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EDITOR'S CORNER<br />
by David Olds<br />
Last month due lO space constraints<br />
we had lO omit lhe chatt) introduction<br />
in which I welcomed John<br />
Beckwith back to the fold after a<br />
yearlong hiatus. and I'm pleased<br />
to say that he has contributed again<br />
this month with a review of his colleague<br />
John Burke's new Centrediscs<br />
release. I also noted that<br />
one reviewer whose voice is too<br />
seldom heard in these pages is baroque<br />
specialist Alison Melville.<br />
As director of Baroque Music Beside<br />
the Grange and a virtuoso<br />
baroque flute and recorder player,<br />
Alison is such an active member<br />
of the international early music<br />
scene that it is hard <strong>10</strong> find recordings<br />
in the field where she<br />
does not feel some conflict of inlcrest.<br />
Fortunately we were able<br />
to find one again this month n:<br />
leased by the German recorder<br />
ensemble Trio Viaggio. In this issue<br />
we also welcome a new voice<br />
to the DISCoveries pages, jazz musician<br />
and WholeNote intern Eli<br />
Eisenberg. whose eclectic tastes<br />
introduce us to new relt:ases by<br />
Toronto violinist Lenny Solomon<br />
and the Montreal fusion group S<br />
Mos Quimet.<br />
Following her success in Christos<br />
Halzis' Constantinople which<br />
enjoyed four sold out performances<br />
at Harbourfront last month.<br />
Maryem Tollar·s new CD "Book<br />
of Lile" is reviewed by Whole<br />
Note's World Music columnist<br />
Karen Ages. Our other World<br />
Music specialist. Annelle Sanger.<br />
turns her ears to the Evergreen<br />
Club's new Naxos CD "Sunda<br />
Song" and our very own "Santa's<br />
liule helper", Sarah Hood, gives us<br />
a rundown on a new crop of discs<br />
for the holiday the season. We also<br />
have n:views of seasonal offerings<br />
from Phil Ehrensaft (A Hanukka<br />
Celebration) and WholeNote publisher<br />
Allan Pulkcr (the Elmer lseler<br />
Singers Puer natus in Bethlehem).<br />
Mr. Pulker first expressed<br />
an imerest in reviewing this CD<br />
shortly after it arrived last <strong>December</strong><br />
just a week <strong>10</strong>0 late for inclusion<br />
in last year's Christmas edition.<br />
When he renewed his bid<br />
again last month I knew that this<br />
disc must have deeply moved him<br />
(and also realized that it's always<br />
a good idea to humour the boss) so<br />
I readily agret:d to the assignment.<br />
As always you will find diverse and<br />
eclectic offerings in the following<br />
pages.<br />
My O\\ n listening this month was<br />
commandeered by the recent release<br />
of Mendelssohn's Chamber<br />
Music - Complete (Brilliant Classics<br />
99983). Once again the Brilliant<br />
label has impressed me with<br />
its thoroughness. standard or exct:llcnce<br />
and value. I came across<br />
the release somewhat inadvertently<br />
while scarch111g for repertoire<br />
for my own chamber ensemble. On<br />
a visit to the Metro Reference Library<br />
I discovert.!d that Felix Mendelssohn<br />
had composed three piano<br />
quartets in his youth (Opp. 1-<br />
3) and I subsequently went in<br />
search of rt:cordings. The only<br />
ones currently available feature the<br />
fabulous Schubert Ensemble of<br />
London (whom I'd had the pleas·<br />
ure of interviewing during my tenure<br />
at CJRT-FM) and an: only to<br />
be had as pan of a I 0 CD set. Fortunately<br />
when dealing with Brilliant<br />
Classics you can get <strong>10</strong>·cDs<br />
for about the same price as 3 discs<br />
on any other major label. The set<br />
includes Mcndelssohn's string<br />
quartets, quintets and octet. piano<br />
trios, quartets and sextet. along<br />
with the sonatas for viol111. viola,<br />
cello and clarinet and several other<br />
miscellaneous chamber works.<br />
Brilliant has compiled earlier recordings<br />
of performances by the<br />
Banok Quartet, cellist Claude<br />
Starck with pianist Christophe Eschenbach,<br />
violist Ulrich Koch,<br />
clarinetist Rainer Schumacher and<br />
pianist Ronald Keller with recent<br />
performances by the Schubert Ensemble<br />
and new recordings featuring<br />
the Sharon Quanet, violist Petra<br />
Vahle, violinist Joan Berkhemer<br />
and pianist Kyoko Hashimoto.<br />
Three weeks after the purchase I'm<br />
still listening. and still enthralled!<br />
CONTINUES NC)(T PACE<br />
[<strong>December</strong> I January Highlights<br />
University of Toronto Symphonic Band<br />
Wednesday, <strong>December</strong> I - 8 pm. MacMillan Theatre.$ 13 ($7)<br />
Grepy Burton. director. Music by Gra1nr. Holst. Copbnd and others<br />
Vocal Jazz Ensemble<br />
Friday, <strong>December</strong> 3 • 8 pm. Walter Hall. $13 ($7)<br />
uu Marunell director<br />
"Christmas Gahu" Choral Concert<br />
Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 4 • 8 pm. MacMillan Theatre. $13 ($7)<br />
Aro Afro-centm; evening of singing. dancing ;ind drumming<br />
World Music Ensembles<br />
Monday, <strong>December</strong> 6. 12: I 0 pm· MacMiiian Theatre. FREE<br />
Fe;ituring ppanese taiko ensemble. Chinese tndltional music<br />
ensemble :and Afnan drumming and dancing ensemble<br />
University of Toronto Guitar Ensemble<br />
Monday, <strong>December</strong> 6 • 8 pm. Walter Hall. FREE<br />
Jeffrey Mcfadden. director<br />
University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra<br />
Wednesday, Dec:ember 8 • 8 pm. MacMillan Theatre. $17 ($9)<br />
Scott St. John and Shauna Rolston perform Brihms Double Concer<strong>10</strong>.<br />
conducted by 1Uff1 Armenian. With Schube1 t Rosomunde Overwre and<br />
BeethOYen Symphony No. J ·•frolcaH<br />
Nexus Percussion Ensemble<br />
Friday, <strong>December</strong> I 0 • 8 pm • Walter Hall. $21 ($I I)<br />
Canada's IOcvt7 or Mus•t • UnM!f11ty of Toronto<br />
Edw>rd JOhnsO 8uoldHIJ. 80 Q.,.•n's Park<br />
Ml>>•um •ut>wor stop<br />
www.music.utoronto.ca<br />
DECEMRER 1 <strong>2004</strong> · f£8RUAKY 7 2005 WWW, THEWHOlENOTE.COM 13