunch or any other meal of the day or the venue I happen to be in at the moment, be it public or private. Maybe it is just me, but I remain unconvinced this sort of posting is of any social value whatsoever. A funny picture or video or a clever saying? Sure, that is fair game for the entertainment value alone. But the far-too-personal posts are not for me and I shun them at all costs.
What I will post, on the occasional opportunities I do, in fact, post, are random thoughts on Twitter and Facebook and often something shared I have found of particular interest. I don't profess to offer any great insights into the world around us, other than to say if I have an opinion on something I might just share it. Nothing wrong with that, I believe, as public discourse is always healthy in this day and age. I will often post items I feel are of interest to those who read my blog on a regular basis, usually involving the performing arts or some related topic, or on music topics which hopefully will appeal to those who check out my website, www.finemusic.ca.
So, I've taken the plunge with social media in a big way over the past year and a lot of that has been due to the fact I now own an iPhone 4S, so both Facebook and Twitter are at my fingertips at all times. No need to sit on the sidelines when you can get yourself into the game, I always say. The phone, incidentally, has more features than I will ever learn about nor make regular use of. I almost cringed at the mere thought of acquiring one a few months back, as I did not want to be connected at all times. But due to job requirements I felt it was in my best interests to do so, and here we are today.
Saunders with an iPhone and on social media. The mind boggles...
Happy New Year!
January 5th, 2013.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
New Year's Remembrances of Paul Reid and radio that was
A bit of a diversion again this week, but one I have been meaning to write for some time. The impetus for my column this week came earlier this month when Robert Williston sent out an email requesting help locating a copy of Paul Reid's Christmas album for his Museum of Canadian Music. It is a wonderful and valuable resource for Canadian music of every description, based in Calgary, Alberta. Their website, www.mocm.ca, has been compiling a collection of Canadian Christmas music this season, and the Paul Reid was one they simply couldn't find.
No surprise there. I picked up a copy of the original release on RCA Records, dating from 1974, sometime in the late 70s at the old A&A's Records & Tapes on Yonge Street in Toronto, probably paying about $ 4.99 for it, plus tax of course. As lovely and enchanting as Paul Reid's own Christmas memories are on the disc, the real gem is his reading of The Littlest Angel. I have heard several other recordings of the story as well, including Fred Gwynne for heaven's sake, but none came close to tugging at the heartstrings as Paul Reid did. The album grew out of his annual radio broadcast in early December on CJAD in Montreal and became hugely popular with his many listeners at the time.
It has been out of print for many years now, and I had my copy transferred to CD along with his earlier recording, A Letter to My Love, released on Columbia Records in 1967, which I picked up many years ago as well. Listening to both over the last few days brought back a lot of memories for me, and I thought I would share some of them with you this week.
Paul Reid began his career in Peterborough at CHEX Radio, moving to Hamilton in 1954 to host a show that included his trademark poetry readings at CHML. It launched his career and ten years later in 1964, he got a call from CJAD in Montreal, the powerhouse AM English-language radio station then part of the Standard Radio group. He stayed there many years, raising his young family and becoming one of the most recognizable radio personalities in the city. He was lured back to Hamilton in the late 70s, but the maxim "you can't go home again" played out, and he returned to Montreal to host an evening show on rival CFQR Radio from 1980 until his untimely death in 1983.
That is a capsule overview of Paul's career; the full bio and lots of other great information is provided by his son Mike on the website www.paulreidchristmas.com, which is well worth a visit. But the information there is merely a launching point for me as I offer a few heartfelt remembrances of my own of a great broadcaster we lost far too early in his career.
I knew of Paul originally through his first album, A Letter to My Love, recorded at the height of his popularity in Montreal. I was not aware of his radio career personally; that came much later when I heard he had returned to Hamilton, and late one evening as I was driving back home to Toronto from attending a show at Hamilton Place, I decided to finally tune in and hear him on the air for the first time. I never forgot that night; that familiar, gentle voice enveloping me in a serenity suggesting no matter what else is going on around you, Paul says everything will be okay, and he was right.
