Fall Concerts in Toronto

There is nothing like the sound of music to stroke the soul, and when music happens in a great hall with excellent musicians it is exhilarating. We were delighted to attend Via Salzburg's opening concert at the Glenn Gould Studio. Titled "Tradition and Change" this concert delivered just that, a journey through time and emotions. Starting with the lovely Dvorak Serenade Opus 22 in e Major for String Orchestra, Arvro Part’s Fratrês for Violin, Strings and Percussion with its jagged edges and jazzy interludes and in the end the Toronto Suite in Memory of Gavin Relly, once a citizen of this town, whose family was largely responsible for getting this monumental project finished. This "Toronto Suite" designed to celebrate 175 years of the City Toronto, will hopefully be heard often. The spoken word is a wonderful edition and as haunting as the music that leads us through the existence of this place from being sleepless in the big city, back to the early beginnings, when the forest was looming nearby with black shadows, and thenback to today. It was exhilarating to be part of this world premier.

Rousing Applause

Looking at the Via Salzburg Facebook Blog I cannot understand how anyone can say or even suggest that what artists create is not useful in any way, too expensive, not practical. It is all that and more! How else could we withstand the pressures of this fast and crazy world, how else are we regenerating our energies that are sucked form us in day to day life, when survival is becoming more difficult than it was only a year ago.

Music can change the way we feel about the world around us, creativity can do that, any artistic endeavour can change our life, if we let it. When problems close in on us we need to do something that creates some space around us, space for breathing and seeing.

Anything impinging on us too closely has the tendency to blind us to solutions that might be out there. Stepping back, introducing aesthetics into our life creates that necessary space to be able to view all that is out there and helps us to make better decisions.

So try music, try Via Salzburg, if you have not already. The next concert is in December and features child protégée Kerson Leong and his violin. This festive concert is called "Celebration and Contemplation" and has Handel, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn and Imant with a piece commissioned by Via Salzburg on the bill.

Roy Thomson Hall

Not having been in this great concert hall for a while reminded us of all the wonderful times we had there. When we heard the Cleveland Orchestra was coming under the direction of Franz Welser-Moest, an Austrian conductor, who has given the already famous orchestra even more profile, we had to go.

The festive and upbeat opening with Debussy’s Fetês was just right to get everyone into the mood. Haydn’s Symphony No 85 "La Reine" was as playful and frilly as the romantic pictures one associates of Marie Antoinette playing in the garden of her palace and so light that one could almost believe it was Mozart’s work.

After intermission we heard Shostakovich’s Symphony No 5, a masterpiece in Russian suffering, reflective of the political climate, the oppression of the masses, the debates and arguments, the fights, more military suppression and finally hopelessness, after too many death. Yet quietly, after contemplation a small ray of life creeps in and lets us await another dawn, while power marches up and down the streets and avenues of life.

This work caused long standing ovations and "Bravo" shouts which led to two encores before the emphatic crowd was willing to let go.

We have never before seen a Toronto audience that enthusiastic!

Life is a Dream

Gordon Brown	Gordon Brown and the ensemble

The Danube Swabian Club in Scarborough offered a wonderful concert with an original premier of a concert/ballet besides other works of Haydn in celebration of his life. Three anthems woven together by Gordon Brown, pianist and presenter of this event, including "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser" and "God save the Queen" were the beginning of a journey of fantasies.

Steven Smith (Blue Boy) and Johanna Hilchic (Pink Girl)

Choreographed by Catherine Kourkounakis and with music chosen by Gordon Brown from Haydn’s treasure trove the Blue Boy, danced by Steven Smith and the Pink Girl, danced by Johanna Hilchic, came delightfully to life. In two scenes we experience the exploration of their relationship, adoringly, lovingly, dreamily. In between a Sonata in E flat Major, played by Gordon Brown on the piano, pointed out Haydn’s diversity, as did the Scottish songs.

The Performers
Alexandra Garrison, mezzo soprano, & Genevieve Proulx, soprano	Richard Szuba, tenor
Melanie Ryan, soprano	Herman Rombouts, bass/baritone
Gordon Brown at the piano

In the end we were surprised with parts of the Oratorio "Die Schoepfung". While the Scottisch songs showcased each singer at his/her best, the oratorio also demonstrated fine ensemble work.

The artists often narrated their aria. Thus we got more than a concert; we got a music history lesson at the same time. Alexandra Garrison’s vivid mezzo-soprano complemented her on-stage presence, Genevieve Proulx, soprano, was ideally suited for the styling of the Scottish songs, Herman Rombouts, bass/baritone, complemented the lighter voices, Tenor Richard Szuba shone clear, precise and effortless, as did the lovely soprano of Melanie Ryan.

Applause - Applause

After a pleasant and delicious meal in the restaurant this was an afternoon well spent!