Beat by Beat | Classical & BeyondConversationswith VivaldiPAUL ENNIS“You know, my piece doesn’t erase the Vivaldi original.It’s a conversation from a viewpoint. I think this isjust one way to engage with it.” – Max RichterThe opening notes seem to emanate from otherworldly ether,tentatively falling into the familiarnotes that begin The Four Seasons,but there’s something quite differentthat’s engaging us. In a November <strong>20</strong>12interview with NPR’s Audie Cornish,German-born, British composer MaxRichter elaborated on the openingbars of his recomposition: “I tookthe opening motif, which I alwaysthought was a dazzling moment inthe Vivaldi, but in the original it’s onlyfour bars. I thought, ‘Well, why don’tI just treat this like a loop, like somethingyou might hear in dance music,and just loop it and intensify it, and cutand paste – jump-cut around in thattexture, but keep that groove going.’”The essence of the music that wasonce the most recorded piece in the classical music catalogue is therebut it’s got a contemporary feel, definitely not staid, bursting withenergy, but not the heightened propulsion of Il Giardino Armonico,for example. In fact the clarity of violinist Daniel Hope’s crystallineplaying is inviting.The synth effects are so subtle they’re barely discernible but theirpresence is palpably modern, sleek and beguiling. The combinationof the bones of Vivaldi’s original and the cloak Richter has wrapped itin make for a 21st-century experience that is pleasingly addictive, thekind of piece you put on repeat and listen to over and over and over. Itnever feels like it’s too much, its novelty easily trumped by its freshness,its mysteries slowly revealing themselves after five, six hearings.Less than two weeks before he was to perform Richter’s FourSeasons Recomposed at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, the acclaimedBritish violinist Daniel Hope participated in a live YouTube chat onJune 10, <strong>20</strong>13. (In addition to a versatilesolo career, Hope was a memberof the distinguished Beaux Arts Triofrom <strong>20</strong>02-<strong>20</strong>08.) Now more thana year later, in anticipation of the<strong>September</strong> 30 Toronto premiere of theRichter work, I’m watching the genuinelyengaging Hope patiently answerquestions.“The fact that Max Richter waswilling to recompose The Four Seasonswas incredibly brave and I think he’sdone a fantastic job,” he begins. “Iwas contacted by [him] about oneto one and a half years ago and toldabout wanting to recompose The FourSeasons,” he continues. “The first thingI said was ‘What’s wrong with theMax RichterOur spectacular<strong>20</strong>14-<strong>20</strong>15 cOncert seasOnseasOn subscriptiOnsOn sale nOw!Save 35% or more with ourpopular 6-concert packageOrder online today at spo.caor email spo@spo.ca torequest a copy of our FREEseason brochurescarboroughphilharmonicOrchestra@spOGreatMusicHalloween trick or treatSaturday November 1, <strong>20</strong>14Festive Music for theHoliday seasonSaturday November 30, <strong>20</strong>14Music from France, canada,south asia & More!Saturday January 17, <strong>20</strong>15a canadian panoramafor windsSaturday March <strong>20</strong>, <strong>20</strong>15an italian FestivalSaturday March 28, <strong>20</strong>15Masterworks of beethovenand brahmsSaturday March <strong>20</strong>, <strong>20</strong>15an Ontario government agencyun organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario<strong>20</strong> | <strong>September</strong> 1, <strong>20</strong>14 – October 7, <strong>20</strong>14 thewholenote.com
Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, U of t opera, november <strong>20</strong>13<strong>20</strong>14.<strong>20</strong>15season highlightsEarly Musicsuzie leBlanc & Daniel Taylor perform Handel’s Love DuetschaMBEr Musiccecilia string Quartet, New Orford string Quartet,Gryphon Trio, NEXus, atar arad, russell Braun,st. lawrence string Quartet & Monica WhicherWOrkshOp/MasTEr class/lEcTurEBarbara hannigan, hans abrahamsen,paul Griffiths, Ben heppner, catherine Wyn-rogers,Johannes Debus & richard BellisJazzJerry Bergonzi, Dave liebman & ralph alessiOpEraHMS Pinafore & Postcard from MoroccoNEW Music FEsTivalExchange concerts featuring guest composers/musiciansfrom chengdu, Guizhou, Beijing & hong kongDownloaD oUr <strong>20</strong>14-15 season brochUre at WWW.Music.uTOrONTO.cato orDer tickets, call the rcm box office at the telUs centre at 416-408-0<strong>20</strong>8The Faculty of Music gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our presenting sponsorswww.music.utoronto.cathewholenote.com <strong>September</strong> 1, <strong>20</strong>14 – October 7, <strong>20</strong>14 | 21
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MADAMABUTTERFLYPUCCINIOctober 10 -
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