I didn't realize it at the time, but Paul influenced my early career in radio when I moved here to St. Catharines to host the evening show, Niagara by Night in the spring of 1981. It was primarily music and I was all of 24 at the time; eventually, though, I moulded the show to reflect my personality and that included the occasional story and even poetry late at night, as Paul had done for so many years. I could never hope to carry on the legacy he had established; no-one could. But without thinking about it at the time I was honouring him by carrying on the tradition in my own small way. I miss those days of radio when personality still reigned and you had some measure of creative control over your show.
For several Christmas seasons, either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, I hosted my own special show of music and stories, all chosen by myself, on CKTB Radio. I always included Paul's fabulous recording of The Littlest Angel, of course.
Back in the 70s when Paul returned to Hamilton, I was spending a lot of my time in the evening listening to another radio personality making the evening hours something special in his own unique way. Bill Robinson hosted The Robinson Connection for several years on the old CKEY590 in Toronto, where I lived at the time, and it often had the same effect on me.
Later on in the 80s, my radio career becoming established in St. Catharines, I still drove to the family home in Toronto after I signed off Friday nights at midnight, so I spent many a late night driving with two other early radio influences for me, both on overnights at our parent station, CFRB in Toronto. Weekends for many years were hosted by another former CJAD stalwart, Rod Dewar, whom I never met but thought I new through his radio show in the early morning hours. It took months before I actually knew his name, as he rarely if ever actually said it on the air. This intrigued me at a time when everyone else was giving theirs after almost every break. I think it was someone else on the station promoting Rod's show coming up when I finally found out his name!
A few years ago when Rod passed away I found out much more about his legacy at CJAD in Montreal; but for me, one joke told in the middle of the night years ago while I was driving home to Toronto has stayed with me all these years: a couple goes to a hotel and while there orders the 'honeymoon salad' - lettuce alone...okay, maybe you had to be there but I laughed that night in the car and never forgot it!
The third and final voice that influenced me in my early years is still around today; most recently as the voice of Home Depot Canada on their radio spots up until a couple of years ago if I remember correctly: Fred Napoli. Fred was for many years on CFRB's FM sister station, CKFM, but when I began listening to him he was, like Rod, hosting the weekend overnight show on CFRB. Fred's voice is one-of-a-kind: gentle, genial and knowledgeable. He has lived life to the fullest and it shows in that wonderfully weathered voice of his.
Fred has been famous for many years for his many stories he told on the air, many of which I heard on those long, lonely drives to Toronto. Many of them were included in a book entitled "Re-Inventing My Self", published around 1988 by Talent Seven Limited Publishing. I ordered a copy of it, autographed no less, and treasure it to this very day. If you ever manage to find a copy, grab it and enjoy - you won't regret it.
I have always wanted to meet Fred, and shake the hand of a man who, like the late Paul Reid and Rod Dewar, influenced me greatly in my early, formative years as a radio broadcaster. To the best of my knowledge he still lives in the Dundas, Ontario area, so maybe someday...
Funny how an email out of nowhere brings the memories flooding back of voices from the past; four great broadcasters each making their marks on their industry with their great command of the English language and an ability to weave magic through the airwaves late at night with their own special skills.
Have a great New Year!
December 29th, 2012.
No surprise there. I picked up a copy of the original release on RCA Records, dating from 1974, sometime in the late 70s at the old A&A's Records & Tapes on Yonge Street in Toronto, probably paying about $ 4.99 for it, plus tax of course. As lovely and enchanting as Paul Reid's own Christmas memories are on the disc, the real gem is his reading of The Littlest Angel. I have heard several other recordings of the story as well, including Fred Gwynne for heaven's sake, but none came close to tugging at the heartstrings as Paul Reid did. The album grew out of his annual radio broadcast in early December on CJAD in Montreal and became hugely popular with his many listeners at the time.
It has been out of print for many years now, and I had my copy transferred to CD along with his earlier recording, A Letter to My Love, released on Columbia Records in 1967, which I picked up many years ago as well. Listening to both over the last few days brought back a lot of memories for me, and I thought I would share some of them with you this week.
Paul Reid began his career in Peterborough at CHEX Radio, moving to Hamilton in 1954 to host a show that included his trademark poetry readings at CHML. It launched his career and ten years later in 1964, he got a call from CJAD in Montreal, the powerhouse AM English-language radio station then part of the Standard Radio group. He stayed there many years, raising his young family and becoming one of the most recognizable radio personalities in the city. He was lured back to Hamilton in the late 70s, but the maxim "you can't go home again" played out, and he returned to Montreal to host an evening show on rival CFQR Radio from 1980 until his untimely death in 1983.
