Volume 17 Issue 4 - December 2011

Baroque Orchestra and Chamber ChoirJeanne Lamon, Music Director | Ivars Taurins, Director, Chamber ChoirHandelHerculesDirectedby StageDirectionby Choreographedby Lightingdesignbyat Koerner HallJEANNE MARSHALL JEANNETTE RAHALAMON PYNKOSKI LAJEUNESSE ZINGG JAVANFARThurs Jan 19, Fri Jan 20,Sat Jan 21 at 8pmSun Jan 22 at 3:30pmKoerner Hall, TELUS Centrefor Performance and LearningThe Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St WestAllyson McHardy, DejaniraNathalie Paulin, IoleMireille Lebel, LichasColin Balzer, HyllusSumner Thompson, HerculesSupported by Al & Jane ForestA dramatic concert staging ofHercules – an opera in all but name– featuring one of Handel’s mostpassionate female roles, played byAllyson McHardy (“incandescent…a revelation!”LeMonde)Allyson McHardy | Nathalie Paulin | Mireille Lebel | Colin Balzer | Sumner ThompsonHercules photo © CyberulyBothsellingoutfastORDERTODAY!Handel MessiahKoerner HallDec 14–17 at 7:30pmHandelMessiahAlso:Sing-Along MessiahMassey HallSun Dec 18 at 2pmDirected by Ivars Taurins“…one of thebest MessiahsI have ever heard.” – The Globe and MailStained Glass Photo: Margaret Fairbrother GarrisonKoerner Hall Tickets:416.408.0208tafelmusik.orgMassey Hall Tickets:416.872.4255tafelmusik.orgMessiah Concerts Sponsor &Season Presenting Sponsor

MASSEYHALL&ROYTHOMSONHALLHoliday 2011Preservation Hall Jazz BandPreservation Hall Jazz BandCreole ChristmasThurs Dec 15, 8pm RTHSponsored byIN PURSUIT OF PERFECTION.Toronto Children's ChorusA Chorus ChristmasMystery of the SeasonCANADIANVOICESRoyThomsonHallpresentsanewvocalseriesatGlennGouldStudioDANIELOKULITCHbass-baritoneSUN DEC 4, 2pmToronto Children’s ChorusThe Canadian TenorsAndrea Martin,hostSat Dec 17, 2pm RTHThe Canadian TenorsHome for the Holidays2 Shows! Dec 22 & 23, 8pm RTHMassey Hall’sNew Year’s EveComedy ExtravaganzaSat Dec 31, 7:30pm MHHosted by Andrea Martin. Featuring StevePatterson, Ryan Belleville and more!Supported byJULIEBOULIANNEmezzo-sopranoSUN FEB 26, 2pmLAYLACLAIREsopranoTHURS MAY 3, 8pmFreeNoon-HourCHOIR&ORGANCONCERTSatRoyThomsonHallTORONTO MASS CHOIRThe Glory of GospelTues Dec 13, 12 noonKarenBurke,conductorCoreyButler,pianoChristopherDawes,organBACH CHILDREN'S CHORUSCelebration of YouthTues Jan 17, 12 noonLindaBeaupré,conductorEleanorDaley,organAdmission is Free.Toreserveforgroupsof20+pleasecall416-593-4822ext.225.MadepossiblebythegeneroussupportoftheEdwardsCharitableFoundation.Tickets Make Great Gifts!YUNDI, PIANO MARCH 23, RTHMICHAEL SCHADE & THOMAS QUASTHOFF MARCH 30, RTHBOBBY MCFERRIN APRIL 16, RTHRENÉE FLEMING APRIL 20, RTHCan't decide? ...Gift Certificates redeemablefor all events at the Halls.CALL 416-872-4255ONLINE masseyhall.com roythomson.comIN PERSON at the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office, 60 Simcoe St.

DECEMBER 6, OTTAWAEternal Light DivineTHIRTEEN STRINGS& SHANNON MERCERDECEMBER 9-11, WINDSORBach’s Christmas OratorioORCHESTRA WINDSORDECEMBER 17, TORONTODublin MessiahARADIA ENSEMBLEDECEMBER 21-22, HALIFAXDublin MessiahSYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIAUpcoming [see www.aradia.ca]CAPRICCIO STRAVAGANTEGlenn Gould Studio, February 18 2012Venetian baroque with mezzo soprano Marion Newman, new works by Rose Bolton and Chris MeyerTHE GRAIN OF THE VOICEGlenn Gould Studio, May 5 2012Music of Monteverdi and Gesualdo juxtaposed with Toronto-based Georgian choir DarbaziDIE FREUNDE VON SALAMANKA (SCHUBERT)St. Lawrence Hall, April 1 2012Performance with Opera in Concert [www.operainconcert.com]JANUARY 13, OTTAWAMozart ConcertoTHIRTEEN STRINGS& MENAHEM PRESSLERJANUARY 27, NEW YORKL’Italiana a Londra:Mozart flute/harp concertoBeethoven Symphony no. 2WEST SIDE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Volume 17 No 4 | December 1, 2011 – February 7, 2012FOR OPENERS6. Last to Bed | DAVID PERLMANFEATURES8. New Music for an Old Tale | DAVID PERLMANBEAT BY BEAT10. In With the New | DAVID PERLMAN13. Classical & Beyond | SHARNA SEARLE16. Choral Scene | BENJAMIN STEIN18. Early Music | SIMONE DESILETS22. Musical Theatre | ROBERT WALLACE26. On Opera | CHRISTOPHER HOILE28. World View | ANDREW TIMAR30. Bandstand | JACK MACQUARRIE32. Jazz Notes | JIM GALLOWAY63. Jazz in the Clubs | ORI DAGAN66. Inside the ETCeteras | ORI DAGANLISTINGS35. A | Concerts in the GTA59. B | Concerts Beyond the GTA63. C | In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz)67. D | The ETCeterasMUSICAL LIFE71. Just the Spot | ORI DAGAN72. We Are All Music’s Children | MJ BUELL73. Bookshelf | PAMELA MARGLESDISCOVERIES: RECORDINGS REVIEWED75. Editor’s Corner | DAVID OLDS76. Vocal77. Classical & Beyond79. Modern & Contemporary79. Strings Attached | TERRY ROBBINS80. Shapeshifter: Accordions in Many Guises | TIINA KIIK81. Jazz & Improvised81. It’s Our Jazz | GEOFF CHAPMAN82. Something in the Air | KEN WAXMAN83. Pot Pourri84. Old Wine, New Bottles | BRUCE SURTEESMORE6. Contact Information & Deadlines33. Index of Advertisers71. Classified AdsIn This IssueMAHLER LIEDERJULIE BOULIANNE MEZZO-SOPRANOENSEMBLE ORFORD • JEAN-FRANÇOIS RIVESTACD2 2665DEBUT SOLO RECORDINGGrammy Award-nominated mezzo-soprano,Julie Boulianne marks the centenary ofGustav Mahler’s death with her recordingof Mahler song cyclesarranged for chamber ensemble.Photo : Julien FaugèreDOWNLOAD DIRECTLY ATATMACLASSIQUE.COMSelect ATMA titles now on saleCAROLINE, OR CHANGEpage 22HERR HANDEL HIMSELFpage 18DECEMBER’S CHILDpage 72

F O R O P E N E R S / D A V I D P E R L M A NLast to BedFaithful fans of my little column both knowthat from time to time I go into a rant hereabout how this is the one remaining piece ofcopy preventing the issue from going to press,and how much I hate being the one responsiblefor the magazine not going to bed. (Or as a slightvariation, a rant about how much I hate the factthat it’s the magazine that’s preventing me fromgoing to bed.)So now that’s over with, instead, a late nightend-of-year toast to the best damned staff a publisher could ever wishfor, and an acknowledgment of the fact that it’s only because each andeveryone of you, at one time or another is “the last to bed,” that thislittle beauty ever gets to press.A toast, I say, to the hard-working people:… who work all night to rebuild the server when it crashes mid-cycle;… who stay through blizzards to make sure the 65 listings that comein after deadline still get into the magazine even though we could justshrug and leave them out;am because a certain boneheaded editor in chief puts the same articlein on two different pages;… who stay long past midnight rejigging the routes for our thirty driversbecause aforesaid boneheaded e.i.c./publisher gets the productionschedule so terribly wrong even though he’s done it 174 times;… who work half the night on the ad tracking sheet because they’vespent all day hand-holding someone who’s nevermade an ad before through the process of makingone;… who right now sits patiently waiting for thislast piece of copy, to make one last beautiful page;… so our loyal printer can get in his car at twoam and pick up page proofs;… so we can still make our deadline in spite ofthe fact that the publisher was so busy toastinghis staff that he forgot what he was trying to say,and sat staring at the computer screen for half an hour after writingthis sentence, thereby nearly undoing all the hard work of the aforementionedbest damned staff a publisher could ever wish for.So, what else?Oh yes, in case you haven’t noticed, dear readers, this is OURDOUBLE ISSUE.DO NOT phone me on January 2 to yell at me because The WholeNotehas not arrived at your library. I will yell at you for demonstrating thatyou do not read my editorials.To all, may music move you in many ways as you make your waythrough the joys and pains of the season.To those who make the music, thereby giving us a reason for doingwhat we do, long may you prosper (or alternatively, may you prosperbefore long).And now, to bed.—David Perlman, publisher@thewholenote.comKATIA TAYLORThe WholeNote The Toronto Concert-Goer’s GuideVOLUME 17 NO 4 | DEC 1, 2011 – FEB 7, 2012720 Bathurst St, Suite 503, Toronto ON M5S 2R4MAIN TELEPHONE 416-323-2232FAX 416-603-4791SWITCHBOARD & GENERAL INQUIRIES Ext 21Chairman of the BoardAllan Pulkerdirectors@thewholenote.comPublisher/Editor In Chief | David Perlmanpublisher@thewholenote.comCD Editor | David Oldsdiscoveries@thewholenote.comEvent Advertising/MembershipKaren Ages | members@thewholenote.comAdvertising/Production Support/OperationsJack Buell | adart@thewholenote.comListings TeamSharna Searle | Listings Editorlistings@thewholenote.comOri Dagan | Jazz Listings, The ETCeterasjazz@thewholenote.com, etc@thewholenote.comWebsiteBryson Winchester | systems@thewholenote.comCirculation, Display Stands & SubscriptionsChris Malcolm | circulation@thewholenote.comPatrick Slimmon | patrick@thewholenote.comTHE ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL IS AN AGENCYOF THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIOTHANKS TO THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORSCover PhotoSN BiancaBeat ColumnsBANDSTAND | Jack MacQuarrieBOOKSHELF | Pamela MarglesCLASSICAL & BEYOND | Sharna SearleCHORAL SCENE | Benjamin SteinDISCOVERIES | David OldsEARLY MUSIC | Simone DesiletsIN THE CLUBS | Ori DaganIN WITH THE NEW | David PerlmanJAZZ NOTES| Jim GallowayMUSICAL LIFE | mJ buell, Ori DaganOPERA | Christopher HoileWORLD MUSIC | Andrew TimarFeaturesDavid PerlmanCD ReviewersLarry Beckwith, Geoff Chapman, Daniel Foley,Janos Gardonyi, Richard Haskell,Tiina Kiik, Roger Knox, Jack MacQuarrie,Lesley Mitchell-Clarke, Terry Robbins,Michael Schwartz, Bruce Surtees,Dianne Wells, Ken WaxmanProofreadingKaren Ages, Ori Dagan, Sharna SearleListingsOri Dagan, Richard Haskell,Sharna Searle, Adam WeinmannLayout & DesignBrian Cartwright (cover), Uno RamatSUBSCRIPTIONS $30 per year + HST (10 issues)www.thewholenote.comUpcoming Dates & DeadlinesFree Event Listings Deadline6pm Sunday January 15Display Ad Reservations Deadline6pm Monday January 16Advertising Materials Due6pm Wednesday January 18Publication DateWednesday February 1Next issue, Volume 17 No 5covers February 1 to March 7, 2012WholeNote Media Inc. accepts no responsibilityor liability for claims made for any product orservice reported on or advertised in this issue.Printed in CanadaCouto Printing & Publishing ServicesCirculation StatementDecember 2011: 30,000 printed & distributed.Canadian Publication ProductSales Agreement 1263846ISSN 14888-8785 WHOLENOTEPublications Mail Agreement #40026682Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:WholeNote Media Inc.503-720 Bathurst StreetToronto ON M5S 2R4COPYRIGHT © 2011 WHOLENOTE MEDIA INC6 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

NEW MUSIC FOR AN OLD TALE/ / D A V I D P E R L M A Nike an Old Tale: An East Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’sTale by William Shakespeare, (to give it its full title) is the latestchapter in Jumblies Theatre’s decade-long journey “to expandwhere art happens and who gets to be part of it.” Under the artisticdirection of Ruth Howard, Jumblies undertakes multi-year residenciesin a community, uncovering its stories and creating opportunities forthe people of the community in question to turn those stories into art.“Every Jumblies community residency culminates with a large-scaleproduction, one that melds original music, visual arts, dance, puppetryand projections into a vast theatrical realm.”For Jumblies, unlike for some, “it’s not just a peripheral educationalor community outreach programme,” says Howard. “One needs to bewholehearted and integrative about it. It takes time, forming alliancesand partnerships in the community and across sectors, listening andlearning, making mistakes, looking foolish, creating something gloriousthat awakens a shared desire for more, bringing in the best and mostinteresting artists available.”Enter Juliet Palmer.“I’ve known and admired Ruth Howard’s work with Jumblies for from Wellington, New Zealand, where she is engaged in a one year the country of her birth since 2002. “From her side, Ruth has longbeen wanting me to compose the music for a project. This time round,the stars aligned, the timing was right and I said yes. The conversationabout this project started at the beginning of 2010 and I startedto work with Jumblies in January of this year. We had a workshop ofkey scenes in June at the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre in Scarboroughbefore I headed to New Zealand.”Looking at Palmer’s musical credits and interests, it’s not hard tosee why Howard would have hoped for “the stars to align” in this way.And Palmer’s description of why the project pushes her artistic buttonsmakes it easy to understand why it has been, and continues to be forher, a project worth incurring jet-lag for.“My work is often anchored in different vocal expressions–opera,choral, soundscape” Palmer says. “Here I am creating a world whichmakes room for different cultural traditions, including Carnatic, FirstNations and opera, and which allows for improvisation within a clearstructure. Some moments are more installation-like, while others areclearly operatic and driven by the vocal line. There is also the powerfulrealm of the spoken word, performed by both professional actors andcommunity members. When we stumbled through the outline of thepiece back in the summer, I was struckby the compelling voices of young childrenand seniors speaking passages fromShakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, the textwhich is the bedrock of the show.”“Bedrock” is not an exaggeration.Howard’s commitment to the core text isstriking. “Yes, it’s an adaptation” she says,“but the words are all Shakespeare’s. From my perspective, there’s nopoint doing Shakespeare without using the words.”It took almost two years of Jumblies work on the ground in thecommunity before Palmer came into the picture. “It was a process ofreducing the text,” says Howard, “keeping my favourite passages andthose that related to our thematic focus, then working with these samepassages and themes in the community over a couple of years. ThenI gave the reduced text to Juliet and she had freedom to pick and playwithin it, and then we worked back and forth with it, being quite preciseabout which words were cut or kept, as she composed the music. Theoverall script for Like An Old Tale also includes some text generatedin the community —and this is, on a couple of occasions, spoken intoor over Juliet’s music. These sections were conceived of by me andgenerated and edited collaboratively by me, our core artists and manycommunity members.”“One of the biggest challenges for me,” says Palmer “was composingmusic for amateurs. How do I create something which still feels likemy own music, but can be sung by people who can’t necessarily readconventional notation? Also, how does the way music is passed alongshape the result?”Having solved that, the other half of the challenge was turning itinto a score for double bass, assorted clarinets, violin, mrdangamand percussion, as well as opera singers Neema Bickersteth and DougMacNaughton, while integrating traditional Tamil singing (Sharada K.Eswar) and First Nations elements (Rosary Spence, who has createdher own original traditional-style songs) into the show’s soundscape. They are both fantastic singers and have the perfect temperament towork on a large scale, multi-community performance,” says Palmer.The connection with soprano Neema Bickersteth is an interestingone. It goes back to Stitch, Palmer and librettist Anna Chatterton’sthree woman chamber opera for urbanvessel that was one of highlightsof the 2008 season.“A rogue brace of creative spirits cuts through the couture and sweeps8 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

PHOTOS BY SN BIANCAus straight into a sewing sweatshop in Stitch” wrote John Terauds forthe Toronto Star. “Billed as ‘an a cappella opera for three women andthree sewing machines,’ it crosses so many genres as to be in a categoryof its own … Imagine an opera presented outside a theatre, without astage or orchestra. It doesn’t seem like opera at all — until you realisehow much a librettist, composer and three vocalists can accomplishwith the simplest of means. That’s an art.”As for Douglas MacNaughton, fresh off a leading role in last month’sToronto Masque Theatre remount of the John Beckwith/James Reaneymusical Crazy to Kill at Harbourfront’s EnWave Theatre, he’s ready tofor puppets. This is great.” (He’s not kidding, either. As more than oneopera singer has found, being free to throw one’s disembodied voiceinto a space can be tremendously liberating.)So at this point, is Palmer’s work as composer winding down? “Mostresponse to Penny“I THINK THE BEST WAY TO INVOLVEYOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ARTS is to workin an intergenerational context”Couchie’s choreographyand VarrickGrimes’ staging.”Add to the mixthe steadying handof Erna van Daele as music director, (a Jumblies regular, and RuthHoward fan, who in her other life also keeps the University of WaterlooSymphony Orchestra on the rails), and the show is in good hands.“UWSO is a volunteer student orchestra,” she told me, “so let’s saythere are some parallels.”But if the bulk of the heavy liftingpush, so characteristic of Jumblies projects, was just beginning as ofthe second last week of November. That was when they moved intothe decidedly unconventional venue for the show’s December 8 to 18run, the former TVO studios at Pharmacy and Eglinton. Part of thethe show will happen, is a massive soundstage, being used for the veryWith the orchestra tucked back in a corner next to the curved cyclorama(which provided a surprisingly springy soundboard), the spacearyshape of the show unfolding. It consists of many circles of chairswith backdrops inspired by each of the prominent East Scarboroughsites where Jumblies has been making art with community participantsfor the past four years.“In our version of the world of Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale,” explainsJumblies managing director Keith McNair, “there are many realms, allruled over by the not-so-good King Leontes.” While the larger tale playsitself out in opera, dance, puppetry and visual imagery, within eachindividual realm, a story teller will be there for whomever joins thatcircle. Each will tell the story of the jealous overlord Leontes from theperspective of that realm, and with all the variation one might expectfrom eight or ten distinct realms each with its own customs.McNair takes me to a table at the far end of the soundstage, coveredwith little groups of miniatures, each group made of different materials— wool, wood, paper, clay … “These are the individual storytellers’props,” he says, “corresponding to the different community centreswe worked in during the four years of the project. So each individualcommunity storyteller will have the puppet and doll miniatures of theshow’s characters, created during the four year Jumblies residency inthat particular community centre.” And they are indeed all unique, allas different as the micro-environments of this most diverse of all communitiesin the GTA that we like to dismiss as “Scarberia.”Although the project and show grew out of a Scarborough residency,they also include, by extension, cultural contingents from allacross Toronto, as well from Nipissing First Nation (near North Bay)and from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The show is a fusion ofmultiple cultural forms (Tamil, First Nations, contemporary Westernnew music and dance) and celebrates a broad spectrum of ability andexperience (from novice to virtuosic) in a professionally produced production.“Within our vast cultural pool of participants,” the Jumbliespress release proclaims, “our involved community members speakDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 9

Beat by Beat / In With the NewSound SpectaclesD A V I D P E R L M A NArabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Czech, English, Estonian, French,Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Malay, Mandarin, Portuguese, Punjabi,Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Urdu, Vietnamese.”“By effectively asking every audience member to help tell thestory, in at least some small part, one crucial goal is to blur thetraditional line between audience member, participant and artist”says Ruth Howard. “In that sense, everyone who attends becomespart of the event.”Inspired by the people and places of East Scarborough, Likean Old Tale promises a multi-disciplinary and multicommunityspectacle performed by an intergenerational cast of over 100 localyouths, adults and seniors. And if all goes ahead as planned, theywill leave behind a stable community-based arts entity of some kind,a Scarborough Community Arts Guild, run by the very people — local people, now fouryears further down the road, capable of “forming alliances andpartnerships in the community and across sectors, listening andlearning, making mistakes, looking foolish, creating somethingglorious that awakens a shared desire for more, bringing in the bestand most interesting artists available.” And carrying on.So what is next for Jumblies Theatre? And how does it relate toganizationshave to “move forward and meet audiences, especiallythe younger ones, where they are, and where they want to be?”“I could go on and on, as this question relates to the whole raisond’etre of Jumblies Theatre” Ruth says. “We’re stepping out ofspecialised arts places to ‘meet’ and connect with the people of theplace where we live — so that art can be accessible and meaningfulfor everyone — including the dedicated art-makers and the largerpopulation experiencing and taking part in art activities and events.Everything we do is about this — it’s always been a strategy and a — a response to asking ‘what needsto happen here and now?’ Being out in public housing auditoriums,church basements, suburban motel suites, schools, communityhalls — our limited resources, is truly unviable. But it’s worth is as a wayfor people to meet who wouldn’t otherwise (including artists notfrom the mainstream culture) and to demonstrate what’s possiblesocially and aesthetically (both intertwined).“And it’s especially important, nowadays, to mention that theCity of Toronto’s Cultural Service was our catalyst partner onthis project (our Scarborough residency) — with shared valuesand vision about how art can and must expand and include alland it wouldn’t have started or succeeded without them. In fact,Toronto Culture (through the museum, Montgomery’s Inn, whichis now on the city chopping block), was the seminal and ongoingseventh year as MABELLEarts.“As for ‘young audiences’: well, we have a large, diverse andwonderful teen and young adult contingent in this show and project–infact, they are one of the mainstays (another is a large groupof Tamil seniors). We also have children as young as two andadults in their 80s. I think that the best route to involving youngerpeople in the arts is to work in an intergenerational context — withfamilies, cultural and geographical communities, and people ofall ages–so that children and youth grow up with art being part oflife and important to everyone.”Like many in the global village, I have become a fan of theMetropolitan Opera’s LIVE from the Met in movie houses, combiningas it does all the lazy pleasures of movie going (a directortelling you where to look, a soundtrack telling you what to feel) withan almost voyeuristic immediacy. I am behind the scenes of oneof the world’s great opera houses, or face to face with the four feettall tonsils of the world’s greatest bass-baritone, as the case may be.Add to this usual movie stuff the additional thrill, usually reservedfor NASCAR or other such blood sports, of knowing that the wholething might crash and burn right before my eyes, but almost neverdoes, and I am hooked. Why? Because it’s LIVE!Except that it isn’t. It’s “live from,” but not live at. At, in this case,is the Queensway Cineplex Odeon, TimBits, mint tea and all. Eventhe Met’s celebrity greeters acknowledge as much. One of themalways comes on screen during one or the other intermission, backstage,to remind us, the TimBits audience, that watching this wayisn’t the real thing, and that to fully experience the magic of operawe should pop down to New York, or [tiny pause] go out and supportour local opera company. My most recent foray to the Odeonwas for an enormously satisfying production of Phillip Glass’sSatyagraha, during which bass baritone Eric Owens (Alberich in theMet’s current Ring Cycle) appeared during the intermission to do themandatory “live opera is real magic” speech. Even in his sonoroustones it came off stilted and, dare we say it, just a titch insincere.More’s the pity, because it’s the absolute bottom-line truth. Thereis an innate, unmatchable theatricality in congregating live for music.It cannot be matched or emulated in other media, no matter howgrand. And nowhere is this more evident than in the performance ofnew music.as an example of theatrical spectatorship, seems to negate thatdark. I heard about it from composer Brian Current, director ofthe New Music Ensemble of the Glenn Gould School. The work isAustrian spectral composer Georg Haas’ monumental In Vain, for24 musicians and lighting (2000) Thursday December 8, 7:30pmand Friday December 9, 2:30pm, in the Conservatory Theatre of theRoyal Conservatory.“It’s a 70 minute piece, really a spectral wonder, a beautiful andsubstantial work, based almost entirely on musical colour,” Currentsays. “Sometimes they play in the pitch black, other times there arethe Conservatory Theatre to get complete darkness. “The ensembleis all graduate students and they have been working hard on thiseven memorizingthe portions in thedark. We are alsovery fortunate thatGF Haas is alsocoming in for theseshows from Austria,just to work with usand to deliver a talkat 6pm before theSaturday performance.”Vinko Globokar, 1992, with membersof the U of T Chamber Singers.As it happens, the two In Vain performances fall slap bang rightin the middle of what is undoubtedly December’s new music mainevent (the Vinko Globokar invasion, November 29 to December 11)so here’s hoping it won’t be overlooked. After all, somewhere in thetranformation of noises in the night to sounds in the dark, the trulyANDRE LEDUC10 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

“A Feast for the Earsand the Eyes!”- Classical 96.3FMANDRÉ WATTSPLAYS LISZTSun., Dec. 11, 2011 3pmKoerner Hall“Mr. Watts has big sound, bigtechnique and natural musicality.”(The New York Times) The pianosuperstar performs an all-Lisztprogram, including HungarianRhapsody No. 13.“A formidable technical arsenal,a still more powerful intellect.”(The Washington Post)ROYAL CONSERVATORYORCHESTRA CONDUCTEDBY JULIAN KUERTIFri., Jan. 27, 2012 8pmKoerner HallJulian Kuerti conducts the RCOand pianist Minjoo Jo in a wonderfulconcert that will include Dream-e-scapeby R. Murray Schafer, along withLiszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2, andTchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.CECILIA STRING QUARTETWITH JOHN O'CONORSun., Jan. 15, 2012 2pmMazzoleni Concert Hall2010 Banff International String QuartetCompetition winner, the “exquisite”(Montreal Gazette) Cecilia StringQuartet performs with internationalpianist John O’Conor, “a pianist ofunbounding sensitivity,” (Gramophone)in a program of Beethovenand Schumann.Presented in honour ofR.S. Williams & Sons Co.SUSAN GRAHAMWITHMALCOLM MARTINEAUSat., Jan. 28, 2012 8pmKoerner HallThe mezzo-soprano opera starperforms works by Purcell,Schubert, Schumann, Liszt,Duparc, Sondheim, Noel Coward,and many other composersLES VIOLONSDU ROY WITHMAURICE STEGERSun., Feb. 5, 2012 3pmKoerner HallFrom the heart of Quebec City, theJuno Award-winning ensemble “bestknown for its zesty performances ofBaroque and Classical music” (TheNew York Times) performs Baroqueconcertos with Maurice Steger, “theworld’s leading recorder virtuoso.”(The Independent), and a dynamic,sexy, and spontaneous performer.AFIARA STRINGQUARTETThurs., Feb. 2, 2012 7:30pmMazzoleni Concert HallThe “terrifically unified, versatile,idiomatic, and moving ensemble”(San Francisco Classical Voice)performs Haydn, Sibelius, andMendelssohn with guest violistsCatherine Gray and LaurenceSchaufele.Presented in honour ofR.S. Williams & Sons Co.TICKETS ON SALE NOW! rcmusic.ca 416.408.0208273 Bloor St. W. (Bloor & Avenue Road) Toronto

theatrical nature of music has its beginnings.By contrast, Queen of Puddings Music Theatre’s presentationof Galgenlieder à 3 (Gallows Songsits theatricality quite explicitly, billing itself as “a concert drama.”Queen of Puddings has always had an aesthetic of physical, singingAll Reasons” in 1996, which was built around Peter Maxwell Davies’Eight Songs for a Mad King. Part of that aesthetic is curatorial,latching onto music that has an intrinsic theatricality rather thanadding visual cheap tricks to jazz up the musically ordinary.Gubaidulina’s Galgenliedercycle — sung in the original German — featuring the text of Germanpoet Christian Morgenstern (1871–1914)” saysDáirine Ní Mheadra, QoP co-founder anddirector. “Gubaidulina’s stature in the world ofcontemporary music is enormous — she is one ofthe pre-eminent composers alive today. Her musicis dramatic and intense.”Born in Christopol in the Tatar Republic ofthe Soviet Union in 1931, Gubaidulina’s musicwas an escape from the terrifying socio-politicalatmosphere of Soviet Russia, Ní Mheadra says.“For this reason, she associated music with humantranscendence and mystical spiritualism. Bringingthese qualities plus a wicked sense of humour toher settings of Morgenstern is a knockout combination.And to have a star singer like Betty Allisonsinging this Galgenlieder is sumptuous. Betty’ssound has voluptuousness and an emotional depthto it that is profoundly moving.”From Ladysmith, BC, by way of the CanadianOpera Company ensemble, Allison has beenexercising her new music “chops,” coming toMary’sWedding (music Andrew P. MacDonald, libretto Stephen Massicotte.)In Galgenlieder she shares the stage with Ryan Scott, percussion,and Joseph Phillips, double bass, both accustomed to swimmingoutside of the mainstream as well as in.Joel Quarrington, has made frequent appearances with Art ofTime Ensemble and is a member of Hotland Trio, a moody Balkan/Canadian trio (with violinist Aleksandar Gajic and accordionistMilos Popovic) that brings serious classical muscle to moody, driven,strongly rhythmic repertoire.And Ryan Scott is one of the most versatile, accomplished (andbusy) percussionists in this or any other town. Case in point, he willtake the stage for Galgenlieder a week after a scorching performanceof 20th century Japanese percussion titan Maki Ishii’s South-Fire-Summer for Esprit Orchestra at Koerner Hall November 30 — awork of extraordinary complexity requiring a percussion array thesize of (and better stocked than) the average kitchen. And just oneday later, December 9, it will be out of the proverbial frying panVinko Globokar, French avant-garde composer and trombonist,returns to Toronto at the invitation of New Music Concerts’ artisticdirector Robert Aitken, almost 20 years after Aitken brought himday Vinko-fest, culminating Sunday December 11, at Betty OliphantTheatre, 8pm, in an NMC presentation of works spanning fourdecades, ranging from Fluide (1967) for brass and (very extended)percussion through Eppure si Muove (2003) for solo trombone(Globokar) and an ensemble of 11 disparate instruments includingcimbalom, accordion, saxophone, synthesizer and electric guitar,without conductor. In between are Discours VII (1987) for brassquintet, which “attacks problems posed by spatialisation of sound,mobility of sound sources and different degrees of communicationEisenberg (1990) for four groups of four:conch), melodic instruments, harmony instruments and musiciansEven this mere recitation of ideas and instrumentation gives atrombone technique. Quite simply this is an individual who neverrepeats himself compositionally or artistically, challenging audiencesand players (be warned, they are not always entirely distinct!) anewwith every new outing and every new work.Events in his visit will already be under way by the time thisissue hits the street: at the University of Toronto, where Globokaris the Michael and Sonja Koerner Distinguished Visitor inComposition — improvisation workshops, forums, lecture, anda Globokar Colloquium at the Robert GillTheatre. The following week Globokar will workextensively with the musicians of the New MusicConcerts Ensemble and give masterclasses andimprovisation workshops through the auspices ofthe Music Gallery. Some of the results of all thisactivity will be on display at the Music Gallery,concert, titled “Back to Back.” The second halfof that concert is an extended music/theatre pieceTerres brulées, ensuite … co-presented by TorontoNew Music Projects and Continuum, which bringme back to percussionist Ryan Scott.Earlier, you may recall, I mentioned that, forScott, going from Galgenlieder on December8 to Globokar at the Music Gallery the nextHere’s how he described it (in the ContinuumContemporary Music November newsletter).“After intermission is the epic Terres brulées,ensuite … (Burned Lands, Then …). Prepare forglobal annihilation! This trio for saxophone, piano and percussionfeaturing Wallace Halladay, Stephen Clarke (piano) and myself, isphones,a prepared (and lightly abused) piano, over 70 percussioninstruments (e.g. #43 “plank”) spread around the stage in 7 stations,115 performance instructions (e.g. #21 Saw the plank and hammerin a nail), … live electronics … What else? Hmmm … a motet … aThere’s a wonderful interview with Globokar by Britishcomposer John Palmer available on the website of the CanadianElectroacoustic Community. For the curious it’s a great placeto start.What I got from it was the sense of energetic decades of musicalinquiry, endlessly parsing and reparsing the relationships betweenmusic and speech, and rendering into music the theatricality of relationship.Part of his secret, I suspect, is a thick skin, the ability notto judge his own work in terms of success or failure. As he puts it:“What is sure is that a musical work is a document which willa certain time in society. This is an historical truth which cannot becertain events that happened in those years.’ … L’art pour l’art assuch does not interest me, at all.”Percussionist’s “kitchen”: Ryan Scott.AND ALL TOO BRIEFLY“Beyond Sound,” the 2012 iteration of the annual New Music Festivalat the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, coordinated by composerNorbert Palej, features Swedish composer Anders Hillborgas the Roger D. Moore Distinguished Visitor in Composition andruns from January 22 to February 5. It’s billed as an explorationlandscape of the 21st century,” with a focus on Hillborg’s work. It’san event warranting much more of a mention than this. Happily,it’s well covered in our concert listings, and in “The ETCeteras”(page 67), our regular compilation of musical workshops, forums,lectures, etc. It is also very well described on the Faculty’s ownwebsite under “Events.”12 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

CAPTMONDOA Classic Case ofLess Is MoreS H A R N A S E A R L EIf you’re looking for something in the realm of classical musicin December — and I mean “classical” as in not baroque or renaissancemusic — you’re in luck … sort of. I say “sort of” becausewhile there are indeed December offerings that don’t involve oneadaptation or another of Handel’s baroque masterpiece, Messiah,or lovely renaissance-themed Christmas concerts, the pickings areslimmer than usual. However, the “luck” part lies in the fact that, atleast for December, you will not be completely overwhelmed by thesheer number of “Classical & Beyond” (C&B) concerts from whichto have to choose. (Let’s face it, that is usually the case with thisbeat, covering as it must everything from Haydn to Bartók, fromsolo recitals to orchestras.) So, amid the hustle and bustle of theseason, hop on and enjoy the “less is more” C&B sleigh ride forDecember while you rest up for January!TAKING STOCK: Any readers inclined to contest my thesis ofDecember’s “less is more” vs. January’s “abundance,” should work27 concerts in December that fall within C&B’s purview, 42 inas I did that of the 27 December concerts, seven offer Mozart, as do12 in January and one in February. That translates into over 25% ofwhile not a huge number, the concerts are, nonetheless, pleasingand varied. And I spotted four concerts featuring a Viennesetheme, two each in the GTA and beyond the GTA, with one veryinteresting connection surfacing: two concerts — one GTA, onebeyond — actually have “Vienna” in the concert title and both areholding matinees on New Year’s Day. So, armed with all of theabove info and analysis, let’s dive into the details.DECEMBER’S DELIGHTS:Toronto’s CounterpointCommunity Orchestra, thetiveorchestra in the world,”celebrates the opening of its28th season in grand fashion,with a performance ofMozart’s Symphony No.41,the “Jupiter,” on December3. Directed by TerryKowalczuk, the CCO’s programmealso includes worksby Khachaturian, Shostakovich,Schubert, Sousa andBeat by Beat / Classical & BeyondConductor Terry Kowalczukwith members of CounterpointCommunity Orchestra.von Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture. St. Luke’s United Church onSherbourne is the venue. (And if you’re itching for a second dose ofthe “Jupiter,” you’ll have your chance when the Toronto SymphonyOrchestra performs it (twice) in January — details below.)On December 4, both the Kawartha Youth Orchestra andOrchestra Toronto have matinee performances that are “youth/familyfriendly.” An even more striking coincidence: each is performingWieniawski’s Violin Concerto No.2, with 16-year old soloists! TheKYO features Claire Motyer on violin; Clarisse Schneider does theCompetition: Marta Hidy prize). The KYO also performs works byDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 13

Hall Theatre in Peterborough at 3pm. Also starting at 3pm, OT’sconcert, titled “The Musician Storyteller,” includes Berlioz’s Marchto the Scaffold and Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel overture, aswell as works by Khachaturian and Villa-Lobos. All OT’s concertsare at the George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts.Staying with youth-oriented fare for a moment, MooredaleConcerts, which operates a youth orchestras programme (in additionto its two other established series), presents three levels oforchestras comprising 100 players (ages 6 to 18) on December 11,3pm, at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. TheJunior Orchestra, under WilliamRowson, performs Handel’sGavotte in A, Pichl’s Pastorellaand Menuett in G by (“Mr. 25%”)Mozart. Rowson also conducts theSenior Orchestra and it performsElgar’s Serenade for Strings Op.20and — yes, indeed — Mozart’sDivertimento in D Major K136. TheIntermediate Orchestra will playHandel’s Concerto Grosso Op.6No.4, Clare Carberry conducting.Kudos to Mooredale Concerts forexposing so many youth to the richesof the orchestral repertoire. In itsto its regular concert series, Mooredaleshares the wealth of chamber musicwith young people, ages 5 to 15. At1:15pm, on January 15, for example, youcan take the munchkins in your life toPianistJanLisiecki,TSOJan 18,19, 22.hear music by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovskyand Piazzolla; the “adult” concert startsat 3:15pm the same day, featuring thesame repertoire played in full.Returning to our “less is more” December theme, in a concerttitled “Holiday Charms,” December 9 at Glenn Gould Studio,Sinfonia Toronto performs Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.1 underguest conductor Robert Bokor and violinist Sanghee Cheong. Theprogramme also includes Wolf-Ferrari’s String Serenade, Corelli’sConcerto Grosso Op.6 No.8 “Christmas Concerto,” and Ricercareby Buhr. (ST offers more Mozart on January 20, in its concert titled“Black and White”: Clarinet Quintet K581, orchestral version, withJames Campbell, clarinet; and Divertimento K137; this Januaryconcert also features the orchestral version of Shostakovich’s PianoQuintet, with Dmitriy Gordin, piano.)Mozart is also on offer when the Junction Trio presents its“Celebrating the Season with Sound” concert on December 15,7pm, at the North York Central Library auditorium. The trio alsoperforms works by Bach and Handel. The concert is free, but we areasked to give them a call to register.the chance to attend a “Doctoral Recital in Orchestral Conducting,”for free, no less. At 1:15pm at Walter Hall (University of TorontoFaculty of Music) Kerim S. Anwar will conduct Debussy’s Préludeà l’après-midi d’un faune and works by Stravinsky and Schoenberg.Good luck Mr. soon-to-be-Dr. Anwar! And since we’re at theU of T, the Faculty of Music’s free, three-day “PianoFest” happensDecember 12, 14 and 16, at 7:30pm each night, featuring theadvanced students of the piano department.Just two more December concerts and then I’ll move on toJanuary. Amici Chamber Ensemble presents “Critics Choice: Whatdo they really want to hear?” on December 16 at 8pm. Sounds likefun, especially since they’ve invited critics John Vandriel, ColinEatock and John Terauds as their guests, along with YehonatanBerick and Min-Jeong Koh, violin and Barry Shiffman, viola.Hopefully, everyone attending will enjoy hearing the programme ofworks by Beethoven, Poulenc and Elgar. (What? No Mozart?)Syrinx Sunday Salons presents a splendid afternoon of worksby Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin, Alexander Levkovich,Dmitri Levkovich and others. Pianist/composer Dmitri Levkovichand pianist Anzhelika Fuks will also perform a piece dear to myheart, Schubert’s Fantasie for Four Hands in F Minor Op.103 D940,a copy of which sits atop my piano, at the ready, should someonedrop by who can handle the secondo part; I always play the primo.A young friend of mine in Vancouver and I have valiantly attemptedto make our way through it many times, over many years; she is myprimo secondo! I’m excited to hear these two young and dynamicplayers do it justice on December 11, 3pm, at Heliconian Hall!JANUARY’S JEWELS: With over 40 concerts, there’s much fromwhich to choose, making the decision of who and what to include(and exclude) that much more challenging, As a solution, I’msimply going to “rattle off” as many as I can, allowing for asmany concerts — and presenters — as possible to get some print:Let’s start with the New Year’s Day “double-header inVienna,” I alluded to earlier. Attila Glatz Concert Productions’“Salute to Vienna” features the Strauss Symphony of Canada,András Deák, conductor, with Renee Schüttengruber, soprano,Wolfgang Gratschmaier, tenor and dancers from the Kiev-Aniko Ballet of Ukraine, at Roy Thomson Hall, 2pm. Anhour later, the Guelph Symphony Orchestra presents its “Tourthe World Series: Dreams of Vienna” with arias, duets,waltzes, polkas and marches. Judith Yan conducts, withMark Dubois, tenor and Corinne Lynch, soprano, at theRiver Run Centre in Guelph.offerings: on January 12, 8pm, at the Jane Mallett Theatre,traditional South American folk songs and music by RaviShankar, alongside works by Bach, Saint-Saëns, Doppler/Zamara and others, for MT’s “Discovery Series.” And aweek later, on January 19, (same time/same place), weare treated to a concert by the divine Lafayette Quartetperforming Wolf’s Italian Serenade, Shostakovich’s String QuartetNo.2 in A Major Op.68 and the String Quartet in C Minor Op.51No.1 by Brahms.The Toronto Symphony Orchestra prevails, hands down, however,in the “Much Mozart” department. Mozart@256 Festival, the TSO’seighth annual celebration of the composer’s birthday, offers nofewer than eight concerts in which to immerse yourself, includingtwo for kids; all but one is at Roy Thomson Hall. Mozart@256runs January 11 to January 22. Some of the highlights include:the Concerto for Three Pianos and Orchestra K242 (with StewartGoodyear, Katherine Jacobson Fleisher and Leon Fleisher doing thehonours); the aforementioned Symphony No.41 K551 “Jupiter”; a23 excerpts from Mozart’s works; astonishing young Canadian pianistJan Lisiecki in the Piano Concerto No.20 K466; and the RequiemK626 with a luminous cast. Phew! For all the details, see the listings.And if after all that you still crave more Mozart, you’re in luck. Inmy October column I referred to a certain all-Mozart programme,adding that you’d have to wait for it. Well, it’s here! On January 25,as artistic director and principal conductor, presents “CelebratingMozart” at its home in the George Weston Recital Hall. Theprogramme? Mozart’s Serenade No.6 in D Major K239 “Serenatanotturna,” Piano Concerto in C Major K467 “Elvira Madigan” andSymphony No.40 in G Minor K550. The pianist is André Laplante.In winding up, I want to mention Trio Bravo’s February 5recital at All Saints Kingsway Anglican Church at 2pm. The trio’sNovember 6 concert was cancelled due to the ill-health of one of itsmembers. It’s nice to see that they’re back on track with a robustprogramme of works by Bach, Beethoven, Bruch and Schubert.Bravo, Bravo!Wishing you all sustained good health, a festive, music-infusedholiday season and a soul-nourishing New Year and beyond!Sharna Searle trained as a musician and lawyer, practised alot more piano than law and is listings editor at The WholeNote.She can be contacted at classicalbeyond@thewholenote.com.14 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012ANDRAS SCHRAM

