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Browsing: Classical Music

Leaf Music Distributes ‘Unbroken: Music from Ukraine’

By Newswire on 28 February 2025 Arts Industry, Chamber Music, Classical, Classical Music, Newswire

“Music should show how fragile our civilization is with all its power.” (Valentin Silvestrov, composer) (Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Leaf Music and Ukrainian Canadian violinist Viktoria Grynenko announce the February 28 distribution of the new recording Unbroken: Music from Ukraine (VG2025). Unbroken: Music from Ukraine features works for violin by contemporary Ukrainian composers, including Zoltan Almashi, Boris Loginov, Valentin Silvestrov and Oleg Bezborodko, with a piece by Ukrainian Canadian Anna Pidgorna rounding out the new album. Other musicians on the recording are Roger Admiral (piano), Fabiola Amorim (viola), Amy Nicholson (cello), Vladimir Rufino (violin) and Guillaume Tardif (violin). Listen Now Viktoria…

Toronto Summer Music Announces 20th Anniversary Festival Lineup

By Newswire on 28 February 2025 Arts Industry, Classical Music, Newswire, Orchestral, Toronto

TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC ANNOUNCES 2025 FESTIVAL DETAIL The 20th Anniversary Festival runs July 10 to August 2 TORONTO (February 27, 2025) – Toronto Summer Music announced today details of the 2025 Festival, which runs from July 10 to August 2, 2025. This year, the Festival celebrates its 20th Anniversary, and Jonathan Crow’s final summer as Artistic Director. “As we mark TSM’s 20th Anniversary, we reflect on two decades of unforgettable performances, thriving community connections, and remarkable growth. It has been an incredible privilege to serve as Artistic Director for the past nine years, and as I prepare to pass the…

Soloist Paul Merkelo, conductor Adam Johnson, and the OCM. Photo: Tam Lan Truong

Review | OCM Unable to Swing for Stellar Jazz Soloists

By Heather Weinreb on 28 February 2025 Concert Reviews, Jazz, Montreal, Orchestral, Piano

On Feb. 25, Orchestre Classique de Montréal (OCM) presented Jazz & Jeans in Montreal’s Pierre Mercure Hall. A program of great symphonic jazz repertoire—from Gershwin to Ellington to arrangements by Miles Davis—was played by an orchestra of jeaned musicians. Jeans are worn on casual days at work. For many, especially classically trained musicians, jazz is thought to be a more casual, laid-back style of music. Yet jazz has its own set of rules. Chord changes, swinging eighth notes, improvisation … the aspects that distinguish jazz from classical music demand serious study. Though they may have worn jeans, soloists Paul Merkelo…

Opéra de Montréal Launches 2025-26 Season

By Newswire on 26 February 2025 Arts Industry, Classical Music, Montreal, Newswire, Opera

February 26, 2025 – Opéra de Montréal presents with great enthusiasm a bold and thought-provoking 2025-2026 season, exploring the profound impact of choices and their consequences through four operatic masterpieces. In its 46th season, the company remains dedicated to blending timeless repertoire with contemporary works, offering audiences an unforgettable lineup featuring Don Giovanni, Jenůfa, Clown(s), and Carmen. In a landmark moment for the organization, Opéra de Montréal is also proud to announce a transformative $5 million gift dedicated to artistic creation, generously contributed by visionary young philanthropists Vickie Zhao and Alex Ionescu. This extraordinary investment will provide critical support for…

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and conductor Daniel Raiskin.

Review | Alexei Volodin’s Astonishing Rachmaninoff with the VSO

By Madeline Boldt on 25 February 2025 Classical Music, Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Piano, Vancouver

Astonished. That is the word that comes to mind when watching pianist Alexei Volodin work his magic. I could go on and on about the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra—they never fail to leave me breathless—but Volodin added a level of majesty that elevated the performance from breathtaking to exquisite. The Russian pianist joined the VSO for a series of concerts (heard Feb. 22) that included Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Volodin is described as “acclaimed for his highly sensitive touch and technical brilliance”. His repertoire is almost as extensive as his resume, having performed with countless orchestras internationally, from the Hiroshima…