That is a capsule overview of Paul's career; the full bio and lots of other great information is provided by his son Mike on the website www.paulreidchristmas.com, which is well worth a visit. But the information there is merely a launching point for me as I offer a few heartfelt remembrances of my own of a great broadcaster we lost far too early in his career.
I knew of Paul originally through his first album, A Letter to My Love, recorded at the height of his popularity in Montreal. I was not aware of his radio career personally; that came much later when I heard he had returned to Hamilton, and late one evening as I was driving back home to Toronto from attending a show at Hamilton Place, I decided to finally tune in and hear him on the air for the first time. I never forgot that night; that familiar, gentle voice enveloping me in a serenity suggesting no matter what else is going on around you, Paul says everything will be okay, and he was right.
I didn't realize it at the time, but Paul influenced my early career in radio when I moved here to St. Catharines to host the evening show, Niagara by Night in the spring of 1981. It was primarily music and I was all of 24 at the time; eventually, though, I moulded the show to reflect my personality and that included the occasional story and even poetry late at night, as Paul had done for so many years. I could never hope to carry on the legacy he had established; no-one could. But without thinking about it at the time I was honouring him by carrying on the tradition in my own small way. I miss those days of radio when personality still reigned and you had some measure of creative control over your show.
For several Christmas seasons, either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, I hosted my own special show of music and stories, all chosen by myself, on CKTB Radio. I always included Paul's fabulous recording of The Littlest Angel, of course.
Back in the 70s when Paul returned to Hamilton, I was spending a lot of my time in the evening listening to another radio personality making the evening hours something special in his own unique way. Bill Robinson hosted The Robinson Connection for several years on the old CKEY590 in Toronto, where I lived at the time, and it often had the same effect on me.
Later on in the 80s, my radio career becoming established in St. Catharines, I still drove to the family home in Toronto after I signed off Friday nights at midnight, so I spent many a late night driving with two other early radio influences for me, both on overnights at our parent station, CFRB in Toronto. Weekends for many years were hosted by another former CJAD stalwart, Rod Dewar, whom I never met but thought I new through his radio show in the early morning hours. It took months before I actually knew his name, as he rarely if ever actually said it on the air. This intrigued me at a time when everyone else was giving theirs after almost every break. I think it was someone else on the station promoting Rod's show coming up when I finally found out his name!
A few years ago when Rod passed away I found out much more about his legacy at CJAD in Montreal; but for me, one joke told in the middle of the night years ago while I was driving home to Toronto has stayed with me all these years: a couple goes to a hotel and while there orders the 'honeymoon salad' - lettuce alone...okay, maybe you had to be there but I laughed that night in the car and never forgot it!
The third and final voice that influenced me in my early years is still around today; most recently as the voice of Home Depot Canada on their radio spots up until a couple of years ago if I remember correctly: Fred Napoli. Fred was for many years on CFRB's FM sister station, CKFM, but when I began listening to him he was, like Rod, hosting the weekend overnight show on CFRB. Fred's voice is one-of-a-kind: gentle, genial and knowledgeable. He has lived life to the fullest and it shows in that wonderfully weathered voice of his.
Fred has been famous for many years for his many stories he told on the air, many of which I heard on those long, lonely drives to Toronto. Many of them were included in a book entitled "Re-Inventing My Self", published around 1988 by Talent Seven Limited Publishing. I ordered a copy of it, autographed no less, and treasure it to this very day. If you ever manage to find a copy, grab it and enjoy - you won't regret it.
I have always wanted to meet Fred, and shake the hand of a man who, like the late Paul Reid and Rod Dewar, influenced me greatly in my early, formative years as a radio broadcaster. To the best of my knowledge he still lives in the Dundas, Ontario area, so maybe someday...
Funny how an email out of nowhere brings the memories flooding back of voices from the past; four great broadcasters each making their marks on their industry with their great command of the English language and an ability to weave magic through the airwaves late at night with their own special skills.
Have a great New Year!
December 29th, 2012.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
As I write this, the shoppers are about to finish up at the malls around Niagara, and everyone will settle down to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with friends and family, I hope. However you choose to celebrate and whatever your particular celebration might be, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with the best of wishes for 2013.