Introductions @ 7:15Concerts @ 8:00Info 416.961.9594Sunday December 11, 2011 • 8 pmBetty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis St.Vinko Globokar guest composerNew Music Concerts EnsembleRobert Aitken flute and directionmusic by Vinko Globokar and Elliott Carteraffiliated events:University of Toronto Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 2www.music.utoronto.caMusic Gallery Slide Summit, Dec. 7–9www.musicgallery.orgSunday January 29, 2012 • 8 pmEnwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W.Tyler Duncan baritoneXin Wang, Carla Huhtanen,Erica Iris Huang, sopranosNew Music Concerts EnsembleRobert Aitken directionOmar Daniel Mehetapja (Husband Killer)Jeffrey Ryan The Whitening of the OxThomas Kessler Quintet World Premiere Canadian PremiereBox Office: 416-973-4000, press 1tickets@harbourfrontcentre.comhttp://www.harbourfrontcentre.comfull season details @www.NewMusicConcerts.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 15

Seasonal Music’sSpecial PlaceB E N J A M I N S T E I NThe modern holiday that we understand as Christmas is a constructthat arises from many different sources: a combinationof pre-Christian winter solstice iconography; appropriated andre-interpreted prophetic Hebrew texts; various writers’ telling andretelling of the life and deeds of the mysterious, charismatic publicspeaker and teacher Joshua Ben Joseph (later more familiarly knownas Jesus Christ); and the sung and spoken sacred texts of hundredsof millions of Christians around the world.Complicating the “modern” Christmas still further is the North loosely based on the third century Greek bishop Nicholas of Myra.Mercurial, harsh and irascible, the historical Saint Nick would havebeen a poor front-man for the vendors desperate to lure us to theshopping malls. He’d have been more likely to smite busy shoppersthan to invite their children to sit upon his knee, wish list in hand.It is not hard to imagine both Joshua and Nicholas togetherin some extra-worldly sphere, watching our frantic salterello ofcards, gifts, parties and food with bemusement and despair invaried measure.In the midst of this singular historical stew, music holds a specialplace in Christmas celebration. For many the pleasures of hearingand singing seasonal songs and carols is a welcome antidote toChristmas’ confused blend of commercialism, celebration, spiritualityand dogma. The marvels and portents that accompany the birth with one of the two most primal aspects of life–its beginning.Christmas music at its best combines joy with contemplation, theearth-bound with the marvellous.The performative nature of Christmas concerts makes themsimultaneous celebrations of, and comments on, the phenomenon ofChristmas. Below are some concerts of note for the coming season.On December 10, the Tallis Choir recreates a Christmas Eve massas it would have been heard in Quebec in 1725. The concert includesCharpentier’s Messe de Minuit and carols by baroque composersfrom Quebec and France.Between December 13 and 30, Theatre Columbus reinterpretsthe Nativity story, in an outdoor theatre presentation at the historicEvergreen Brick Works. The audience is advised to dress warmly.Theatre Columbus is a creative workshop of a theatre company, andthis version of the Nativity story clearly falls refreshingly into theirreverent/revisionist category. A different choir will provide musicalaccompaniment for every performance.The , or the Song of Mary, is a text taken from theGospel of Luke. It is an attempt to see the events of the Nativityfrom Mary’s point of view. Women who have experienced giving how well it succeeds. In any case, it has been set by many composers,and on December 8, English visitors, the Tallis Scholars, oneof the world’s eminent chamber choirs, will be performing severalof these diverse settings. Toronto Choral Society also looks toEurope, if somewhat further east, performing “An Eastern EuropeanChristmas” on December 14. As well as including Eastern Europeancarols, the concert provides an opportunity to hear a Franz Lisztsetting of the mass text, the Missa Choralis.Two great writers, Dylan Thomas and Charles Dickens, wrotevery differently enchanting commentaries on the nature ofChristmas. Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales is rooted in thereal and physical, the tangible sensory understanding of a specialevent seen through the primal senses of a child: All the Christmasesroll down toward the two-tongued sea, like a cold and headlongmoon bundling down the sky that was our street; and they stop at Dickens’ A Christmas Carol combined his central theme of thestruggle between greed and charity with a vastly entertaining ghoststory that has made the character of Ebenezer Scrooge almost Christmas iconography.Two choirs combine music with each of these literary works:Annex Singers combine A Child’s Christmas in Wales with worksby Sweelinck, Joubert, Walton and Lauridsen on December 10.Then on December 18, Guelph’s Dublin Street United Church includesthe work in “A Victorian Christmas,” with the Trillium Brass Dylan Thomas alone, the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir performs“A Welsh Christmas” on December 7 and 11.Theatre Columbusbrings MarthaRoss’s The Story tothe Evergreen BrickWorks, Dec 13–20.Generosity is the theme of A Christmas Carol, which appears in Dett Chorale teams up with the Choir of St. Timothy’s AnglicanChurch to sing in support of the Senior’s Health Centre of theNorth York General Hospital. On the same night, the RunnymedeUnited Church Choir performs their Dickens-themed concert, whichincludes an appearance by tenor Ben Heppner, in support of the TheStop Community Food Centre.Special church pageants and carol services are also an integralpart of this season. The Church of the Holy Trinity’s nativity pageant,a popular draw, runs between December 9 and 24. EglintonSt. George United Church’s December 11 carol service includesBenjamin Britten’s iconic Ceremony of Carols. Peruse the choral choices and choral groups that you might have previously missed.In the multicultural GTA, some choirs acknowledge and explorethe mid-winter festivals that take place in non-Christian cultures,such as Hindu Diwali, the African-American Kwanzaa andChanukah, the Hebrew festival of lights and gifts.On December 14 the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir’s free “ChanukahConcert Live” includes songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino andEnglish. North York’s Alexander Singers and Players combineChristmas and Chanukah music at “A Festive Concert” onDecember 10.Hart House Singers and Echo Women’s Choir present interestingprogrammes of world music on December 4 and 11 respectively.These types of concerts are a welcome antidote to the seasonal saturationof familiar songs and carols that, while beautiful, lose someof their appeal after the 1000th hearing.And of course, no December choral column would be completewithout a mention of what has become Christmas’ most emblematicchoral work, Handel’s Messiah.So there, I’ve mentioned it. Let’s move on now. It’s alwaysinteresting to investigate the varied programmes that choirs messiah16 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

TIM MATHESONchoose during the Christmas season. Drawing on the vast repertoireMessiah of music from different times and locations Messiah allowschoirs MESSIAH to create unusual MESSIAH MESSIAH.Oh, all right. Can’t you Handelians take a joke? It’s a greatcomposition. I love it! So quit spamming my website and hackingmy documents. I promise to venerate Handel’s Messiah until the endof my days. And tell that strange alto from Kitchener she can takedown her aria recording, Ben is Despised, from YouTube.Part of the fun of hearing such a well-known work is experiencingthe varied interpretations that different soloists, conductors andchoirs come up with. Increasingly, musicians are bringing a creativedisrespect to this piece, toying with orchestration, interpretation andeven improvisatory aspects of it, to keep it fresh and interesting. Yeta simple, straightforward performance, well executed, allows thebrilliance of its construction to shine through as well. My recommendationis to attend a Messiah performance by a choir unfamiliarto you. So many groups are performing this work — takethe opportunity to acquaint yourselfwith a choir that you have not yetseen perform, and expand yourknowledge of the GTA choralscene. We have even appended ahandy “Messiah QuickPicks” to thiscolumn (see next page) to guide youin your search.us that even Christmas’ familiarcalendar date is not an agreed-uponfact. On January 8 the Vesnivka Choirand Toronto Ukrainian Male ChamberBen Heppner.Choir present “A Ukrainian ChristmasConcert.” Eastern European Christmasculture can be wonderfully rich andmystical, and is a link to Christianity’soldest roots. Could it be that this concert — presented at a timeat which the rest of us are glumly contemplating our credit cardstatements — is the only one here that would have made any kind ofcultural sense to the historical Saint Nicholas?to reconcile the Apollonian ideal of the holiday with life’s oftendisappointing realities. But as I hope I’ve made clear above, amonolithic Christmas tradition does not in fact exist, and nevermakes sense to each of us. Relieved of the obligation to enact anideal version of Christmas, one can instead pick and choose, discardtogether to create your own understanding of the season.LOOKING AHEAD TO JANUARY: After the December revels comesthe new year’s hangover. The only solution, of course, is musical“hair of the dog” — i.e. more sybaritic choral excess. The Januaryand February concerts mentioned below can feed this entirelyhealthy addiction.Between January 18 and 22, the Toronto Symphony Orchestraperforms Mozart’s d minor Requiembefore his untimely death.Brahms then takes over on February 4. Two concerts to choosefrom are a concert by the Larkin Singers that includes Brahms’Liebeslieder Walzer, and Kitchener’s Grand Philharmonic Choirperforming Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem and Arvo Pärt’s Credoand Cantus in Memoriam.Finally, on February 2 and 3, Soundstreams presents theAmadeus Choir and Elmer Iseler Singers in an intriguing presentationof The Sealed Angel by Rodion Shchedrin. Shchedrin is a livingpiece of history, a Russian composer who lived through the Sovietera and who continues to work today. The staged performanceincludes the participation of ProArteDanza dance company.Ben Stein is a Toronto tenor and theorbist.He can be contacted at choralscene@thewholenote.com.Visit his website at http://benjaminstein.ca/.Elmer Iseler SingersLydia Adams, Conductor E2011 ~ 2012 Toronto SeasonHandel’s MessiahCanada Council Conseil des Artsfor the Arts du CanadaISFriday, December 2, 2011 at 8:00 pmMetropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street E.The Sealed AngelFriday Feb. 3, 2012 at 8:00 pmKoerner Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music273 Bloor Street West, near Avenue RoadProfoundly moving, this hypnotic choral drama is oneof the most important Russian works of the 20thcentury.In collaboration with Soundstreams,The Amadeus Choir and ProArteDanzaSaturday, April 21, 2012 at 8:00 pmProcter & Gamble Great Hall, Ontario Science Centre770 Don Mills Road, south of EglintonIn collaboration withthe Amadeus Choir,the Ontario Science Centre andthe Roberta Bondar FoundationDr. Roberta BondarMusic of the SpheresSpecial Guests:Dr. Roberta Bondar,Shawn Grenke, pianoONTARIOSCIENCECENTREEISTheROBERTA BONDARFOUNDATION TMONTARIOARTS COUNCILCONSEILDESARTS DELONTARIO ’416.217.0537 www.elmeriselersingers.comPETER MAHONSales Representative416-322-8000pmahon@trebnet.comwww.petermahon.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 17

MESSIAH QUICKPICKSThe Children’s Messiah, Pax Christi Chorale at St. Mary Magdalene.Following is an “at a glance” guide to concerts in our listingsfeaturing Handel’s Messiah. For times, venues, soloists andother significant details, please consult the concert listingsGTA Elmer Iseler Singers, with Amadeus Choir Etobicoke Centennial Choir, (selections) Georgetown Bach Chorale, Georgetown BaroqueChoir (Dec 4 sold out)Milton ChoristersVoices Chamber Choir, (choruses only) Pax Christi Chorale, The Children’s Messiah(condensed version of original) Alexander Singers & Players (excerpts) Etobicoke Centennial Choir, sing-along Vocal Horizons Chamber Choir Tafelmusik, sing-along version Dec 18 Toronto Symphony Orchestra, with TorontoMendelssohn Choir Kindred Spirits Orchestra, with Village Voices Ontario Philharmonic, with Toronto ChamberChoir Oakville Ensemble Aradia Ensemble, The Dublin Messiah Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra, (excerpts)with Masterworks of Oakville Choir Arcady, with National Academy Orchestra ofCanadaBeyond GTA Arcady, A Baroque Messiah Orchestra Kingston, Singalong Messiah King Edward Choir (part 1) Grand Philharmonic Choir, with Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Bach Elgar Choir, with Hamilton PhilharmonicOrchestra Grand River Chorus, Singalong Messiah Guelph Chamber Choir, with Musica VivaOrchestra Peterborough Singers Arcady, with National Academy Orchestra ofCanadaWarmth and WonderNow as ThenS I M O N E D E S I L E T STALLIS CHOIRThe year is 1725, the night is Christmas Eve. In the colonial cityof Quebec it is crisp and clear; snow upon snow has fallen andtonight lies in vast expanses, sparkling under the stars. Life isnot easy—in no small measure because of the extreme cold —ah,but inside the church this night there is warmth and a sense ofwonder at the holiness of this yearly ritual. And there is wonderfulmusic: a marvellous Messe de Minuit pour Noël by the late Frenchcomposer Marc-Antoine Charpentier is being performed. Brought carols. Its sections are surrounded and interspersed with otherChristmas music too, noëls and motets by composers both from theFrench court of King Louis XIV and from the New World; a carolin an aboriginal language; also lovely organ music from a book recentlybrought over from France by the new organist of Notre-Dameparish. For the sophisticated congregation of Quebec, it truly is aglorious feast of music.Every year, the Tallis Choir presents a concert programme, builtaround an imagined but possible historical event such as the above,with music that was performed in the period. They do this withobvious joy in the extensive research involved in the preparation, bypeople such as choir member Douglas Cowling and director PeterMahon. On December 10 at St. Patrick’s Church, you can hear thisseason’s offering as the Tallis Choir, the Talisker Players, organistPhilip Fournier and director Peter Mahon recreate a high mass forChristmas Eve as it might have been celebrated in colonial Quebeccity, “Midnight Mass for New France, 1725.”Tafelmusik’s own “Herr Handel” conductsDecember 18 at Massey Hall.MESSIAHSThere’s no dearth of annual Messiah in its own way. Here’s a sampling of some which offer a particularlyunique approach:Georgetown Bach Chorale takes an historical approach in termsof location and musical presentation. Director Ronald Greidanuswaxes enthusiastic about the venues: “The buildings are as incredibleas the music, Acton’s Old Town Hall being very similar to thetheatre Handel would have performed his Dublin premiere in; thesecond location (east of Georgetown) even more breathtaking—an by candles, decorated by incredible byzantinian icons. Listeners willbe bemused by a beautiful chorale sound (complete with 22-memberchoir, two harpsichords, baroque chamber organ, baroque stringsand brass) in an intimate church that seats only 180 —it truly is likeGARY BEECHEY18 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

~E TO|oNTOCºNSO|tª SPANISHCH|iSTMASFlashing rhythms, irrepressible spirit, soulfulsonorities – there’s nothing quite like the music ofearly baroque Spain and Latin America.A Christmas fiesta like nothing else in the city –with guitars, lutes, harp, bajón, voices, and ofcourse, wonderful percussion.December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 19

going back in time, it’s like the best kept secret!” December 3 inActon, December 4 in Brampton.Pax Christi Chorale’s performance, under the direction ofStephanie Martin, acknowledges children. “The Children’s’Messiah” is designed especially for youngsters, in a condensedversion with narration and acasual, child-friendly setting.December 10 at Church of St.Mary Magdalene.Aradia Ensemble’s “TheDublin Messiah” recreatesHandel’s famous work usingthe original version of thescore, as presented in Dublinon April 13, 1742. And there’sa nod to the dress code ofthe day: as in the originalperformance, they requestthat, “The Ladies who honourthis Performance with theirPresence would be pleasedto come without hoops (hoopframed skirts), as it willgreatly increase the Charity bymaking room for more company.”December 17 at GlennGould Studio.Tafelmusik’s “Sing-AlongMessiah,” celebrating its 25thanniversary, is directed by none other than Handel himself (akaIvars Taurins). Taurins received a Gemini Award nomination thispainstaking research — from Handel’s ruddy complexion (he wasfond of drink) to the type of starch (not powder!) Handel used in hiswig. As their press release says: “Does the audience notice thesesubtle distinctions? Maybe not, but they completely buy into theillusion that Handel has come back after 270 years to conduct themin this three-hour annual ritual.” December 18 at Massey Hall.A Host Of Others To See Out The Old And Welcome In The New: The Tallis Scholars appear at Royal Conservatory’sKoerner Hall, in a programme that features diverse composers’settings of the — glorious choral music from 15th centuryJohn Taverner all the way to late 20th century Arvo Pärt.Toronto Consort celebrates “A Spanishexperienced by the Spanish-speaking nations of the world on bothsides of the Atlantic in renaissance and baroque-period times. Thisis a world the Consort revisits every two years; this year’s presentationincludes solemn motets, lively villançicos, pieces in native I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble presents “Hell HathNo Fury” … like I Furiosi scorned! “Not your average Christmasconcert” so be prepared to be surprised. Sine Nomine Ensemble for Medieval Music presents“Puer natus est nobis: A 14th-century Mass for Christmas Day,” amusical reconstruction of a nativity mass from Avignon. Thisyear the ensemble celebrates 20 years of inventive programming,combining vocal and instrumental music from medieval courts andchurches with readings, drama, and liturgical action, to provideinsight into the fascinating artistic and intellectual culture of theMiddle Ages. Musicians In Ordinary’s annual New Year’s Dayconcerts offer an elegant alternative to the traditional New Year’sfare, with cantatas by Vivaldi and Alessandro Scarlatti, a trio sonataby Corelli and music for solo archlute by Zamboni. Soprano HallieFishel and lutenist John Edwards are joined by violinists EdwinHuizinga and Christopher Verrette, and others. Toronto Early Music Centre’s “Musically Speaking”series resumes at its new location of St. David’s Anglican Church,49 Donlands Ave. Music by Guillemain, Leclair and Telemann isperformed by Alison Melville, recorders/traverso; Elyssa Lefurgey-Smyth, violin; Justin Haynes, viola da gamba; and Sara-AnneChurchill, harpsichord. What away to celebrate your 30thanniversary! Jeanne Lamon’s“gift” to herself is to directTafelmusik Baroque Orchestraand Chamber Choir, alongwith spectacular guest soloists,in a semi-staged performanceof Handel’s rarely performedmusic drama Hercules — adramatic story “seethingwith the destructive power ofsexual jealousy” inspired bya Greek tragedy written bySophocles more than 2500years ago. In Kingston, theMelos Choir and ChamberOrchestra presents “TheItalian Connection: GabrielliFlying start to 2012: Hallie Fishel and John Edwards,Musicians in Ordinary, January 1 and 2.to Vivaldi,” welcoming guestguitarists Jeff Hanlon andChad Yacobucci.Perhapsyou’ve heard him singing with Tafelmusik: the passionate evangelistin Bach’s St. John Passion, the tenor soloist in the B Minor Mass, orthe tenor voice in Purcell’s opera King Arthur. Or with the TorontoConsort, in the Monteverdi Vespers or the opera Orfeo. If so, you’llnot have forgotten the remarkable agility of his voice, or the intensityof his commitment to the text. Now the Toronto Consort presentsthe English tenor Charles Daniels in recital, in “It was a loverand his lass,” a concert of exquisite lute songs from the English andFrench Renaissance. He’ll be accompanied by lutenist David Miller,in works by Morley, Danyels, Campian and Moulinié. The years 1788 to 89 were incredibly creative ones forMozart; he was then at the height of his powers. Academy ConcertSeries performs three of his major chamber works written duringthat time, in “Mozart: A Year In Vienna.” Fellow columnist, lutenist Benjamin Stein, makesthe point that “Improvisation was a natural part of Bach’s musicalmilieu, and this skill, neglected in much classical music training, isone that has reappeared as an essential aspect of training in earlymusic.” In Music at Metropolitan’s “BachFest II: Jam Sessions withBach,” performances of works by Bach and other German composersare combined with improvisations on baroque dance forms andhymn tunes. Taking part are four talented musicians: BenjaminStein, theorbo/lute; Sara-Anne Churchill, keyboard; DanielRubinoff, saxophone; Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith, violin. In “Pergolesi’s Inspiring Stabat Mater,” BarrieConcerts brings internationally renowned musicians to their stage:soprano Dame Emma Kirkby, countertenor Daniel Taylor and theTheatre of Early Music will surely inspire with their performance.The series is sold by subscription only and is virtually sold out;lucky are those who already have their tickets.Finally, a correction to last month’s column: it’s not often Imistake Schubert for Gounod. Granted, they both wrote Ave Marias,but only one of these is based on Bach’s Prelude No.1 from the WellTempered Clavier Book I, stated in the print version of last month’s issue. I guess The Well-Simone Desilets is a long-time contributor to The WholeNotein several capacities who plays the viola da gamba. Shecan be contacted at earlymusic@thewholenote.com.20 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012ALEXANDRA GUERSON

Small ChangeTimes TwoR O B E R T W A L L A C EDECEMBER: With minutes to spare, I pick up my ticket forSeussical at Young People’s Theatre (YPT) on Front St. anddash to my seat. The matinée audience of primary schoolstudents squeals and squirms with excitement, their eyes dartingintermittently to the red and white striped hat that sits in the middleof the stage. I read a programme note in which Allen MacInnis,director and choreographer ofthe production (who also happensto be the artistic directorof YPT), expresses his ownexcitement at remounting theshow which was eminentlysuccessful in 2006 when hetheatre. Questions about whyhe is redoing it so soon areimmediately answered: “Iwanted to revisit the musicaladaptation of Dr. Seuss’sstories because it is a perfectare thematically linked by thepower of change.”How coincidental, I think:my late arrival at YPTon King St. E. where theOccupy Toronto protest hadswollen across the borders ofSt. James Park in response toa City eviction notice. Morethan seasonal change is in theair, a fact evident in muchof the musical theatre on view during the next two months, in andbeyond the GTA.Settling into my chair to watch Seussical, a shortened versionof the show by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty that premieredon Broadway in 2000, I didn’t have to wait long to recognize itsrelevance to the idea of change that permeates our current socialclimate. “A person’s a person, no matter how small,” Horton theHortonHears a Who!, also the title of one of the stories by Theodor Geisel(Doctor Seuss) that the musical incorporates into its book. AlthoughHorton is unable to see a Who, he can hear one, namely Jo-jo, aresident of the tiny world of Whoville who cries for help from herperch atop a speck of dust precariously caught on a clover leaf.Unable to convince anyone in the Jungle of Nool, where he lives,that Jo-jo exists, Horton becomes a subject of ridicule, sufferinghumiliating indignities that increase after Mayzie LaBird leaves himto guard an egg that she subsequently abandons. Captured by a teamof mischievous monkeys, Horton is put on display in a circus where,despite his outcast status, he continues to protect Mayzie’s egg andstrives to rescue Jo-jo and the citizens of Whoville in whatever wayhe can.For director MacInnis, Seussicalnumber of reasons. “I’m obsessed with the ways in which kids comeinto their own power,” he explains in an interview, “how they learnto give and take it.” Power, he suggests, is as much a sensation as aforce: one senses it internally and externally, and not just in relationto physical prowess. Horton has power because he believes inhimself — in what he alone can hear. Because he senses the capacityof his belief to change things, no matter how small, his powerstrengthens and begins to affect others. MacInnis likens Horton’sbelief to imagination, which is one of the reasons he includesa musical in every YPT season. “Musicals make the audiencework —to use their imagination in ways that naturalism doesn’t allow.” Thismakes them ideal for young people, especially those who let theirimaginations run wild.Seussicalskills of the cast, as much as their musical talents, maintain itssnappy pace and help to elevate its simple staging to a sophisticatedstyle that is as clever as Ahrens and Flaherty’s eclectic score whichcovers a range from rap to rhythm ‘n’ blues and even includes alullaby. George Masswhol brings a melancholy resolve to his performanceof Horton (along with a voice like an angel) that groundsthe production with sincerityand compassion to whichthe rest of the cast play withpartner, Sharron Matthews,essays a mesmerizingMayzie, especially when shevamps her way through HowLucky You Are. Runninguntil December 30, Seussicaloffers family fare that isas timely as it is tuneful.There’s no better gift for theholidays than this wise andwinning tale.Sharron Matthews and GeorgeMasswohl in a scene from Seussicalat Young People’s Theatre.JANUARY: When I undertookto interview Mitchell Marcus,artistic producer of ActingUp Stage Company (AUSC),about Caroline, or Change,the American musicalthat receives its Canadianpremiere on January 21 atthe Berkeley Street Theatre(downstairs), I didn’t considerthat Seussical might make auseful comparison. After all, what possible connection could existbetween a musical compilation of Dr. Seuss’s fantastical parablesand a character-driven study of an African-American maid workingfor a Jewish family in Louisiana in 1963? The answer is obvious tome now: change.With a book and lyrics by playwright Tony Kushner (Angels inAmerica), Caroline, or Change arrives in Toronto with a string ofawards but limited commercial success. This alone provides a parallel,of sorts, to Seussical which, in its original Broadway incarnation,failed to win popular success or critical approbation. In retrospect,DANIEL ALEXANDER22 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

MarkMasriDECEMBER 20Canada’s next vocal sensation!Embrace the spirit of the seasonas Masri wraps his lush vocalsaround all your holiday favourites.MavisStaplesJANUARY 27‘I’ll Take You There’ ‘Respect Yourself’“Staples’ voice is a rich liquid wonder...”- Rolling Stone MagazineMichaelKaeshammerMARCH 7A consummate entertainer andextraordinary pianist, Kaeshammeris Canada’s boogie-woogie king.Dan HillFEBRUARY 9Legendary singer-songwriter behind‘Sometimes When We Touch’,‘Can’t We Try’, ‘In Your Eyes’ and more.Angèle Dubeauet la PietàMARCH 8Dazzling all-female string quartet renowned for theirimpeccable precision, elegance, energy and style.Your Home for Live MusicCONTACT THE BOX OFFICE AT905.874.2800www.rosetheatre.caFollow us on Twitter @RoseTheatreBramBecome a fan facebook.com/RoseTheatreBramptonDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 23

oth shows suffered from unrealisticexpectations and bloated production values.Only after Seussical was down-sized to a90-minute version (which subsequentlywas further condensedto the 70-minute show onview at YPT), did it appealto critics and audiencesalike. While Caroline,or Change won criticalsuccess on Broadway in2004, and in London in2006, it failed to generateenough interest to garner subsequentproductions of note, or totour—the prime requisite formusical theatre longevity.For Marcus, this marksit as “an underdog it as a perfect choicefor productionby AUSC. underdog musicalas one “that wasso successful in a that it usually hassome momentumbeyond its originalproduction, eventhough it’s notgone on to becomea big commercialhit…” Invariably, suchshows—he cites TheLight in the Piazza (book by Craig Lucas,music and lyrics by Adam Guettel) as an musical theatre,” a central goal of AUSCwhich, Marcus explains, “seeks to producethought-provoking, contemporary, intelligentmusical theatre pieces, and to bridge thecommercial side of musical theatre —thelarge entertainment spectacle musical—withthe theatre scene in Toronto which I associatewith provocative plays in intimate spaces,with great cast members.”Even a cryptic description of Caroline, orChange mandate. Completely sung-through, the bookchronicles the relationship between CarolineThibodeaux, a black maid and single mother,and Noah Gellman, the eight-year-old sonof her Jewish employer. After the death ofhis mother from cancer, Noah increasinglyrelies on Caroline for guidance, especiallywhen his new stepmother, Rose, convincesthe maid to teach Noah a lesson about leavingchange in his trouser pockets by asking take money from a child, Caroline needsit for her own children, so she co-operates.Soon, Noah, deliberately, is leaving herchange, fantasizing that Caroline’s family cence.The situation grows complicatedwhen a $20 bill goes missing …“From a book perspective, it’s more along piece of poetry than a forward-movingdrama,” Marcus suggests. “The audiencehas to be willing to accept the poeticjourney that Kushner takes it on, whichdoes move forward, but not as quickly asmost people expect. This is a musicalabout feelings. This is a musical aboutpeople…being…”The change in form that the in the music composed by JeanineTesori, best known for her scores forThoroughly Modern Millie and Shrek,the Musical, which, Marcus is quickto point out, differ considerablyfrom Caroline.Although fully sungthrough,Caroline doesn’thave a single songyou can isolate. It’sreally like récit inopera, with all thesedifferent musicalforms throwntogether. Spirituals,blues, classicalmusic, Motown,Jewish klezmer,folk music: the styleshifts whenever a newcharacter enters. Themusical palette soundslike a radio in 1963, withsomeone changing the stationevery few minutes …”The book further emphasizeschange by settingCaroline’s situation against a sweepinghistorical backdrop that includes the as- over the Vietnam war and the struggles ofthe Civil Rights movement. “It’s interestingto see a musical that focuses on the way anindividual reacts when the community ischanging around her. Artistically, the showpushes boundaries; socially, it offers somany opportunities for discussion …”To produce Caroline, or Change, AUSCis partnering with Obsidian Theatre, whosemandate stresses its dedication “to theexploration, development, and production ofthe Black voice.” Partnering, by increasingArlene Duncan inCaroline, or Change.production budgets, allows companies tomount larger, more ambitious productions(such as Parade, which AUSC co-producedwith Studio 180 last year). It also enablesthem to cast performers they otherwisecouldn’t afford. Caroline stars ArleneDuncan, a regular on CBC’s Little Mosqueon the Prairie, as well as seasoned professionalslike Deborah Hay who played ElizaDolittle in My Fair Lady at the Shaw Festivallast summer. But the move is more than justpractical, as Marcus points out. “By buildingrelationships with other independent theatrecompanies, we can pool our audiences,” amove essential for the evolution of musicaltheatre and the development of Torontoaudiences. “We are being entrusted to pushthe boundaries of this genre and, at the sametime, to develop new audiences for it, toopen their minds to the possibilities of themusical form.”Pushing boundaries, opening minds. As Ihurry home from my interview with Marcusin the cool autumn air, I recall MacInnis’comments about imagination and power,which lead me to wonder about musicaltheatre as an instrument of change. Seussicalbegins when the red and white striped hat inthe middle of the stage begins to slide across the audience. For the children at YPT, themoment equalled sheer magic. Unaware ofthe “smoke and mirrors” of stage-craft, theywatched in amazement as an inanimate objectmoved on its own—or so they thought.What will the Toronto audience think ofCaroline, or Change life’s tumultuous changes with the change ina person’s pocket?At the end of Kushner’s script, Carolinereturns to her employer’s basement to washthe laundry, resigned to her lot in life evenas she curses God. Change, it would seem,is beyond her.What would Horton say to her, I wonder?“A person’s a person, no matterhow…what?”Robert Wallace is a Toronto-based, retireduniversity professor who writes about theatreand performance. He can be contactedat musictheatre@thewholenote.com.ADAM RANKIN24 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Theatrical Treats for YourMusical Sweet ToothMusic theatre is as prevalent as candy canes at this time ofyear, in and beyond the GTA. If traditional treats satisfyyour sweet tooth, check out A Christmas Carol – theMusical at Brampton’s Rose Theatre that runs from December15 to 18. This popular version of Dickens’ haunting of EbenezerChurch presents a dramatic reading of the poem on which it’sbased on December 4, with holiday music performed by BenHeppner, accompanied by a string trio and two choirs. SoulpepperTheatre offers a longer run of the yuletide treat, but without themusical icing, in Michael Shamata’s stage adaptation that opens onDecember 6 in the Distillery District, with Joe Ziegler heading anall-star cast.White ChristmasBing Crosby with music by Irving Berlin, has grown in popularitysince it premiered in San Francisco in 2004. Toronto’s CivicLight Opera presents the melody-fest from November 30 toDecember 17 at the Fairview Library Theatre, in a productiondesigned and directed by Joe Cascone. The Berlin show’s iconicsongs are unlikely to grace Angelwalk Theatre’s Off BroadwayOn Stage, a musical journey of a different sort that opens forone week on December 7 at the Studio Theatre in the TorontoCentre for the Arts. Conceived by Brian Goldenberg, with musicaldirection by Anthony Bastianon, the show includes songs fromThe Fantasticks, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living InParis and Altar Boyz, productions that succeeded in small venueswithout marquee stars.For less traditional treats, look no further than Like an OldTale: An East Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’s Taleby William Shakespeare. The score of this Jumblies Theatreproduction, composed by Juliet Palmer, showcases the remarkablesoprano of Neema Bickersteth, who plays Hermione; it alsoincorporates traditional Tamil singing by Sarada K. Eswar,and First Nations singing by Rosary Spence. Presented at 793Pharmacy Ave., the production runs from December 8 to 18.in Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works when Theatre Columbuspresents The Story, a new version of the nativity by Martha Ross,featuring rotating corps of local choirs and drummers under thedirection of John Millard. The show opens December 13 and runsto the end of the month.To usher in the new year, Toronto Operetta Theatre offers anunusual delight: The Gypsy Princess, a comic opera by Hungariancomposer Imre Kálmán starring soprano, Lara Ciekiewicz, opensat the Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, onDecember 28 for ten performances. Other notable January fare,while less seasonal, is tasty nevertheless. Cabaret, Kander andEbb’s popular musical based on the play by John Van Druten andstories by Christopher Isherwood, receives a student productionat Hart House Theatre that is sure to attract a crowd. Under thedirection of Adam Brazier, it opens on January 13 for two weeks.presents musical theatre works by Andrew Lloyd Webber andothers in an evening titled “Music of the Night” at the GrandTheatre on January 20. Michelle Todd, soprano, and MichaelHope, baritone, are featured.Finally, on February 2nd and 3rd, Soundstreams presents TheSealed Angel, a musical drama by Russian composer, RodionShchedrin, that integrates the Amadeus Choir and the Elmer IselerSingers with the ProArteDanza dance company in a liturgicallythemed,multi-disciplinary work. With musical direction by LydiaAdams and choreography by Lars Scheibner, this ambitious productionplays for two nights at the Royal Conservatory’s KoernerHall. Festive treats, it seems, are not limited to the holidays.— Robert WallaceDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 25

The Newly Visionedand the Seldom SeenC H R I S T O P H E R H O I L EIn toronto’s opera scene, the last month of the old year and theis the Toronto premiere of a work that is standard repertoire inmany central European countries, an unconventional production of awarhorse and an unconventional production of a seldom seen work.Back by popular demand: Against the Grain Theatre remountsits acclaimed production of Puccini’s La Bohème not in a theatrebut in a pub, the Tranzac Club at 292 Brunswick Ave. to be precise,December 1 to 3. The opera is directed, adapted and translated intoEnglish by AtG co-founder Joel Ivany, a frequent assistant directorof productions for the Canadian Opera Company.Inspired by the success of the musical Rent, in which the lateJonathan Larson updated the story of Puccini’s opera to the artisticcommunity of 1990s New York, Ivany and company thought, “Whynot set the opera itself in the bohemian atmosphere of contemporaryToronto?” The Tranzac Club, a favourite of indie musicians,home to several arts groups and central meeting place during theToronto Fringe Festival, seemed like the perfect location. There’sno proscenium to separate the audience from the performers; in fact,the soloists are scattered among the patrons during the performance.AtG follows in the success of pub opera performances in the UK. In2011, OperaUpClose won the Olivier Award for Best New OperaProduction over productions from the Royal Opera House and theEnglish National Opera.On his blog, Ivany heaps praise on the cast he has assembled:“We’ve got a fabulous cast lined up. Miriam Khalil, as Mimi, isa young soprano who recently made her debut at GlyndebourneFestival Opera in the UK. Our Rodolfo, Ryan Harper, is a formermember of the Atelier Lyrique program at Opéra de Montréal andour Marcello, Justin Welsh, is a former member of the EnsembleStudio at the Canadian Opera Company. Our cast is rounded out bycabaret singer Lindsay Sutherland Boal as Musetta, current COCEnsemble member Neil Craighead as Colline, baritone Keith Lam asSchaunard and Gregory Finney as Benoît/Alcindoro.”Christopher Mokrzewski, the pianist and music director, has beenon the music staff for both the COC and Opera Atelier, for the latteras coach and répétiteur for La Clemenza di Tito. This season he willbe giving a solo recital of Liszt and Messiaen as well as serving asaccompanist for both classical and jazz vocal recitals.For tickets and more information about Against the Grain, visitwww.againstthegraintheatre.com.Seldom seen: The programming slot after Christmas to justby productions from Toronto Operetta Theatre. This year fromproduction of The Gypsy Princess (Die Csárdásfürstin) by ImreKálmán (1882–1953). While theTOT has presentedKálmán’sCountess Maritza(1924) twiceand even therarity GypsyViolins (1912)once, it hasnever staged theCsárdásfürstin(1915), whichbrought Kálmánhis greatest success.AccordingAgainst the Grain’s bohemians (June 2011):From left, Justin Welsh, Adam Luther, GregoryFinney, Keith Lam, Stephen Hegedus.to the data gathered by Operabase, in the last three years therewere 39 productions of Csárdásfürstin, 12 of them new, in 29 cites,in 11 countries including not just Germany, Austria, Switzerlandand Hungary — that one might expect — but also Bulgaria, Estonia,France, Macedonia, Norway, Poland and Slovakia.The plot about an aristocratic family’s distress that their youngheir is in love with a cabaret singer plays out much like a story byP.G. Wodehouse. The TOT production will feature Lara Ciekiewiczas the glamorous Sylvia Varescu, Elizabeth Beeler as Countess Stasi,Keith Klassen as Prince Edwin in love with Sylvia and Ian Simpson26 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