(L to R) Roseline Blain, Léa Moisan-Perrier, François Ouimet, and Josée Fortin

Alliance Chorale de Québec: Round-Table Discussion on Choir Conducting

By Heather Weinreb on 25 February 2025 Arts Industry, Choral, Employment, Montreal, Vocal

On February 19, Alliance Chorale de Québec hosted a round-table discussion on choir conducting. Marc-Antoine d’Aragon moderated the discussion between choir conductors Roseline Blain, François Ouimet, Josée Fortin and Léa Moisan-Perrier. The ins and outs of the life of a choir conductor—from negotiating proper salaries to finding work-life balance—were touched upon. Here are the key points of the discussion: A Role with Many Hats The discussion on the role of a choir conductor quickly turned into a discussion on the role of an artistic director. While a choir conductor is responsible for studying scores and communicating musical ideas in a…

Marc-André Hamelin (piano) and Orchestre symphonique de Montréal conducted by Rafael Payare. Photo: Antoine Saito

Review | Marc-André Hamelin & OSM Swing in The Roaring Twenties

By Amanda Wong on 24 February 2025 Canadian Music, Concert Reviews, Jazz, Montreal, Orchestral

The Roaring Twenties was an age of dramatic social and economic change, fabulous fashion, and of course, great music. A century onwards, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal celebrated the 1920s with Montreal native Marc-André Hamelin on keys and Rafael Payare conducting in an evening of jazz, swing, and ragtime tunes popularized by the era. What you missed Hamelin’s dapper white jacket stood out in the spotlight as he played Edward Elzear “Zez” Confrey’s Kitten on the Keys solo on a small upright piano to the right of the stage, the program opener. The piece’s jaunty and ragtime feel imitated a cat…

The Valkyries in Teatro alla Scala's Die Walküre. Photo: Brescia & Amisano

Review | La Scala’s Ring Continues with Triumphant David McVicar Die Walkure

By Ossama el Naggar on 21 February 2025 Concert Reviews, Opera, Vocal

This past fall, La Scala embarked upon a new Ring cycle with high expectations. Its previous one took place a decade ago, under the baton of the great Daniel Barenboim. At Das Rheingold’s premiere in October, there was disappointment in the air, as this cycle was supposed to be helmed by leading Wagner conductor Christian Thielemann, who withdrew for health reasons. It could be he felt he was on uncertain grounds after the venerable opera house forced its director Dominique Meyer’s retirement, following an age regulation passed by the Italian government. There was also curiosity about Scotsman David McVicar’s staging,…

Photo: Ben Ealovega, 2024

Lebrecht Weekly | The King’s Singers’ Latest Album: Such Stuff as Dreams are Made on (Signum)

By Norman Lebrecht on 21 February 2025 Classical Music, Vocal

In a world of mounting uncertainty, it’s a relief to find the King’s Singers are still around. The novelty of their act might have worn off since that inaugural London concert in 1968 but polished a capella singing by six male voices remains a miraculous thing and their latest album is a joy to spin. The title is Shakespeare – The Tempest Act 4 (but you knew that, surely) – and the underlying theme is the hope we cling to in times of mortal terror. Three Vaughan Williams songs from 1951 capture that dichotomy to the depths of its poignancy.…

Cast of Pacific Opera Victoria's The Little Prince (2025). Photo: Timothy Matheson Photography

Review | Pacific Opera Victoria Renews Childlike Wonder with The Little Prince

By Kaitlyn Chan on 21 February 2025 Concert Reviews, Opera, Vocal

The reach of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novella The Little Prince is undeniable. First published in 1943, The Little Prince has seen numerous adaptations from films to tabletop games. Its story features profound life lessons about loneliness, friendship, and sacrifice through a child’s eyes which has made it popular among young and old audiences alike. On Feb. 19, Pacific Opera Victoria (POV) unveiled a new production by company Artistic Director Brenna Corner of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright’s The Little Prince at the historic Royal Theatre in downtown Victoria. Though The Little Prince has been a popular choice for opera companies…

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