For me, it is a long-standing tradition I spend Christmas Eve preparing for the annual Midnight Mass broadcast at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in downtown St. Catharines. Luckily for me it is about a three-minute walk from my house, so if I end up going down to the wire at least I don't have far to go when the broadcast starts, especially if the weather is bad.
This will be the 80th consecutive broadcast of Midnight Mass on 610/CKTB in St. Catharines, where I have hung my many hats for over 31 years now. Almost 25 of those years have been spent handling the duties on Christmas Eve; in fact I am only the third person to host these broadcasts since they began, and that makes me very proud. How much longer can I go? I'd like to think I can make it all the way to the 100th broadcast, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. At any rate, you can listen tonight starting at 11:30 for the traditional carol service, followed by the Midnight Mass at, well, midnight. It goes to about 1:30 or so, which makes for a late night for your humble scribe, but all in a day's work, they say.
Years ago, I had to write the script from scratch every year on my trusty old Underwood manual typewriter, which I still have, by the way. But it was a long, laborious task using lots of correcting fluid and testing my patience for about three hours. Now, of course, with computer technology being what it is, I can write the script in much less time by simply revising the previous year's script. I always add new elements each year, but the basic framework remains the same throughout. I think I have moved to my third generation computer since I starting using them to write the script many years ago.
There have been lots of disasters along the way, including computer crashes, negotiating an unfamilier laptop one year, and the worst year of all, of course, back in 1998 when I fell a couple of days beforehand and ended up in the hospital, imploring the doctor to let me out for the broadcast. I had to make do with makeshift notes that year as I had destroyed my writing arm, but with the aid of painkillers I made it through and went straight home to bed afterwards.
Last year was basically very smooth and problem-free, and I hope we can build on that tonight, providing of course I get the script written in time, so that is next, followed by a peaceful walk in the night air to relax and then change for the trip to the Cathedral.
The music I listen to while writing on Christmas Eve is very important to me, and I rarely deviate from the formula. I usually listen to a couple of very old, traditional carol collections by the Percy Faith Orchestra (Music for Christmas) and The Philadelphia Orchestra with the Temple University Concert Choir (The Glorious Sound of Christmas) before graduating to more serious fare for the latter part of the evening. Last year I starting listening to a couple of lovely new recordings, Christmas Noel with the Netherlands Bach Society and On Christmas Night, with the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge. They provide the perfect backdrop for the evening before I move on to two of my favourite recordings of all time for Christmas, Vaughan Williams' On Christmas Night with the City of London Symphonia and Joyful Company of Singers conducted by Richard Hickox, and the ever-popular Christmette, or Mass for Christmas Day by Michael Praetorius, with the Gabrieli Consort and Players conducted by Paul McCreesh. The sound on this disc is amazing, and I never tire of hearing it year after year.
As much as I enjoy the evening and the broadcast itself, the favourite part of Christmas Eve for me is yet to come. As I gather up my things to head home about 2 am, I walk quietly to my home, passing silent homes, some still with lights on inside and out. I always have my tea once arriving home and listen to A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Vince Guaraldi Trio to relax me for bed. Nothing ends the night better for me.
So, that is the plan for me this evening. I hope whatever you do this evening, whomever you spend it with, it is a very special time for all of you. This time comes but once a year, and once the commercialism is over with, the real meaning of the season is there, waiting for you without fail, year after year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from my house to yours; may the day be as special to you however you choose to celebrate it tomorrow!
December 24th, 2012.
For me, it is a long-standing tradition I spend Christmas Eve preparing for the annual Midnight Mass broadcast at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in downtown St. Catharines. Luckily for me it is about a three-minute walk from my house, so if I end up going down to the wire at least I don't have far to go when the broadcast starts, especially if the weather is bad.
This will be the 80th consecutive broadcast of Midnight Mass on 610/CKTB in St. Catharines, where I have hung my many hats for over 31 years now. Almost 25 of those years have been spent handling the duties on Christmas Eve; in fact I am only the third person to host these broadcasts since they began, and that makes me very proud. How much longer can I go? I'd like to think I can make it all the way to the 100th broadcast, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. At any rate, you can listen tonight starting at 11:30 for the traditional carol service, followed by the Midnight Mass at, well, midnight. It goes to about 1:30 or so, which makes for a late night for your humble scribe, but all in a day's work, they say.