“Herculesand theHydra” byAntonioPollaiuiolo.Inset, hisnemesis,Dejanira,played byAllysonMcHardy.The plot concerns the circumstances of Hercules’ death. WhenHercules returns to his wife Dejanira after his 12 labours, he bringsthe captive Iole in tow. This arouses Dejanira’s jealousy and sheseeks to retain Hercules’ love through a tunic imbued with the bloodof Hercules’ enemy, the centaur Nessus, which supposedly can renderthe wearer faithful to the giver. In fact, the garment is Nessus’revenge on his opponent since it causes unendurable pain that leadsHercules to ask his son to set him upon a funeral pyre.For Tafelmusik, Sumner Thompson will sing the role of Hercules,Allyson McHardy will be Dejanira, with Nathalie Paulin as Iole,Colin Blazer as Hercules’ son Hyllus and Mireille Lebel as theherald Lichas. Jeanne Lamon will conduct. For tickets and moreinformation, visit www.tafelmusik.org.Christopher Hoile is a Toronto-based writer on opera and theatre.He can be contacted at opera@thewholenote.com.NIKOLA NOVAKas Count Boni in love with Stasi. DerekBate will conduct the TOT Orchestra andGuillermo Silva-Marin will direct. Theproduction premieres under the honourarypatronage of Hungarian ambassador HisExcellency László Pordány. For tickets visitwww.stlc.com.Handel’s Hercules: From January 19 to22, 2012, Tafelmusik will celebrate the30th anniversary of the Tafelmusik BaroqueChoir with a “staged concert” version ofGeorg Frideric Handel’s Hercules. The piecewill be staged by none other than Marshall Pynkoski, stage directorfor Opera Atelier. When I asked Pynkoski back in September whata “staged concert” would be, he answered that a lot would dependon what was and was not possible in Koerner Hall. What we couldbe sure of is that the soloists would be off book and interact ascharacters and that the Opera Atelier corps de ballet would beinvolved in the dances.The question of Hercules’ genre has existed since the workpremiered in 1745. Handel called it a “Musical Drama” and indeedits English-language libretto by Thomas Broughton is based onSophocles’ tragedy The Women of Trachisperformed in a theatre, not a church, but as an oratorio without anystage action. Modern critics have since suggested that this confusionof genre led to its later neglect. Handel had the same experiencewith Semelesince oratorios were supposed to take biblical stories as their subjectmatter, it was also rejected by the public and suffered similar obscurityuntil the 20th century. Now Semele has been fully embracedas an opera and will conclude the COC’s 2011–12 season.TOSCAPUCCINIJan. 21 – Feb. 25, 2012Sung in Italian with English SURTITLESGIVE THEGIFT OFOPERA!coc.ca 416-363-8231Presenting Sponsorof SURTITLESOfficial AutomotiveSponsorOfficial MediaSponsorsTosca RadioSponsorBroadcastSponsorEszter Sümegi and Alan Opie. Photo: Gary Beechey. Creative: EndeavourDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 27

What Is The “World”In This Music?A N D R E W T I M A RVALENTINEFIESTA ROMANTICAJohannes LinsteadoN .1 World Latin GuitarAntonitas D’HavilaoN .1 Gypsy Flamenco Guitar28-Jan The Studio at Hamilton Placewww.hecfi.ca 1-855-872-5000FOR TORONTO VENUESwww.uofttix.ca416-978-8849Free CD8-Feb Coconut Night Club - TorontoAntonitas D’Havila10-Feb Latin Fever Night Club - Toronto17-Feb Heliconian Hall - Antonitas D’HavilaSolo Flamenco Guitar RecitalWhat is “World Music” and who are its performers? For yearsdismissed it as irrelevant to the music I loved and mademyself. Now that I’ve served as your faithful world music columnistfor some months, however, I thought I’d use this end of year soapboxfor a further series of annoying questions arising from my simpleinitial one. The woods get much thicker before we can clearly seethe trees, let alone the clearing beyond.Is world music a commercial marketing category, coined by recordlabel executives in 1980s London, equipped with its own salescharts, radio category, journalistic terminology and record awards?Or a term coined in the early 1960s by the late ethnomusicologistRobert E. Brown at Wesleyan University, Connecticut for hisgroundbreaking world music studio and academic programs there,which became a model for universities, colleges and conservatoriesaround the world?Is it “local music from out there,” or “someone else’s local music”as some have proposed? Is it about “our” vs. “their” music, or aboutthe way musicians variously recombine the music you were born intowith the music you chose, moved into? Or is it a musical footballmatch playing out a disagreement between perceived authenticity(i.e. indigenous music) and hybridized musical categories, especiallythose seemingly “diluted” by pop culture?In the face of such a bewildering range of questions, just whatmusic are multiple, dynamic and overlapping. Another is that overthe last 30 years world music has clearly gone through a process ofated“roots music” to include a mounting list of newly created hybridsub-genres. Part of this process is no doubt the result of pressureson genre boundaries in the overall climate of a globalising popculture. There are commercial pressures at play here too. Accordingto a 2002 Unesco report by the latter half of the 1990s the value ofsupport for world music, has declined. On the one hand this has led,overall, for world music as well as for many other music categories,to a precipitous decline in overall album sales. Paradoxically it mayalso be directly linked to the vigour of the modest but vital local liveworld music performance scenes dotted around the planet, and to thetouring companies who (hope they will) pack our largest halls, oftenwrapped up in elaborately costumed and staged extravaganzas.There are examples of both on display in my column this issue.Happily for all of us, musicians of all stripes continue to make bothestablished and newly minted hybrid kinds of music that someonemay choose to dub world music — or not.I hope I haven’t lost you in my overview of some 50 years ofworld music, because, as you can see from what follows, our GTAmany of the issues I have mentioned.Parvaz Homay and his Mastan Ensemble present “Love, Wisdomand Human” [sic] at Roy Thomson Hall on December 2. Describedas a newly created concert “opera” by Iranian musician ParvazHomay, this production (in Farsi) is presently touring Canada andthe US. Judging from this group’s multiple albums and internationaltour dates they seem to enjoy a sold fan base among the Iraniandiaspora. At its Toronto stop, the Mastan Ensemble, a traditionalPersian instrumental group, is reinforced by a Western orchestradirected by Toronto conductor Kerry Stratton. A brief trailer videoon his website reveals Homay as a singer with a folksy voice. Onthe other hand, soprano Darya Dadvar sings in a distinctly operaticmanner. The dramatic baritone, Soli, rounds out the concert cast.On December 6, the world music Christmas calendar beginsin earnest with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale’s concert titled “AnIndigo Christmas: Navidad Nuestra” at Koerner Hall. The artisticdirector, Brainerd Blyden-Taylor has programmed a vibrant mix ofAfro-Latin and Andean rhythms and harmonies. The Latin musicquartet, Maderaz, and the celebrated dance collective COBA willadd to the choir’s celebration of Afro-centric dance, music andfolkloric traditions invoking the spirit of Christmas. The concertfeatures two choral gems by Argentinean composer Ariel Ramírez(1921–2010). His Misa Criolla (1964), now a staple of the choralrepertoire, is spiritually charged and at the same time deeply rootedin multiple music/dance forms from across South America includingthe chacarera, carnavalito and estilo pampeano, as well as AndeanLindsay, COBA brings it to life through staged dance representationsof the dance rhythms intrinsic to Ramírez’s score. Ramírez’ssignature Yuletide Navidad Nuestra, which serves as the concert’scentrepiece, is a suite of Argentinean carols marked by characteristicHispanic American music. The evening is rounded out byHaitian-born Sydney Guillaume’s Dominus Vobiscum interweavingGregorian melodies with Creole texts and rhythms; a trio of African-American spirituals by Minnesota composer Robert L. Morris; ana cappella interpretation of Go Tell It On The Mountain arrangedby Bruce Saylor; and Craig Courtney’s impassioned arrangement ofMary Had A Baby.Music Gallery’s concert on December 16 also has a Christmasthe Music Gallery’s “New World Series.” Titled “Asalto NavideñoReimagined: A Latin Christmas Concert,” the concert has threelayers: a remix of a classic salsa Christmas album, a seasonal celebrationand a resolute statement of pan-Latino culture. Originally astatement about New York Hispanic life, Willie Colon and HectorLavoe’s popular salsa Christmas album Asalto Navideño, now40 years old, is ripe for reinvention. Its lyrics speak of the joy ofChristmas, but they also explore themes of home and diaspora andeven propose new festive traditions. Today’s Latin sounds continue28 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

COURTESY SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTSShen Yun Performing Arts.to mix music from across the Americas, increasingly with the interventionof electronics. Therefore it’s natural that four “producers”have been commissioned to remix the album’s now-iconic material:Toronto’s DJ Linterna & Ulladat, DJ Javier Estrada from Monterrey,MX, and Sonora Longoria from Austin, TX. All are known for theirindividual combinations of music genres, groove and experimentation.Their electronic contributions will be mixed with live instrumentsincluding Steve Ward on trombone and vocals. Vocalist LidoPimienta, who splits her time between Toronto, London, Ontario,and Colombia, is a key voice in the evening; her striking hybridperformance style combining unaffected vocals and electronics.Moving into the New Year, on January 10, 2012 at noon, the LittlePear Garden Collective presents a different sort of festive entertainment,performing classical and contemporary dance works withChinese music at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four SeasonsCentre for the Performing Arts. The collective, directed by EmilyCheung, is Toronto’s Jingju or Peking opera company. That thisconcert is part of the “Dance Series: Chinese Traditions Then andNow” is yet another reminder that world music performances alsosometimes include dance.Keeping with the Chinese music and dance theme, on January 12to 15, Falun Dafa presents “Shen Yu Performing Arts” at the SonyCentre for the Performing Arts. This massive NYC based companycertainly aims high. It was established in 2006 with no less amission than “reviving 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chineseculture.” Its mission statement makes an eloquent ideological case,“After more than 60 years of Communist Chinese rule …Chinesetraditional culture has been all but completely demolished. However,the deeper spiritual core of the ancient culture, with its values ofbenevolence, honor, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity, as well asa reverence for the gods and the heavens, cannot be destroyed. Inorder to restore … Chinese traditional culture, a group of overseasChinese artists established Shen Yun in New York.”At the core of Shen Yun’s performances appears to be a vaststaged pageant, with tableaux enacted by dozens of performersclothed in impressive, brilliantly coloured, custom-made costumesand supported by an original musical score performed by a Westernorchestra, classical Chinese and regional ethnic dance styles, instrumentssuch as erhu and pipa, and characteristic vocalists. The show’snarrative is transparent. It moves audiences from the Himalayascreation over 5,000 years ago through to the story of Falun Dafain China today.” With over 100 artists “Shen Yu Performing Arts”might be one of the primary proponents of the “go big because youcan’t go home” school of world music (and dance) performance.May you all have wonderful Holidays, a stellar 2012 and be ableto go home if you want to.Andrew Timar is a Toronto musician and music writer.He can be contacted at worldmusic@thewholenote.com.the music educationstore at:TMSteve’s music would liketo wish our clients a safeand happy holiday seasonand best wishes for aprosperous 2012!please visit usin december to takeadvantage of our greatdeals on holiday music!stay tuned for specialnew year surprises we’vegot for our customers -coming in january!steve’s music, wherethere’s more to play andless to pay!415 Queen Street West, Torontostore: (416) 593-8888www.stevesmusic.comeducational@stevesmusic.compresentsFEB. 24 TH 2012 - 8PMIN CONCERTRoy Thomson Hall60 Simcoe Street, Toronto, ONFOR TICKETS CALL: 416.872.4255or pavlo.com & roythomsonhall.comTicket Price: $39.50, $49.50 & $59.50Sponsored byDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 29

Billion (with a “B”)J A C K M A C Q U A R R I EAs if the looming Christmas Concert season wasn’t enoughto deal with, this is a combined December/January issue, so Ihave twice as much activity as usual to contemplate. Even so,before looking at the weeks that lie ahead, there have been a fewmusical events in my life over the past few weeks that warrant morethan passing notice, so indulge me, dear reader. Silver Band and the Amadeus Choir in a performance of The ArmedMan: a Mass for Peace by the contemporary Welsh composerKarl Jenkins. Having heard this work before in its original formfor chorus and orchestra, I was anxious to hear how it might farewith a transcription for brass band. This arrangement exceededany expectations I might have had; I enjoyed it much more than theoriginal. For this work, the band and chorus seemed made for each the instrumentalists and vocalists were as one. If I had any concern,it would be that there was far more to this work than I could absorbin a single performance. I hope that this arrangement will berecorded so that I may hear it again.The other noteworthy musical event was totally unexpected. As analumnus of the University of Toronto and former participant in variousalumni functions over the years, I was invited to the launch of amassive fund raising campaign for the university. I had expected afew inspirational speeches followed by a distribution of pledge cards, every aspect of the evening was as overwhelming as the fund raisinggoal for the next year of $2 billion (yes that’s a “b”) dollars. Butit was the music that I found most inspiring. While we were beingseated, we were treated to a vocal octet of students from the facultyof music. Then the spotlight shifted to the two upper galleries oneither side of the organ where two brass choirs, under the directionof the Faculty of Music’s Gillian MacKay, performed an amazingwork by graduate music student Aaron Tsang. While it was referredto in the programme as the Opening Fanfare, with four french horns, was much more than that, and warrants more performances in thefuture. After the various addresses, we were treated to a massivevideo presentation with a musical score by another Faculty of Musicstudent Kevin Lau and after all being awarded “Doctorates inBoundless Opportunity” left Convocation Hall for the reception in amassive marquee tent, in the corners of which there were four smallstages where there were alternating performances of a small jazzgroup, vocalists singing operatic arias and a brass quintet amongothers. With our honorary degrees in hand, we all left with the assurancethat the future of music in this part of the world is certainlygoing to be in good hands.Now on to December. What’s in store in the band world? Needlessto say, Christmas music and other seasonal works dominate allprogrammes. Most bands have guests, with various types of choirsdominating the scene. Here’s a condensed list, from those bandswhose listings we received, featuring choirs. Needless to say youwill have to consult the concert listings for details: Rose Theatre (Dec 10); Etobicoke Community Band presents “You’dBetter Watch Out: Holiday Favourites,” with the Toronto PoliceServices Men’s Chorus (Dec 16); Milton Concert Band performs the Arts with St. Paul’s United Church Choir (Dec 10); PickeringCommunity Concert Band offers “Celebrate with the Soundsof Christmas” with the William Dunbar School Choir as guest(Dec 11); Wellington Winds will have “A Christmas with the Windand Young Voices,” with the Inter-Mennonite Children’s Choir(Dec 18); Whitby Brass Band offers “A ChristmasCelebration,” with classics, Salvation Army and poparrangements, and guests, the O’Neill Chamber Choir(Dec 9). On the professional side, Hannaford StreetSilver Band presents “Yuletide Celebration” withAriana Chris, mezzo, and the Canadian Children’sOpera Company Youth and Principal chorus (Dec 13).With guests other than choirs, ChinguacousyConcert Band presents “Brampton ChristmasPops” featuring the Chinguacousy Swing Orchestra(Dec 11); East York Concert Band’s “ChristmasFestival” will be a holiday sing-along (Dec 12);Markham Concert Band will have “A SeasonalCelebration” featuring Christmas and Chanukahsongs with guest Lisa Kallasmaa-Bavis on vocals(Dec 4). Of the bands with December concerts thatwe heard from, only two did not include guests intheir programs. Scarborough Concert Band will be presentinga “Community Concert Series” at three locations over the holidayseason (Dec 7, x and y). And Wilfrid Laurier University WindOrchestra has a single performance (Dec 3). For details of time andplace of these events, consult the listings sections.Of all of the bands that we were made aware of, one stood out ashaving no public Christmas concerts. That does not mean that theNewmarket Citizens’ Band will not be busy. On the contrary, a visitto their website told a very different story. Unlike all of the othercommunity bands, this band marches and plays in parades. In thesix week period between November 6 and December 20, this bandwas booked to play in no fewer than 11 parades, including six SantaClaus parades in surrounding communities. They also had scheduled This is a band that takes community service seriously. All of theiractivity will be topped off with an annual banquet to present variousawards to members.Recently, I was asked to write some programme notes for aconcert discussing the evolution of Christmas music from the earliestday to the present. That project is still in its infancy. However,there is certainly no question that the programme of a modern bandconcert would bear little resemblance to that of a concert a centuryago. Of the repertoire being performed by the bands of today, thereseems to be a common theme: diversify. No longer do they stick tothe traditional Christmas carols and such shopping mall favouritesas Sleigh Ride or Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Increasingly weare seeing a wide spectrum of medleys of seasonal and/or Christmasmelodies along with such humorous spoofs as Good SwingWenceslas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas. And many bands arenow including some excellent arrangements of Chanukah music.As in other years, the period from Christmas to mid-January 30 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Newmarket’s Main Street Candle Light Parade and Tree Lighting,with the Newmarket Citizens Band on Nov. 18.THE BACKYARD BIRDERperformance. For the rest of January, traditionally community have begun sampling a broad spectrum of music to challenge bandmembers and hopefully please audiences in the coming months. Sofar we have not heard of any plans for band concerts in Januaryexcept for the Hannaford Street Silver Band’s presentation of “ALatin Celebration” with guests the Boston Brass on January 22.Can’t think of a better start.DEFINITION DEPARTMENTThis month’s lesser known musical term is Gelatinissimo: to play We invite submissions from readers.Jack MacQuarrie plays several brass instruments andhas performed in many community ensembles. He canbe contacted at bandstand@thewholenote.com.New Mondayevening bandstarts onJanuary 16th!“SENIOR”BANDIt’s Never Too Late!NoAgeLimitPlay-in-a-Band Programfor People Over 50!. Learn to play a musical instrument from scratch. Dust off that old horn and get back in the game. Rehearsals at L&M Bloor - 935 Bloor Street West. Fee: $220 for 20+ classes. More information: newhorizonsbloor.caor 416.588.7886 ext. 662Gift Certificates availableBeginner programs start in January.Players with at least a little experience can join anytime.December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 31

Mr. Miller’s TalesJ I M G A L L O W A YMARK MILLER IS probably the !nest author of jazz books thatthis country has ever produced. There. Having stated mycase right off the top, I am pleased to say that there is anew addition to his now substantial body of work. It is called WayDown That Lonesome Road, the story of Lonnie Johnson in Toronto,where he lived for the last !ve years of his life from 1965 to 1970.There might well be a lot of readers who would ask “Who wasLonnie Johnson?”Well, he was born into a musical family in New Orleans, in 1899,and was destined to be a pioneer jazz guitarist, credited with beingthe !rst to play single string solos on that instrument. In his earlycareer he was pretty well regarded as a blues player although hewasn’t happy to be pigeon-holed as such. But he went on to makerecordings in 1927 with Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five as a guest onI’m Not Rough, Savoy Blues and Hotter Than That, and in 1928 withDuke Ellington on Hot and Bothered, Move Over, and The Mooche.The book covers in some detail the early career of Johnson, butthe meat of this work deals with the years spent in Toronto and noone is better quali!ed than Mark Miller to tell that story.But in the grand scale of things, Lonnie Johnson is overlooked,like so many other musicians. And therein is a clue as to what makesMark Miller, the author, click.He is drawn to the stories of musicians who made signi!cantcontributions, but have been neglected because they weren’t “stars.”Who else would have so diligently researched and writtenan informative and entertaining book on the life and music ofValaida Snow or an equally rewarding look at the life of HerbieNichols — again, hardly household names. He likes to look forthe overlooked.It came as no surprise when I learned that Miller was researchinga book on Lonnie Johnson’s !nal years when he called Torontohome. It is a fascinating read set at a time before Yorkville becamefashionable and traditional blues and jazz were relatively popular.To those readers who were around in the days of “"ower power”and hippies, the book is a nostalgic trip down memory lane and adetailed study of Johnson’s life in a town where he felt welcome.Another important side of Miller’s life was his time as a reviewerand critic. He was the sometimes controversial jazz columnistfor Toronto’s Globe And Mail newspaper from 1978 to 2005. Hisreviews showed the same insightful and well-crafted standard ofwriting which is now so clearly evident in his books.His views were at times open toquestion with some of his readers,but nobody could ever deny thequality of his writing.Some of those same readerswere of the opinion that Millerhad a de!nite preference forthe more contemporary and“avant-garde” players and aresurprised, for example, thathe would devote the timeand energy to a book onthe aforementioned ValaidaSnow or Lonnie Johnson.A look at the contents ofA Certain Respect ForTradition, a volume of hisselected writings, will infact show a knowledgeMark Miller.and appreciation of a broadspectrum of the music. Mr. Miller does indeedhave a refreshingly open mind to his chosen craft.He eventually elected to give up writing his pieces for the newspaper.By way of explanation he had this to say: “The business of jazz,the media in general and the Globe in particular have all moved innew directions. Their various interests, and mine, simply diverged.”Perhaps he saw the writing on the wall, given that nowadays theFRED LUM32 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

mainstream media have by and large abandoned coverage of jazz. Inthe last few years more than half of all arts journalists were eitherdropped or moved to other positions. On the other hand there arearts blogs now competing for attention online by the hundreds ofthousands. But the lack of arts coverage in conventional newspapersspeaks volumes about where we are culturally right now.When asked to name some of his favourite musicians the listranged from contemporary bassist Renaud Garcia-Fons to Jelly RollMorton’s Red Hot Peppers via Django Reinhardt, Thelonious Monkand Gil Evans – it was a Gil Evans recording that !rst opened hisears and mind to jazz – showing a healthy open-minded approachwhich is re"ected in the subject matter of the ten books he hashad published.Looking at the evolving nature of the music, Miller sees a futurein which jazz will be seen as a small period of time in the overalldevelopment of improvised music in which melody, rhythm and amelding of musical in"uences from other cultures played an essentialpart and after which the texture of jazz changed radically, evolvingand reinventing itself while still retaining its creative force.If there is a tougher way of making a living in jazz by playing,then it surely is surviving as a writer about jazz. It is also a lonelyoccupation with no instant feedback from an audience, no applausefor a well written chapter or a well-placed turn of phrase.The loneliness isn’t necessarily a hardship. Some writers enjoy thesolitary working life and I suspect that Miller !ts the description.But that sits quite comfortably with his personal life in which headmits to enjoying tv, sports and the company of friends.He might also have included his interest in photography, but sincehis next project is likely to be a book of his own photographs, perhapsthat now goes into the “work in progress” category, eventuallyto become book number 11 in the ongoing tale of this Miller.As always, happy listening and, I might add, enjoy some reading.(In fact, you might want to start with a short excerpt from the prefaceto Mark Miller’s Way Down That Lonesome Road. You will !ndit in at the end of The WholeNote BookShelf on page 74.)Jim Galloway is a saxophonist, band leader andformer artistic director of Toronto Downtown Jazz. Hecan be contacted at jazznotes@thewholenote.com.I N D E X O F A D V E R T I S E R SAcademy Concert Series 55 Gallery 345 51Aldeburgh Connection 86George Heinl 22Alexander Kats 69Grace Church on the Hill 38All Saints Kingsway Anglican Church 47 Grand Philharmonic Choir 60Amadeus Choir 45Hamilton Children’s Choir 60Amici Chamber Ensemble 26 Hannaford Street Silver Band 7, 53Amoroso 77Heliconian Hall 64Annex Singers 41Hymn Society, Southern OntarioAradia Ensemble 4Chapter 67Associates of the TSO 56I Furiosi 42ATMA 5J.A.M. Global Arts 39Attila Glatz Productons 49John Greyson 69Aurora Cultural Centre 47,87 John McNab 39Bach Children’s Chorus 41Jubilate Singers 67Canadian Opera Company 27 Junction Trio, The 54Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra Kindred Spirits Orchestra 44, 6946Larkin Singers 57Choirs Ontario 70L’Atelier Grigorian 75Christ Church Deer Park Jazz Vespers Leon Belov 7032Liz Parker 70Church of St Mary Magdalene 41 LIZPR 68City of St Catharines 61Lockwood ARS 70Civic Light Opera 34Long & McQuade 33Classical 96 85Long & McQuade / New Horizons 31Cosmo Music 31Mary Lou Fallis 69Counterpoint Musical Services 67 Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall 3Dukes of Harmony 67Metropolitan Community Church 48Eglinton St George’s United Church 43 Mississauga Symphony 45Elmer Iseler Singers 17, 36 Mooredale Concerts 51Ensemble Polaris 48Music at Metropolitan 58Exultate Chamber Choir 46Music Gallery 13Figgy Pudding Chorale 43Music Toronto 9, 35, 37, 51, 52Musicians in Ordinary 50Nathaniel Dett Chorale 15National Academy Orchestra 68New Music Concerts 15, 43, 56Nocturnes in the City 68Norm Pulker 70NYCO 55Off Centre 59Ontario Philharmonic 46, 59Orchestra Toronto 36Organix 86Orpheus Choir 19Our Lady of Sorrows 38Pasquale Bros 67Pattie Kelly 70Pavlo 29Pax Christi Chorale 35Perlman & Farrugia 50Peter Mahon 17Queen of Puddings 38Ray Isaacs 28Richmond Hill Centre for thePerforming Arts 24Rose Theatre 23Royal Conservatory 11Scarborough Philharmonic 52Sheila McCoy 70Sine Nomine 44SinfoniaToronto 39Soundstreams 57St Marks’ Presbyterian Church 32St Michael’s Choir School 40St Philip’s Jazz Vespers 32St Thomas’ Church 47St Stephen in-the-Fields AnglicanChurch 69Steve’s Music Store 29Sue Crowe Connolly 70Syrinx Sunday Salons 42,59Tafelmusik 2Talisker Players 56Tallis Choir 41The Singing Voice Studio 67The Sound Post 30Toronto All-Star Big Band 33, 40Toronto Centre for the Arts 23Toronto Choral Society 44Toronto Consort 19, 55Toronto Masque Theatre 48, 58Toronto Mendelssohn Choir 38Toronto Opera Repertoire 27Toronto Operetta Theatre 50Toronto Philharmonia Orchestra 25, 54Toronto Symphony Orchestra 54, 68, 88TorQ 37U of T, Faculty of Music 21Univox Choir 42Via Salzburg 40Victoria Scholars 44Wychwood Clarinet Choir 43Yamaha Music School 70December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 33

The WholeNote ListingsThe WholeNote listings are arranged in four sections:A.GTA (GREATER TORONTO AREA) covers all ofToronto plus Halton, Peel, York and Durhamregions (zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the map below).B.BEYOND THE GTA covers many areas of SouthernOntario outside Toronto and the GTA (zones 5, 6,7, and 8 on the map below). In the current issue,there are listings for events in Ancaster, Barrie, Belleville,Cobourg, Dundas, Elora, Fonthill, Guelph, Hamilton, Jordan,Kingston, Kitchener, Lindsay, London, Meaford, Niagaraon-the-Lake,Owen Sound, Paris, Peterborough, Port Hope,St. Catharines, Waterloo, Whitby. Starts on page 59.C.IN THE CLUBS (MOSTLY JAZZ)is organized alphabetically by club.Starts on page 63.D.THE ETCETERAS is for lectures, symposia,master classes and other music-relatedevents (except performances) that may beof interest to our readers. Starts on page 67.A GENERAL WORD OF CAUTION A phone number is provided withevery listing in The WholeNote — in fact, we won’t publish a listingwithout one. Concerts are sometimes cancelled or postponed; andartists or venues may change after listings are published. Pleasecheck before you go out to a concert.HOW TO LIST Listings in The WholeNote in the four sections aboveare a free service available, at our discretion, to eligible presenters.If you have an event, send us your information no later than the15th of the month prior to the issue or issues in which your listing iseligible to appear.MUSIC THEATRE: EXTENDED RUNSMusical theatre productions with runs of more than 15 performances do not appear in theDecember 1 Young People’s Theatre. Seussical. Music by Flaherty, lyrics byAhrens, book by Ahrens and Flaherty. Featuring Damien Atkins, Jane Johanson, BethanyKovarik, Nichola Lawrence, David Lopez, George Masswohl, Sharron Matthews and others.165 Front St. E. 416-862-2222. $10–$20. Runs to December 30, matinee performancesDecember 1Ross Petty Productions. The Wizard of Oz. Book by Baum, adapted-Extended run to Jan6, 2012.December 1Mirvish Productions. Mary Poppins. Cameron Mackintosh, produc-$150. Extended run into 2012. Matinee performances Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 2pm.December 1 Mirvish Productions. Two Pianos Four Hands. A musical play by andabout two piano players. Written and performed by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt.Extended to January 5,2012--December 6 Dancap Productions. Memphis. -Runs to December 24.and Sunday at 2pm, some weekday performances at 2pm.December 13Lower Ossington Theatre. Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoat. Robert Wilkinson, director. 100A Ossington Ave. 416-915-6747. $45–$60. Runs to December30.DOUBLE ISSUE The next issue covers the period from February 1,2012 to March 7, 2012. All listings must be received by .LISTINGS can be sent by e-mail to listings@thewholenote.com or byfax to 416-603-4791 or by regular mail to the address on page 6. Wedo not receive listings by phone, but you can call 416-323-2232 x27for further information.LISTINGS ZONE MAP Visit our website to see a detailed versionof this map: www.thewholenote.comGeorgianBayLakeHuron675Lake Erie83 42 1City of TorontoLake Ontario34 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Thursday December 01Young People’s Theatre. SeussicalCanadian Opera Company.Chamber Music Series: Creative Explorations.encesas artist-educators. Richard BradshawAmphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation/Christ Church Deer Park. Lunchtime ChamberMusic 416-241-1298. Free, donationswelcome.Women’s Musical Club of Toronto.Adrianne Pieczonka, soprano and StephenRalls7052. $45.Toronto Public Library. Orchardviewers:Project Bird. Alison Melville, recorder and-Ross Petty Productions. The Wizardof Oz.Theatre Passe Muraille/Acting UpStage Company. Ride the Cyclone: A MusicalThrill Ride through the adolescent subconscious.Rielle Braid, Matthew Coulson, Kelly Hudson,-University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Opera Series: La Voix Humaine & LesMamelles de Tirésias. directors. MacMillan Theatre, Edward John-York University Department of Music.Jazz Festival. studios of Richard Whiteman, Kevin Turcotteand Lorne Lofsky. Martin Family Lounge, 219Accolade East Building, 4700 Keele St. 416-Against the Grain Theatre. La Bohème.-Stephen Hegedus, bass-baritone. Tranzac Club,Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.-production designer. Fairview Library Theatre,Dec 2–4, 7–11, 14–17. Start times vary.Diasporic Genius. Tumbling into theLight: A Musical Journey out of the Darkness.caltheatre performance, dance and visual art.A. Concerts in the GTA-Hart House/St. Michael’s College.Hairspray – The Broadway Musical. Hart HouseTheatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849.Miles Nadal Jewish CommunityCentre. Jazz for Mara: A Literary Concert Event.Author Lilly Barnes weaves readings from her-writer.750 Spadina Ave. 416-924-6211. $20.Mirvish Productions. Mary Poppins.Mirvish Productions. Two PianosFour Hands. “A play about music – the piano,the lives of the so-called ordinary citizen.” Writtenand performed by Ted Dykstra and RichardMusic Toronto. Quartet Series: St.Lawrence Quartet. lettTheatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts,Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.bass. 401 Richmond St. W. 416-419-2248.$15.Rose Theatre Brampton. Emilie-ClaireBarlow, jazz vocalist. Arrangements from theterheftTrio. 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton. 905-Tafelmusik. Baroque Splendour: TheGolden Age of Dresden.-three oboes, bassoon and strings. FeaturingPax Christi Chorale25 TH Anniversary Season2011-2012Pax Christi Chorale: Stephanie Martin, Artistic DirectorDaniel Norman, Assistant ConductorPax Christi Youth Choir: Lynn Janes, ConductorBruce Kirkpatrick Hill, AccompanistSAINT NICOLAS - BENJAMIN BRITTENWorld premiere ofWINTER NIGHTS - STEPHANIE MARTINSaturday, December 3, 2011 – 7:30 pmPre-concert chat with Dr. Katie Larson at 6:45 pmSunday, December 4, 2011 – 3:00 pmPre-concert chat with Dr. Katie Larson at 2:15 pmGrace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd., TorontoAdult: $30 Senior: $25 Student: $22 Children (under 12): $5With orchestra and special guests:James McLean, tenorHavergal College girls’ choirBruce Ubukata & Stephen Ralls, duo pianists ofThe Aldeburgh ConnectionCanadian Children’s Opera Chorus boy soloistsTo order tickets call (416) 491-8542.or visit www.paxchristichorale.orgTHE CHILDREN’S MESSIAHSaturday, December 10, 2011 – 4:00 pm – 5:00 pmDesigned especially for the younger crowd,we encourage you to bring your children tointroduce them to a short performance of someof the highlights from Handel’s glorious Messiah.Children admitted free, adults pay what youcan at the door.Church of Saint Mary Magdalene,477 Manning Avenue, Toronto (at Ulster Ave)For more information, call (416) 531-7955www.stmarymagdalene.caDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 35

Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Russian Gems.---Friday December 02VIVA! Youth Singers of Toronto. ACanadian Christmas Concert. Mozart. Works byBritten, Chilcott, Sirett and Anderson. NorthToronto Collegiate Institute, 17 Broadway Ave.Royal Conservatory. The MagicFlute. Mozart. An abridged version performedTiefenbach, music director. Mazzoleni ConcertTheatre Passe Muraille/Acting UpStage Company. Ride the Cyclone: A MusicalThrill Ride through the adolescent subconscious.See Dec 1.University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Opera Series: La Voix Humaine & LesMamelles de Tirésias. See Dec 1.York University Department of Music.Jazz Festival. tra,Mike Cadó, director. Turcotte and LorneLofsky. Martin Family Lounge, 219 AccoladeAgainst the Grain Theatre. La Bohème.See Dec 1.Arya Entertainment. Parvaz Homayand Mastan: Love, Wisdom and Human. NewThomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255.A. Concerts in the GTA$40-$100Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.County Town Singers. Cool Yule.66 Simcoe St., Oshawa. 905-668-5469 orDiasporic Genius. Tumbling into theLight: A Musical Journey out of the Darkness.See Dec 1.Earwitness Productions. CD Release:Returnings. Works by Ann Southam forEve Egoyan, piano. Glenn Gould Studio, 250Elmer Iseler Singers. Messiah. With-Gallery 345. Alejandro Vela, piano andTheresa Rudolph, viola. Works by Zyman, Schu-Hart House/St. Michael’s College.Hairspray – The Broadway Musical. See Dec 1.Markham Theatre for the PerformingArts. Jazz Divas: Emilie-Claire Barlow– Winter Wonderland. Jazz vocalist Barlowperforms her arrangements of holiday songs.1-866-768-8801. $49–$54.Mirvish Productions. Two PianosFour Hands. See Dec 1.Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.401 Richmond St. W. 416-419-2248. $15.Rose Theatre Brampton. QuartettoGelato. Classical masterworks, operatic arias,tangos, gypsy and folk songs. 1 Theatre Lane,Royal Conservatory. Steven Isserlis,cello and Connie Shih, piano. -Tafelmusik. Baroque Splendour: TheGolden Age of Dresden. See Dec 1.Saturday December 03Hart House/St. Michael’sCollege. Hairspray – The Broadway Musical.See Dec 1.Markham Theatre forthe Performing Arts. The Irish Rovers. 171$54-$59.Mississauga FestivalChoir. And on Earth Peace! RBC Theatre, LivingArts Centre, 1141 Living Arts Centre Dr.,Theatre Passe Muraille/Acting Up Stage Company. Ride the Cyclone:A Musical Thrill Ride through the adolescentsubconscious. See Dec 1.Tyndale University College & Seminary.Christmas in the Chapel. Elora FestivalBeach United Church. Jazz Vespers:Bliss. Carolyn T Band. St. Aidans on the Beach,60 Silverbirch Ave. 416-691-8082. Freewill of-Lawrence Park Community Church.MegaCity Chorus Christmas Concert. Seasonalmusic, holiday auction and festive food. 2180Newtonbrook United Church. InThe Christmas Spirit. Music and readings. To---East York Choir. Winter Solstice:Seasonal 25th Anniversary Celebration. Hat---Etobicoke Centennial Choir. SacredTraditions--76 Anglesey Blvd., Etobicoke. 416-769-9271.$20.Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.Christmas with the Salvation Army. Salvation--Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. $15-$25.Milton Choristers. Handel’s Messiah.Mattamy Theatre, Milton Centre for the Arts,Pax Christi Chorale. Britten: SaintNicolas.--Stephanie Martin, conductor. Grace ChurchLarson.Royal Conservatory. The Magic Flute.See Dec 2.University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Opera Series: La Voix Humaine & LesMamelles de Tirésias. See Dec 1.Upper Canada Chorus. The Spirit ofChristmas. bethSouthard, soprano. George Weston RecitalSt. 1-855-985-2787. $19–$29.Ad Summum Events. Piano and ViolinRecital. Works by Chopin, Brahms and Liszt.Against the Grain Theatre. La Bohème.See Dec 1.Cantores Celestes. A Hands Acrossthe Border Christmas. ----Helpline.Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.Counterpoint Community Orchestra.JupiterKhachaturian and Shostakovich. Terry Kow-County Town Singers. Cool Yule. Festivesongs. See Dec 2.Diasporic Genius. Tumbling into theLight: A Musical Journey out of the Darkness.36 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