Years ago, I had to write the script from scratch every year on my trusty old Underwood manual typewriter, which I still have, by the way. But it was a long, laborious task using lots of correcting fluid and testing my patience for about three hours. Now, of course, with computer technology being what it is, I can write the script in much less time by simply revising the previous year's script. I always add new elements each year, but the basic framework remains the same throughout. I think I have moved to my third generation computer since I starting using them to write the script many years ago.
There have been lots of disasters along the way, including computer crashes, negotiating an unfamilier laptop one year, and the worst year of all, of course, back in 1998 when I fell a couple of days beforehand and ended up in the hospital, imploring the doctor to let me out for the broadcast. I had to make do with makeshift notes that year as I had destroyed my writing arm, but with the aid of painkillers I made it through and went straight home to bed afterwards.
Last year was basically very smooth and problem-free, and I hope we can build on that tonight, providing of course I get the script written in time, so that is next, followed by a peaceful walk in the night air to relax and then change for the trip to the Cathedral.
The music I listen to while writing on Christmas Eve is very important to me, and I rarely deviate from the formula. I usually listen to a couple of very old, traditional carol collections by the Percy Faith Orchestra (Music for Christmas) and The Philadelphia Orchestra with the Temple University Concert Choir (The Glorious Sound of Christmas) before graduating to more serious fare for the latter part of the evening. Last year I starting listening to a couple of lovely new recordings, Christmas Noel with the Netherlands Bach Society and On Christmas Night, with the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge. They provide the perfect backdrop for the evening before I move on to two of my favourite recordings of all time for Christmas, Vaughan Williams' On Christmas Night with the City of London Symphonia and Joyful Company of Singers conducted by Richard Hickox, and the ever-popular Christmette, or Mass for Christmas Day by Michael Praetorius, with the Gabrieli Consort and Players conducted by Paul McCreesh. The sound on this disc is amazing, and I never tire of hearing it year after year.
As much as I enjoy the evening and the broadcast itself, the favourite part of Christmas Eve for me is yet to come. As I gather up my things to head home about 2 am, I walk quietly to my home, passing silent homes, some still with lights on inside and out. I always have my tea once arriving home and listen to A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Vince Guaraldi Trio to relax me for bed. Nothing ends the night better for me.
So, that is the plan for me this evening. I hope whatever you do this evening, whomever you spend it with, it is a very special time for all of you. This time comes but once a year, and once the commercialism is over with, the real meaning of the season is there, waiting for you without fail, year after year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from my house to yours; may the day be as special to you however you choose to celebrate it tomorrow!
December 24th, 2012.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Looking for last-minute musical gift ideas this season?
Here we are, a couple of days before Christmas, and judging from the traffic out there so far today, I gather a lot of people still have some Christmas shopping to do. Not to sound smug, but I started planning for a special surprise for my far better half back in August, so everything is now done other than one or two small items not critical to the day. So I am ready and at your service to help you in your hour of need!
I always get last-minute calls asking for music for holiday gift-giving, so this year I thought I would write about some in-stock items through my website, www.finemusic.ca, perfect for that musically-inclined person on your list. If any of these interest you, email me directly at music@vaxxine.com or call 905-682-9303. I even deliver in the greater St. Catharines area - what could be easier?!
DREAMS OF FIREFLIES (ON A CHRISTMAS NIGHT) - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Every year, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra tours North America prior to Christmas, and this year's tour brought them to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton back in November. They have recorded non-holiday CDs over the years, but primarily they are known for their elaborate holiday-themed live shows. Their recordings often provide the soundtrack for equally elaborate light shows for homes owned by over-enthusiastic technological wizards, too. The new disc this year is actually an EP, meaning extended play. That means it isn't a full length CD; there are only 5 tracks on this new one, but it also has a lower price. Fifteen dollars all in takes the last one home.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Who doesn't love the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas? I don't think this has ever been out of print since the first year the TV special aired back in 1965. My first-issue CD in my personal collection has the music from the show and is great. But later versions include bonus tracks, including the latest generation digipack version, which includes three bonus tracks from other Charlie Brown shows, including Thanksgiving. This disc is one you can put on almost any time of the year, really, but Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy this wonderfully inventive music all over again. Still in stock and only fifteen dollars right now!