See Dec 1.Georgetown Bach Chorale. Messiah.Greidanus, harpsichord and director. Old TownHall, 19 Willow St. N., Acton. 905-877-6569.Green Door Cabaret at the LowerOssington Theatre. Sam Broverman: The Lifeand Times of Johnny Mercer. 100A Ossing-Hope Exchange. Overture of Hope:Steve Bell with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra--St. 416-872-4255. $75-$95.Royal Conservatory. Chava Albersteinand Maryem Tollar. Double bill of Israelifolk singer-songwriter and Egyptian-Canadian---and up.Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra.Howard Cable’s Cowboy Christmas. -traand choir. Toronto Choral Society, HowardTafelmusik. Baroque Splendour: TheGolden Age of Dresden. See Dec 1.Toronto Chamber Choir. A Boy wasBorn in Bethlehem. Carols, motets, modernVoices Chamber Choir. A Child isBorn. --Sunday December 04Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.Jacqueline Gélineau & Brahm Goldhamer.Excerpts from Bach’s Weinachts- OratoriumMarkham Concert Band/MarkhamTheatre for the Performing Arts. A SeasonalCelebration. Christmas and Chanukah songs.Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham.Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.Canadian Voices Series: Daniel Okulitch, bassbaritone.Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W.416-872-4255. $29.50-$49.50. Music at Metropolitan. Carols United.Annual Carol Sing with the Metropolitan Silver-Services Ministry.Royal Conservatory. Monica Whicher,soprano and Judy Loman, harp. Carols and sea-York Region Community Choir. WinterConcertGeorgetown Bach Chorale. Messiah.Greidanus, harpsichord and director. St. Elias-University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Opera Series: La Voix Humaine & LesMamelles de Tirésias. See Dec 1.Bel Canto Singers. The VeryBest Time of the Year. Jacqueline Mokrzewski, accompanist. St. Dunstanof Canterbury Church, 56 Lawson Rd.,Scarborough. 416-282-8260. $15.Etobicoke Suzuki Music. Winter Concert.Featuring 100 young violinists and cel-Hart House Singers. Sacred Winter:spiritual songs from around the world. Sam-Arnot-Johnston, conductor. Great Hall, HartHouse, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-2452.welcome.Mississauga Children’s Choir. AStar in the East. and Asia. RBC Theatre, Living Arts Centre,6000. $25.Orchestra Toronto. The MusicianStoryteller. -isseSchneider, violin. George Weston Recitalalso instrument petting zoo.Pax Christi Chorale. Britten: SaintNicolas. Penthelia Singers. Vocal Treasures.Medieval to contemporary a cappella music forTafelmusik. Baroque Splendour: TheGolden Age of Dresden. See Dec 1.Cathedral Church of St. James.Andrew Adair, organ. Toronto Classical Singers. TimelessTreasures. --Latvian National Opera Fund-Canada.Andris Ludvigs, tenor and Vilma Indra Vitols,mezzo. Concert of opera arias and duets-Church of St. Timothy, North York.A Christmas Carol. Christmas music accom-Anglican Church. 100 Old Orchard Grove. 416-reception to follow.St. Andrew’s Church. Be Not Afraid –An Evening of Songs and Stories. Original piecesinspired by the Advent and Christmas season.-Leaside United Church. Lessons andCarols. Carols and readings for Christmas.--portof the Out of the Cold program.Markham Rotary Club Foundation/Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts.Songs for the Season, Chorale de Noël: A MulticulturalNight of Music and Joy. Chinese CanadianChoir of Toronto, Silverthorn SymphonicMarco, Daniele Colla, conductor. MarkhamTheatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham.Opera Belcanto. Christmas ConcertRunnymede United Church. Dickens’A Christmas Carol. Dramatic reading with holidaymusic performed throughout. Ben Hepp--Stop community food centre.University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Percussion Ensemble. Walter Hall, Ed-978-0492. Free.Diasporic Genius. Tumbling into theLight: A Musical Journey out of the Darkness.See Dec 1.Green Door Cabaret at the LowerOssington Theatre. Mary Pitt and David Warrack:Ein, Zwei, Drei, Boum. guages.100A Ossington Ave. 416-915-6747.Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.Steve Koven, piano. 401 Richmond St. W.416-419-2248. $20.TorQ Percussion Quartet. CD Releaseconcerttwo + two.” Featuring worksfrom new CD, improvisations and new Canadiancompositions. Lula Lounge, 1585 DundasMonday December 05York University Department ofMusic. Music at Midday: Wind Masterclass inConcert. munitiesRecital Hall, 112 Accolade East Bldg.,Toronto Theatre Organ Society.Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Pops. Dave Wickerham,organ. Great Hall of Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace.4146-499-6262. $20.Tuesday December 06Canadian Opera Company.Jazz Series: Eclectasy. Humber Studio Jazz Ensemble,Denny Christianson, director. RichardBradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons CentreCathedral Church of St. James.Bach Series XI. Andrew Adair, organ. 65offering.Dancap Productions. Memphis. SeeMassey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.Folk band Bon Iver with Lianne La Havas, voice.$44.50-$49.50. Also Dec 7.Music Toronto. Piano Series: LouiseBessette, piano. and other works. Jane Mallett Theatre, St.Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E.December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 37

Nathaniel Dett Chorale. An IndigoChristmas: Navidad Nuestra. Afro-Latino and$20 and up.Wednesday December 07Our Lady of Sorrows. WednesdayConcert Series. Gordon Mansell, organ and6016. Free.Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.Noonhour Organ Recitals922-1167. Free.Kerim S. Anwar. Doctoral Recitalin Orchestral ConductingNacht. Kerim S. Anwar, conductor. Walter Hall,Canadian Opera Company. Jazz Series:Contemporary Conversations. Original ma-Bruce Cassidy, trumpet. Richard BradshawAmphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for theCivic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.Scarborough Concert Band. CommunityConcert Series 1. Denis Mastromonaco,conductor. Scarborough Retirement Centre,9867. Free.Grace Church on-the-Hill. The ThreeCantors in Concert. Ancient church music tospirituals to Broadway. Angus Sinclair, accom-A. Concerts in the GTAmentFund.Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Festivalof Carols. With Festival Brass. Noel Edison,-Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir.A Welsh Christmas: Seasonal Favourites. Amy-416-410-2254 or 1-877-410-2254. $25. AlsoUniversity of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Choirs in Concert: A Seasonal Celebration.----Angelwalk Theatre. Off BroadwayOn Stage. With David Hohl, Will Lamond, Mike“Nug” Nahrgan, Natasha Negovanlis, Claramusic director. Studio Theatre, Toronto CentreEtobicoke Community ConcertBand. Seasonal Concert. Etobicoke CollegiateAuditorium, 86 Montgomery Rd., Etobicoke.John Edward Little, conductor. 416-410-1570.Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.Folk band Bon Iver with Lianne La Havas, voice.See Dec 6.Queen of Puddings Music Theatre.New Voices. Concert drama of 15 vocal andinstrumental pieces based on poetry of C. Mor--Thursday December 08Metropolitan United Church. Noonat Met-Free.Toronto Public Library. Orchardviewers:Show Tunes.J.A.M. Global Arts Management.The Tapestry of Mastersishpresidency of the council of the Europeancordion.Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W.416-408-0208. $65. Concert under the patronageof the Consul General of the RepublicJumblies Theatre. Like an Old Tale:An East Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’sTale by William ShakespeareIncorporating songs by Rosary Spence. Doug38 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

--Start times vary.Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.Tapestry of Masters: Adam Makowicz, piano.Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-872-4255. $65.Royal Conservatory. Glenn GouldSchool’s New Music EnsembleBrian Current, conductor. Conservatory The-Angelwalk Theatre. Off Broadway OnStage. See Dec 7.Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.Corktown Community Orchestra.Deck the Halls of Corktown--ityChurch.Living Arts Centre. Paul Anka: ChristmasMy Way. Holiday favourites. HammersonHall, Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr.,Markham Theatre for the PerformingArts. Alice Tan Ridley, voice. Gospel andfunk. 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham. 905-Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series. 401Richmond St. W. 416-419-2248. $15.Royal Conservatory. Tallis Scholars.Holiday concert featuring diverse settings ofToronto Symphony Orchestra. EhnesPlays Tchaikovsky. phonyNo.2 “Little Russian.” James Ehnes,-Friday December 09Church of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. Hour-long nativity pageant.10 Trinity Sq. 416-598-8979. Suggested do-22-24. Start times vary.Ispiravoce Female Chorus. Voicesof Christmas. Works by Schubert, Offenbach,John McNab. Swinging on a Star:Songs of Bing Crosby-etsat the door only.Jumblies Theatre. Like an Old Tale:An East Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’sTale by William Shakespeare. See Dec 8.Living Arts Centre. Justus: Our Kindof Christmas. Holiday favourites sung by vocalgroup Justus. Hammerson Hall, Living ArtsCentre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga.Oakville Choral Society. There ShallBe a Star. Seasonal works and Christmas sing---University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Wind Symphony--freyReynolds, conductor. MacMillan Theatre,Whitby Brass Band. A ChristmasCelebration. Classics, Salvation Army and popHebron Christian Reformed Church, 4240Listings in The WholeNote are searchable by genreand by geographic zone at thewholenote.comJoanna Makowicz & J.A.M. Global Arts Management PresentThe Tapestry of MastersGALA CONCERT with ADAM MAKOWICZ,Paquito D’Rivera & Alexander SevastianUnder the patronage of the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto,Mr. Marek CiesielczukVirtuoso pianist Adam Makowicz celebrates 45 remarkable years ofmaking music and honours the first Polish Presidency of the EU Councilwith classical gems and jazz classics.Bach, Chopin, Shenderyov, Piazzolla, Gershwin, Ellington, Berlin, Kern, Garnerhost Jaymz Bee, JAZZ.FM91 sponsored by The “Strad” Violin StudioThursday, December 8 7:30pmGlenn Gould Studio,250 Front Street WestGeneral admission tickets $65glenngouldstudio.com416-872-4255 roythomson.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 39

Angelwalk Theatre. Off Broadway OnStage. See Dec 7.Chris Tsujiuchi. A Very Chris-tericalChristmas Cabaret. Buddies in Bad Times The-Also Dec 10.Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.Continuum Contemporary Music/Music Gallery. Vinko Globokar Double Bill:Back to Back-others. Music Gallery, 197 John St. 416-204-Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra.A Christmas Canvas. cini,traditional Christmas sing-along. Ermanno-Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Etobicoke. 416-Green Door Cabaret at the LowerOssington Theatre. Hampton Avenue 4.Christmas repertoire performed in four partharmony, a cappella. Debbie Fleming, director.-Royal Conservatory. Spanish HarlemOrchestra: A Salsa ChristmasSinfonia Toronto. Holiday Charms.-conductor. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St.Toronto Consort. A Spanish Christmas.Music of 16th- and 17th-century Spain--Upper Canada Choristers. Wintertide.A. Concerts in the GTAmos,Latin-American ensemble. Grace Church-Via Salzburg. The Birds Take Up TheirCharming Songs Once More. -Windmill Theatre. Glory of Christmas.Carols, gospel, standards and scared music.no.The Great Hall, 84 South Service Rd., Mis-York University Baroque Ensemble.In dulci jubilo. Baroque Christmas repertoire.Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, 477 Manningwith refreshments, to follow.Hart House Music Committee.Jazz at Oscar’s: Hart House Jazz Ensemble.Arbor Room, Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle.Dec. 10 St. Lawrence CentreToronto 416-366-7723Dec. 17 The Studio @Hamilton Place 1-855-872-5000Dec. 18 Markham TheatreMarkham 905-305-7469416-978-2452. Free.Saturday December 10Toronto All-Star Big Band. A ChristmasSpecial. nostalgic stories and holiday humour. Jane MallettTheatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts,Jumblies Theatre. Likean Old Tale: An East Scarborough Retelling ofThe Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare. SeeDec 8.Onstage Productions/Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts.Scarborough Choral Society: Sounds of Christmas.Holiday special with choir and orchestra.ST. MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOLA Christmas concert featuring well-loved carolsfrom lands near and farCome celebrate one of the great traditionsof Christmas with Toronto’s favouriteboys’ choir at Massey Hall.Tickets $ 19 to $ 40www.masseyhall.comMassey Hall 416.872.4255Sat. Dec. 10, 2011 • 7:30PM Sun. Dec. 11, 2011 • 3:00PMThe Birds Take Up Their CharmingSongs Once MoreGuest narrator: Bruce Hunter.Vivaldi: Four Seasons;Musical improvisations – TheAudience Becomes the StorytellerJoin friends, family and communityto participate in some music makingwith Via Salzburg. The Baroquesounds of Vivaldi prepare our earsas Via Salzburg and ouraudience create musictogether for the first timeSix Degrees of SeparationBrahms: Sextet no.1 in G majorDvorak: Sextet in A major, opus 48Linda Catlin Smith: New commissionfor string sextetRosedale United Church,159 Roxborough Drive$35; $30(sr); $20(under 30); $10(st)416-972-9193viasalzburg.comVIA SALZBURG IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY40 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Kingsway Conservatory of Music.KCM All-Ensembles Concert. Classical, contemporaryand Christmas repertoire. FeaturingKingsway Chamber Strings, Kingsway Chil---Pax Christi Chorale. The Children’sMessiah.torio.Stephanie Martin, conductor. Church ofSaint Mary Magdalene, 477 Manning Ave. 416-Church of the Holy Trinity.The Christmas Story. See Dec 9.Alliance Française de Toronto. EnchantedFablesCharles Waddell, piano. 24 Spadina Rd. 416-Alexander Singers & Players. A FestiveConcert. Christmas carols, Hebrew songs, spirituals andAnnex Singers. A Child’s Christmasin Wales. Narrative set to seasonal carols andworks by Sweelinck, Joubert, Walton and Lau--Bach Children`s Chorus. Song fora Winter’s Night.Daley, piano. George Weston Recital Hall,St. 416-870-8000. $24–$26.Oakville Choral Society. There ShallBe a Star. See Dec 9.Royal Conservatory. Academy ChamberOrchestra-emyand Academy alumni. Mazzoleni ConcertSt. Michael’s Choir School. WonderfulPeace – Celebrating Christmas Music Aroundthe World. Jerzy Cichocki and Teri Dunn, con-Tallis Choir. Charpentier: MidnightMass for New France, 1725--Toronto Symphony Orchestra. EhnesPlays Tchaikovsky. See Dec 8.University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Wind Ensemble-December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 41

-turefrom Dancer in the Dark. Susan Hoeppner,Angelwalk Theatre. Off Broadway OnStage. See Dec 7.Canadian Men’s Chorus. A Gentleman’sChristmas: Winter Chillliams,Loomer, Ramsay, Luengen, Takach andothers. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W.A. Concerts in the GTAI FURIOSI BAROQUE ENSEMBLE PRESENTSChris Tsujiuchi. A Very Chris-tericalChristmas Cabaret. See Dec 9.City of Brampton Concert Band.Christmas at the Rose-Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.Green Door Cabaret at the LowerOssington Theatre. Countermeasure. 16-piececappella ensemble. 100A Ossington Ave. 416--I Furiosi. Hell Hath No Fury. Worksby Bach, Handel and Corelli. -Milton Concert Band. Winter Wonderland.Arrangements of seasonal favourites andaudience singalong. Joseph Resendes, director.Mattamy Theatre, Milton Centre for the Arts,Oriana Women’s Choir. Christmasin Song. Traditional Christmas music and sea--Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra.Holiday Spectacular-Toronto Consort. A Spanish Christmas.See Dec 9.Univox Choir. Snow Angel. -Sunday December 11Oakville Symphony Orchestra.Family Christmas Concert. Selectionsfrom Home Alone for choir and orchestra, and-Angelwalk Theatre. Off Broadway OnStage. See Dec 7.Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.Etobicoke Centennial Choir. MessiahSing-Along. Henry Renglich, conductor. Hum-Etobicoke. 416-769-9271. $15. Scores availableto borrow.Mississauga Big Band Jazz Band.Annual Christmas Concert. Rob Boniface, con-saRow, Mississauga. 905-270-4757. $20.Pickering Community ConcertBand. Celebrate with the Sounds of Christmas.Breen, arranger and composer. Forest BrookUlyssean Society. Ricker Choi, piano.Works by Brahms and Ravel. Music Roomat Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-410-1892. Free.Onstage Productions/MarkhamTheatre for the Performing Arts. ScarboroughChoral Society: Sounds of Christmas. SeeDec 10.Chinguacousy Concert Band. BramptonChristmas Pops featuring the ChinguacousySwing OrchestraGreen Door Cabaret at the LowerOssington Theatre. Countermeasure. SeeDec 10.Harmony Singers. December Time.Celebration of the season with holiday fa-Hart House Music Committee. SundayConcerts: 649th Concert – From Bach toGlass(es)Lau, Joseph Ferretti, Stephanie Chau. GreatHall, Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-2452. Free.Islington United Church. Christmas inIslington. Community celebration with choirs,brass, organ and handbells. 25 BurnhamthorpeMooredale Youth Orchestras. InConcert. Featuring three levels of orchestras---Intermediate Orchestra, Clare Carberry, conductor.Rosedale Heights School of the Arts,Royal Conservatory. André Wattshell hath no furySATURDAYDECEMBER 10, 20118PMHellish U.K. Guest:James Johnstone,harpsichordifuriosi.comCalvin Presbyterian ChurchPlease see listing for more information.42 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

plays Lisztand up.St. Michael’s Choir School. WonderfulPeace – Celebrating Christmas Music Aroundthe World. Jerzy Cichocki and Teri Dunn, con-$20-$40.Symphony on the Bay. A FamilyChristmas & New Year’s. --sing-along. Emma Meinrenken, Clarisse Schneider,violin. James Mckay, music director. Royal-Syrinx Sunday Salons. Dmitri Levkovichand Anzhelika Fuks, piano.-A. Levkovich, D. Levkovich, Rachmaninoff andToronto Symphony Orchestra.The Twelve Days of Christmas. Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir.A Welsh Christmas: Seasonal Favourites. SeeDec 7.Singing Out. Rise Up Winter.atre,250 Front St. W. 905-464-2824. $25.Britten’s ACeremonyof CarolsCharlotte KnightAviva LuferAria UmezawaKatie JonesLiane James, harpSunday, Dec. 113:30 pmFiggy Pudding Chorale. BenjaminBritten’s A Ceremony of Carols. Charlotteharp. St. Matthias Anglican Church, 45 Bell-Toronto Consort. A Spanish Christmas.See Dec 9.Wychwood Clarinet Choir. HolidayConcert and Carol Sing. St. Michael and AllCathedral Church of St. James.Andrew Adair, organ. Church of St. Simon-the-Apostle.Once Upon A Starry Night--St. Philip’s Anglican Church. ChristmasJazz VespersChurch of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. See Dec 9.Church of St. Mary Magdalene.Evensong, Advent Carols & Benediction. 477Religious service.St. Christopher’s AnglicanChurch. Christmas Around the World. Musicalperformance of A World of Christmas. 662Eglinton St. George’s UnitedChurch. Wolcum Yule!--Echo Women’s Choir. Land of Dreams.Anne Lederman, foot percussion. Church of theHoly Trinity, 10 Trinity Square. 416-588-9050Jumblies Theatre. Like an Old Tale:An East Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’sTale by William Shakespeare. See Dec 8.Kingsway-Lambton United Church.Service of Lessons and Carols; Story of Christmasin Word, Song and Music. Royal RegimentKingsway-Lambton Senior Choir, Ruth WatsonHenderson, music director. 85 The Kingsway.NEW MUSIC CONCERTSSUNDAY DECEMBER 11 8 pmBETTY OLIPHANT THEATRENew Music Concerts. The World ofGlobokar--Vocal Horizons Chamber Choir. Handel’sMessiah. -Monday December 12Cantabile Chorale of York Region.The Joy of Christmas. Seasonal music withbrass quintet and audience participation. Rob---tanceprogram.East York Concert Band. ChristmasFestival. Holiday sing-along of seasonal favou-University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. PianoFest. Advanced students of thepiano department perform. Walter Hall, Edward0492. Free. Also Dec 14, 16.Jazz FM.91. Sound of Jazz ConcertSeries: A Swingin’ Christmas-Tuesday December 13Canadian Opera Company.Jazz Series: Holiday Blend. A cappella quartet,Cadence, performs holiday music. RichardBradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Cen-Massey Hall and Roy ThomsonHall. Free Choir and Organ Concert Series:The Glory of GospelpherDawes, organ. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 SimcoeSt. 416-872-4255. Free.Cathedral Church of St. James.Simon Walker, organ. Crestwood School. Annual HolidayConcert. Seasonal favourites. Grades 1-6choirs, recorder ensemble and concert band.George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre forToronto Children’s Chorus. Eine KleineCalvinmusik. Seasonal favourites. CalvinWolcum Yule!Freewill offering benefitting“Out of the Cold”Eglinton St. George’s United Church35 Lytton Blvd at DuplexTel. 416-481-1141 ex. 250www.esgunited.orgTheatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. M. Ross. New telling of theNativity, featuring rotating corps of local choirsand drummers. John Millard, music director.Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave.Hannaford Street Silver Band. YuletideCelebration. --Jurij Konje. Ambush: Mixed MediaPercussion. -Lower Ossington Theatre. Josephand the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. SeeMusideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.group. 401 Richmond St. W. 416-419-2248.$10.Wednesday December 14Our Lady of Sorrows. WednesdayConcert Series. -Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.Andrew Adair, organ1167. Free.Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.FeaturingCeremony of CarolsEGLINTON ST. GEORGE’Sby Benjamin BrittenUNITED CHURCHwith guest Harpist Judy LomanandCommunity carols by Candle Lightled by Choristers of Eglinton St. George’s United ChurchFred Kimball Graham, conductorSunday 11 December, 7 p.m.December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 43

Mississauga Pops . Eden CommunityXmas Sing. Free, donations welcome.Scarborough Concert Band. CommunityConcert Series 2. Tony Stacey Centre forToronto Jewish Folk Choir. ChanukahConcert LiveJumblies Theatre. Like an Old Tale: AnEast Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’s Taleby William Shakespeare. See Dec 8.Tafelmusik. Handel’s Messiah at KoernerHall--Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Toronto Choral Society. An EasternA. Concerts in the GTAThe Toronto Choral Society presentsAn EasternEUropeanChristmasDecember 14th, 20117:30 p.m.European Christmas-University of Toronto Faculty of Music.PianoFest. See Dec 12.. Past Present: ChagallThrough Toronto’s Artists. Music, dance,performance and spoken word inspired by Cha--Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.Mike Downes, bass. 401 Richmond St. W.416-419-2248. $15.Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’sFavourite Messiah. -Nicholas Kraemer, conductor and harpsichord.featuring Franz Liszt’sMissa Choralis,along with carols fromEastern Europe and traditionalNorth American favourites.Eastminster United Church,310 Danforth Avenue(one block west of Chester Subway Station)Tickets $20 in advance$25 at the doorFor tickets please visitwww.torontochoralsociety.orgor call 416-410-3509Thursday December 15Canadian Opera Company.Jazz Series: Mercy. Botos, piano. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre,Metropolitan United Church. Noonat MetJunction Trio. The Junction Trio: celebratingthe Season with Sound. Works by Bach,Handel, Mozart and others. Jamie Thompson,call to register.Rose Theatre Brampton. A ChristmasCarol – the Musical. Menken. 1 Theatre Lane,Jumblies Theatre. Like an Old Tale:An East Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’sTale by William Shakespeare. See Dec 8.Kindred Spirits Orchestra. Handel’sGlorious Messiah with Village Voices. Daniel-conductor. 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham.Ontario Philharmonic. Handel’s Messiahwith Michael Burgess. Inga Filippova--Tafelmusik. Handel’s Messiah at KoernerHall. See Dec 14.Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH24 Cheritan Avenue, Toronto (Yonge St just south of Lawrence Av)OUR LADY OF SORROWS CHURCH(1/2 block west of the Royal York subway)Ring in the Yuletide with the Victoria Scholarsas they present carols from Christmas past andpresent, from Canada and around the world,in a spirited celebration of seasonal music. $25 $2044 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Gallery 345. The Music of Mike Romaniak.Original compositions for small ensem-Green Door Cabaret at the LowerOssington Theatre. Songs of Christmas withJennifer Potter. Traditional favourites and ori--singtonAve. 416-915-6747. $25.Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Creole Christmas.Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. $29.50-$69.50.Torontiade. Torontiade Workshop FinalConcert-Friday December 16Kingsway Conservatory ofMusic. Christmas with Markus: Children’s CushionConcertMarkus. Great Room, Kingsway ConservatoryRose Theatre Brampton. A ChristmasCarol – the Musical. See Dec 15.St. Andrew’s Church. 38th AnnualRugby Christmas Carol Service. An evening ofChristmas carols with members of the Rugby5600. Free offering in support of the “Out ofChurch of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. See Dec 9.Jumblies Theatre. Like an Old Tale:An East Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’sTale by William Shakespeare. See Dec 8. GalaOntario Philharmonic. Handel’s Messiahwith Michael Burgess. See Dec 15.Tafelmusik. Handel’s Messiah atKoerner Hall. See Dec 14.University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. PianoFest. See Dec 12.Amici Chamber Ensemble. CriticsChoice: What do they really want to hear?-winning student composition for clarinet, cellocritics. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W.Civic Light Opera. White Christmas.See Dec 1.Etobicoke Community ConcertBand. You’d Better Watch Out: Holiday FavouritesChorus. Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, 86Georgetown Bach Chorale. Noël,Noël. director. 157 Main St. S., Georgetown. 905-877-6569. $45. Also Dec 17, 18. ALL THREEGreen Door Cabaret at the LowerOssington Theatre. Dylan Thomas’s A Child’sChristmas in Wales 100A Ossing-Music Gallery. New World Series: AsaltoNavideño Reimagined: A Latin ChristmasConcert. Reinterpretation of the classic salsaJavier Estrada, Sonora Longoria, Steve Ward.Sine Nomine Ensemble for MedievalMusic. Puer natus est nobis: A 14th-centuryMass for Christmas Day. Musical reconstructionof a nativity mass from Avignon. SaintToronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’sFavourite Messiah. See Dec 14.Victoria Scholars. Natus Est Nobis.Carols from Christmas past and present bycomposers from Canada and around the world.Jerzy Cichocki, director. Blessed SacramentSaturday December 17Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation/City TV. 3rd Annual City Carol Concert. William1167. Free, collection taken in support of TorontoFood Bank.Toronto Children’s Chorus. A ChorusChristmas: Mysteries of the Season. Works byDebussy, Holman, Mathias, Rutter and others.With TCC Alumni Choir. Roy Thomson Hall, 60Rose Theatre Brampton. AChristmas Carol – the Musical. See Dec 15.Jumblies Theatre. Likean Old Tale: An East Scarborough Retelling ofThe Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare. SeeDec 8.Civic Light Opera. WhiteChristmas. See Dec 1.Mississauga Symphony. Voices ofChristmas. Holiday favourites by John Rutterand others. John Barnum, conductor.Choirs, Bob Anderson, director. HammersonHall, Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr.,December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 45

Church of the Holy Trinity.The Christmas Story. See Dec 9.Sony Centre for the PerformingArts. A Leahy Family Christmas. Leahy,traditional folk and roots group. 1 Front St.E. 1-855-872-7669 or 1-866-447-7849.Amadeus Choir. Glorious Sounds ofthe Season. Winning composition of the SeasonalSong Writing Competition and otherA. Concerts in the GTA-Brassackwards. Sounds of the Season.Original brass arrangements of Christmasclassics. Brad Harrison, James Ervin, trum---Exultate Chamber Singers. Exultatein Excelsis. Works by Mendelssohn, Silent Nightand other seasonal favourites. Karen Grylls, di--Forte: The Toronto Men’s Chorus.All is Calm, All is Bright. Living Arts Centre. Rising Stars Gala.-Leslie Ashworth, Eros Tan, Nicholas Lee and-tra.RBC Theatre, Living Arts Centre, 4141$10-$20.Oakville Ensemble. Messiah.Ontario Philharmonic. Handel’s Messiahwith Michael Burgess. Inga Filippova-Wil--St. Theodore of Canterbury AnglicanChurch. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Dramaticreading set to music. Choir of St. Theo-Tafelmusik. Handel’s Messiah atKoerner Hall. See Dec 14.New this year, Artistic Director Karen Grylls expands theExultate vocal forces by inviting alumni and new singers tojoin the choir for an intense and vivid choral sound. Bookyour tickets early for this sell-out concert.For ticket, concert andsubscription information:phone: 416-971-9229e-mail: exultate@exultate.netweb: www.exultate.netCATHEDRAL BLUFFS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRASATURDAY at 8 pmDecember 17, 2011 *P.C. Ho Theatre5183 Sheppard Ave E, ScarboroughSpecial Guest ArtistsCHRIS MCKHOOL ANDTHE SULTANS OF STRING2010 JUNO Nominees and“Canada’s ambassadors ofmusical diversity”with their thrilling global sonic tapestry ofSpanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms,and French Manouche Gypsy-jazz, celebratingmusical fusion and human creativity withwarmth and virtuosity.In keeping with the season, a selection ofChristmas fare featuring aCBSO favourite, sopranoJENAVIEVE MOORE.2011–2012NORMAN REINTAMM artistic directorSATURDAY at 8 pmFebruary 4, 2012 *P.C. Ho Theatre5183 Sheppard Ave E, ScarboroughRACHMANINOVPiano Concerto no. 2with internationally-acclaimedArturs Ozolins pianoBEETHOVENSymphony no. 5Regular $30 adult, $25 st/sr (under 12 free)Premium $50 adult, $40 st/sr(under 12 free)* Subscription Concerts 2 & 3cathedralbluffs.com | 416.879.556646 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Acoustic Harvest. Christmas/WinterStories and Songs by Richard Knechtel and JohnGardiner. St. Nicholas Anglican Church, 1512Aradia Ensemble. The Dublin Messiah.Kevin Mallon, conductor. Glenn Gould Studio,Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.Subscription Concert #2 with guests ChrisMcKhool and the Sultans of Stringmenco,Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms and gypsy-Downtown Oakville Jazz Concerts.Freddy Cole Christmas Holiday Show. OakvilleOakville. 905-815-2021 or 1-888-489-7784.$68.99.Gallery 345. Emilyn Stam Trio. Originalcompositions and improvised music. EmilynGreater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra.Joy to the World. Rector The Rev. Mark AndrewsOrganist & Choirmaster John TuttleST.THOMAS’SANGLICAN CHURCH383 Huron Street, TorontoFestival of Nine Lessonsand CarolsSunday, December 18 | 7 p.m.Following the tradition begun atKing's College, CambridgeChristmas EveMidnight Mass | 11 p.m.Music: Malcolm, Rodney BennettOrgan recital 10:30 p.m.:Bach, MessiaenChristmas Day8 a.m. Said Eucharist (BCP)9:30 a.m. Sung Eucharist (BAS)11 a.m. Solemn Eucharist(Traditional Rite)The Feast of the EpiphanySunday, January 88 a.m. Said Eucharist (BCP)9:30 a.m. Sung Eucharist (BAS)11 a.m. Procession & SolemnEucharist (Traditional Rite)7 p.m. Solemn Evensong,Epiphany Carols and Procession(music by Lloyd, Leighton, Willan,Wishart, Vaughan Williams, Messiaen)www.stthomas.on.caGreen Door Cabaret at the LowerOssington Theatre. Theresa Tova: A HollyJolly Christmas and Chanukah Show. With FernLindzon, piano. 100A Ossington Ave. 416-915-Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’sFavourite Messiah. See Dec 14.Sunday December 18Markham Theatre for the PerformingArts. Toronto All-Star Big Band: AChristms Special. 171 Town Centre Blvd.,Toronto All-Star Big Band. A ChristmasSpecial. nostalgic stories and holiday humour. MarkhamFamily Holiday JazzPaul Neufeld, piano withguest Lester McLean, saxSunday, Dec 18 2pmwww.auroraculturalcentre.ca905 713-1818Aurora Cultural Centre. PaulNeufeld`s Sunday Jazz Sessions. 1818. $15.Tafelmusik. Sing-Along Messiah atMassey HallRose Theatre Brampton. AChristmas Carol – the Musical. See Dec 15.Massey Hall and Roy ThomsonHall. Naria. Opera and pop vocal music withGould Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-872-4255.Artists. Quartetto Gelato Christmas Aroundthe World. 1-888-489-7784. $48.99.Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’sFavourite Messiah. See Dec 14.Oakville Ensemble. Messiah.ductor.Mary Mother of God Church, 2745North Ridge Trail, Oakville. 905-825-9740.Royal York Road United Church.Lessons and Carols. Fifteen minute recital be-offering.All Saints’ Kingsway AnglicanChurch. The Call of Christmas with True NorthBrass. With massed choir, carols, brass andorgan. Cathedral Church of St. James.Andrew Adair, organ. Church of St.-Simon-the-Apostle.Traditional Christmas Candlelight Lessons andCarols-Church of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. See Dec 9.Metropolitan United Church. CandlelightService of Lessons and Carols. Traditional-St. Thomas’s Anglican Church. Festivalof Nine Lessons and Carols. service.Arcady. Handel’s Messiah with NationalAcademy Orchestra of Canada. Boris Brott,Jumblies Theatre. Like an Old Tale:An East Scarborough Retelling of The Winter’sTale by William Shakespeare. See Dec 8.Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Victoria Scholars. Natus Est Nobis.Carols from Christmas past and present bycomposers from Canada and around the world.Jerzy Cichocki, director. Our Lady of SorrowsMarkham Theatre for the PerformingArts. Mark Masri, tenor. Holiday concert.171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham. 905-Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.piano. 401 Richmond St. W. 416-419-2248.$15.Royal Conservatory. John Mc-Dermott, tenor, and Friends. Holiday concert.Monday December 19Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’sFavourite Messiah. See Dec 14.Tuesday December 20Our Lady of Sorrows. WednesdayConcert Series. December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 47

Cathedral Church of St. James.Gregg Redner, organ. Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Rose Theatre Brampton. MarkMasri, voice and piano. Holiday classics. 1Theatre Lane, Brampton. 905-874-2800.Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Christmas Holiday Pops. Seasonal favouritesincluding Ding Dong Merrily on High, Go TellArts Chorus. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St.A. Concerts in the GTAWednesday December 21Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Christmas Holiday Pops. See Dec 20.Orpheus Choir. Christmas with Adrianne. Summer in Winter (pre-art songs. -Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Toronto Masque Theatre. Merry TMTChristmas Cabaret and Fundraiser. Enoch TurnerSchoolhouse, 6 Trinity St. 416-410-4561. $20.See Section D, “The ETCeteras” under Galas& Fundraisers.Thursday December 22Metropolitan United Church. Noonat MetChurch of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. See Dec 9.Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Markham Theatre for the PerformingArts. A Leahy Family Christmas. Celticmedleys and traditional carols and songs. 171$54-$59.Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.The Canadian Tenors: Home for the Holidays.Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-Friday December 23Church of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. See Dec 9.Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Ensemble Polaris. the Nutcracker. Arrangements of Russian folktunes and original interpretations of festiveMassey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.The Canadian Tenors: Home for the Holidays.See Dec 22.Saturday December 24Church of the Holy Trinity.The Christmas Story. See Dec 9.Metropolitan CommunityChurch of Toronto (MCC Toronto). 22ndAnnual Christmas Eve Service. TraditionalHall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. $25. Religiousservice.Church of St. Mary Magdalene.Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. 477 Manninggiousservice.St. Thomas’s Anglican Church.Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. Choral musicworks by Bach and Messiaen.Sunday December 25St. Thomas’s Anglican Church.Christmas Day. Said Eucharist (Book of theSt. Thomas’s Anglican Church.Christmas Day. Sung Eucharist (Contemporaryoffering. Religious service.Church of St. Mary Magdalene.Folk Mass. Freewill offering. Religious service.St. Thomas’s Anglican Church.Christmas Day. Solemn Eucharist (Traditionaloffering. Religious service.Tuesday December 27Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. listings@thewholenote.comATMedia Sponsor:Definitely NOT the NutcrackerFestive tunes from Canada’s Arctic Fusion bandFRIDAY, DECEMBER 23 @ 8 pmHELICONIAN HALL, 35 Hazelton Ave.$20 ($15 st/sr)Info: 416-588-4301Ensemble POLARISMarco CERA – Kirk ELLIOTT – Margaret GAY – Ben GROSSMAN –Alison MELVILLE – Colin SAVAGE – Debashis SINHA – Jeff WILSON48 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONSATROY THOMSON HALLWallis Gunta, mezzo-sopranoBravissimo!Opera’s Greatest HitsSaturday December 31, 2011 7pmOpera Canada SymphonyBruno Aprea, conductor (Italy)Sabina Cvilak, soprano (Slovenia)Chiara Taigi, soprano (Italy)Wallis Giunta, mezzo-soprano (Canada)David Pomeroy, tenor (Canada)Aris Argiris, baritone (Greece)Celebrate Opera’s Greatest Hits with a stellar cast of internationalopera stars including famous excerpts from Tosca, Carmen, and more…Bravissimo! A truly magnificent Opera Extravaganza!Salute to ViennaNew Year’s Concert 2012Sunday January 1, 2012 2:30pmThe Strauss Symphony of CanadaAndrás Deák, conductor (Budapest)Renée Schüttengruber, soprano (Vienna)Wolfgang Gratschmaier, tenor (Vienna)Dancers from Kiev-Aniko Ballet of UkraineThis annual recreation of Vienna’s world famous New Year’sConcert returns with a new cast of 75 musicians, stellar Europeansingers and dancers performing favourite waltzes, polkas andOperetta excerpts by Johann Strauss, Jr.The Tradition continues for the 17th consecutive year!Both concerts are co-presented with Attila Glatz Concert Productions

Wednesday December 28Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Toronto Operetta Theatre. TheGypsy Princess-tor.Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre1-800-708-6754. $58.40-$84.60. Also DecThursday December 29Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Friday December 30Theatre Columbus/Evergreen BrickWorks. The Story. Toronto Operetta Theatre. TheGypsy Princess. See Dec 28.Saturday December 31Attila Glatz Concert Productions.Bravissimo: Opera`s Greatest Hits. from Tosca, La Traviata, Romeo and Juliet,Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. $55–$145.Toronto Operetta Theatre. TheGypsy Princess. See Dec 28.A. Concerts in the GTASunday January 01Musicians in Ordinary. New Year’sDay Concert.--Attila Glatz Concert Productions.Salute to Vienna. -Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. $60–$145.Sony Centre for the PerformingArts. Moerin & Mansour In Concert. sianmusic. 1 Front St. E. 1-855-872-7669.$51.75–$108.50.Monday January 02Musicians in Ordinary. New Year’sConcert. See Jan 1.Wednesday January 04Our Lady of Sorrows. WednesdayConcert Series. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.Aaron James, organ1167. Free.Toronto Operetta Theatre. TheGypsy Princess. See Dec 28.Thursday January 05 Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation/ Christ Church Deer Park. Lunchtime ChamberMusic 416-241-1298. Free, donationswelcome.Alchemy. An Hour of Chamber Music.Music by Spanish, Latin-American and otherFriday January 06Church of St. Mary Magdalene.Epiphany – Solemn Mass. 477 Manning Ave.service.Toronto Operetta Theatre. TheGypsy Princess. See Dec 28.Saturday January 07Toronto Operetta Theatre. TheGypsy Princess. See Dec 28.Sunday January 08St. Thomas’s Anglican Church.Feast of the Epiphany. Said Eucharist (Book ofSt. Thomas’s Anglican Church.Feast of the Epiphany. Sung Eucharist (Contem-Freewill offering. Religious service.St. Thomas’s Anglican Church.Feast of the Epiphany. Toronto Operetta Theatre. TheGypsy Princess. See Dec 28.Vesnivka Choir/Toronto UkrainianMale Chamber Choir. A Ukrainian ChristmasConcert. Folk and traditional carols accompaniedby folk instrumental ensemble. IslingtonCathedral Church of St. James.Andrew Adair, organ. Transcriptions for organ.offering.Christ Church Deer Park. Jazz Vespers.416-920-5211. Freewill offering.St. Thomas’s Anglican Church.Feast of the Epiphany: Solemn Evensong, EpiphanyCarols and Procession. Works by Lloyd,Freewill offering. Religious service.Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.Hadala, piano. 401 Richmond St. W. 416-419-2248. $15.Tuesday January 10Cathedral Church of St. James.Andrew Adair, organ. Canadian Opera Company.Dance Series: Chinese Traditions Then and Now.and contemporary dance works. Richard BradshawAmphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre forTUESDAY, JANUARY 10,8PMSOPHIA PERLMAN & ADREAN FARRUGIALIVE RECORDINGJOIN THIS REMARKABLE DUO AS THEYRECORD A LIVE ALBUM ATMusideumTORONTO’S NEWEST, INTIMATE CONCERT VENUE!Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.piano. 401 Richmond St. W. 416-419-2248.$15.Wednesday January 11Our Lady of Sorrows. WednesdayConcert Series. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.Raphael Tambyeff, organ922-1167. Free.Canadian Opera Company. Jazz | | 50 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Series: She Sings He Plays. Jazz interpretationsof pop songs by Simon and Lennon & McCart-Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons CentreToronto Symphony Orchestra. Afterworks:Mozart Jupiter Symphony-Symphony No.41 K551 “Jupiter.” Stewart-Tom Allen, host. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Sim--Thursday January 12Canadian Opera Company.Dance Series: dances for one two three andfour. solo “on earth,” duet “armour,” trio “Coalesce”Ric Brown, Larry Hahn, Sean Ling, SaharaMorimoto and Andrea Nann, dancers. RichardBradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation/Christ Church Deer Park. Lunchtime ChamberMusic 416-241-1298. Free, donationswelcome. University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Thursdays at Noon: PPP: PedagogyProfs Perform! Works by Mozart, Donizetti,atanakoon,violin. Walter Hall, Edward John-Free.Metropolitan United Church. Noonat MetSony Centre for the PerformingArts. Shen Yu Performing Arts. Over 100 artistsperform Chinese music and dance. 1 FrontSt. E. 1-855-872-7669. $55–$270. Also JanMusic Toronto. Discovery Series: Les--345 Sorauren Avenue[Dundas/Roncesvalles]EdwinHuizenga, LaraDownes, AlexDobson, Marc diRuggiero, XinWang, WallaceHalladay, DavidHetherington,Stacie Dunlop,Krista Vincent,Pemi Paull, JohnCorban, KatelynClarkfor monthlyperformances go towww.gallery345.com/performances416.822.9781 forreservationsModern, Classical, Jazz,Folk, World, RentalsMusic TORONTOLESLIE NEWMANflutistERICA GOODMANharpistThursdayJan. 12 at 8 pm-St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St.Toronto Symphony Orchestra. MozartJupiter SymphonyphonyNo.41 K551 “Jupiter.” Stewart Good-Friday January 13Sony Centre for the PerformingArts. Shen Yu Performing Arts. See Jan 12.Gallery 345/Classical Revolution.Lara Downes, piano: 13 Ways of Looking at theGoldberg: Bach Reimagined. ContemporaryHart House. Cabaret. Kander and Ebb.Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-Music Gallery. Jazz Avant Series:Aaron Lumley, bass & Sasha Ivanotchko, dancer.Saturday January 14Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Young People’s Concerts: centVoyage. -erstein,conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Sim--Sony Centre for the PerformingArts. Shen Yu Performing Arts. SeeJan 12.Arraymusic. Rick Sacks Solo ElectronicsShow. Works for MalletKat and electronicdrumkit by Copeland, Nickel, Bauer, Sacks andLidov. Rick Sacks, percussion. Array Space, 60Hart House. Cabaret. Sunday January 15Mooredale Concerts. Music & Dmitri Berlinsky, violin and the InternationalChamber Soloists. One hour interactiveRoyal Conservatory. Cecilia StringQuartet with John O’Conor. Works by Beethov-Toronto Early Music Centre. MusicallySpeaking. Works by Guillemain, LeclaircanChurch, 49 Donlands Ave. 416-464-7610.Free, donations welcome.Gallery 345. Songs for a Winter’s Day.Sorauren Ave. 416-822-9781. $25.Mooredale Concerts. Dmitri Berlinsky,violin and the International Chamber Solo-ists.--Aires. Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building,Cathedral Church of St. James.Andrew Adair, organ. St. Philip’s Anglican Church. JazzVespers. Gregory Hoskins, singer-songwriter.St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church.Jazz Vespers: Songs of the Season. Featur-1 Greenland Rd. 416-487-5445. Free, foodor cash donations for local food bank arewelcome.Sony Centre for the PerformingArts. Shen Yu Performing Arts. See Jan 12.Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.Ed Hanley, tabla. 401 Richmond St. W.416-419-2248. $15.Monday January 16Royal Conservatory. Toronto BluesSociety Maple Blues Awards. Gala event ofCanadian blues music and artists backed by theTuesday Jawry 17Canadian Opera Company.Vocal Series: In Praise of Women. Music writtenby female artists, from von Bingen tocomposers of present day. Richard BradshawAmphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for theMassey Hall and Roy ThomsonHall. Free Choir and Organ Concert Series:Bach Children’s Chorus – Celebration of Youth.ductor,Eleanor Daley, organ. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. Free.York University Departmentof Music. Music at Midday: Student Showcase.Martin Family Lounge, 219 AccoladeCathedral Church of St. James. MatthewLarkin, organ. University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Jazz Faculty Concert. Andrew Downing,York University Department ofMusic. Faculty Concert Series: Israelievitch andPetrowska Quilico duo Contemporary Canadian.-December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 51

Hall, 112 Accolade East Building, 4700 KeeleMassey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.Stas Mikhailov. Original songs by Russian sing-toriaSt. 416-872-4255. $75-$250.Wednesday January 18Our Lady of Sorrows. WednesdayConcert Series. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.Michael Bloss, organ1167. Free.Scarborough Concert Band. CommunityConcert Series 3. Cedarbrook Lodge,9867. Free.Hart House. Cabaret. Toronto Symphony Orchestra. EncoreSeries: Mozart Requiem. --Thursday January 19Canadian Opera Company.Chamber Music Series: East Meet West: Debussyand Tan Dun. Orchestra. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre,Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation/Christ Church Deer Park. Lunchtime ChamberMusic. nationswelcome. University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Thursdays at Noon: Music for 3 Flutes.-piano. Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building,Metropolitan United Church. Noonat MetToronto Symphony Orchestra. MatineeMasterworks: Mozart Requiem. See Jan 18.Alchemy. An Hour of Chamber Music.Music by Spanish, Latin-American and otherLiving Arts Centre. Shen Yun PerformingArts. Concert of Chinese music anddance. Hammerson Hall, Living Arts Centre,6100. $50-$150. Also Jan 20, 21, 22. Starttimes vary.Hart House. Cabaret. Music Toronto. Quartet Series: LafayetteQuartet-Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the-A. Concerts in the GTAMusic TORONTOLAFAYETTEQUARTETThursdayJan. 19 at 8 pmTafelmusik. Handel’s Hercules. Musicaldrama with stage direction by MarshallLamon, director. Koerner Hall, Royal Conserva-Friday January 20York University Department ofMusic. Music at Midday: Aria with Me. Recitalby singers in the classical vocal performancestudios of Catherine Robbin, Stephanie Bogle,Norma Burrowes, Michael Donovan, JanetObermeyer and Karen Rymal, accompanied bySusan Black, piano. Tribute Communities RecitalHall, 112 Accolade East Building, 4700 KeeleAlliance Française de Toronto. Con-Ray Montford,video director. 24 Spadina Rd. 416-922-2014.Living Arts Centre. Shen Yun PerformingArts. See Jan 19.Hart House. Cabaret. Richmond Hill Centre for the PerformingArts. Shanghai Quartet. -Sinfonia Toronto. Black and White.--conductor. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St.Tafelmusik. Handel’s Hercules. SeeJan 19.York University Department of Music.Improv Soiree. An evening of improvisationin a participatory “open mike” setup, hostedperformers and observers welcome. SterlingPeggy Baker Dance Projects. TheSound and Feel of It. John Cage 100th anni--raphy.Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis St.Saturday January 21Living Arts Centre. ShenYun Performing Arts. See Jan 19.Canadian Opera Company. Tosca.-stage director. Four Seasons Centre for the25. Start times vary.Music on the Donway. RobbieBurns Celebrationparticipants.Toronto Symphony Orchestra. CasualConcerts: Mozart Requiem. -Acoustic Harvest. Jaffa Road. St.Nicholas Anglican Church, 1512 Kingston Rd.Acting Up Stage Company/ObsidianTheatre. Caroline, or Change. Book--Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. 416-1–5, 8–12. Start times vary.Hart House. Cabaret. Artists. Johannes Linstead, guitar. OakvilleOakville. 905-815-2021 or 1-888-489-7784.$48.99.Scarborough Philharmonic. RedBrass. Music for brass quintet with a focuson Canadian compositions. Andre Dubelsten,Tafelmusik. Handel’s Hercules. SeeJan 19.Peggy Baker Dance Projects. TheSound and Feel of It. See Jan 20.Sunday January 22Alchemy. An Hour of Chamber Music.Music by Spanish, Latin-American and other-9555. Free.Living Arts Centre. Shen Yun PerformingArts. See Jan 19.Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.Robert Kawasaki, piano. Works by Beethoven,Chopin and Tchaikovsky. Glenn Gould Studio, University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Opera Student Composer Collective.Staged presentation of original opera scenescreated by student composers. MacMillan The-Music Festival.Hannaford Street Silver Band. ALatin Celebration. tor.Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence CentreHart House Music Committee. SundayConcerts: 650th Concert. Marta Herman,Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-2452. Free.Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Threeat the Weston (Matinee Series): Mozart Requiem.-52 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

conductor. George Weston Recital Hall, TorontoTafelmusik. Handel’s Hercules. SeeJan 19.Cathedral Church of St. James.Andrew Adair, organ. Peggy Baker Dance Projects. TheSound and Feel of It. See Jan 20.Christ Church Deer Park. Jazz Vespers.416-920-5211. Freewill offering.Acting Up Stage Company/ObsidianTheatre. Caroline, or Change. See Jan 21.Monday January 23York University Department ofMusic. Music at Midday: Classical InstrumentalRecital. Tribute Communities Recital Hall, 112Accolade East Building, 4700 Keele St. 416- University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Faculty Artist Series: Gryphon Trio.Works by Hillborg, Louie, Current, Jordan,Festival.Jazz FM.91. Sound of Jazz ConcertSeries: Lullaby of Birdland: A Tribute toGeorge Shearing. Tuesday January 24Canadian Opera Company.Jazz Series: Jazz con Salsa Mexicana. -College. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, FourPost-IndustrialVivaldi!The Junction Trio @ St. Anne's270 Gladstone AvenueWednesday, January 25th,730 pmPWYC & Family-friendly!More Info:thejunctiontrio.webs.comA. Concerts in the GTAYork University Department ofMusic. Music at Midday: Student Showcase.Tribute Communities Recital Hall, 112 Accol-Cathedral Church of St. James.Bach Series XII. Andrew Adair, organ. 65offering.Alchemy. An Hour of Chamber Music.Music by Spanish, Latin-American and other-Free.Wednesday January 25Our Lady of Sorrows. WednesdayConcert Series. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.Angus Sinclair, organ; John McKay, bagpipes.Acting Up Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre. Caroline, or Change. SeeJan 21.Canadian Opera Company. Tosca.See Jan 21.Junction Trio. Post-Industrial Vivaldi!University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. New Music Festival: New Music forClarinet. Works by Hillborg, Croall, Hatzis andLau. 0208. Free.Hart House. Cabaret. January 25, 8pmUri MayerconductorAndré LaplantepianoToronto Philharmonia Orchestra.Celebrating MozartToronto Symphony Orchestra. TheMiraculous Mandarin. --conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St.Peggy Baker Dance Projects. TheSound and Feel of It. See Jan 20.Thursday January 26Canadian Opera Company.Piano Virtuoso Series: Etudes Fantasies. Worksby Schubert, Rachmaninov, Corigliano and Kap-Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation/Christ Church Deer Park. Lunchtime ChamberMusic416-241-1298. Free, donations welcome.University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. New Music Festival: Chamber Music ofAnders Hillborg. Works by Hillborg performedby faculty artists and guests. Walter Hall, Ed-408-0208. Free.Metropolitan United Church. Noonat Met.Beyond theScore ® : TheMiraculousMandarinJanuary 26at 7:30 p.m.tso.ca416.593.4828Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Exposed:Unveiling Great Music: The MiraculousMandarinturer.Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-$76. See Section D, “The ETCeteras” underLectures & Symposia.University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. New Music Festival: Sound Art andTechnology. Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Build-Acting Up Stage Company/ObsidianTheatre. Caroline, or Change. See Jan 21.Hart House. Cabaret. Peggy Baker Dance Projects. TheSound and Feel of It. See Jan 20.Friday January 27University of Toronto Facultyof Music. New Music Festival: ElectroacousticMusic. Works by Hillborg, Barbotin, C. Chan,Maimets, Scime and Silberberg. Walter Hall,416-408-0208. Free.St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society.The Yeoman of the Guard. Gilbert & Sulli-University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. New Music Festival: Karen Kieser Prizein Canadian Music. Music by past and thisStaniland, Correia, A. Richardson, Caravassilisand Hillborg. Walter Hall, Edward JohnsonFree.Acting Up Stage Company/ObsidianTheatre. Caroline, or Change. See Jan 21.Hart House. Cabaret. Living Arts Centre. Robert Michael’sViva Italia! Music of Italy. Robert Michael, guitar.Hammerson Hall, Living Arts Centre, 4141Living Arts Centre. Shannon Butcher,jazz vocalist. RBC Theatre, Living Arts Centre,6100. $20 and up.Markham Theatre for the PerformingArts. Sophie Milman, jazz vocalist.7469. $54-$59.Rose Theatre Brampton. MavisStaples, gospel and rhythm and blues vocalist.1 Theatre Lane, Brampton. 905-874-2800.$59.89-$71.19.Royal Conservatory. Royal ConservatoryOrchestra conducted by Julian Kuerti.--416-408-0208. $22 and up.Toronto Consort. Charles Daniels inRecital: It was a lover and his lass. Renaissancelute songs by Morley, Danyels, Campian andAlso Jan 28.Artists. Michael Ciufo, tenor with Chris Bilton,piano. Peggy Baker Dance Projects. TheSound and Feel of It. See Jan 20.Saturday January 28St. Anne’s Music andDrama Society. The Yeoman of the Guard.See Jan 27.Acting Up Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre. Caroline, or Change. SeeJan 21.Hart House. Cabaret. SeeToronto Mendelssohn Choir. CommunityConcert. Concluding concert of the--Islington United Church. A CelticCelebration: Robbie Burns at Islington. Brennadlers,singers and dancers. 25 BurnhamthorpeOpera by Request. Lohengrin. Wag---54 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. New Music Festival: Festival Finale.-aryApfelstadt, Gillian MacKay, David Briskinand Brian Current, conductors. Walter Hall, Ed-Academy Concert Series. Mozart:A Year in Vienna-Markham Theatre for the PerformingArts. Grand Salon Orchestra: AnythingGoes – the Music of the Roaring Twenties. Arrangementsof 1920s dance band music. Grand7469. $54-$59.Royal Conservatory. Susan Grahamwith Malcolm Martineau. Works bywww.academyconcertseries.comPerformers:NicolaiTarasov,EdwinHuizinga,EmilyEng,CharleneYeh,KerriMcGonigle,ArtisticDirectors:KerriMcGonigleNicolaiTarasovMozart:AYearInViennaHighlightingthechambermusicoftheClassicalcomposerWolfgangAmadeusMozart,includingStringTrioK.563,StringQuartetK.575andtheClarinetQuintetK.581.Performedonperiodinstruments.EastminsterUnitedChurch,310DanforthAvenue(WestofChester)Tickets:$17or$39forthree;Student/SeniorTickets:$11or$24forthreeBuyonlineat orcallusat4166293716~E TO|oNTOCºNSO|tCHARLES DANIELSIN |eCITALCharles Daniels has ignited audiences aroundthe world with his magnificently nuanced andsophisticated musicianship. Accompanied bylutenist David Miller,features works by Thomas Morley, John Danyels,Thomas Campian and Etienne Moulinié.December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 55

Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, Du--Tapestry New Opera. The TapestrySongbookworks by Canadian composers. Xin Wang, sop-Foley, piano. Ernest Balmer Studio, DistilleryToronto Consort. Charles Daniels inRecital: It was a lover and his lass. See Jan 27.Toronto Symphony Orchestra. TheMiraculous Mandarin. See Jan 25.Peggy Baker Dance Projects. TheSound and Feel of It. See Jan 20.Sunday January 29Canadian Opera Company. Tosca.See Jan 21.NYCO Symphony Orchestra. AnimalCrackers-College School, 1515 Bathurst St. 416-628-A. Concerts in the GTAAssociates of theTorontoSymphonyOrchestra St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society.The Yeoman of the Guard. See Jan 27.Amici Chamber Ensemble. Fashionista:Fashion as Art.--Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-872-Cathedral Church of St. James.Andrew Adair, organ. Peggy Baker Dance Projects. TheSound and Feel of It. See Jan 20.St. Philip’s Anglican Church. JazzVespersToronto Singing Studio. CelebrationChoir and Vocal MosaicLet There Be Song!Adult choirs from the Toronto Singing Stu-Acting Up Stage Company/ObsidianTheatre. Caroline, or Change. See Jan 21.New Music Concerts. Legends. Dan-mallA subscription to the Five Small Concert Series will bean ideal gift for your family, friends and yourself.Concerts offer a wide range of composers in Chamber settings.Full Series $75/$65, Single Concert $20/$17.Monday, January 30, 2012, 7:30 p.m.Sergei Taneyev String Quintet in G major, Op. 14Franz Schubert String Quintet in C major, D. 956(Church of the Redeemer, 162 Bloor St. West)Monday, February 27, 2012, 7:30 p.m.Edvard Grieg String Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 27vBedrich Smetana String Quartet #1 in E minor(Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. West)Monday, March 19, 2012, 7:30 p.m.Young Magic – Ensembles from theToronto Symphony Youth Orchestra(Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. West)Monday, April 30, 2012, 7:30 p.m.Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet in D, Op. 76 #5Johannes Brahms String Quartet in B flat major, Op 67 #3Jean Sibelius String Quartet in D “Voces Intimae”, Op. 56John Corigliano “Postcard”(Church of the Redeemer, 162 Bloor St. West)Monday, May 28, 2012, 7:30 p.m.Franz Schubert Schubert Octet in F major, D. 803(Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. West)LEGENDSNEW MUSIC CONCERTSSUNDAY JANUARY 29 2012E N W A V E T H E A T R Etetfor piano and winds with electronics (Cana-Robert Aitken, conductor. Enwave Theatre,Royal Conservatory. World, Pop andEverything in Between Series: Mavis Staples.Monday January 30Associates of the Toronto SymphonyOrchestra. Five Small Concerts: SublimeInspirationuelleBeaulieu Bergeron, cello. Church of theTuesday January 31Canadian Opera Company.Chamber Music Series: Mirror of Memory: theChamber and Vocal Music of Kaija Saariaho.-shawAmphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre forCathedral Church of St. James.Bruce Kirkpatrick Hill, organ. 65 Church St. 416-Canadian Opera Company. Tosca.See Jan 21.Royal Conservatory. A Year of GreatSax: Joe Lovano Us Five-0208. $45 and up.Talisker Players. Starry Night – ofSleep and Dreams – the Wonder and Terror ofthe Night. --427 Bloor St. W. 416-466-1800 or 416-978-chat. Also Feb 1.Wednesday February 01Our Lady of Sorrows. WednesdayConcert Series. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.Andrew Adair, organ1167. Free.Acting Up Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre. Caroline, or Change. SeeJan 21.Canadian Opera Company. JazzSeries: Lost Love Songs. Heather Bambrick,-Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Cen-StarryNightRufus Müller, tenorAlexander Dobson, baritoneStewart Arnott, actor/readerTalisker Players, strings, winds, pianoJanuary 31 &February 1, 2012 | 8 pmTrinity St. Paul’s CentreTickets: $30 | $20 | $10416-978-8849 | uofttix.cawww.taliskerplayers.ca56 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.Mike Evin, singer-songwriter. 401 RichmondSt. W. 416-419-2248. $10.Talisker Players. Starry Night – ofSleep and Dreams – the Wonder and Terror ofthe Night. Thursday February 02Canadian Opera Company.Vocal Series: From the Grammar of Dreams:Vocal Music of Kaija Saariaho. Artists from theCOC Ensemble Studio perform vocal works of-Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation/Christ Church Deer Park. Lunchtime ChamberMusic: Rising Stars Recital. Students from 416-241-1298. Free, donationswelcome. University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Thursdays at Noon: Percussion and theSpoken Word. Rzewski and Hatzis. Beverley Johnston, percussion.Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building,Metropolitan United Church. Noonat MetCanadian Opera Company. Love fromAfar. -18, 22. Start times vary.Royal Conservatory. Quartet. Works by Haydn, Sibelius and Men-St. W. 416-408-0208. $14.50. St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society.The Yeoman of the Guard. See Jan 27. University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra:Mahler FirstSymphony No.1. MacMillan Theatre, EdwardActing Up Stage Company/ObsidianTheatre. Caroline, or Change. See Jan 21.Gallery 345. Reve Doux-Amer/BittersweetDream. Works by Debussy, J. Harvey,-- Soundstreams. The Sealed Angel. Sh-eDanzadance company, Lars Scheibner, choreographer.Koerner Hall, Royal Conservatory,Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Beethoven Emperor Concertoconductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St.Friday February 03Canadian Opera Company. Tosca.See Jan 21. St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society.The Yeoman of the Guard. See Jan 27.Acting Up Stage Company/ObsidianTheatre. Caroline, or Change. See Jan 21.Collective of Black ArtistsLesRythmes de la Forêt. Dances and rhythms fromSub-Saharan Africa. Fleck Dance Theatre,Markham Theatre for the PerformingArts. Simon Shaheen. Arab music forviolin and oud. 171 Town Centre Blvd., Mark-Soundstreams. The Sealed Angel. Shchedrin.See Feb 2.Toronto Masque Theatre. Masquesof Love. sancemadrigals and lute songs to 20th century-others. Enoch Turner School House, 106 Trin-Saturday February 04 St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society.The Yeoman of the Guard. See Jan 27.Acting Up Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre. Caroline, or Change. SeeJan 21.Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra.Young and Bold.-citalHall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040Larkin Singers. Romance: Passionson a Winter’s Night-by Bruckner, Reger and Rheinberger. Christ-Canadian Opera Company. Love fromAfar. See Feb 2.Metropolitan United Church. MetropolitanBachFest II: Jam Session with Bach.Instrumental works by Bach and other Germanmasters, featuring improvisations on baroquedance forms, Lutheran hymns and other-CHOREOGRAPHED BY LARS SCHEIBNER; FEATURING PROARTEDANZA,ELMER ISELER SINGERS & AMADEUS CHOIR, CONDUCTED BY LYDIA ADAMSA profoundly moving music drama by Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin integrating70 voices, 5 dancers, 2 boy sopranos & solo fluteThursday, February 2 & Friday, February 3, 2012 at 8pmKoerner Hall in the TELUS Centre for Performance and LearningSingle tickets starting at $47 // Under 35 & Artists $28For tickets call 416.408.0208 or visit www.rcmusic.caWWW.SOUNDSTREAMS.CA“…pretty well irresistible” – GramaphoneSOUNDSTREAMS 11/12 CONCERT SERIESSEALED ANGELSealed Angel performance photo credit:Matthias HeydeTHE HAL JACKMANFOUNDATIONDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 57

Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.Subscription Concert #3A. Concerts in the GTA-pardAve. E., Scarborough. 416-879-5566.Collective of Black ArtistsLesRythmes de la ForêtGallery 345. Chamber Music. Mississauga Festival Choir. AnnualFestival of Friends Concert. other works. 200 voices in solo and massed-Oakville Symphony Orchestra. RomanticLegends. Royal Conservatory. Year of GreatSax Series: Ravi Coltrane Quartet and the ChristineJensen Quartet featuring Ingrid Jensen.Toronto Masque Theatre. Masquesof Love. Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Beethoven Emperor Concerto. See Feb 2.Sunday February 05Canadian Opera Company. Tosca.See Jan 21.Oakville Symphony Orchestra. RomanticLegends. See Feb 4.Off Centre Music Salon. Schubertiad:The Composer Contemplates and Twitters.-Studio, 250 Front St. W. 416-466-1870. $50-$60. Also CD launch of new recording of Schubertpiano sonatas by Zarankin. St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society.The Yeoman of the Guard. See Jan 27.Trio Bravo. In Recital. Works by Bach,Beethoven, Bruch and Schubert. All SaintsKingsway Anglican Church, 2850 Bloor St. W. University of Toronto Faculty ofMusic. Choirs in Concert: Cathedral Classics.varezand David Holler, conductors. Churchof the Redeemer, 162 Bloor St. W. 416-408-Royal Conservatory. Les Violons duRoy with Maurice Steger, recorder. Koerner Hall,Syrinx Sunday Salons. HochelagaTrio.-Reception to follow.Collective of Black ArtistsLesRythmes de la ForêtToronto Singing Studio. Vivace Vox:Embroidered Voicesby Blake, Shelley, Rossetti, Stevenson, Kipling58 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

-Christ Church Deer Park. Jazz Vespers.Tribute to Eubie Blake. Gord Sheard,willoffering.Acting Up Stage Company/ObsidianTheatre. Caroline, or Change. See Jan 21.Musideum. Coffeehouse Concert Series.Jason Fowler, singer-songwriter. 401 RichmondSt. W. 416-419-2248. $20.Tuesday February 07Canadian Opera Company.Vocal Series: Collaborationsarias and ensembles. Singers from the COC En-Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons CentreCanadian Opera Company.Tosca. See Jan 21.listings@thewholenote.comThursday December 01Wilfrid Laurier University.Music at Noon. Colin Andrew Lee, piano. Mau-W., WaterlooSanderson Centre for thePerforming Arts. The Irish Rovers. 88 DalhousieSt., Brantford. 1-800-265-0710. Wilfrid Laurier University. ImprovisationConcerts Ensemble. Glenn Buhr andKathryn Ladano, directors. Maureen ForresterWaterloo.Friday December 02Bravado!, Barrie’s Show Choir. AVery Merry Barrie Christmas. Collier StreetBarrie. 705-: Theatre Ancaster. Aida. Tony awardwinningmusical with music by Elton John,B. Concerts Beyond the GTAIN THIS ISSUE: Ancaster, Barrie, Belleville, Cobourg, Dundas,Elora, Fonthill, Guelph, Hamilton, Jordan, Kingston, Kitchener,Lindsay, London, Meaford, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Owen Sound, Paris,Peterborough, Port Hope, St. Catharines, Waterloo, Whitby.Jerseyville Rd., Ancaster.Wilfrid Laurier University. ChamberMusic Concert. Beth Ann de Sousa, direc-versityAve. W., Waterloo. 519-884-0710Saturday December 03Bravado!, Barrie’s Show Choir. AVery Merry Barrie Christmas. See Dec 2.FourPlay Baroque Ensemble. Echoesof Autumn. Music by Handel, Schickhardt and-cleSt. BellevilleMeaford Hall & Cultural Foundation.Christmas Fundraiser with Emilie-ClaireBarlow. 12 Nelson St. E., Meaford. 1-877-December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 59

Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. RonaldformedChurch, 2900 Fourth Ave., Jordan.905-892-9160. $20.Guelph Youth Singers. Candles in OurHearts. Seasonal music and carols. Linda Beau-Anglican Church, 99 Woolwich St., Guelph.Mohawk College Community Choir.Christmas at St. Paul’s-Dundas. 905-526-Orchestra Kingston. Singalong Messiah.way,816 Centennial Dr., Kingston. Lindsay Concert Foundation. DonnellyWolak Duo: Classical Jazz Fusion. Chrissonand Rimsky-Korsakov. Glenn Crombie Theatre,Fleming College, 200 Albert St. S., Lindsay.Theatre Ancaster. Aida. See Dec 2.Wilfrid Laurier University. WLUWind Orchestra. Jessica Kun, conductor. Mau-W., Waterloo. Sunday December 04Kingston Symphony. Bach’sB. Concerts Beyond the GTAChristmas--St., KingstonKawartha Youth Orchestra. WinterTales. Works by Wieniawski, Mozart, Sibeliusand others. Claire Motyer, violin. Market HallTheatre, 140 Charlotte St., Peterborough.La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra. Homefor the Holidays. Orchestral and seasonal clas--Port Hope.Brantford Symphony Orchestra.Christmas Favourites. -88 Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090.Wilfrid Laurier University. ChapelChoir. Elvera Froese, director. Keffer MemorialWaterloo. 519-Wilfrid Laurier University. ChamberMusic Concert. Beth Ann de Sousa, direc-versityAve. W., Waterloo. 519-884-0710Tuesday December 06Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Ron-Brantford. 519-759-Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber MusicSociety. Peter Vinograde, piano, with the BremenString Quartet. Waterloo. 519-886-Wednesday December 07St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.Wednesday Noon Concerts-Kitchener. 519-576-2129. Free.University of Western Ontario DonWright Faculty of Music. UWO Chamber Or-chestra-St., LondonCentre for the Arts – Brock University.Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Salsa Navidad.Theatre, 500 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines.Friday December 09Arcady. Welcome Yule!: ChristmasMusic of Ronald Beckett. Carolyn Stronks-Zeyl,St., BrantfordKing Edward Choir. Christmas Messiah.St. Mary`s Roman Catholic Church, 65 AmeliaSt., Barrie. 705-252-5212. Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. Trio: Amanda Goodburn, violin;Emmanuelle Beaulieu-Bergeron, cello; Sanae Nikajima,piano.-WaterlooSaturday December 10Niagara Symphony Association.Pops II: Home for the Holidays-ridgeAve., St. CatharinesHamilton Children`s Choir.Sing for Joy: Annual Holiday Concert. MelroseHamilton.Georgian Bay Symphony. 1 HourFamily Christmas Concert. Christmas musicwith traditional sing-along. Lesley Bouza, sop-Auditorium, 1550 8th St. E., Owen Sound.Georgian Bay Symphony. Christmasin Vienna. J. traditional Christmas carols and sing-along.-E., Owen SoundGrand Philharmonic Choir. Messiahwith the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony.Kitchener.Sunday December 11St. Jude’s Anglican Church.Lessons and Carols. Chancel choir directed byBrantford.519-752-0965. Free.Toronto All-Star Big Band. A ChristmasSpecial. nostalgic stories and holiday humour. Theatre, 251 9th St. E., Owen Sound. 519-Georgian Music. Gift of the Magi.Barrie.705-726-1181. By subscription only.Niagara Symphony Assocation.Pops II: Home for the Holidays. See Dec 10.Peterborough Community CarolSing. A Christmas Event for Everyone. Traditionalcarols lead by choirs from local church--byterianChurch, 120 Murray St., PeterboroughArmy Christmas hamper fund.Guelph Symphony Orchestra. Tourthe World Series: European Noël. Works byalong carols. Grand River Chorus, Richard Cun--GuelphMonday December 12 Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. Goodman, harp.--WaterlooHolidayConcertSingforJoy!Sat. December 10th3:30pm and 8:00pm905-527-1618www.hamiltonchildrenschoir.com60 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Tuesday December 13Corporation of the City of St.Catharines. Civic Christmas Carol Concert.Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Con-nisMorris Catholic High School Choir, AngelarinesCivic Brass Ensemble, Steve Fralick, con--St., St. Catharines.Freewill offering.Wednesday December 14Music at St. Andrew’s. ChristmasMusic with Marina Laking, organ, and PaulineWarnica, piano. Church, 47 Owen St., Barrie. 705-726-1181. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.Wednesday Noon Concerts. Carols and seasonalKitchener. 519-576-2129. Free.Centre for the Arts – Brock University.John McDermott, tenor-500 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines. 1-866-Hammer Hoppers. Warm HolidayWishes Dance with Alex Pangman and her Alleycats.Hamilton.swing dance lesson $15.Thursday December 15Skyliners Big Band. In Concert atBarrie City Hall. Music from the big band eravocals. Barrie City Hall Rotunda, 70 CollierSt., Barrie. 705-487-2574. Free, donationswelcome.Friday December 16Bach Elgar Choir. Handel’s Messiah.--tra.Melrose united Church, 86 HomewoodAve., HamiltonGallery Players. Glissandi Christmas.Seasonal music, short stories and poems. Deb-Niagara-onthe-LakeGeorgian Bay Concert Choir. A Celebrationin preparation for Christmas--Ave. E., Owen SoundGrand River Chorus. SingalongMessiahColborne St., Brantford Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. Penderecki Quartet. Beethov-W., WaterlooSanderson Centre for the PerformingArts. Leahy. Folk group. 88 DalhousieSt., Brantford. 519-758-8090 or 1-800-265-0710. $42.Saturday December 17Toronto All-Star Big Band. A ChristmasSpecial. nostalgic stories and holiday humour. The Stu-Hamilton.Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Ron-Church, 468 Wellington St., London. 519-672-8800. $20.Centre for the Arts – Brock University.Mark Masri: A Christmas Time withYou.Ave., St. CatharinesEspressivo Singers. Christmas in theSouthwest. other Christmas favourites. 1850 RosslandRd. E., Whitby. Gallery Players. Glissandi Christmas.Seasonal music, short stories and poems. Deb--Fonthill.Sanderson Centre for the PerformingArts. Home for the Holidays: NaomiStriemer, voice-Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090 or1-800-265-0710. $28.Guelph Chamber Choir. Handel’sMessiah-GuelphRenaissance Singers. What SweeterMusic--Sunday December 18St. Paul’s United Church. Lessonsand Carols. Chancel choir directed byStephanie Burgoyne. 48 Broadway St. W., Paris.519-752-0965. Free.Dublin Street United Church. A VictorianChristmas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales.Anderle, organist and conductor. Dublin StreetGuelph.Peterborough Singers. Messiah.-St. N., Peterborough. Wellington Winds. A Christmas withthe Wind and Young Voices. Seasonal works byskyand Anderson. With the Inter-MennoniteWaterlooHuronia Symphony Orchestra. FromHallelujah to Jazz. Traditional Christmas classics,carol sing-along and big band music. Oli--Church, 112 Collier St., Barrie. 705-721-4752.Royal Canadian College of OrganistsNorthumberland Centre. Organ Recital.-284 Division St., CobourgFree, donations appreciated.Monday December 19Arcady. Handel’s Messiah with NationalAcademy Orchestra of Canada. Boris Brott,conductor. Mohawk College McIntyre Theatre,Hamilton. 1-888-475-Peterborough Singers. Messiah. SeeDec 18.Tuesday December 20Centre for the Arts – BrockUniversity. A Leahy Family Christmas. Celticmedleys and traditional carols and songs. SeanSt.CatharinesElora Festival and Singers. Festivalof CarolsSt., EloraKingston Symphony. CandlelightChristmas270 King St. E., Kingstonproudly presents theWednesday December 21Elora Festival and Singers.Festival of Carols. See Dec 20.Kingston Symphony. CandlelightChristmas. See Dec 20.Thursday December 22Sanderson Centre for the PerformingArts/Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company.The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause.Baum. 88 Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090 or 1-800-265-0710. $20.Saturday December 31Bay of Quinte Country Club Ltd.Commodores’ Orchestra: A dancing night of bigband swing!Belleville968-8691. $85(incl. 5-course meal and cham-Sunday January 01Guelph Symphony Orchestra. Tourthe World Series: Dreams of Vienna. Arias, duets,waltzes, polkas and marches. Mark Du-St., GuelphWednesday January 04Midday Music with Shigeru..50 Anne St. N., Barriestudents free.THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF ST.CATHARINES21 st AnnualCivic ChristmasCarol Concertat St. Thomas’ Anglican ChurchTuesday, December 13th, 201112 NoonDoors Open at 11:30a.m.The program features Choirs and Musicians fromSir Winston Churchill Secondary School Concert ChoirCliff Sayliss ~ Music DirectorDenis Morris Catholic High School ChoirAngela Barbatano - Koekuyt ~ Music DirectorThe St. Catharines Civic Brass EnsembleSteve Fralick ~ ConductorPeter M. Partridge ~ Conductor Massed ChoirsRoss R. Stretton ~ Producer of the Civic Carol Concert & OrganistKenneth R. Hutton ~ Organist St. Thomas’ Anglican ChurchOfficial Guest SpeakerThe Right Rev. D. Ralph SpenceTenth Bishop of Niagara, The Albion Herald of CanadaChancellor of Renison - University CollegeUniversity of WaterlooCome Celebrate Christmas in the Singing of Yuletide CarolsChoirs ~ Organ ~ BrassProceeds to Community CareDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 61

Thursday January 05Wilfrid Laurier University.Music at Noon. Cary Savage, guitar. MaureenWaterlooSaturday January 07 Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. Rachel Mercer, cello; AngelaPark, piano-W., WaterlooWednesday January 11 Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. Jerzy Kaplanek, violin; StéphanSylvestre, pianoWaterloo. 519-886-Thursday January 12Wilfrid Laurier University. Musicat NoonversityAve. W., Waterloo. 519-884-0710Saturday January 14Barrie Concerts. Strings on Fire.Works by Bach, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky.-Church, 50 Anne St. N., Barrie. 705-726-1181. By subscription only.Niagara Symphony Association. OrchEXTRASeries: The Boys of the Jersey Shore.Music of rock artists from the Jersey Shore.-ridgeAve., St. CatharinesOpera Hamilton. Popera Plus. Operatraand Chorus, David Speers, conductor. DofascoCentre for the Arts, 190 King William St.,Hamilton. and 21. Start times vary.Kingston Symphony. Classical Play-list-Kingston.Sunday January 15St. Jude’s Anglican Church. ChoralEvensong. Chancel choir directed by StepanieBrantford. 519-752-0965. Free.Sanderson Centre for the PerformingArts. La Diva Natalie Choquette. 88Dalhousie St., Brantford. 519-758-8090 or1-800-265-0710. $42.Monday January 16 Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. André Laplante, piano. De--B. Concerts Beyond the GTAWaterlooWednesday January 18Music at St. Andrew’s. BruceKirkpatrick Hill, organ; Pax Christi oratorio choir.St., Barrie. Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. Lafayette String Quartet-Waterloo. 519-Thursday January 19Wilfrid Laurier University.Music at NoonSylvestre, piano. Maureen Forrester RecitalWaterloo. 519-Opera Hamilton. Popera Plus. SeeJan 14.Friday January 20Kingston Symphony. Music ofthe Night. Works by A. L. Weber and others.-KingstonSaturday January 21Opera Hamilton. Popera Plus. SeeJan 14.Lindsay Concert Foundation. Love’sTravels: Donna Bennett, soprano and Brian Finley,piano. Works by Handel, Chopin, Liszt, Delibes,Bernstein and others. Glenn CrombieTheatre, Flemming College, 200 Albert St. S.,LindsayScarborough Philharmonic Orchestra.Chamber Music Series: Music for BrassQuintet. Focus on Canadian music. Red BrassKingston Rd., KingstonWilfrid Laurier University. MWM FinancialGroup Distinguished Artist Series. Marc-Waterloo.Sunday January 22St. Paul’s United Church. Lessonsand Carols. Chancel choir directed by Stephanie752-0965. Free.Wilfrid Laurier University. WLU JazzEnsemble. Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75Waterloo. 519-884-0710Tuesday January 24 Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. String ExtravaganzaRachel Mercer and Rachel Desoer, cello. KW-Waterloo.Wednesday January 25Centre for the Arts – Brock University.Mavis Staples. Gospel, rhythm andAve., St. CatharinesThursday January 26Wilfrid Laurier University.Music at Noon. Ken Murray Concerto CompetitionFinalists. Maureen Forrester Recital Hall,Waterloo. 519-884-NUMUS Concerts. Jazz Summit –The Art of Miles Davis-Huether Hotel, 59 King St. N., Waterloo. 519-Friday January 27Melos Choir and Orchestra. TheItalian Connection: Gabrieli to Vivaldi. li,Gabrieli, Marenzio, Cimarosa and others.-Kingston. NUMUS Concerts. Jazz Summit –Double Bill: Ebony Tower Octet and the RandomAccess Quintet. The Jazz Room, Huether Hotel,59 King St. N., Waterlooshow only.Saturday January 28Johannes Linstead and AntonitasD’Havila. Valentine Fiesta Romantica. Johan- The Studio at Ham-Hamilton. 1-855-Northumberland Orchestra & Choir.Putting on the Ritz. Works by Gershwin anda tribute to composer Rod Anderson. CeciliaDivision St., Cobourg.- Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. Amernet String Quartet andShoshana Telner, piano-WaterlooNUMUS Concerts. Jazz Summit –Double Bill: Neue Berlin Cabaret and the JasonWhite Triovoice. The Jazz Room, Huether Hotel, 59King St. N., Waterlooonly.Sunday January 29Niagara Symphony Association.MasterWorks 5--Theatre, 500 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines.Wednesday February 01Midday Music with Shigeru.Thomson Somerville, jazz piano. Music by Berlin,Stevens, McLaughlin and Somerville. Hi-Barrie Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. WLU Student Composers andImprovisers: String Quartet and Woodwind Trio.WaterlooThursday February 02Centre for the Arts – Brock University.Ravi Coltrane Quartet.ridgeAve., St. CatharinesFriday February 03NUMUS Concerts. Pop/Rock AvantSeries: The White Album(s). Works by the Beat--KitchenerSaturday February 04Barrie Concerts. Pergolesi’s InspiringStabat MaterSt. N., Barrie. 705-726-1181. By subscriptiononly.Grand Philharmonic Choir. A Night ofBrahms and Pärt. ---Kitchener. 519-578-6885. $10–$65.Tuesday February 07 Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. New Orford Quartet. Beethov-Shauna Rolston, cello. KWCMS Music Room,WaterlooListings in The WholeNote aresearchable by genre and by geographiczone at thewholenote.com62 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

C. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz)Beat by Beat / In the ClubsAlleycatzwww.alleycatz.caEvery Mon 8pm Salsa Night w DJ Frank Bischun,w lessons. Every Tue Carlo Berardinucciand the Double A Jazz Swing Band,with lessons, $5 Cover. Every Wed Swingin’ Jazz and Blues, Funky R&B w GraycefulDaddies. Every Thu Soul, R&B and Reggae$4 Refreshments. No Cover. Fri and Sat Funk,Soul, Reggae, R&B, Top 40; dinner reservations. Dec 1 Soular. Dec 2, 3,8, 9, 10 Lady Kane. Dec 15 Soular. Dec 16, 17Dec 22, 23 Lady Kane. Dec 24Bagelcious Matza Ball Party. Dec 29, 30 JameskingBand. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Party withJamesking Band. Jan 5 Local Music is Sexy.Jan 6 Jan 7 Soular. Jan 12, 13,14 Lady Kane. Jan 19, 20, 21 Uptown Band.Jan 26, 27 Asenscion. Jan 28 Soular.Aquila RestaurantLive Blues Wednesday to Saturday Nights 9pm.Open Jam Sundays 4-8pm.Azure Restaurant & Barat the Intercontinental Hotelwww.azurerestaurant.caEvery Thu, Fri, Sat Dan BodanisTrio w Bernie Senensky & Steve Wallace.Black Swan, TheEvery Wed The Danforth Jam w JonLong and Friends.Bon Vivant Restaurantwww.bonvivantdining.comEvery Thu Bill Naphan Solo Guitar 6-9pm.Every Fri 6-9pm Margaret Stowe Solo Guitar.Castro’s LoungeEvery Sun 6-9pm Jeremy Rouse Trio (Jazz/Roots) No Cover. Every Mon SmokeyFolk (Bluegrass/Rockabilly). No Cover.C’est What67 Front St. E. 416-860-9000www.cestwhat.comDec 3, 17, 31 Del Dako & Friends.Dec 10 Hot Five Jazzmakers.Chalkers Pub, Billiards & Bistro Every Tue Grand Tuesdayswith Robi Botos Attila Darvas Frank Botos .16. Every Wed 8pm-midnight Girls Night OutVocalist-Friendly Jazz Jam w host Lisa Particelli Peter Hill Ross MacIntyre, Norman Marshall Villeneuve ;Dec 3 6-9pm Kirk MacDonaldQuartet Soul Stew $10.Dec 8 Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Society. Dec10 6-9pm Fern Lindzon $10. Dec 17 6-9pmJohn Tank with the Bernie Senensky Trio Soul Stew $10. Dec 22 TorontoFingerstyle Guitar Society. Jan 11 Lisa Particelli’sGNOJAZZ Jam 7th Year Anniversary. Jan14 6-9pm Nancy Walker Quartet $10. Jan 216-9pm Lorne Lofsky Trio $10. Jan 28 6-9pmCorey Weeds Quartet feat. Bernie Senensky$10. Jan 29 7-10pm Corey Weeds Quartet featuringBernie Senensky $10.Classico Pizza & PastaEvery Thu 7pm Jazz Guitarist Nate Renner.Cobourg, TheJazz Sundays 9pm. No Cover.Coco Rogue Chocolate Lounge, Thewww.coco-rogue.comEvery Thu. John Campbell. No Cover. EveryFri and Sat Alex James. No Cover.Communist’s Daughter, TheEvery Sat 4-7pm Gypsy Jazz w Michael Johnson& Red Rhythm: Michael Louis Johnson(trumpet/vocals) Roberto Rosenman (guitar)Terry Wilkins (bass).Cool Runnings Restaurant2708 Danforth Ave. 416-694-2665Dec 1 NMV Trio: Norman Marshall Villeneuve Michael Shand George KozubDeSotos1079 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-651-2109Every Thu 8pm-midnight Open Mic Jazz Jam,hosted by Double A Jazz. Every Sun 11am-2pm Brunch w Double A Jazz and Guest.Dominion on Queenwww.dominiononqueen.comEvery Sun Rockabilly Brunch.Every Tue Corktown Django Jam whost Wayne Nakamura.Every WedCorktown Uke Jam. Dec 1 8pm George GrosmanTrio $7. Dec 2 Swingin’ Black-Jacks $5. Dec 3 4pm Ronnie Hayward. Dec4 Ilana Waldson: Jazz ‘n’ Laughs $10.Dec 8 Tara Open Mic Night for students. Dec 9 8pm Festival Medley CabaretPaul James $10. Dec 10 Beverly Taft, Tony Quarrington and San Murata$10. Dec 11 4pm Jazz Jam with Noah Leibeland guests; 7pm Musical Theatre Cabaret. Dec23 9pm Havana to Toronto with Joaquin NunezHidalgo. Dec 27 Hot Club of CorktownJam Dec 29 9pm Derek Grey’s Tesseract$5. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve with Gary KendallBand.Dovercourt HouseEvery Sat Saturday Night Swing: Dance featuringLive Swing Bands and dance lessons.EDOwww.edosushi.com. No Cover.Every Thu Tony Quarrington,guitar, with guests: Dec 1 Melissa BoyceDrew Birston Dec 8 GeorgeWesterholm Dec 15 Sera-Lee Saba Hutchison Dec 22 Maureen Kennedy GeorgeKoller Dec 29 Dee Kaye ArtieRoth Shhhhhhh!!!!!Very recently I attended bebop-singing pioneer Sheila Jordan`s83rd birthday celebration in New York City. There was a greatturnout of well-wishers present, including loved ones, friends became engaged in conversation and if that wasn’t bad enough, hebegan snickering audibly, repeatedly, obnoxiously, as if it the BlueNote was a Yuk Yuk’s. ”Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!” I thought looks he was receiving from numerous angles. Thankfully, anangered music appreciator approached the clueless culprit and aggressivelyshushed soda. (Heroes like this particular shusher prove that we’ve all got toget over our shyness when it comes to shushing. Sheesh!)O R I D A G A NMezzetta: Guitarist Brian Katz andMezzetta owner Safa Nemati.QUIET NIGHTSIn Toronto’sjazz spots, aswell, it is usuallyup to audiencemembers,rather than thevenue staff tomonitor thosewho choose tobe inconsiderate.Even themost prominentmusic venues in our club listings do not have a strict quiet policy,in fear of losing business: the likely argument being that those whoneed to be shushed are often those who order enough to make thelive music economically viable.Since the early 1990s, Mezzetta has been an admirable exception:the Mediterranean restaurant at St. Clair and Christie has beenpresenting a weekly live jazz and world music series on Wednesdayevenings, with a strict quiet policy in effect. St. Clair West hasguitarist Brian Katz to thank for initiating this series. An activemusician and educator in various genres including classical, jazz, “Approximately twenty years ago I noticed what appeared to bea charming Mediterranean style new restaurant in my neighbourhoodand after visiting just once it struck me as an excellentplace —acoustically and vibe-wise —to have a live music series.When I approached the then owner, Yossi Omessi, about thepossibility of launching a weekly music series there he, surprise,surprise, seemed incredibly enthusiastic. It only got better: WhenI suggested that there not be talking while the music was beingperformed he replied, “of course!” Jane Bunnett and myself openedup the series shortly after to a packed house, and I remained thebooker for the venue for twelve years, contacting musicians, writingthe blurbs…and eventually running out of adjectives to describe theworld class musicians who continue to grace Mezzetta’s stage.”For the musicians and the audience, how does Mezzetta compareto other music venues?“In terms of relating Mezzetta to the majority of small, intimatevenues in Toronto, the difference is that the crowd comes with theintention to listen to the music (and enjoy a lovely dinner beforehandif they wish), and the musicians walk in knowing that they will belistened to; jazz players especially are often not used to getting suchlistening attention, and what is strikingly different is that thosemusicians who are most often accustomed to playing in noisy venueshave to actually adjust to the fact that we are presenting an intimateORI DAGANDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 63

KRIS KINGconcert, and I believe that brings their playing to a higher level —months of operation, I actually remember one very well-known jazzmusician speaking with me just minutes before he went on the stage,insisting that he was sure that people were going to talk during hisperformance. Goes to show you the “normal” expectation amongstjazz players when it comes to being listened to. I assured himthat people came to listen, without talking, and he was pleasantlyshocked…I was truly happy to do this for many years, to supportthe jazz and world music communities, and even happier to see thatin time the series could sustain itself without me doing the booking.Safa Nematy, the owner for many years now, does that these days.”I asked Nemati, how strict the restaurant is about this policy, andwhy it is important: “At Mezzetta we take our no-talking policyvery seriously,” says Nemati. “At the start of the show we remindour audience of this policy and ask them to keep their voices to aminimum volume. I believe that by creating a listening atmosphere,music … the intimate ambience at Mezzetta enhances the experiencethat could only be found in much bigger concerts.”The January schedule is not available as of press time, but therewill be three concerts in December: baritone saxophonist DavidMott in duet with bassist Rob Clutton on the 7th; vocalist MaureenKennedy with guitarist Reg Schwager on the 14th; and the RolandHunter trio on will play holiday music on the 21st.HOLIDAY BLENDSpeaking of holiday music,I have two concerts torecommend, both by vocalgroups so polished, theyrelease and listening partyby Cadence; the group’s newholiday recording Cool Yulewill be celebrated on SundayDecember 4 at 7:30pm at the Trane Studio. Dubbing themselves as“four men, four microphones, no instruments,” Cadence’s formula ischarm, skill, humour and heart aplenty.Another a cappella quartet appearance of note will take place atthe Green Door Cabaret, a new venue which I wrote extensivelyabout in the October issue. On December 9 at 8pm, don’t missa rare appearance by the Hampton Avenue 4, a distilled versionof award-winning vocal group Hampton Avenue, with vocals bySuba Sankaran, Dylan Bell, Tom Lillington and director DebbieFleming. Expect beautiful arrangements, exceptional musicianshipand infectious joy from a group that performs all too rarely thesedays. Hampton Avenue’s acclaimed CD All I Want for Christmas(1996) will be available for sale. Tickets are likely to sell out for thisconcert, so be sure to get yours in advance by visiting www.greendoorcabaret.comor by calling 416-915-6747. See you there!Ori Dagan is a Toronto-based jazz vocalist, voiceactor and entertainment journalist. He can becontacted at jazz@thewholenote.comVenue RentalThe Hampton Avenue 4, from left:Dylan Bell, Suba Sankaran,Tom Lillington and Debbie Fleming.Heliconian HallEmmet Ray, The924 College St. 416-792-4497Dec 1 DrumHand. Dec 4 Four Lights. Dec 5Andrew Downing, Jim Lewis and David Occhipinti.Dec 7 Jessica Stuart Few. Dec 8 Box Fullof Cash. Dec 12 Tova Kardonne and WEFT. Dec14 Peter Boyd. Dec 15 John Wayne Swingtet.Dec 19 Myriad: Ernesto Cervini, Chris Donnellyand Dan Fortin. Dec 22 Rockabilly with AlistairChristl and the Lonely. Dec 29 Camden Blues.Flying Beaver Pubaret, Thewww.pubaret.comDec 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 7pm LeaDelaria and Maggie Cassella’s ParticularlyQueer Holiday Pageant! Dec11, 18 Boom Boom’s Bow: A SwingingTime for Kids with Lea Delaria. Dec17 9pm Lisa Goodridge Gallery Studio, The2877 Lake Shore Blvd., EtobicokeEvery Tue Jazz Jam with Humber Collegealumni house band: Riley O’Connor Scott Kemp Scott Metcalf ShiranthaBeddage Lee Wallace (gui-. Every Sat The Cooking Channel.Every Sun Birds of a Feather; 4pmFair Trade; 7pm Elizabeth Martins Quartet.Gate 403Dec 1 5pm Jorge Gavidia Jazz & Blues Band9pm Elizabeth Martins Jazz Trio. Dec 2 5pmMike Field Jazz Band; 9pm Sabor Latin JazzBand. Dec 3 12pm Ken Yoshioka Blues Band;5pm Bill Heffernan & Friends; 9pm MelissaBoyce Jazz & Blues Band. Dec 4 12pm MelissaLauren Jazz Band; 5pm Shafton Thomas JazzQuartet; 9pm Carissa Newfeld Jazz Duo. Dec5 5pm The Roper Show; 9pm Vincent BertucciJazz Band. Dec 6 5pm Kelsey McNulty JazzBand; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. Dec 7 5pmRusty Water & the Broken Troubadour ; 9pmKurt Nielsen and Richard Whiteman Jazz Band.Dec 8 5pm Alex Samaras Jazz Band; 9pm KevinLaliberté Jazz & Flamenco Trio. Dec 9 5pm MargotRoi Jazz Band; 9pm The Pearl Motel. Dec 105pm Bill Heffernan & Friends; 9pm Max SenittLatin Jazz Band. Dec 11 12pm Joel Hartt; 5pmJohn Russon Jazz Band; 9pm Modus Factor JazzBand. Dec 12 5pm Denis Schingh Solo Piano;9pm Joel Visentin Jazz Band. Dec 13 5pm DonnéRoberts Band; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night.Dec 14 5pm Noah Sherman Jazz Band; 9pmPatrick Hewan Jazz Trio. Dec 15 5pm Tim ShiaJazz BandKen Kawashima & Bob Vespaziani:Snake Oil Johnson. Dec 16 5pm JehanKhoorshed Roots-Americana; 9pm Sweet DerrickBlues Band. Dec 17 12pm Blakeley WalkerTrio; 5pm Bill Heffernan & Friends; 9pm BartekKozminski: El Mosaico Flamenco Jazz FusionBand. Dec 18 12pm Homzychogrieve JazzBand; France St. Trio; 9pm Lara SolnickiJazz Band. Dec 19 5pm Jennifer Patrilli JazzBand; 9pm Steve Farrugia Jazz Quartet. Dec20 5pm Byung-Gul Jung Jazz Band; 9pm JulianFauth Blues Band. Dec 21 5pm Jeff LaRochelleC. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz)Quartet; 9pm Fraser Melvin Blues Band. Dec22 5pm Bean Jazz Trio; 9pm Mr. Rick & theBiscuits. Dec 23 5pm James Brown Jazz Duo;9pm Brownman Akoustic Jazz Trio. Dec 27 5pmStacey Sang Jazz Band; 9pm Julian Fauth BluesBand. Dec 28 5pm Erica Romero Trio; 9pm SeanBellaviti Jazz Band. Dec 29 5pm ChristopherSimmons Jazz Solo; 9pm Cyndi Carleton Jazz& Swing Band. Dec 30 5pm Denielle BasselsJazz Band; 9pm Brian Cober and Aslan GotovBlues Duo. Dec 31 5pm John Mason Jazz Band;9pm Real Time Jazz Ensemble. Jan 2 5pm TomMcGill Piano Solo; 9pm Richard Whiteman JazzBand. Jan 3 5pm Kelsey McNulty Jazz Band;9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. Jan 4 5pm Briancober and Aslan Gotov Blues Duo; 9pm KurtNielsen and Richard Whiteman Jazz Band. Jan5 5pm Melissa Lauren Jazz Band; 9pm SaborLatin Jazz Band. Jan 6 5pm Mike Fields JazzBand; 9pm Denielle Bassels Jazz Band. Jan 75pm Bill Heffernan & His Friends; 9pm MelissaBoyce Jazz & Blues Band. Jan 8 5pm GraycefulDaddies; 9pm Ilios Steryannis Jazz Trio. Jan9 5pm Denis Schingh Piano Solo; 9pm RichardWhiteman Jazz Band. Jan 10 5pm Jazz Generation;9pm Julian Fauth Blues Night. Jan 115pm Brian Cober and Aslan Gotov Blues Duo;9pm Victor Monsivais Trio. Jan 12 5pm DonnaGreenberg Jazz Band; 9pm Kevin Laliberte Jazz& Flamenco Trio. Jan 13 5pm Heather LuckhartBlues/Roots/Jazz Band; 9pm Fraser MelvinBlues Band. Jan 14 5pm Bill Heffernan &Friends; 9pm Donné Roberts Band. Jan 15 5pmCindy Urech Jazz Duo; 9pm Wendy Weiler JazzBand. Jan 16 5pm Erica Romer Trio; 9pm RichardWhiteman Jazz Band. Jan 17 5pm CarolOya Jazz Band; 9pm Julian Fauth Blues Band.Jan 18 5pm Brian Cober and Aslan Gotov BluesDuo; 9pm Lara Solnicki Jazz Band. Jan 19 5pmByung-Gul Jung Jazz Band; 9pm String TheoryCollective. Jan 20 5pm Ventana 5 Jazz Band;9pm Sweet Derrick Blues Band. Jan 21 5pmBill Heffernan & Friends; 9pm Patrick Tevlin’sNew Orleans Rhythm. Jan 22 5pm JeffreyHewer Jazz Band; 9pm Teri Parker Jazz Band.Jan 23 5pm Ken Yoshioka Blues Band; 9pmRichard Whiteman Jazz Band. Jan 24 9pm JulianFauth Blues Band. Jan 25 5pm Brian Coberand Aslan Gotov Blues Duo; 9pm Wendy IrvineJazz Quartet. Jan 26 5pm Chris Gale Jazz Band;9pm Martin Traynor. Jan 27 5pm Sam BrovermanJazz Duo; 9pm Joanna Moon Flamenco-Latinowith Quebec Edge. Jan 28 5pm Bill Heffernan& Friends; 9pm Bartek Kozminski: El MosaicoFlamenco Jazz Fusion Band. Jan 29 5pmBrownman Akoustic Trio; 9pm Carissa NewfeldJazz Duo. Jan 30 5pm Joel Hartt Jazz Duo; 9pmRichard Whiteman Jazz Band. Jan 31 9pm JulianFauth Blues Night.Green Door Cabaretat the Lower Ossington Theatre9, 10, 11, 15, 17Grossman’s TavernEvery Sat 4-8pm The Happy Pals matinee;Every Sun The Nationals w BrianCober: Double Slide Guitar Open Stage Jam;Every Mon No Band Required. EveryWed Dec 2 The Damn Neighbours. Dec 3 Grayceful64 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Daddies. Dec 9 Swinging Black Jacks. Dec 10Laura Hubert. Dec 13 Miz Debbie and the XtraLites. Dec 17 Chloe Watkinson and the Crossroad.Dec 30 Frankie Foo.Harlem RestaurantEvery Mon 8pm-1am Open Jam Night withCarolyn T. Every Fri/Sat Jazz/Blues. Dec 2 Carol Oya. Dec 3 Reece. Dec 9Carolyn T. Dec 10 Stacey Y and Tom Hanley.Dec 16 Mike Fields. Dec 17 Kaysha Lee. Dec23 Janaia / Billy Alexander. Dec 24 Dan Mc-Lean Jr. Dec 30 Zim Zum. Dec 31 NYE event–details TBA.Harlem UndergroundRestaurant/BarEvery Mon Chris Weatherstone Trio. EveryTue John Campbell. Every Thu Carl Bray.Every Fri Chris Weatherstone Trio. Every SatCarl Bray.See Old Mill, TheHome Smith BarHot House Caféwww.hothousecafe.comEvery Sun Brunch with Jazz Zone.No Cover.Hugh’s Roomnoted.Dec 1 Craig Cardiff Dec 2Leon Redbone Dec 3 CanadianFolk Music Awards Nominee ShowcaseDec 4 John McEuenDec 5 Kicking in the Darkness:Bruce Cockburn and the Christian ImaginationDec 7 Jazz.FM91 presents Daryl Sherman: Tributeto Johnny Mercer Dec 8Oh Susanna with Friends: The Abrams Brothers,Matthew Barber, Samantha Martin, AwnaTeixeira, Open Hearts Society & Lori YatesDec 9 Rik Emmett with DaveDunlop: Strung-Out Troubadours Dec 10 Johnny Sansone Dec11 Dynamic Duos: Shannon Butcher & RossMacIntyre; Sophia Perlman & Adrean Farrugia;Barbra Lica & Colin Storey; Big Rude Jake& Alison Young; Julie Michels & Kevin Barrett.Dec 13 Clara LofaraDec 14 Quartette ChristmasShow Dec 15 Betty & the BobsDec 16 Tanglefoot UntangledDec 17 1pm The Ault SistersCelebrate the Season -The NylonsDec 18 David Bromberg QuartetDec 19, 20 Have Yourselfa Bluesy Christmas: David Rotundo Band withguests Dr. Draw, Chuck Jackson, Cheryl Lescomand more. Dec 21 ArrogantWorms Dec 23 Christmas atHugh’s Room feat. Jacob Moon with guests AliMatthews & Mike Janzen. Dec 27 Don Ross Dec 28Laughter for the Arts with Simon B. Cotter& Friends. $25.Dec 29 Lee Harvey Osmondwith guest Harlan Pepper Dec 30 Suzie Vinnick Dec31 Good Brothers Celebrate New Year’s Eve.Jan 6 Carole King Tribute(artists TBA) Jan 7, 8 ConnieKaldor Jan 11 Jazz FM91presents Ben Sidran: “Jews, Music & the AmericanDream.” Jan 12, 13 Enterthe Haggis CD Release Jan 19, 20, 21, 22 The Way We Feel:10th Annual Tribute to Gordon LightfootJan 25 Joanna Chapman SmithJan 26 David NewlandCD Release Jan 28 GreggLawless Jan 30 Joe HenryJan 31 Southside Johnny &the Poor Fools Jazz Room, TheLocated in the Huether Hotel, 59 King St. N.,Waterloo 226-476-1565.Dec 2 Paul Mitchell Quartet $12. Dec 3 RichardWhiteman Trio $16. Dec 9 Dave WiffenQuartet. Dec 10 Carol McCartney Band $18.Dec 16 John Tank, Bernie Senensky, Ted Warren$20. Dec 17 Kelly Jefferson Quartet $18.Dec 23 First Annual Jazz Room Holiday Jamhosted by Joni NehRita Quintet $10. Dec 31New Years Eve with Melissa Stylianou son,includes dinner. Jan 27 8pm Glenn Buhr’sEbony Tower Ensemble; Gee Baby Remix;NUMUS Jam Session .Joe Mama’sEvery Sun 7-11pm Nathan Hiltz Trio & SpecialGuests. Every Mon SoulMondays. Every Tue 7-11pm Blue Angels.Every Wed 8pm-12am Blackburn. Every ThuBlackburn. Every Fri 10pm-2am The Grind. Every Sat 10pm-2am Shugga.Latinada Restaurant & Jazz Barwww.latinada.comLiberto Bistro, Thewww.libertobistro.caEvery Tue Open Mic w Big Rude Jake. EveryWed Noah Zacharin.Lula Loungewww.lula.caEvery Sun (Dec 4, 11, 18, Jan 8, 15, 22, 29)Sunday Family Salsa Brunch with LuisMario Ochoa $25 (includes brunch and danceDec 2 Salsa Dance Party with Son Ache. Dec3 Morning Zumba Fitness Class! ; Salsa Saturdaywith Cache and DJ Gio. Dec 5 D’bi youngCD Release. Dec 6 Lonesome Heroes: DanielleDuval, Don Brownrigg, Kendel Carson, SamCash. Dec 9 Salsa Dance Party with ConjuntoLacalu. Dec 10 Morning Zumba Fitness Class;Salsa Saturday with Café Cubano. Dec 13 LonesomeHeroes: Ariana Gillis, David Baxter, JulieFader, Whitney Rose. Dec 16 Salsa Dance Partywith Yani Borrell and the Clave Kings. Dec 17Morning Zumba Fitness Class; Salsa Saturdaywith Changuy Havana. Dec 31 New Year’sEve featuring Hilario Durán and the Lula SalsaAll-Stars.Manhattan’s Music Club951 Gordon St., Guelph. 519-767-2440www.manhattans.caMelange Restaurant172 Main St. 416-686-4795. No Cover.Dec 8 NMV Trio: Norman Marshall VilleneuveEric Boucher Jon Meyer Mezzetta Restaurant681 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-658-5687www.mezzettarestaurant.comEvery Wed Dec 7 David MottRob Clutton Dec 14 MaureenKennedy Reg Schwager Dec 21 Roland Hunter Trio.Momo’s Bistrowww.momosbistro.comEvery Wed 8pm Open Mic.Nawlins Jazz Bar & Dining299 King St. W. 416-595-1958www.nawlins.caEvery Tue Stacie McGregor; Every Wed JimHeineman Trio; Every Thu Blues Night w GuestVocalists; Every Fri/Sat All Star Bourbon St.BandEvery Sun Brooke Blackburn.Old Mill, Thewww.oldmilltoronto.comThe Home Smith Bar: No Reservations. NoCover. $20 minimum per person. All showsEvery Thu Series. Every Fri Something to Sing AboutSeries Every Sat Jazz Masters Series. Dec1 John Sherwood Dec 2 Irene AtmanDanny McErlain Pat CollinsDec 3 Colleen Allen Gary WilliamsonMike McClennan Dec8 Joe Sealy Dec 9 Maureen KennedyMark Kieswetter Ross MacIntyreDec 10 Don Vickery MarkEisenman Neil Swainson Dec15 John Sherwood Dec 16 Judy MarshakBruce Harvey GeorgeKozub Dec 17 William Carn Amanda Tosoff Kieran Overs Jan 12 John Sherwood Jan 13 MelissaStylianou Mike Murley Reg Schwager Steve Wallace Jan 14 Steve Koven Rob Clutton Joel Haynes Jan 19 John SherwoodJan 20 Daniela Nardi RonDavis Ross MacIntyre RogerTravassos Jan 21 Kelly JeffersonMark Eisenman Neil SwainsonJan 26 John Sherwood Jan 27Laura Fernandez Don Naduriak Joaquin Nunez Jan 28 NancyWalker Jon Maharaj Ethan ArdelliPantages Martini Bar & LoungeEvery Fri Robert Scott; Every Sat Solo Piano:Various artists.Pilot Tavern, TheDec 3 Sugar Daddies: Tribute to Vince Guaraldi.Dec 10 Nancy Walker Quartet. Dec 17 Kollage.Quotes220 King St. W. 416-979-7697Every Fri Fridays at Five w Canadian JazzGary BensonFrank WrightDuncan HopkinsDon VickeryDec2 TerryPromane Dec 9 Kevin TurcotteDec 16 Mike Murley Jan 13Bob DeAngelis Jan 20 John JohnsonJan 27 Andy Ballantyne Reposado Bar & Loungewww.reposadobar.comEvery Wed Spy vs. Spy vs. Sly Every Thu, FriThe Reposadists.Reservoir Lounge, The52 Wellington St. E. 416-955-0887www.reservoirlounge.comEvery Mon Sophia Perlman and the VipersEvery Tue Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm; EveryWed Bradley and the Bouncers; Every ThuDave Murphy Band. Every Fri DeeDee & theDirty Martinis; Every Sat Tyler Yarema and hisRhythm.Thursday 7-9pm including Dec 15 Alex PangmanChristmas Show. Jan 5 Alex Pangman &Her Alleycats.Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, The-Dec 1 Alex Goodman Quintet; Gabriel Palatchi. Dec 2 4pm Hogtown Syncopators;Sara Dell; Raoul &the Bigger Time. Dec 3 12pm Danny Marks &Friends; Swing Shift Big Band; 7pm ElenaKapeleris; Nadje Noordhuis t. Dec4 12pm Excelsior Dixieland Jazz; BobCary Big Band; 7pm Aj Ing Quartet; Jorge Gavidia & Sarah Begin Quintet. Dec5 U of T Student Jazz Ensembles;John Cheesman Jazz Orchestra. Dec6 Matt Newton Trio; ClassicRex Blues Jam. Dec 7 Botos Brothers. Dec 8 AlexGoodman Quintet; Aubrey Dale’s MYID. Dec 9 4pm Hogtown Syncopators; Sara Dell; Chris Tarry Group. Dec 1012pm Danny Marks & Friends; LauraHubert Band; Elena Kapeleris; Chris Tarry Group. Dec 11 12pm Excelsior DixielandJazz; Club Django;RADIO-HEAD JAZZ PROJECT with Josh Grossman’sToronto Jazz Orchestra (7:30) & Don Scott’sIdioteque. Dec 12 U of T StudentsJazz Ensembles. Dec 13 Classic RexJazz Jam with host Terra Hazelton. Dec 14The Cookers.Dec 15 Alex Goodman Quintet;Dec 16 4pm Hogtown Syncopators; Sara Dell; Young. Dec 17 12pm Danny Marks & Friends;Jerome Godboo; 7pm Elena Kapeleris;Roy Patterson. Dec 18 12pm ExcelsiorDixieland Jazz; Freeway Dixieland;7pm Ted Warren’s Spark; Composers’Collective. Dec 19 Peter Hill Quintet;Dave Young Quintet. Dec 20 Abbey’s Meltdown; Classic Rex JazzJam with host Terra Hazelton. Dec 21 December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 65

Ho Ho N.O.J.O. Dec22 Alex Goodman Quintet; AndrewBoniwell Group CD Release. Dec 23 4pmHogtown Syncopators; Sara Dell; Heavyweights Brass Band with guests. Dec 269:30pm Nick Teehan. Dec 27 Abbey’sMeltdown; Classic Rex Jam with hostTerra Hazelton. Dec 28 Trio; Crusader Rabbit. Dec 29 Alex Goodman Quintet; Steve Koven:Project Rex. Dec 30 4pm Hogtown Syncopators;The Jivebombers; LeylandGordon. Dec 31 Raoul & the Big Time;New Year’s Eve bash with Grooveyard.Ristorante RomaLive Jazz Every Fri & Sat 8pm. Every Sun6pm.Le Saint Tropezwww.lesainttropez.comSomewhere ThereDec 1 Tomasz Krakokwiak ChrisWorden Jonathan Adjemian (Mike Gennaro Dec 3 Matt Miller (elec- Dec 4 5pm Jack Vorvis -Scott Thomson. 8pm John KamevaarDavid Sait Ken Aldcroft Germaine Liu Dec 5 Jason Sharp (solo bassLina Allemano Rob CluttonScott Thomson Dec 6Heather Segger Dec7 Cheryl O Dec 8 Tomasz KrakowiakDec 10 ImprovisationKen Aldcroft Karen Ng Jonathan Adjemian (ana-Josh Cole GermaineLiu Dec 11 5pm JackVorvis John KamevaarBernard Stepien Orchestra. Dec13 Alan Bloor Dec 14 Cheryl O Dec15 Thomasz Krakowiak Dec 17Alaniaris: Michael Kaler Mark ZurawinskiKen Aldcroft Dec 18 5pmJack and Jill: Jack Vorvis Jill AstonMonthly Rent Party: Buster Keaton’sthe General, original score by Ken AldcroftHeather Segger Rod Campbell Chris Willes (clari-Dec 20 8pm Paul Newman TheSwyves: Aaron Lumley Dan GaucherJay Hay and Jeremy Strachan (wood-Dec 21 Cheryl O Dec 22Tomasz Karkowiak Dec 28 CherylC. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz)O Dec 29 Tomasz KrakowiakTrane Studiowww.tranestudio.com (full schedule andDec 3 8pm The New Singers Series: SophiaPerlman, Julie McGregor, Coleman Tinsley,Laura Marks and poet Chris Hercules $15. Dec4 Cadence: Cool Yule CD Launch andListening Party. Dec 6 8pmFranky Rousseau Large Band feat. Austin Peralta$10. Dec 7 8pm The Brazilian Project Part 1:Luanda Jones & Brownman Akoustic Trio $10.Dec 8 8pm Sharron MacLeod Fauxtet honoursJohn Lennon $10. Dec 9 8pm Waleed Kush and$10. Dec 10 8pmScott Marshall Band: The Nutcracker Suite $10.Dec 11 8pm Anne-Lise Dugas & Macy Paquette$10. Dec 12 Cadence: Cool Yule CD Release. Dec 13 8pm Jazz jamwith Taylor Cook $5. Dec 14 8pm The BrazilianProject Part 2: Luanda Jones & Sinal Aberto.Dec 15 8pm Strange Attractors $10. Dec 168pm Margot Roi sings hits from the Great AmericanSongbook. Dec 20 8pm David Krystal Band$10. Dec 21 8pm The Brazilian Project Part 3:Luanda Jones feat Bruno Capinan & Jerusa Leo$10. Dec 22 8pm Sharron MacLeod Fauxtethonours Leonard Cohen $10. Dec 23 6pm FirstAnnual Christmas in the Annex Party and CustomerAppreciation Day. Free. Dec 27 8pm KayshaLee $5. Dec 28 8pm The Funk Junkies $5.Dec 31 Blue Note New Year’s Eve JazzParty. dinnerTranzacEvery Mon 7pm This is Awesome OpenMic. Every Fri 5pm The Foolish Things. Mul-Dec 2 Peter Eastmure. Dec 3 JasonSharp & Friends. Dec 4 5pm Monk’s Music. Dec9 10pm Woodshed Orchestra with MatthewDeZoete. Dec 11 10pm Lina Allemano Four. Dec13 10pm Mark Godfrey Quartet. Dec 14 10pmStop Time. Dec 16 10pm John David Williamsand the Boxcar Boys. Dec 17 MichaelDavidson. Dec 18 5pm Monk’s Music. Dec 20Bean Trio. Dec 21 10pm St. Dirt ElementarySchool. Dec 22 Houndstooth:Bluegrass and OldTime. Dec 27 10pm Drumheller.Dec 30 10pm Ryan Driver Quartet.Zemra Bar & Loungewww.zemrabarlounge.comEvery Wed Open Mic and Jam.Every Fri Live Music Fridays.Venues interested in being added to February’s In the Clubsshould contact Ori Dagan at listings@thewholenote.com nolater than January 15, 2012.Inside the ETCeterasO R I D A G A NFolk music fans ought toTheatre on December4 for the seventh annualCanadian Folk Music Awards(see Galas), featuring awardpresentations in twenty categoriesthis year. Leading thepack with four nominationsapiece are venerable veteranBruce Cockburn and NovaScotia’s Dave Gunning.Publicist Jane Harbury willbe presented with the inauguralUnsung Hero Award,honouring “the exceptionalcontribution of an individual,group, or organization to anyaspect of the Canadian folk,roots and world music scene.”In addition to the gala, theCFMA is also presenting theworld premiere screeningof A Walk in My Dream, an Harmonica master Mike Stevensintriguing documentary about is the subject of the documentarythe crossing of paths betweenA Walk in My Dream.harmonica virtuoso Mike Stevens and disadvantaged Labradoryouth, December 2 at TIFF Bell Lightbox (See Screenings) as wellas two workshops on the day of the gala (See Workshops).In the new year, the Pax Christi Chorale will be celebrating 25years of singing in Toronto with a unique event tailored to charmthe senses in a venue which should arouse towering feelings: theBay Adelaide Centre. The January 27 gala will feature Canadianart on display, a sampling of regional cuisine and wine and theWindermere Quartet performing the world premiere performance ofStephanie Martin’s String Quartet No.1 “From a distant island.” Itmight not be a castle in the air, but close enough.Open to the public, the masterclasses listed in our magazineshed light and insight into the various mysteries of musical mastery.Where musical master and passionate pupil meet, being an observeris a true privilege; particularly when the musical master is a guestfrom afar. On December 3, Tafelmusik presents Italian baroqueoboe specialist Alfredo Bernardini; on January 13, York University’sDepartment of Music presents accompanist, coach, conductor andcomposer John Greer; and the Glenn Gould School, in partnershipwith the Royal Conservatory, presents a plethora of such events,including American trumpeter Mike Tiscione on December 5; recentstar of the COC’s Iphigenia in Tauris, mezzo Susan Graham onJanuary 27; and NEXUS percussionist Bob Becker on February 3.Finally, of particular note in a time where the inherent value ofToronto’s museums is being likened to gravy, the holiday season isarguably the most wonderful time of the year to get to know landmarkssuch as the Spadina Museum, the Scarborough Museum, theMontgomery Inn, Gibson House, Mackenzie House and the historicZion Schoolhouse. Find some interesting seasonal events takingplace at these locations, many of them featuring festive delights,listed under the categories of Singalongs and Miscellaneous.As always, we look forward to receiving your listings forevents that aren’t purely performances but are of musical interest.Please send us your listings to etc@thewholenote.com. Wish youcategorization.HAILEY McHARG66 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

GALAS & FUNDRAISERSLibertyJunction Theatre Company. SeussicalJr. the musical: a Fundraiser for Haiti. Musicalfrom the production will go to the Chricha Or---Canadian Folk MusicAwards. Gala & Reception. Awards presentedCharles St. W. 416-978-8849. $40 for galaworkshops (Good Songs for Bad Times atwww.folkawards.ca.Toronto Masque Theatre.Merry TMT Christmas Cabaret and Fundraiser.silent auction, readings, carol sing-along andmore. Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, 6 Trinity St.416-410-4561. $20.Toronto Operetta Theatre.The Gypsy Princess: New Year’s Eve Gala.-lowingthe performance, back to Hot HousePax Christi Chorale. 25thAnniversary Celebration Gala: A Feast for theSenses. -COMPETITIONSHart House. U ofT Idol. -his band, The Woodshed Orchestra, will accompanyeach vocalist. Arbor Room, 7 Hart Housewww.harthouse.ca. Free.Seeking “Keynotes” Kiwanis Music Festivalof Greater Toronto. Keynotes are thesultsin the master programme and phone end-686-9008. www.kiwanismusictoronto.org.Orchestra Toronto.Orchestra Toronto Concerto Competition:The 2012 Marta Hidy Prize for Cello. Contest for$1000 and soloist opportunity with OrchestraToronto. Applications due April 6, 2012, mustbe completed online at www.orchestratoronto.--Henderson, 416-757-2988.SCREENINGSCanadian Folk MusicAwards. World Premiere Screening of “A Walkin My Dream.” Film follows the life-changingevents of harmonica great Mike Stevens. TIFFMetropolitanOpera. Live in HD: The Magic Flute (Mozart). Love to Sing? Looking for aMen’s Chorus? Come andSing With Us!4-part, A cappella / Variety of Music / Public PerformancesWhether a beginner or seasoned vocal performer…… if you love to sing we would love to have you come out!Call Brian 416.391.9130D. The ETCeterasDukes-of-Harmony.comPREMIERE SOURCE FOR HIGH QUALITY FOOD(416) 364-7397 www.pasqualebros.comTaymor, director. 90-minute abridged ver-MetropolitanOpera. Live in HD: Hansel and Gretel (Humperdinck).-STENTORSTUDENT IIVIOLIN OUTFITIndustries Association awardfor Best Bowed Instrumentmore than 20 times.Call for the location of aretailer near you1 800 690-0515LECTURES & SYMPOSIACanadian Opera Company.Opera Talk #2: Love From Afar by Saariaho. COCmembers will speak about the story, musicOpera Is. Previews of UpcomingOperas. Lectures by Iain Scott aboutAudition this January for ourMarch and June concerts!We’re a chamber choir with aneclectic, multilingual repertoire:interesting music and great people!All voices are welcome.Good blend, pitch and sightreading required.Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at7:30 pm at St. Leonard’s Church,25 Wanless Ave.(near Yonge and Lawrence).Call to arrange for a friendlyaudition or to sit in on a rehearsal!416-286-8927LET YOURINNER SONGBE SUNGWhole ClassicalVoice Training for all ages inall styles of SingingClassical Voice Trainingusing Yoga Postures,Alexander Technique,Mindful Meditation techniques,and Expressive MovementOn Bayview at Eglintonwww.83VOICE.com416 83 VOICE(838-6423)December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 67