A CHORAL CHRISTMAS - The Rodolfus Choir; Ralph Allwood, director
A more traditional choral Christmas release new this year on the Signum Classics label, this disc nonetheless proves rather interesting as it features a wide selection of Christmas music you don't often hear on disc. Composers such as Kenneth Leighton, Philip Radcliffe, William Byrd, Morton Lauridsen and Francis Poulenc are all included here. Works range from Lullay my liking by Holst to Bethlehem Down by Peter Warlock and Today the Virgin by John Tavener. If you are looking for standard Christmas choral fare, look below for The Cambridge Singers, but if you want a bit of a challenge this year or sing in a choir yourself, this might be a great disc for yourself or to give. Only twenty dollars!
CANDLELIGHT: SEASONAL REFLECTIONS AND CELEBRATIONS - The Cambridge Singers; John Rutter, cond.
A new compilation this season culled from earlier holiday releases by John Rutter and The Cambridge Singers, this disc still packs a lot of great material for very little money. And Rutter is more identified with Christmas choral music than just about any other director alive today. Rutter originals on this disc include Candlelight Carol and Of a Rose, a lovely Rose from his Magnificat, and his tasteful settings of Murray's Away in a Manger and the French traditional carol Angels We Have Heard on High are particular highlights. If you love The Cambridge Singers or have someone on your list who does, this is a great disc. Only twenty dollars.
CHRISTMAS STAR: CAROLS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON - The Cambridge Singers and Orchestra; John Rutter, cond.
I've always considered this to be the 'neglected' Christmas disc by The Cambridge Singers. It has been around for several seasons now, but somehow seems overlooked for other, more familiar titles by the choir. Too bad, since this collection of holiday favourites really is a nice collection. The disc kicks off with the German traditional carol Good Christian men, rejoice, arranged by John Rutter, and continues with Rutter settings of such classics as Ding dong! Merrily on High and Joy to the World, as well as more contemporary fare such as Rutter's arrangement of the Mel Torme classic The Christmas Song. This is a very traditional Christmas choral album, and well worth only twenty dollars.
HANDEL: MESSIAH (COMPLETE) - Karina Gauvin, Robin Blaze, Rufus Muller, Brett Polegato; Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir; Ivars Taurins, cond.
This brand-new two-disc set finally presents the period-instrument ensemble Tafelmusik's celebrated Messiah on disc. They know this music so well and have performed it live for many years at their home base in Toronto, even presenting a Sing-along Messiah where audience members are seated according to their voice, and are given a copy of the score in order to follow along with the chorus. I did that once years ago, singing baritone if I recall, and it was great fun. This new recording was made at Toronto's Koerner Hall last year, and now finally is available. Beautiful sound with a wonderful acoustic, and the playing and singing is vibrant and polished. Two-disc set available now for forty dollars.
COMPLETE RCA CHRISTMAS COLLECTION - Perry Como
For many, Perry Como simply embodies the Christmas spirit. His smooth, effortless delivery was a perfect backdrop for whatever your hectic schedule throws at you over the holidays, and his television specials every year were must-see events. This new three-disc set from Real Gone Music compiles holiday hits he performed on record, radio and his television shows over several decades. Just about everything he ever recorded for Christmas is on this set, including Silent Night, Frosty the Snowman and God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen among many others. This is a great set to give or to get. Brand new this year and available now for fifty dollars.
That should give you some gift ideas as we head into the home stretch. On Monday, I will write about my favourite time of the year, Christmas Eve, and what I will be listening to Monday evening.
Happy shopping!
December 22nd, 2012.
I always get last-minute calls asking for music for holiday gift-giving, so this year I thought I would write about some in-stock items through my website, www.finemusic.ca, perfect for that musically-inclined person on your list. If any of these interest you, email me directly at music@vaxxine.com or call 905-682-9303. I even deliver in the greater St. Catharines area - what could be easier?!