Arts and Letters Club, 14 Elm St. 416-486-8408. iain@opera-is.com. $50 per lecture.Opera Is. Previews of UpcomingOperas. Lectures by Iain Scott pertainingArts and Letters Club, 14 Elm St. 416-486-8408. iain@opera-is.com. $50 per lecture.Northumberland LearningConnection. Opera Brown-bag Lunch Talk:Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Rod Anderson gives ahalf-hour talk ahead of Metropolitan Opera HDPort Hope. 905-Toronto Gilbert and SullivanSociety. bert& Sullivan Evening. for visitors.Toronto Opera Club. Toscaand the Other Woman: Politis in Puccini’s Opera.416-921-1708. Free.Northumberland LearningConnection. Opera Brown-bag Lunch Talk:The Enchanted Island. Elizabeth Wilson givesa half-hour talk ahead of Metropolitan OperaPort Hope. 905-Toronto Mahler Society. TorontoPremiere Screening: “Of Love, Death andBeyond.” Thomas Hampson. www.torontomahlersociety.org.D. The ETCeterasNocturnesin the CityProfessor Iain ScottCzech Operas: An audiovisual presentationJanuary 22, 5pmSt. Wenceslaus Church496 Gladstone AvenueNocturnes in the City. CzechOperas: An Audio-Visual Presentation. Lectureby Iain Scott. St. Wenceslas Church, 496 Glad-University of TorontoFaculty of Music. Conversation with AndersHillborg. and visual arts in new composition.” WalterUniversity of TorontoFaculty of Music. Panel Discussion: ”TheAge of Multimeda: interactions between artsin modern culture.” --University of TorontoFaculty of Music. Composers Forum: AndersHillborg. Hillborg discusses a variety of topics in an openforum with student composers. Walter Hall, Ed-408-0208. Free.University of TorontoFaculty of Music. Panel Discussion: ”Scien-turyart music.” --others.. Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building,Beyond theScore ® : TheMiraculousMandarinJanuary 26at 7:30 p.m.tso.ca416.593.4828Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Beyond the Score: Bartók’s The MiraculousMandarin. WWI urban pantomime through narration, videoNorthumberland LearningConnection. Opera Brown-bag LunchTalk: Handel’s Rodelinda. Ian McDonald givesa half-hour talk ahead of Metropolitan OperaPort Hope.University of Toronto Facultyof Music. Paul Hoffert, C.M. Lecture by-MASTERCLASSESTafelmusik. Alfredo Bernardini:Public Masterclass.Royal Conservatory/GlennGould School. MikeTiscione, trumpet. Masterclass for GGS stu-class, room locations are displayed on digit-change, contact 416-408-2824 or emailmasterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/GlennGould School. Roger Tapping,viola. Masterclass for GGS students isroom locations are displayed on digital sign-contact 416-408-2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/GlennGould School. Rachel Andrist,voice. Masterclass for GGS studentsroom locations are displayed on digital sign-contact 416-408-2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/Glenn Gould School. Andre Watts, piano.Masterclass for GGS students is open to theare displayed on digital signage at the RCM.2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/GlennGould School. JohnO’Conor, piano. Masterclass for GGS studentsroom locations are displayed on digital sign-contact 416-408-2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caYork University Departmentof Music. Vocal Masterclass on Operatic Arias.John Greer, accompanist, coach, conductor andversitystudents. Observers welcome. TributeCommunities Recital Hall, 112 Accolade EastRoyal Conservatory/Glenn Gould School. Wendy Nielsen, voice.Masterclass for GGS students is open to thePublicity, press kits& image consultingfor performers416.544.1803www.lizpr.com68 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

are displayed on digital signage at the RCM.2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/Glenn Gould School. Lafayette Quartet, chamber.Masterclass for GGS students is open tocationsare displayed on digital signage attact416-408-2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/Glenn Gould School. Susan Graham, voice.Masterclass for GGS students is open to theare displayed on digital signage at the RCM.2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/GlennGould School. Leon Major, voice.Masterclass for GGS students is open to theare displayed on digital signage at the RCM.2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/GlennGould School. Anton Kuerti,piano. Masterclass for GGS students is opencationsare displayed on digital signage at the408-2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/Glenn Gould School. Bob Becker, percussion.Masterclass for GGS students is open to theare displayed on digital signage at the RCM.2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/GlennGould School. Quartet, chamber. Masterclass for GGS stu-class, room locations are displayed on digit-to change, contact 416-408-2824 or emailmasterclass@rcmusic.caRoyal Conservatory/GlennGould School. Karen Donnelly,trumpet. Masterclass for GGS studentsroom locations are displayed on digital sign-contact 416-408-2824 or email masterclass@rcmusic.caWORKSHOPSCAMMAC Recorder Players’Society. Renaissance and Baroque Workshop.Avery MacLean, coach. For recorders and other-Wilfrid Laurier University.Conducting Workshop. Theatre Auditor-Waterloo. 519-Canadian Folk MusicAwards. Good Songs for Bad Times. Workshopon songwriting focuses on songs that are theresult of personal, political, romantic, economic,or social life changes. Hosted by CandaceDOWNTOWNCONCERT VENUEChurch of St. Stephen in-the-Field on College Street647-638-3550416-921-6350Charles St. W., 416-978-8849. $15 workshopToronto Early MusicPlayers Organization. Workshop. Avery Mac-Lean, coach. Bring own instruments and musicHeights Community Centre, 2140 Avenue Rd.Canadian Folk MusicAwards. Mad for Trad. Workshop on the backbonefor most styles of folk and roots music.Hosted by Eleanor and Warren Robinson,with Shane Cook, Jean Hewson & Christinasecond workshop (Good Songs for Bad Times-CAMMAC Recorder Players’Society. Renaissance and Baroque Workshop.Informal, uncoached session for recorders andother early instruments. Church of the Trans-Toronto Flute Circle. Informalperformance workshop by Margot Rydall. Solopresentation, group participation and ensemble-Miles Nadal JCC. The AlexanderTechnique and the Community Singer:An Introductory Evening. issues and vocal challenges as they relate tosinging. All singers welcome, regardless ofToronto MendelssohnChoir. Singsation Saturday: Beethoven’s Massin C Major with guest, conductor Hilary Apfelstadt.-CAMMAC. Latin American PercussionWorkshop with Rodrigo Chavez. MilesNadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 SpadinaCAMMAC. Reading for Singersand Instrumentalists. 79. Mervin Fick, conductor. Christ Church DeerCAMMAC Recorder Players’Society. Renaissance and Baroque Workshop.Informal, uncoached session for recorders andother early instruments. Church of the Trans-MUSIC SALESArts & Letters Club.December Show and Sale of Art, Books andCDs. Small works available for purchase by thesclub.ca.Fallis Voice Studio∂Practical & technical, imaginative& inspirational! ∂Lessons &coachings, recitals & master classesoffered. ∂Professional collaborativepianist available as needed∂MARY LOU FALLIS maintainsa studio at Trinity St Paul’s Centre,427 Bloor Street West.∂416-925-6889 ploum@interlog.comwww.maryloufallis.comALEXANDER KATS (416) 340-1844alexander.kats@sympatico.caDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 69

SINGALONGSCity of Toronto Museums. Carolsin the Tavern at Montgomery’s Inn. Nineteenthcenturycarols, historic drinks, treats, mulledWinchevsky Centre. Latkes& Light: A Chanukah Delight!. Including stories,dreydel games, gelt, secular candle lighting andsingalong led by David Wall and Josh Engel and anCanada Sings!/Chantons Canada!Toronto-Riverdale. Neighbourhood Singalong.Folk, rock, ballads and Broadway. MarkpolitanCommunity Church of Toronto Hall, 115Simpson Ave. 416-778-0796. Free, donations accepted.www.canadasings.ca.Penthelia Singers. Festive FundraisingSingalong. Seasonal music. Alice Malach,City of Toronto Museums.Christmas Open House at Spadina Museum. Holi--City of Toronto Museums.Christmas Open House at Historic ZionSchoohouse. Turn-of-the-century school activitiesincluding writing on a slate, participating in aspelling bee, hot chocolate and biscuits and singingcarols around a schoolroom piano. 1091 FinchD. The ETCeterasANNOUNCEMENTSCall for Submissions. Barrie New Music Festival2012. Artist submissions are now being accepted.Four-day live music festival will featurevarious genres, roughly 75 acts, scheduled forJuly 12-15 2012. For artist submission information,visit www.admiralent.com or www.newmusicfest.caETCETERA: MISCELLANEOUSCity of TorontoMuseums. Christmas Open House at GibsonHouse. Sale of handmade gifts, hands-on activitesand indoor games for children and live music. 5172City of TorontoMuseums. Swell Sundays: Christmas in the GoldenAge of Radio at Spadina Museum. Make yourown decoder craft, sample period refreshments,cludingadvertisements and behind-the-scenesCity of Toronto Museums.Ontario Youth Choir 2012Michael Zaugg, conductorAugust 17 to August 26University of OttawaDesserts by Lamplight at Scarborough Museum.Lamp and candle-lit rooms with decadent des-Harbourfront Centre. SlowFood Toronto: Terra Madre Day. communities celebrate a local perspective on foodthrough storytelling, music and hands-on activ-City of Toronto Museums. Hogmanay!At Mackenzie House. Scottish music, tastingof holiday foods, with traditional music pre--City of TorontoMuseums. Twelfth Night Dance Class andDance Party. Dance and listen to traditional music,sample seasonal treats, play games and tour theor partner is required, but afternoon dance work--weavers@gmail.comCity of Toronto Museums.Robbie Burns’ Day Celebration at MackenzieHouse. Celebrating the Scottish poet withtoe-tapping live music, comic stories, shortbreadCity of Toronto Museums/NeapolitanConnection. Musical Matinees at Montgomery’sInn. Tour, tea, crumpets, performance bythe Neapolitan Connection. 4709 Dundas St. W.Soundstreams. Salon 21: withOpera Singer Carla Huhtanen. Meet and greet,featuring a performance by Huhtanen of music byCity of Toronto Archives.A World of Music: Celebrating 90 Seasonswith the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. highlights a collection of photographs, documentsand audio recordings, donated by the TSO to theCity of Toronto Archives. 255 Spadina Rd. 416-Children'sPianoLessonsFriendly, approachable -and strict!Liz Parker416.544.1803liz.parker@rogers.comQueen/BathurstSIGHT-SINGINGLESSONSPrivate coaching sessionswithSheila McCoy416-574-5250smccoy@rogers.comApplication deadline: 17 February, 2012t: 416 923 1144info@choirsontario.orgwww.choirsontario.orgComprehensive · . ResidentialQ u a l i t y A u d i o R e c o r d i n g S e r v i c e sf o r C l a s s i c a l a n d A c o u s t i c M u s i cSoundproo ? ng Solutions6 4 7 3 4 9 6 4 6 7l o c k w o o d . f r a n k @ g m a i l . c o mw w w . L o c k w o o d A R S . c o mleon 416-995-4016Love To Sing?TrySENSIBLE VOCAL TRAINING!Breathe new life into your voicewith this uniquely kinestheticapproach to vocal pedagogy.Come to the “Vocal Gym!”Phone Pattie Kelly (905) 271-6896info@vocalsense.ca www.vocalsense.ca EYE-CATCHINGFor economical insertionsof 3x, 5x and 10xNow available in colour.Interested?jack@thewholenote.com416-323-2232 ext 2570 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Classified Advertising | classad@thewholenote.comAUDITIONS / MUSICIANS WANTEDCOUNTERPOINT COMMUNITY OR-CHESTRAcomesvolunteer musicians. Monday eveningrehearsals, downtown Toronto. Allsections especially violins. Email info@ccorchestra.orgTHE KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRAto info@KSOrchestra.ca.NYCO SYMPHONY is looking for the followingto play in 4 subscription concerts each sea-INSTRUCTIONCONCERT PIANIST EVE EGOYAN (M.committed musicians as well as returningFLUTE INSTRUCTIONFLUTE, PIANO, THEORY LESSONSHARPSICHORD LESSONS: Beginner, inter-encenecessary. Competitive rates. www.music.laeducation.ca, luke@laeducation.caMAKING MUSIC WITH THE RECORDER.-PIANO LESSONSAll levels Royal Conservatory of Music andbeyond. Intensive course for adults. Lessonsare given on a 9 foot Steinway concertgrand. 416-449-1665PIANO LESSONS--www.mopiano.caSTUDY JAZZ SINGING WITH ORI DA-GAN! Scat, swing, improvisation, repertoiredevelopment, performance skills.www.oridagan.comSTUDY SAXOPHONE with Bruce Redstone.reasonable rates, convenient location, all levelsand styles. bredstone@rogers.com or416-706-8161.WARM EXPERIENCED AMERICAN PIANOTEACHER with sterling credentials, unfailinggood humor, and buckets of patience. RoyalConservatory washouts and adult learners especiallywelcome. Lovely Cabbagetown studio,-WISH YOU WERE SINGING?“professional” amateur, sliding scale. CallFOR SALECLASSIC BUSCHER TROMBONE: lacquerEX-BEATLEerready to sell special sitars. Also lessonsavailable. Shambhudas.com or call416-286-7180.FOR SALE-USED STEINWAY PIANOSM, O, L, A, B www.ontariopianos.comMUSICIANS AVAILABLEBARD – EARLY MUSIC DUO playing recorderand virginal available to provide backgroundatmosphere for teas, receptions or other functions– greater Toronto area. For rates and infocall 905-722-5618 or email us atmhpape@interhop.netVOCAL REPERTOIRE COACH & ACCOM-PANIST / MD-sight-reader, accompanist, and teacher.Robert Graham 416 465 4927robertgraham70@gmail.comSERVICESACCOUNTING AND INCOME TAX SERVICEfor small business and individuals, to saveyou time and money, customized to meet yourDO YOU HAVE PRECIOUS MEMORIESLOST ON OLD RECORDS, TAPES, PHOTOSetc? Recitals-gigs-auditions-air checks-familyVENUESARE YOU PLANNING A CONCERT or recital?Looking for a venue? Consider Bloor StreetREHEARSE OR PERFORM IN A BRANDNEW FACILITYhearsalspaces, for groups from small (an intim-free parking available. TTC. Geothermally heatedand air conditioned! For information contactmichael@lawrenceparkchurch.ca,www.lawrenceparkchurch.caJust the Spot | MusideumO R I D A G A NDonald Quan playing a hurdy gurdy.Unique seems to be an understatement for Musideum, a newperformance space at 401 Richmond St. W. (Richmond andSpadina) which also operates as a retail store and a musicalmuseum, selling and displaying authentic instruments from all overthe globe, including ones from Peru, China, Australia and partof northern Canada. Like a gleaming gem from any of these faroff places, the intimate space radiates with breathtaking colours personal passion for aboriginal and contemporary world music. I hadthe opportunity to ask him a few questions about the venue.What made you decide to change Musideum from a retail space to aperformance space? “I thought that by offering Musideum up only asa retail store was not doing the concept of it justice. The initial conceptI had for Musideum three years ago when I opened it, includeddesigning a space that could be used as a musical performance spaceand could also serve as a museum of sorts exposing the public andthe world at large to music and musical instruments that have rarelybeen appreciated in person. Until Musideum, many of these instrumentscould only be seen in books or perhaps on the internet.”How has your background as a film composer influenced the designof the space? collaborative medium, one has to appreciate visual aesthetic, poetry,words, art and some less-tangible concepts.Today I view Musideum as a single space where all of my artisticendeavours can be shared with the public and be appreciatedeasily. Musideum has become a venue where performers of allkinds can intimately share their music with their audience with asmuch resonance and as little resistance as possible. Without thedistractions of food and drink for example!”What has been the response to the venue so far? “All of theaudiences have told me that they will continue to support the newMusideum venue and will come back. As a result we have over 2500hand-signed or opt-in addresses on our current mailing list. As forperformers, almost every performer we have asked has agreed totry doing at least one show here…Since last summer Musideum hashosted over 35 successful performances ranging from jazz to world,electronica, pop, experimental and more…unfortunately I’ve hadto limit the publicity of the shows as the venue’s capacity is only40 people.”What should our readers know if they are planning on attending aperformance at the Musideum? “Come early and please reserve aticket in advance (call 416-599-7323) if you want to guarantee a seat!And PLEASE check the website before you come down to makesure you have the latest information on the shows as our schedule isconstantly being added to. The link to our schedule can be found atwww.musideum.com and it is updated on a daily basis.”December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 71ORI DAGAN

We Are All Music’s ChildrenDecember’s Child Aisslinn NoskyMJ BUELLWho is February’s Child?With roots in The Land of Song, anda dragon tatoo on her right ankle, thissoprano is a match for… the subtlety of a Palej or Berliozsong-cycle (Group of 27);… the ecstasy of Vivaldi’s Juditha(Ensemble Caprice);… the stamina and humour for a TSOoutreach tour (arias, semi-stagedwith props);… the heat of an all-female a cappellaensemble in Svabda – Wedding(Queen of Puddings Music Theatre,June 2011);… four characters and their puppets inCrazy to Kill (Toronto Masque Theatre,November 2011).Think you know who our mysterychild is? Send your best guess tomusicschildren@thewholenote.com.Please provide your mailing addressjust in case your name is drawn!Winners will be selected by randomdraw among correct replies receivedby January 22, 2012.Circa 1981, Ottawa.Violinist aisslinn nosky, fromNanaimo, BC, was a student of Heilwigvon Königslöw at the Nanaimo Conservatorywhen she played her solo debutwith the CBC Vancouver Orchestra at theage of eight. It’s possible she has not stoppedfor breath since.Nosky moved to Toronto by herself, at theage of 15, to study with Lorand Fenyves forfive years, later enrolled at the Glenn GouldProfessional School (Toronto), with summersat the Banff Centre and the Steans Institute(Ravinia Festival).Today, along with solo, chamber and orchestralcommitments across NorthAmerica, Europe and Asia, she isincreasingly in demand as a leaderand concertmaster.Since 2005, Nosky has beenan active member of TafelmusikBaroque Orchestra as an ensemblemember and soloist. Prior toTafelmusik, she was assistant principalsecond violin of the CanadianOpera Company Orchestra, and afrequent guest concertmaster withSymphony Nova Scotia. Noskywas recently named concertmasterof the Handel and Haydn Societyin Boston, a post she took up inSeptember 2011.As co-artistic director ofI FURIOSI Baroque Ensemblefor over a decade (with JuliaWedman, Felix Deak and GabrielleMcLaughlin) Nosky has helpedto bring an increasingly wideraudience to baroque music, withan extraordinarily creativeconcert series. Her other regularchamber commitments includethe Eybler Quartet, the KirbyString Quartet, and The Knights’Chamber Orchestra.Nosky’s astonishing energy andall-embracing musical appetiteresult in after-hours consortingwith bands such as the HiddenCameras, Hunter Valentine andRock Plaza Central.If you could meet the little person in thatchildhood photo … I would like to tell herthat the quality of the time she will spendpracticing violin is more important than thesheer volume of hours;I would ask her to remember to stop andsmell the roses every once in a while.I would also want to warn her that pubertyis going to be a little rough but not to worrytoo much about it because the people aroundher in her life who care for her will really bethere for her.Your absolute earliest musical memory?I don’t remember ever not having musicaround. My mother tells me that from thetime I was a tiny baby I would get quietwhen she put certain records on. Apparentlymy favourite was an LP of Jascha Heifetzplaying the Brahms Violin Concerto withthe Chicago Symphony conducted by FritzReiner. The record literally wore out by thetime I was about eight.When did you first play the violin? I startedviolin lessons sometime between the ages of“I clearly remember when WholeNote started —I used to read it cover to cover dreaming about the daywhen I would get to play some concerts …”three and four.One day I saw a segment on Sesame Streetwhere Itzhak Perlman played the violin. Iinformed my mother, ‘I am going to do thatwhen I grow up.’She asked me if I thought I would like togive it a try before I was totally grown upand I said ‘Sure!’ So off we went to the bigcity of Victoria to pick out a bright shinynew violin.What do you remember about your firstviolin teacher? My very first teacher was anextremely kind lady named Vivian Pritchardwho taught through our community musicschool. My second violin teacher, Heilwigvon Königslöw took over Ms. Pritchard’sstudio of students. I studied with Heilwig foralmost ten years and today she remains oneof my closest friends.All you music teachers out therereading this please know what a positivedifference you are making in the lives ofyoung people!Read the full interview at thewholenote.com.Music’s Children gratefully acknowledges Andrea & Michael, Heilwig, Alex, Francine, Sebastian & Geoff, the Eybler Quartet, Tafelmusik, Analekta, I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble.72 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

MATTHEW MARIGOLDSEASONAL GREETINGS TOOUR WINNERS!HERE’S WHAT THEY WONThe Sing-Along MESSIAH at MasseyHall is a fine warm-up for seasonalmerry-making (Dec 18, 2pm). MaestroHandel conducts the Tafelmusik BaroqueOrchestra and Choir and guests: KarinaGauvin, Robin Blaze, Rufus Müller, andBrett Polegato. WholeNote readers MaryMcColl and Joan Sayer each win a pairof tickets, and a copy of Tafelmusik’sBEETHOVEN Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8. Noskysays: “I think we bring a roughnessto our interpretation of the Beethovensymphonies which helps highlight howrevolutionary they were—colours andtextures that were almost beyond thecapability of the instruments of the time.It sounds very on the edge to me!” (AN29947) Hell Hath No Fury: I FURIOSIBaroque Ensemble’s second concert ofthe season (Dec10, 8pm), with guestJames Johnstone, harpsichord. Bach,Handel and Corelli, but “Not your averageChristmas concert!” Dare to find outwhy, along with Robert Lescoe, PhoebeCleverley and their guests! Crazy:I FURIOSI’s CD on the Dorian Sonoluminuslabel. The 16th–18th centuryrepertoire diversely reflects the themeof insanity. Liner notes about thecomposers’ twisted lives and times arefascinating. Crazy includes a hauntingencore: Suzanne by Leonard Cohen.With guests James Johnstone, StephanieMartin, Lucas Harris. (DSL-90802.A copy each for Diane Harvey andNancy Martin. Backofen and Mozart:an Eybler Quartet recording —quintetsby virtuoso clarinetist and composerBackofen (contemporary of Mozart), anda Mozart quintet. Nosky: “I really like thisrecording because it features the brilliantplaying of one of my favourite musicians,English clarinetist Jane Booth.”AN29949. A copy each for Myrna Foleyand Julie Goldstein. Aisslinn Nosky’s brand new, self-titled,independently produced recording ofworks for solo violin by Bach, Ysaye andOesterle, will be available in January.Among the first to receive one of alimited number of CDs, Ed Boucher!Pieces in My Handsby William AideOberon PressCanadian pianistWilliam Aide hasspent most of his illustriouscareer as aperformer and teacher.Yet during the past15 years he has publisheda memoir andtwo books of poetry.In this new collectionof poetry he continuesto confront the“habitable pain and pleasure” of life throughthe prism of music. While beguiling us withhis distinctive poetic voice, he creates resonantimages that deepen our relationship withthe music itself.At the heart of this collection are two setsof poems based on large-scale pieces byLiszt and Schumann. B Minor Sonata probesLiszt’s fascination with the Faust legend andits various implications. Aide’s cycle closeswith a moving Coda, which begins:Who’ve lasted through the days and nightsare shriven:The theme of peace bestowed onhumankindRestores benignity, the pact re-signed,With one D sharp, all sinners are forgiven.memorial tremors, epic myths recede;each pianist plays out of his human needfor abstract music’s deep abyssof meaning.The poems based on Schumann’s Carnavaloffer pithy evocations of the characters thecomposer created in these short pieces. Theyzoom, leap, waltz and laugh, remindingus that “suffering seems unreal once it haspassed.” Each poem in these two cycles isprinted facing a page from the piano scoreon which Aide has scribbled comments suchas, “Love these stentorian BLASTS!”, “Thispage wearies with age …” and “Hard to bearthis note.”Composers like Chopin (as always)and William Byrd, pianists like JaninaFialkowska and Claudio Arrau, painterslike Delacroix and Uccello, and writerslike George Eliot and Günther Grass, along are woven into the fabric of the remainingpoems.The CD included with this book is trulya bonus, since it offers the opportunity tohear the music that means so much to Aideas interpreted by the poet himself. Yetthese poems do stand on their own, able toP A M E L A M A R G L E Sprovoke, amuse, teach and move us quiteapart from the music that inspires them.My Nine Lives: A Memoir of Many Careersin Musicby Leon Fleisher and Anne MidgetteAnchor BooksIt has been almost50 years since pianistLeon Fleisher startedlosing the use of hisright hand. This candidmemoir takes usthrough all the wayshis world fell apartwhile he struggled to was eventually diagnosedas focal dystonia.He kept performing by playing workswritten for the left hand alone, many newlycommissioned by him. He taught, and tookup conducting. But the emotional impact wasdevastating. Yet, after untold experimental found a treatment that worked. Now 83, hehas been performing with two hands for anumber of years.Fleisher offers colourful portraits of someof the remarkable “individuals of strongcharacter” he has worked with over theyears, like Leonard Bernstein and GeorgeSzell, who conducted Fleisher’s legendaryrecordings of the Beethoven concertos. The his beloved teacher, the great pianist ArturSchnabel. But it’s a shame there’s no indexto be able to track down references to allthese musicians, among other things.Over the years, Fleisher has been regularlygiving masterclasses in Toronto at the atechapters he describes how he teaches including Brahms’ Concerto in D Minor andSchubert’s . He offersinsights on what the music is about, and howto communicate that without sounding “as iffeeling were being injected into the music,as through a syringe. You hear that kind ofthing a lot, and it’s ghastly.”There are plenty of funny moments here.But the issues Fleisher is dealing with areserious —physically, emotionally and music- seriously considered killing myself. But Ididn’t kill myself. I stayed alive. And, justas I was stuck with being alive, I was stuckwith my love of music.” This memoir is inspiringand brave, though at times I foundthe breezy tone Fleisher and his co-author,December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 73

journalist Anne Midgette, invariably assumeat odds with the gravity of what’s going on.Concert Notes: January 11 and 12 at8pm in Roy Thomson Hall, Leon Fleisherconducts the Toronto Symphony Orchestraand performs Mozart’s Concerto for ThreePianos K242 with his wife, KatherineJacobson Fleisher, and former student,Stewart Goodyear.Fleisher also conducts the RoyalConservatory Orchestra and performs Concerto No.4 with Uri Mayerconducting, at 8pm February 17, 2012, atKoerner Hall.Gustav Mahlerby Jens Malte Fischertranslated by Stewart SpencerYale University PressIn Gustav Mahler’sown mind, his lifeand his music were“inexhaustibly”bound up together. By of Mahler throughthe direct relationshipbetween the two,Jens Malte Fischer isable to shed light onwhat makes Mahler’smusic so utterly his own. “Using a vocabularythat seems familiar and sometimes evenintimately colloquial,” he writes, “Mahlerexpresses all that is unheard of and uncanny,all that is unsettling and upsetting. What wasalien sounds familiar, and what is familiarnow seems alien.”Mahler’s life was as complex as his music,mostly because, as Fischer shows, he wassuch an intense, complicated and brilliantcharacter. Admiring though he is, Fischerdoesn’t shrink from describing how condescendinglyinsensitive Mahler could bewith colleagues, friends and, especially, hismuch younger wife Alma. But Fischer, likemost Mahler biographers, is equally toughon Alma. Even from her own diaries sheemerges as narcissistic, humourless and willful.But, as she wrote, Mahler “lived a life times worse on me.” She even gave up herown dreams of being a composer at his insistence,though Fischer seems unnecessarilyharsh when he disparages her talent on theevidence of her surviving compositions.In 1910, just months before he died, was. When he discovered she was havingan affair with Walter Gropius, he contactedSigmund Freud for help. No notes from thesession, which took place as they wanderedthe picturesque streets of Leiden, Holland,have survived. But among Freud’s writingsFischer found interesting references to a patientwho could only be Mahler. Fischer evenmanaged to track down the bill Freud sent toAlma after Mahler’s death.As a theatre historian, Fischer is able tooffer fascinating perspectives on various aspectsof Mahler’s work, such as the detailedand often idiosyncratic performance instructionsMahler wrote in his scores (whichFischer compares to playwrights’ stage directions).He is especially good at describingthe literary, artistic, political and religiouscurrents of his day, above all the prevailingclimate of anti-Semitism that drove Mahler,who was Jewish, to convert to Catholicism.But there are occasional lapses in musicaljudgment. Explaining Mahler’s famous remark,“My time will come,” he inexplicablydownplays the popularity of the works ofMahler’s supposed rival, Richard Strauss.The translation by noted scholar Stewart ingwith such vivid descriptions of Mahler’sworks as, “His First Symphony is a tempestuous,urgent, rebellious work, the com- without doubt the boldest symphonic visitingcard in the whole history of western music.”Concert Notes: The University of TorontoSymphony Orchestra under David Briskinperforms Mahler’s First Symphony onThursday, February 2, at 7:30pm in theMacMillan Theatre.Metropolitan Operaedited by Ellen KeelAmadeus PressThis attractivebook marksconductor JamesLevine’s 40 yearsworking withthe MetropolitanOpera. It’s a celebration,but there’sa poignant undercurrent,since,after this bookwent to press, lingeringhealth problems forced Levine to giveup his position as music director of the Metand withdraw from conducting assignments.Singers and orchestra musicians talk aboutworking with Levine, and he, in turn, offerscomments on his experiences conductingthem. We begin to understand what makesa great opera conductor. But all that mutual versialissues —and inevitably there havebeen plenty during his tenure —that wouldmake these comments more incisive. Levinehimself remains elusive.Lohengrin For the full text of Pamela Marglesreview of James Levine: 40 years at theMetropolitan Opera, please visit our website.Jazz Notes: Mr. Miller’s Talescontinued from page 33Here is an excerpt(from theinternet) from thepreface to MarkMiller’s Way DownThat LonesomeRoad: LonnieJohnson in Toronto,1965–1970. Itgives a taste ofJohnson, and justas importantly ofwhat makes MarkMiller tick.I want all you people to listen to my songI want all you people to listen to my songRemember me after all the days I’m gone— Mr. Johnson’s Blues, 1925So sang Lonnie Johnson on the very name, 86 years ago in St. Louis, mindfuleven then of his own mortality. If hehas indeed been remembered after all thedays, and now decades, since his death, 41years ago in Toronto, it has been largelyfor his early and essential contribution tothe histories of both blues and jazz.…These, at least, are among the memoriesof some of the many people whosepaths he crossed in Toronto between 1965 —theyears that serve as the time frame of thisbook. As much, however, as Way DownThat Lonesome Road is a biographicalstudy of Lonnie Johnson in this period,it is also a social and cultural history ofthe scene that he encountered in Toronto.As such, it takes its lead from my bookCool Blues, which found in the visits ofthe legendary alto saxophonist CharlieParker to Montreal and Toronto in 1953an opportunity to bring the modern jazzcommunities in each of those cities backto life. And like Cool Blues, Way DownThat Lonesome Road (which takes itstitle from a song that Johnson recorded in1928) is populated by a cast of secondarycharacters —musicians, critics, friendsand fans —who have stories of their ownto tell.… The story of his years in Torontocombines both — the happiest of timesand the hardest, a Dickensian sort of paradox,albeit in a tale of just one city. Thisis that tale; here is that city.— Published October 19, 2011 byThe Mercury Press/teksteditions© Mark Miller 201174 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Editor’s CornerWith The Goat RodeoSessions (SONY beingtouted as Yo-Yo Ma’s mostsuccessful release to date, itlikely doesn’t need my help withpromotion. But I can’t help butmention it as it touches on somany of my own musical interests.Evidently a “Goat Rodeo” issomething which depends on animprobable number of high riskfactors all coming together atonce. Hyperbole aside, this re- very busy musicians from acrossthe musical spectrum and it is course we are aware of Ma’s di- and his world and roots music projects likeSilk Road and earlier collaborations withMark O’Connor and Edgar Meyer. On thisouting bassist Meyer also plays piano andD A V I D O L D Sgamba. The other contributors,Nashville session-manStuart Duncan and bluegrassstar Chris Thile, respectively dolinand plectrum banjo; and and vocals to the mix. Meyer,Duncan and Thile also sharewriting credits on all the tunesleaving Ma the odd man outsimply playing his cello. Butwith the bottom end so ablyanchored by Meyer, Ma getsto exploit the upper reaches ofhis instrument and the resultingensemble is an extraordinarystring band. Add the lovelyvoice of Anife O’Donovan on acouple of tracks and you have a wonderfully in American folk traditions, incorporates a Local cellist Nick Storring was also the2011 recipient of the Canadian MusicCentre’s Toronto Emerging ComposerAward. Like Ma, Storring works in a varietyof genres, but unlike his mainstreamcounterpart, pretty much all of Storring’sexcursions are far from the beaten path. Rife,a recent solo release on the adventurousBritish label co.uk), features electronic compositionscreated over the past six years. Artifacts,takes as its main sound source a “nearbroken”7/8 size violin given to the composerby his grandmother. After nearly 22 years asA “GOAT RODEO” IS SOMETHINGWHICH DEPENDS ON AN IMPROBABLENUMBER OF HIGH RISK FACTORSALL COMING TOGETHER AT ONCEa wall ornament the instrument became theinspiration for this extended suite. Althoughwe are occasionally aware of the sound ofthe violin being plucked or bowed, for themost part the source is obscured byextensive electronic processing, computermanipulation, recording onto a dictaphonewhose power supply was shorting out andthe use of intentionally damaged CDRs and wouldn’t know this from the liner notesThe World’s FinestClassical and Jazz MusicDestination13 Discsonly 26. 98Beethoven.KarajanThe Nine Symphonies The final digital recordingspresented at this price for the first timeThe Five Piano Concertos The Violin ConcertoTriple ConcertoMissa SolemnisOvertures: PLUS Phone orders only.December 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 75

however, which are literally non-existent.The distinctive packaging —a silver foil heatsealedsleeve with purple lettering listing thetracks, brief credits and the websites of thepublisher and the composer —is certainlyeye-catching and presumably cost-effective,but ultimately does a disservice to theproduct. I think Storring is of the sameopinion because when he sent the disc hefollowed up with a note saying that given the“peculiar style of the packaging” he felt heshould provide an info-sheet withbackground about himself and the pieces.Although the information is available on theEntr’acte website, this fact is not mentionedon the packaging. The other works areIndices of Refraction (2005-2011) which uses mixer feedback, and Outside, Summer isBursting at the Seams which cites only cellobut the sounds here are every bit as varied asthose in the other compositions. This is anintriguing release by a young composer/performer well worthy of our attention.Dialectics –Expressions inSolo Percussionis a new CD byRichard Moore (www.richardmoore.ca). Itjuxtaposes works forrelatively pitch-lessinstruments—kettledrums, bass drums, drum set andmaracas —with pieces for melodicinstruments including vibraphone, marimbaand two members of the hammereddulcimerfamily: the large Eastern Europeancimbalom and its tenor counterpart, theAustrian hackbrett. The opener, Marchfor Two Pairs of Kettledrums was writtenmore than three centuries ago by JacquesPhilidor. Originally intended for twoplayers placed antiphonally, Moore usesoverdubbing to play the duet with himselfin a convincing manner. The title trackis a 1999 composition for two large bass movement Thesis is reminiscent of thesurf-rock classic Wipeout. Antithesis isintrospective, combining hand drummingwith the eerie sounds produced by drawingrubber mallets across the skin of the drumheads. Without a noticeable break Synthesisgrows out of the quiet and builds back to theopening movement’s frantic pitch. Moore’stranscription of Max Roach’s The DrumAlso Waltzes is an extended drum solo usinga traditional jazz kit which features a bassdrum and high-hat theme alternating withimprovised sections. Moore is one of veryfew cimbalom players in our midst andinterspersed with these percussive offeringswe are treated to his own adaptation of anAndante for solo piano by Bela Bartok onthis distinctive instrument, plus an originalwork by the Bavarian composer FrederikSchwenk who takes melodies from the folkrepertoire of the Finnish kantele, yet anotherethnic dulcimer, and adapts them for thehackbrett in a suite that features hammeredstrings in the outer movements and pluckedstrings in the middle. This is followed byan unusual piece by Mexican composerJavier Alvarez in which the performer isinstructed to improvise using maracasover an electronic track which varies fromenvironmental to industrial sounds andgradually transforms into a gentle folkmelody. Moore’s improvisation is so wellintegrated that it is hard to realize it is nota part of the original soundscape. Frankly,I wish the disc ended there. Moore is anaccomplished musician and these tracksdemonstrate his command of many aspectsof the contemporary percussionist’s arsenal.The disc however continues with Bach’sThird Suite for Solo Cello performed on amarimba. Perhaps it is just my prejudiceas a cellist, but I feel there is simply notVOCALAmanda Forsythe; Tyler Duncan;Mireille Lebel; Boston Early Music Festival;Paul O’Dette; Stephen StubbsThe Boston EarlyMusic Festival andthe German CPOlabel have successfullycollaborated on jectsof early operaso far, includingConradi’s Ariadne,Charpentier’s Acteon, two by Lully— Théséeand Psyché — and this, John Blow’s littleperformedmasterpiece from the early 1680s,Venus and Adonis. It’s a powerful and economicalpiece, full of drama, humour, actionand, ultimately, deep poignancy.The performance, co-directed by thelegendary lutenists Paul O’Dette and StephenStubbs, is as close to perfect as one couldhope for. Tempos are well-chosen and thesmall baroque band and chorus are livelyand colourful and really dive into the scorewith emotional intensity. BEMF has a strongCanadian connection and the two Canadiansoloists—mezzo Mireille Lebel (Cupid) andbaritone Tyler Duncan (Adonis)—both acquitthemselves with a combination of beautifulsound and superb attention to text. Thethird soloist, American soprano AmandaForsythe, is less appealing, not for lack ofdrama, but because her sound tends towardthe relentlessly steely, not well-suited to thecharacter of Venus. She more than redeemsherself, however, in a stunning performanceof Blow’s Welcome, ev’ry guest, one of threeadditional pieces at the end of the recording.The accompanying booklet is packed fullof interesting essays, biographies of everyoneinvolved (even bassoonist Dominic Teresi,enough resonance, especially in the lowestregister of the marimba, to do the musicjustice. Certainly Bach can withstand beingtranslated into virtually any instrumentalform, but the question for me is does the instance my answer is no.We welcome your feedback and invitesubmissions. CDs and comments should besent to: The WholeNote, 503–720 BathurstSt., Toronto ON M5S 2R4. We alsoencourage you to visit our website, www. features including direct links to performers,composers and record labels, “buy buttons”for online shopping and additional, expandedand archival reviews.of Tafelmusik), full texts and translations.The photos of the original BEMF productionof Venus and Adonis give some idea ofwhat a special project this was. How luckyfor us that it was recorded so exquisitelyfor posterity.— Larry BeckwithConcert Notes: Mireille Lebel can be heardwith Tafelmusik in Koerner Hall performancesof Handel’s Hercules January 19 to 22.Tyler Duncan performs in Mozart’s Requiemwith the Toronto Symphony OrchestraJanuary 18 to 22 and will give the premiereof Jeffrey Ryan’s The Whitening of the Oxwith New Music Concerts at the EnwaveTheatre on January 29.Il Complesso Barocco; Alan CurtisWith the exceptionof Hercules,Alexander Balusand Theodora, theHandel oratorioson this disc clearlymark him as an OldTestament composer(in contrast with his—David Olds, DISCoveries Editordiscoveries@thewholenote.comcontemporary, New Testament composer J.S.Bach). Handel composed oratorios almost exclusivelyin his later years and his choice ofOld Testament historias such as Belshazzar,Susanna, Judas Maccabeus, Joseph and hisBrethren, Joshua and Solomon offer everybit of dramatic variety as the operas he composedin his earlier career, albeit withoutthe staging.Just as in his operas, the oratorios offermany an opportunity to showcase bothsopranos and contraltos through the use76 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