DREAMS OF FIREFLIES (ON A CHRISTMAS NIGHT) - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Every year, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra tours North America prior to Christmas, and this year's tour brought them to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton back in November. They have recorded non-holiday CDs over the years, but primarily they are known for their elaborate holiday-themed live shows. Their recordings often provide the soundtrack for equally elaborate light shows for homes owned by over-enthusiastic technological wizards, too. The new disc this year is actually an EP, meaning extended play. That means it isn't a full length CD; there are only 5 tracks on this new one, but it also has a lower price. Fifteen dollars all in takes the last one home.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Who doesn't love the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas? I don't think this has ever been out of print since the first year the TV special aired back in 1965. My first-issue CD in my personal collection has the music from the show and is great. But later versions include bonus tracks, including the latest generation digipack version, which includes three bonus tracks from other Charlie Brown shows, including Thanksgiving. This disc is one you can put on almost any time of the year, really, but Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy this wonderfully inventive music all over again. Still in stock and only fifteen dollars right now!
A CHORAL CHRISTMAS - The Rodolfus Choir; Ralph Allwood, director
A more traditional choral Christmas release new this year on the Signum Classics label, this disc nonetheless proves rather interesting as it features a wide selection of Christmas music you don't often hear on disc. Composers such as Kenneth Leighton, Philip Radcliffe, William Byrd, Morton Lauridsen and Francis Poulenc are all included here. Works range from Lullay my liking by Holst to Bethlehem Down by Peter Warlock and Today the Virgin by John Tavener. If you are looking for standard Christmas choral fare, look below for The Cambridge Singers, but if you want a bit of a challenge this year or sing in a choir yourself, this might be a great disc for yourself or to give. Only twenty dollars!
CANDLELIGHT: SEASONAL REFLECTIONS AND CELEBRATIONS - The Cambridge Singers; John Rutter, cond.
A new compilation this season culled from earlier holiday releases by John Rutter and The Cambridge Singers, this disc still packs a lot of great material for very little money. And Rutter is more identified with Christmas choral music than just about any other director alive today. Rutter originals on this disc include Candlelight Carol and Of a Rose, a lovely Rose from his Magnificat, and his tasteful settings of Murray's Away in a Manger and the French traditional carol Angels We Have Heard on High are particular highlights. If you love The Cambridge Singers or have someone on your list who does, this is a great disc. Only twenty dollars.
CHRISTMAS STAR: CAROLS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON - The Cambridge Singers and Orchestra; John Rutter, cond.
I've always considered this to be the 'neglected' Christmas disc by The Cambridge Singers. It has been around for several seasons now, but somehow seems overlooked for other, more familiar titles by the choir. Too bad, since this collection of holiday favourites really is a nice collection. The disc kicks off with the German traditional carol Good Christian men, rejoice, arranged by John Rutter, and continues with Rutter settings of such classics as Ding dong! Merrily on High and Joy to the World, as well as more contemporary fare such as Rutter's arrangement of the Mel Torme classic The Christmas Song. This is a very traditional Christmas choral album, and well worth only twenty dollars.
HANDEL: MESSIAH (COMPLETE) - Karina Gauvin, Robin Blaze, Rufus Muller, Brett Polegato; Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir; Ivars Taurins, cond.
This brand-new two-disc set finally presents the period-instrument ensemble Tafelmusik's celebrated Messiah on disc. They know this music so well and have performed it live for many years at their home base in Toronto, even presenting a Sing-along Messiah where audience members are seated according to their voice, and are given a copy of the score in order to follow along with the chorus. I did that once years ago, singing baritone if I recall, and it was great fun. This new recording was made at Toronto's Koerner Hall last year, and now finally is available. Beautiful sound with a wonderful acoustic, and the playing and singing is vibrant and polished. Two-disc set available now for forty dollars.
COMPLETE RCA CHRISTMAS COLLECTION - Perry Como
For many, Perry Como simply embodies the Christmas spirit. His smooth, effortless delivery was a perfect backdrop for whatever your hectic schedule throws at you over the holidays, and his television specials every year were must-see events. This new three-disc set from Real Gone Music compiles holiday hits he performed on record, radio and his television shows over several decades. Just about everything he ever recorded for Christmas is on this set, including Silent Night, Frosty the Snowman and God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen among many others. This is a great set to give or to get. Brand new this year and available now for fifty dollars.
That should give you some gift ideas as we head into the home stretch. On Monday, I will write about my favourite time of the year, Christmas Eve, and what I will be listening to Monday evening.
Happy shopping!
December 22nd, 2012.
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