of stirring arias and duets. “Streams ofPleasure” indeed, with arias such as Crystal (Susanna) sunggorgeously by Karina Gauvin in all its sensuousbeauty, contrasting brilliantly with the Fury with redsparkling eyes from Alexander Balus. Bothsing with the warmest tenderness in the recording’stitle love duet from Theodora andadd a most regal tone in the more contrapuntalWelcome as the dawn (Solomon).In the solo arias, both singers exploit theda capo form to the fullest with supremelyvirtuosic trills and ornamentations on thesecond round. Complesso Barocco’s superbability to shine whilst still allowing the fullestexpression of the singer is demonstratedbest in the sighing pathos of violin anddescending continuo parts that highlight thegrief and resignation in My father (Hercules).An exquisite addition to one’s collection ofHandel’s vocal music.— Dianne WellsConcert Notes: Karina Gauvin is featured inToronto Symphony Orchestra performancesof Britten’s Les Illuminations February 22 to23 at Roy Thomson Hall.BachDaniel Taylor; Tafelmusik BaroqueOrchestra; Jeanne LamonDaniel Taylorjoins Tafelmusik fortwo selections ontheir 78th recording,performing two ofBach’s four cantatasfor solo alto voice.Both on texts byDarmstadt courtpoet, Georg Christian Lehms, BWV54,Widerstehe doch der Sünde, is from Bach’sWeimar period while the other, BWV170,Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, wascomposed and performed in 1726 at theThomaskirche in Leipzig. While in the exhortationto “resist sin” in Cantata 54 Bachprovides a dramatic struggle complete withharmonic discord and a chromatic fugue,Cantata 170 focuses on the peace of a promised“delightful rest” in heaven. Rather thanvoice strictly accompanied by continuo, thereis much interest in the interplay betweenvoice, strings and particularly organ. Taylormaintains a reverential character throughout,even in the dramatic moments, focusing insteadon the calm and steadfast reassuranceof faith with superb tonal control that never along with director Jeanne Lamon, violinand John Abberger, oboe, who are featuredrespectively in the Suite in A minor for violinand strings, BWV1067 and the Concerto foroboe and violin in C minor, BWV1060. Themiddle adagio cantabile movement in thelatter allows the two soloists to engage inan exquisite musical exchange. All performwith deftness, poise and grace worthy ofBach’s enduring artistry.— Dianne WellsMax Emanuel Cencic; Ann Hallenberg;Sonia Prina; Il Complesso Barocco;Alan CurtisGluck is oftenstyled an operaticreformer, buthe composed manysuccessful examplesin the earlier operaseria style in whichvirtuosic da capoarias alternated withsimple recitatives. In the year 1750 he selectedtexts by Pietro Metastasio of Rome, partlybecause Metastasio specialized in classicalthemes and partly because his librettos wereadmired by composers and performers alike.Ezio is set in Rome after the title character,a Roman general, has defeated Attilathe Hun, promptly arousing the jealousy ofEmperor Valentiniano III. An intense romanticintrigue is grafted by Metastasio ontothe historical background.From the start, Metastasio’s words varybetween heart-felt and lengthy arias and This is apparent in Act One, Scene Twowhen Ezio, Massimo and Fulvia reveal theinitial romantic intrigue within the plot in avery short space of time before Ezio devotesan aria to pleading with Fulvia to be loyalto him.Metastasio has created characters who is virtuous but at the same time he is cowardlyand credulous, while Ezio is courageousbut lacks a sense of caution. This is thebackdrop against which Gluck composed hisopera while Gluck had not yet himself settledin Vienna.For all these problems and challenges,the opera lover can settle down to acomplex but rewarding work, aided byBruce Alan Brown’s comprehensive andexplanatory notes.— Michael SchwartzCLASSICAL & BEYONDAngela Hewitt; Orchestra da Camera diMantovaHas it really been 26 years since AngelaHewitt made the world sit up and take noticeas the winner of the Toronto InternationalBach Competition? Since then, the Ottawanative (now based in London) has gone onto achieve international fame through herinterpretations ofsuch diverse composersas Bach,Couperin, Ravel andMessiaen (himselfone of the judgesin the competition).This newestHyperion releasefeatures three early piano concertos byMozart, the nucleus of a proposed project torecord all 27. Together with the Orchestra daCamera di Mantova, under the leadership ofCarlo Fabiano, Hewitt proves that she is as athome with Mozart as she is with music fromthe baroque or late romantic period. Thedisc is a gem! Her playing is stylish and elegant,demonstrating well-articulated phras- demands, while the 29-member ensembleconstitutes a formidable musical partner.These concertos were all written beforeMozart was 22 and, not surprisingly, containa mood of youthful optimism. Yet themusic is not all galanterie. Indeed, for me,the highlight of the recording is surely theslow movement from the Concerto No.9, awork completed in January 1777 for VictoireJenamy, the daughter of the famed choreographerJean-Georges Noverre. Here, thesombre and elegiac mood is so perfectlyevoked that I can’t help but envision a countrychurchyard in late autumn, the baretree branches silhouetted against a grey -nale —among the only concerto movementsMozart wrote in which the soloist beginsbefore the orchestra—thus bringing thispleasing disc to a close. Bravissimo a tutti others in the series.— Richard HaskellLiszt RecitalJanina FialkowskaCanadian pianist of world renown, JaninaFialkowska made an heroic recovery fromcancer in 2002 and bravely returned to herDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 77

illiant career.Although primarilyknown for herChopin interpretationsshe now surprisesus with a fullblown Liszt recital.A sensitively selectedprogram ofnot-so-well-known works of enormous dif- linepower, stamina and charming femininegrace would sum up this very successfulissue. Interestingly, only two of the piecesare original Liszt compositions. All theothers are transcriptions, or rather completereworkings, of Schubert, Chopin and evenGounod, all propelled into Liszt’s magicalsound world.First an elegant Waltz by Schubert fromSoirées de Vienne, greatly extended byLiszt’s cascading is dashed offwith superb panache. Next comes originalLiszt, Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude,a deeply religious piece that reminds me ofthe Petrarca Sonnets with most heartfelt andbeautifully built up melodies. The “PolishConnection” brings a rarely heard set ofsix songs by Chopin put into piano settingsand dedicated to Liszt’s paramour, Polishprincess Carolyne. They include virtuosomazurkas, tender nocturnes and a wild, Revolutionary Etude. to Goethe’s Faust is represented by a pianotranscription of the second movement(Gretchen) of the Faust Symphony.Fialowska’s sensitive, deeply felt and fullyunderstood performance sounds even betteron the piano than with full orchestra. Hereone can concentrate on the girlish longingsof its simple melody followed by the moremenacing themes of Faust. The two incombination build to a passionate climax likea love duet.A sumptuous paraphrase of the delightfulwaltz from Gounod’s Faust brings us toa brilliant close. Liszt sums it up by sayingthat, “in the compass of the piano’s sevenoctaves it includes the entire scope of the by the concurrence of over a hundred concertedinstruments.”— Janos GardonyiRoberto Cappello; Orchestra Sinfonica diRoma; Francesco La VecchiaFerruccio Busoni’s gigantic PianoConcerto (1902-1904) is rarely performed inconcert due to its lengthy duration (c. 80minutes), super-human demands on the soloistand the unusual incorporation of an invisiblemale chorus singing a Hymn to Allah in orthodoxas well, with the piano cast as moreof a commentator onthe ongoing symphonicevents ratherthan the usual selfcentredprotagonist.It has fared well ondisc however, withmultiple releasesfollowing the landmark1968 performance by the legendaryBusoni champion John Ogdon.The present disc features the rarely recordedItalian pianist Roberto Cappello in atruly spectacular display of the challengingamalgam of power, energy and nobility thescore demands. Balances in this productionare straightforward, emphasizing the elaboratepiano writing with a judicious mixingof the orchestra. The Rome Symphony though the attention to dynamics and voicingby conductor Francesco La Vecchia is Busoni’s orchestration I would recommendthe 1989 Telarc recording by pianist GarrickOhlssohn with Christoph von Dohnányi leadingthe incomparable Cleveland Orchestra.That being said, at this price one need not betoo picky and the soloist is indeed truly mag- awesome leviathan of a concerto more widelyavailable.— Daniel FoleyBayerischen Staatsorchester; Kent NaganoThe criticEdouard Hanslickridiculed Brucknerso much that whenhe was decoratedby the Emperor andasked if there wasanything he could dofor him, Brucknernaively answered (I paraphrase), “please,Majesty, do something with this Hanslick,he is making my life miserable!” Seriouslythough, little Bruckner, the Austrian countrybumpkin kept writing his symphoniesone after another not really caring what theworld was thinking about them but by thetime he wrote the Symphony No.7 in E majorthe world was noticing. The rest is history asthe rather hackneyed expression goes.Indeed Bruckner is enjoying a tremendousrenaissance these days. What wasat one time the sole territory of the greatGerman-Austrian tradition, with venerableold conductors like Klemperer, Celibidache,Schuricht, Wand, Karajan and others is nowthe property of a new generation no longerGerman nor old, let alone venerable.One of these is Kent Nagano and this newrecording by Sony Classical makes us listenwith renewed interest. It is so fresh and excitingand indeed unpredictable that it is asif we have never heard the symphony before. pearsas if it has descended from heaven (infact it came to Bruckner in a dream) witha pianissimo tremolando in the violins gen- with a sense of inevitability culminating in second, the essence of the work and oneof the most beautiful adagios ever written,simply glows and the famous climax with thecymbal crash is overwhelming. The typicalBrucknerian scherzo thumps along merrilylike Fafner and Fasolt albeit with a sensuouslyrical trio interlude, perhaps reminding usof Fasolt’s love for the goddess Freia. for conductors but with a faster than usualtempo Nagano resolves the problem and thesymphony ends in an outburst of glory.— Janos GardonyiBerliner Philharmoniker; Simon RattleThis fantastic newalbum juxtaposesthree quite differentsides of thecomposer ArnoldSchoenberg in superlativeperformancesby Sir SimonRattle and the BerlinPhilharmonic. The earliest of the compositions,the 1907 Chamber Symphony No.1Op.9, is a crucial work in the composer’s expanded harmonic palette. Though originallyconceived for a chamber ensemble of 15solo instruments, the composer later decided too easily swamped by the wind ensembleand prepared an alternate version (Op.9b)in 1935 incorporating a full string section.Performances of this symphonic versionremain quite rare however, and it is quitea treat to have this late Romantic score soconvincingly interpreted. The AccompanyingMusic for a Film Scene Op. 34 was composedin 1930 on commission from his pub- silent movie scenario Schoenberg had inmind was completely imaginary. Thoughconceived in his new dodecaphonic style itrecalls the compelling expressionistic dramaand colourful orchestration of his earlyatonal works, elements often suppressed inthe self-constrained classicism of many ofhis other serial works. The performance ofthis nine minute wonder is truly inspired andtotally engaging.Schoenberg turned his hand to orchestratingBrahms’ Piano Quartet in 1937 whileexiled in paradise in California with veryfew opportunities for performances of hisown music. A great admirer of Brahms, hisapproach to the Quartet is for the most partrespectful to a fault, featuring lush stringspadded with opulent winds. The Berlin78 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

string section is truly in its element hereand contributes some stunning sonorities.The orchestration of the gypsy-inspired Cellist Matt Haimovitz has come up with release, Shuffle.Play.Listen (Oxingale. Haimovitz, who is no stranger tocross-over and improvisatory playing, hasteamed with pianist Christopher O’Riley torecord what they describe as “a collaborationthat blurs the boundaries between classicaland pop.” the Vertigo Suite, arranged by O’Riley fromBernard Hermann’s score for the Hitchcockmovie of the same name, with four 20thcentury standard repertoire pieces: Pohádka Variations on a Slovak Folksong;Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne (afterPulcinella); and Piazzolla’s LeGrand Tango and, if anything, it shows just is to the concert repertoire. CD2 features O’Riley’s arrangementsof songs by the groupsArcade Fire, Radiohead, CocteauTwins, Blonde Redhead and APerfect Circle, and by guitaristJohn McLaughlin. It gets off toan electrifying start with ArcadeFire’s Empty Room (watch a videoof the recording session on www.oxingale.com) and is simply full ofstunning playing by both performers.There is no mix with standardrepertoire here, but it’s notneeded: several tracks are stronglyreminiscent of the minimalistmusic of Philip Glass or SteveReich and again serve to show justhow blurred the boundaries betweenpop and concert repertoirecan be. Haimovitz is clearly right at homeher, but a great deal of the credit for thisoutstanding issue must go to O’Riley for hisstunning arrangements and playing to match.London’s Wigmore Hall has long beena leading venue for top-class chambermusic, both debut recitals and concerts byestablished artists. On May 25, 2010, theRussian violinist Alina Ibragimova and theFrench pianist Cédric Tiberghien gave the Beethoven sonata series that started onOctober 27, 2009. Released on the Hall’sown label to huge critical acclaim, Beethoven captures the whole seriesstylistically incongruous xylophone andglockenspiel solos and wonderfully exuberantplaying from the orchestra.— Daniel FoleyStrings AttachedT E R R Y R O B B I N Sin simply stunning live sound quality; apartfrom the extended applause at the end ofeach sonata, there is no hint of audiencenoise, although you can sense their presenceand really feel that special electricityof a live performance in the simplyexceptional playing.Rarely do I play CDs that noticeablyincrease my pulse rate, but from the openingmovement of the Sonata in D Major Op.12No.1, through a magical “Spring” sonata GMajor Op.96, this Beethoven playing is as engages you on an emotionalaswell as an intellectuallevel from the outset andnever lets go. Everything youcould possibly ask for is hereinabundance: breathtakingtechnique; faultless intonation;commitment; passion;tenderness and sensitivity;warmth and richness of tone;wonderful attention to detail; awide range of colour, nuance,shading and dynamics; perfectbalance; two wonderful artiststhinking and playing as one. Ifever three CDs cried out to beissued in a box set, it’s these.They put you, front row centre,atone of the most thrilling andsatisfying Beethoven recitalsyou will ever hear.“Smiling faces, furiousapplause: that’s how this seriesended,” said The Times. It’seasy to see—and hear —why.Mozart’s Prussian Quartets wereall that he managed to complete for anapparent commission for six quartets fromKing Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia in1789. It’s been a while —20 years—since theEmerson String Quartet recorded any Mozartquartets, so these Prussian Quartets (Sony are a welcome addition to thecatalogue. This is big, warm playing, withthe players admitting that they don’t hesitateto use generous vibrato when the emotionalnature of the music calls for it. Their playingand interpretation are much in the style ofthe 1966 Decca recordings by the WellerQuartet, long a favourite of mine, and amasterclass in how to play late Mozart withpassion and intensity as well as sensitivityand style. These are wonderful works, andthe Emersons never put a foot wrong.Violinist Rachel Podger and violistJane Rogers have both been astonishinglysuccessful in the world of periodperformance, and their technical andmusical abilities and accomplishmentsare indisputable. Their latest recital disc featuresDuo Sonatas by Mozart and MichaelHaydn, Joseph’s younger brother. The twocomposers were good friends and Mozart’stwo sonatas were probably composed tocomplete a set of six that Michael Haydnwas writing for the Archbishop of Salzburg.Podger and Rogers have been playingthese two Mozart duos together since theywere teenagers, and the playing here isnot surprisingly stylish and absolutely top-of Haydn’s four sonatas are included, andwhile they are not the equal of the Mozartduos, they are delightful works presenting adifferent set of challenges for the players. Ashort Menuetto from Mozart’s 12 Duos for 2Horns rounds out the disc.STRINGS ATTACHED continues at www.thewholenote.com with cello concertos byAlberto Ginastera (Mark Kosower), violinconcertos by Ross Edwards and Sibelius(Adele Anthony), Handel’s complete violinsonatas (Ensemble Vintage Köln) andGrieg’s music for string orchestra (MalmoSymphony Orchestra).MODERN & CONTEMPORARYJohn CoriglianoUrsula Oppens; Jerome Lowenthalwww.cedillerecords.orgJohn Corigliano isa musical dramatistwho melds thepast century’sinnovations into hisown compositionalstyle. Equallycomfortable inclassical repertoireand in contemporary music, pianist UrsulaOppens is an ideal interpreter of Corigliano,with the delicate sensitivity and fearlessassurance to meet his music’s wide-rangingdemands. This disc spans nearly 50 years,from Kaleidoscope (1959) to WingingIt (2008). The latter comprises threecomposer improvisations “translated” fromrecorded sequences to written compositions.Corigliano succeeds in maintaining animprovisational feel, as does Oppens in herexploratory interpretation.Corigliano’s Fantasia on an Ostinato(1985) is the most expressive minimalistDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 79

work I know. His Etude Fantasy (1976)struck me as an outstanding and originalwork when I heard dedicatee James Toccoplay it shortly after it was composed.Oppens’ interpretation maintains awonderful sense of fantasy, while rising to become strenuous technical exercises. Forexample, Etude No.3: Fifths to Thirds hand beautifully.Pianist and pedagogue Jerome Lowenthaljoins Oppens in works for two pianos.In the evocative Chiaroscuro (1997) forpianos a quarter tone apart, the secondpiano suggests variously an out-of tuneinstrument, or “blue” notes, or high-registertinkling chimes! And in the early Fantasia(1959) Corigliano emerges as an Ivesianproto-Magic Realist, already with his ownremarkable technique and colour-palettewell established.— Roger KnoxSonando Caminos: Guitar WorksDaniel BolshoyThe latest CDfrom the otstandingCanadian guitaristDaniel Bolshoyfeatures the musicof Eduardo Sainz dela Maza (1903–82),one of two Spanishguitarist/composerbrothers whose lives spanned most of the20th century. Bolshoy has a direct link tothe other brother, Regino Sainz de la Maza(1896-1981): one of Regino’s students wasRicardo Iznaola, with whom Bolshoy studiedat the University of Denver.Unlike his brother, Eduardo rarelycomposed in the traditional Spanish particularly by the music of Ravel andDebussy. The works here are mostly fromthe 1960s and 1970s, and are beautifullycrafted and immediately accessible. Theeight-movement Suite Platero y Yo (Plateroand I) is the centerpiece of the recital: itwas inspired by Juan Ramón Jiménez’s 1956Nobel Prize-winning prose-poetry about awriter and his donkey, and the short excerptsfrom the chosen poems that the composerincluded in his score are also included herein Bolshoy’s excellent booklet notes.Eight shorter original pieces and threearrangements—La Paloma, the cowboy songColorado Trail and Swanee River, complete adelightful and thoroughly enjoyable CD thatruns for over 77 minutes.Bolshoy has a full, warm tone, with Recorded at the beautifully resonant SalleFrancoys-Bernier at Domaine Forget inQuebec, the sound is close and intimate.— Terry RobbinsShapeshifter Accordions in Many GuisesT I I N A K I I KAs an accordionist since childhood, Ihave seen the popularity of my instrumentrise and fall in a fashion similarto current money markets. The accordionis on a sharp rise again at the moment,with a number of new releases that featureits rhythmic and melodic sensibilities in avariety of styles.Finnish accordionist/composer Antti Paalanenshowcases his enviablebellows control and minimalistcompositional ideas in thesolo release Breathbox (Siba. TheFinnish landscape is depictedmusically in tracks likethe heavy long tones and loopinggrooves of Permafrost and theethereal high pitched harmonies ofNorthern Wind. The tiny detailedtones of Mementos waltz areas touching as looking at one’sfavourite keepsakes. Paalanen isan excellent instrumentalist fullyin control. Many of the repeated edmusical ideas seem to bedrawn from traditional folkmelodies creating an excitingand accessible “cross-over”effect, though some lengthypassages, especially in Gaza,could use a bit of editing.Accordionist RobertKusiolek showcases his playing,compositional and electronicsskills in Nuntium (Multikulti. Along with AntonSjarov, voice/violin, KsaweryWojcinski, double bass, and KlausKugel, drums, etc., Kusiolek createsan atonal musical environmentin seven chapters. The slow-movingvocal/violin improvisational moodof Chapter 1 sets the stagefor a diverse range of ideasthat is unbelievably coherent.Chapter 4, with its intricateconversations between theinstruments, is the highlight.Each player is a star, with theaccordion driving the jazzymusic. The free improvisationalfeel of Nuntium addsto the unique sound of the accordion in thisensemble setting.The bandoneon with its free reedmechanism, is a distant relative of theaccordion, so the inclusion here of Navidad Bandoneonist/composer Dino Saluzzibreathes sonic beauty into this “Christmasin the Andes” ensemble collection. Theexcellent programmatic liner notes provide aguiding hand through the 11 tracks withoutgetting lost in technical details, aiding thelistener to envision the Christmas story in apersonal way. From the arid, bleak openingtrack, many South American musicaltraditions (like the ever popular Tango) arebrilliantly performed by Saluzzi, cellist AnjaLechner and tenor sax/clarinettistFelix Saluzzi.The Tarkovsky Quartet is the brainchildof composer/pianist FrançoisCouturier. His music, which isinspired by the work of the late the name of the quartet—drawsupon hislife and work. Couturier’snew age tonal music shiftsslowly like a scene frozeninlush cinematographyallowing Parisianaccordionist Jean-LouisMatinier to sit on long heldnotes with solemn colour.Cellist Anja Lechner andsoprano saxophonist Jean-MarcLarche add their own uniquecontributions to the mix. Thoughthe impressionistic compositionsare in the style of movie music, itisthe collective improvisations onthree tracks that are the highlights.Here the harmonic world openstomore punchy chords whileaccordion melodies race extreme staccatos.Now, literally, off tothemovies. Uniko (Cmajorwas written byFinnish rock star status accordionist/vocalistKimmoPohjonen and his colleague,electronics master SamuliKosminen. The Kronos Quartetwas introduced to Pohjonen’s musicwhile on tour in Finland, and lovedhow he had expanded the possibilitiesof the accordion. All are but the stark stage set and lightingsupports the stark rhythmic explosivenessof the music. The loopingDo not be misled by Pohjonen’s on-stagepersona — his expertise on the accordion issolid. However, it always amazes me thatnobody ever needs to turn a page…There is a vast world of music availablefor the accordion and it should be nosurprise that in solo and ensemble settingsthe “squeezebox” keeps pushing and pullingits way into contemporary music.80 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

JAZZ & IMPROVISEDThe VipersThe VipersIndependentwww.silverbirchprod.comThe self-titled CDfrom bluesy jazzgroup The Vipers isa treat from start to group members PatCarey and HowardMoore, the discfeatures dynamicvocalist Sophia Perlman and additional bandmembers Mitchell Lewis, Ross MacIntyreand Jeff Halischuk. Guitarist and arrangerTed Quinlan also guests on some of thedisc’s strongest tracks.The tasty opener, East of the Sun, West ofthe Moon (Brooks Bowman), has no shortageof swing. The horns are arranged in tight,Med Flory-inspired lines while Perlman’sglorious alto soars with maturity and all theright musical decisions. Her husky, JuneChristy-ish tone is the perfect complement toQuinlan’s crisp, lyrical guitar line. VocalistPerlman also shines on That’s Why I’mCryin’ — a rarely performed gem by bluesicon Koko Taylor. Perlman’s approach isall at once soulful, gut-wrenching, funkyand provocative.Other stand outs include You Make MeFeel So Young (Myro/Gordon), a charmingduet with Perlman and Moore that bringsto mind the duets of Ray Charles and BettyCarter, and an energetic arrangement of OldDevil Moon from Burton Lane’s Broadwaysmash, Finian’s Rainbow. The tune is anup-tempo cooker with vibrant guitar fromQuinlan and drum solo from Halischuk.Also notable is an evocative version of BillieHoliday’s Don’t Explain, which is literally Perlman’s breathtaking and chameleon-likevocal instrument.— Lesley Mitchell-Clarkerecorded here in 1963, with Henry Grimes’stentorian walking bass timbres and Dennis saxophonist Steve Lacy and trombonistRoswell Rudd were already so familiar withthe Monk canon that they were able to createtheir own swinging variations on such nowfamiliarMonk fare as Monk’s Dream andBrilliant Corners.The seven spiky and unconventionalsongs, recorded in a New York coffee houseby the late Toronto poet Paul Haines, thenresident in Manhattan, demonstrate howLacy’s gritty, yet lyrical tones imposinglyblended with the modern gutbucket stylingof Rudd. These treatments of Monk’s inimitablecompositions also suggest the distinctiveconcepts that would help Lacy (1934–2004)develop into a major improviser and admiredcomposer during the rest of his life.As an added bonus this reissue containstwo bootleg sound-quality tracks —not recordedby Haines —from a 1960 jazz festivalappearance with Lacy as a member of aMonk combo of heavyweights, the pianist,drummer Roy Haynes, bassist JohnOre and tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse.Historically matchless, the versions of Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are and Skippy provideinsight, showing how Lacy’s tart, taut tonecreated a sonic role for itself within the tightknitgroup’s performances.— Ken WaxmanIn the MoonlightSophie Milmanwww.eonemusic.caVocalist Sophie Milman’s latest disc, Inthe Moonlight is a trip through the GreatAmerican Songbook (with a short detour byway of Feist) whichplaces her on a newtier of her remarkableevolution as ajazz vocalist. MsMilman is the veritableGrace Kellyof jazz—elegant,beautiful, skilledand always in good taste. Produced by MattPierson (who is responsible for discoveringjazz star Joshua Redman, among others), theCD was recorded at famed Sear Sound inNYC and boasts an all-star line-up of jazzluminaries such as Gerald Clayton, LewisNash, Romero Lubambo, Randy Breckerand Chris Potter, matched with innovativearrangements by Rob Mounsey, GeraldClayton, Julian Loge, Gil Goldstein, AlanBroadbent and Kevin Hayes. In addition,we are treated to six tracks with orchestralcomponents —inspired settings for Milman’sluminous voice and persona.This recording is the splendid result ofexquisitely talented pairings between instrumentalists,arrangers and vocalist. TheOscar winning title track was written by The Sabrina. Milman’s version utilizes stringsin interplay with her lower register, in orderto capture every romantic nuance. FromThe Music Man comes ’Til There Was You,rendered by Milman with a profound intimacy–anew twist on this familiar Broadwaypowerhouse. Also wonderful is SergeGainsbourg’s romantic Ces Petits Riens, enhancedby atmospheric accordion work frompianist/arranger Gil Goldstein. Milman’squick, parfait-like vibrato and impeccable is a beautifully produced, recorded and performedCD —a perfect holiday gift!— Lesley Mitchell-ClarkeIt’s Our JazzG E O F F C H A P M A NSchool DaysSteve Lacy; Roswell Rudd; Henry Grimes;Dennis Charleswww.emanemdisc.comNearly 50 yearslater it seems unbelievable,but thisall-star quartet brokeup after a couple ofyears of almost nowork because fewwanted to support aband that exclusivelyplayed what was then thought of as far-outmusic by pianist/composer TheloniousMonk. Yet, on the basis of the materialIs it possible to sound better than perfect?This improbable intellectual puzzlecame to mind thanks to the new CD fromGuido Basso been exemplary but he’s surely attained newheights on Changing Partnerscdbaby.com), an 11-tune excursionrecorded over two years in duet formats. These settings,with no plan, no charts and norehearsal, result in playing that’soften passionately inspirational,with wit and bravura technique added to His colleagues are pianists Robi Botos, JohnSherwood and Don Thompson plus guitaristsLorne Lofsky and Rob Piltch. Botos is a particularlyeffective foil on three cuts, notablya sparkling There Is No Greater Love and afrolicking Down By The Riverside but thereare no duds here. On Goodbye Basso adds amoving segment employing latebandleader Rob McConnell’svalve trombone in honour of hislong-time associate. Apparentlythere’s plenty of material availablefor a second volume. Doit soon.Another stylish veteran trumpeteris Montreal’s Kevin Dean,always eloquent and always striking. OnKevin Dean Quartet – A Message From TheDecember 1 – February 7, 2012 thewholenote.com 81

www.cellarlive.com)he demonstrates an unhurried approachwith a big, roundsound that has noneof the rough edgesyou’d expect in ajazzer schooled inhard bop. He’s also an imaginative er, penning all ten tunes on which he hascompos-well-seasoned support from splendid pianistAndre White, bass Alex Walkington anddrummer Dave Laing. The opening FamousLast Words is particularly impressive, GoneBy Morning brisk and bracing with Dean’scontribution seemingly effortless despitedaunting structure, in marked contrast to theyearning ballads Ultra Sounds and ThankYou Notes. Quality is high throughout, concludingwith the lovely Epitaph.More great musicemanates fromMontreal on DonatoBourassa LozanoTanguay – Autour deBill Evans (Effendieffendirecords.com),an all-star quartetshowcasing the current cornerstones of thatcity’s superior jazz history. The group led byexcellent pianist François Bourassa tacklesthe repertoire of Bill Evans, the lyricalmaster who died in 1980, although of thedisc’s 11 tunes just four are Evans originals.This tribute pushes the right buttons, soundsclassic yet up-to-date and highlights theconsiderable talents of the team, with saxmanFrank Lozano adept at capturing Evans’melodic strengths, bass Michel Donato’s richdeep tones proving a super-strong anchor,drummer Pierre Tanguay exercising his precisesubtleties and the leader his expansiveimagination and crafted harmonies. The within the tradition will ensure this album isa candidate for top ten year-ending lists.CD Note: Effendi has recently issued fourmore classy discs by Montreal headliners,groups led by Lozano (Destin), pianist JoshRager (Kananaskis), saxophonist AlexandreCote (Transitions) and bassist Alain Bédard(Homos Pugnax).Pianist PaulHoffert and drummerJim Gelcer havelong paid theirmusical dues(Hoffert a founder ofLighthouse) but theirjazz inclinations geta workout here onGelcer Hoffert Trio – How High The Birdca), an 11-track exploration combining classicstandards, much unison playing by theprincipals (bass duties shared by Lew Mele,Russ Boswell and Justin Gray) and a largedose of Thelonious Monk. The combinationsdon’t always work —the opening All WeepFor Blues All Bluesand Willow Weep For Me and so on—butthis seems just enforced cleverness ratherthan boundary-breaking concept. Elsewherethe unison work is more appealing, while thebasics of Monk’s great compositions likeStraight No Chaser and Well You Needn’tneed no tampering and are handled well, asis Moe Koffman’s hit Swinging ShepherdBlues (done in 5/4). I didn’t care for Gelcer’schannelling Chet Baker vocals.Bob Stevenson isprobably betterknown hereabouts asRobert Stevenson,long a force in classicalcircles as formerartistic directorof innovativeArraymusic andmany other roles. He’s also into jazz improv,demonstrated on The Bob Standard – Out OfNowhere (Urban Meadow www.urbanmeadow.ca), his clarinet aided by guitarist JustinHaynes, bassist Victor Bateman and eclecticpercussionist Blair Mackay. They tackle tenstandards, trying to make the chestnuts palatablein different ways—like avant-gardemusic without its frequent ventures into theugly. Results can be bizarre; witness the ensembleoutput on Out Of Nowhere and thesonic massacre perpetrated on Softly, As In AMorning Sunrise. The leader hews closest tofamiliar melodies while his subversive teamassaults harmony, rhythm and a whole lotmore. However, this risky venture is alwaysTraditionally, holidaytime gets people thinkingabout CD box sets as gifts.But merely offering multidiscbest-of collections hardlyshows originality. Instead themost valuable multiple CD setsare collected because, like thetalented players featured here,the musicians literally had moreideas than could be expressedon even two discs. Take Parisbasedbassist Benjamin Duboc forexample. Probably the busiestand most inventive player of hisinstrument in French improvisedmusic circles, Primare Cantuscom), a three-CD-set, highlightsa different facet of his work on each side. Atreat for double-bass fanatics, the solo workon Disc 1 demonstrates that by also usinghis voice and extended techniques the spatialinteresting; Caravan works.Jazz with stringswas a popular experimentwhenbebop arrived, butmega-talented saxophonist,pianist andcomposer Phil Dwyerhas gone much further,creating a violinconcerto integrating ng jazz and classicalmusic. On the enterprising—and beautifullyrecorded—Phil Dwyer Orchestra – Changingcom) he employs 21 strings led by admirableviolinist Mark Fewer and a 17-piece jazzband. It’s a seamless showcase, a pleasingcompanion to baroque composer Vivaldi’s18th century triumph, The Four Seasons.If you must haveChristmas fare butdon’t want to cringeat the season’s usualmawkish musicalsentiments, get HaveYourself A MerryLittle Christmas(Justin Time JUST. The album featuresperformers such as Oliver Jones, DianaKrall, Rob McConnell, Montreal’s Jubilation singers.GEOFF CHAPMAN also offers “ForeignDiscs to Savour” from the past year at www.thewholenote.com.Something in the AirMultiple & Boxed Sets of Improvised MusicK E N W A X M A Nprogram not only expresses thefascinating bass timbres but doesso in a way that the resultingsounds seem electronicallyprocessed although thoroughlyacoustic. Meanwhile Discs 2 and3 are equally excellent showinghow his mature style adapts toinput from radically differentensembles. Accommodatinghis jagged bowing and heartystring smacks to the vibrationsfrom saxophonists SylvainGuérineau and Jean-Luc Petitplus cunning percussion asidesfrom Didier Lasserre, resultsin concentrated sounds that areas accommodating as they are for instance, perfectly matches low-pitchedbass arpeggios with the timbres of cymbaltops being gonged and gauged, while tracknine climaxes with majestic glissandi from82 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

oth reedists mated with Duboc’s speedystring scrubbing that completes the initialchallenge between the bassist’s strums andsubterranean snorts from Petit’s baritoneplus fortissimo bites from Guérineau’s tenor.Pascal Battus’ guitar pick-up and the subtle 3 more of an electronic cast. Overall, with unexpected note clusters from her piano’sinternal string set and Christian Pruvostmostly propelling pure air from his trumpet,the thesis is timbre expansion not swing.For instance, the bassist’s concentratedostinato underpinning Battus’ bottleneck and Agnel’s mallet popping on the stringscreates mercurial dynamism. Additionally,suggestions of billiard balls being rackedor magnetic tape reels reversing provide otherwise consisting of agitated bass licks,quivering piano strings and squealing brass.Overall, an aviary explosion from Pruvost,shaped by Agnel’s metronomic pitter-patterand Duboc’s pedal point is as exciting asanything recorded by Roy Eldridge withOscar Peterson and Ray Brown.So are the three CDs of improvisationsfrom the well-matched Swedish duo ofveteran Roland Keijser playing a varietyof conventional and folkloric reeds inconjunction with Raymond Strid’s sensitivepercussion output. Recorded live ina Stockholm club Yellow Bell (Umlaut offers avariety of moods and stratagems. AlthoughKeijser —on piano—and the percussionistconclude with a stately reading of Monk’sMood that’s all tremolo key clipping anddrum rim smacks, most of the 32 tunesare far from the jazz canon. Spegelsång saxophone and Strid’s thumping martialbeat deconstructing a folk tune as its initialtone rows are played upside down in itssecond half. On Sohini the reedist’s tootlesare from trussed metal whistles and Strid’s intonation, while Keijser uses a supple South Swedish Varför frågar du/Varför svarardu rattles. The most impressive display of thiscross-cultural improv is evident on the titletune plus Kvällskvarpa/Dansa med moss.On the former, Keijser’s Sonny Rollins-like tune into near-jazz, while the latter is keptlinear by Strid’s paradiddles and ruffs asmid-range clarinet glissandi diffuse fromsnake-charmer-like trills to splinteredruns.For an idea of how Viennese guitaristBurkhard Stangl plus British pianist HowardRiley also use multiple discs for maximumexpression see the continuation of this columnat www.thewholenote.com.POT POURRIMany groups think of themselves asjazz bands, especially when they offerjust a teeny dose of improv, or swing, orinteraction or any of the other basic elementsof the art form. Some are content to operateon the music’s fuzzy boundaries.This trio couldjazz — they certainlyaren’t purveyors ofsmooth jazz. TheSultans Of Stringdo global music inwhich you’ll detectFlamenco, Roma,Arab, Cuban and Brazilian elements as wellas plentiful grooves on their third albumcom). It’s a polished affair of 12 cuts withmuch colourful atmosphere, savage tofrom leader Chris McKhool. At his side areguitarists Kevin Laliberte and Eddie Paton,bass Drew Birston and sterling percussionistChendy Leon as well as an army of guests.There’s much to enjoy from the Afro-Spanish blend of Andalucia to the livelyEmerald Swing and the ultra-jazzy Ernie’sBounce–and stuff to avoid (a cloying Heartof Gold for instance) —but overall it’s fun, ifperhaps a little too polished.The Boxcar Boysoffer a dozen tracksand interestinginstrumentation onDon’t Be Blue(Indie www.theboxcarboys.ca)with Rob Teehan,sousaphone, JohnDavid Williams, clarinet and composer ofeight tunes, Karl Silveira, trombone, LauraBates, violin and Ronen Segall, accordion.There’s vintage jazz, humour, Klezmer,blues, hillbilly vocals and more here, andyou surely can dance to this circus cus music.Halifax-basedGypsophilia (notto be confusedwith US band ofthe same name) isseven-strong. Theyall sing and playmultiple instrumentson Constellation, an albumthat expands on their fondness for DjangoReinhardt. The 11 tunes, all by bandmembers, are all distinctly different, amovie score perhaps with its touches ofbop, classical, whimsy and waltzes. If thesetroubadours return to the GTA, go see.— Geoff ChapmanBailar ConmigoChristopher Lee; James BrownSeveral years ago,while attending aconcert at a localhigh school, I wasquite impressed bythe talent of a youngstudent namedChristopher Lee.Today, some 25years later, I am amazed azed at how this youngmusician has developed. In this CD ChrisLee has collaborated with Toronto guitaristJames Brown, a faculty member of the RoyalConservatory. This all-Latin CD spans awide spectrum of works from such standardsas Abreu’s Tico Tico and Albeniz’s Granadaand Seville to works of such contemporariesas Chick Corea, Christopher Caliendo andcollaborator James Brown. Five of the 15 selectionsare by Caliendo, including the worldpremiere recording of his Mistero.The guitar’s role is primarily tasteful. Brown’s solo opportunities on suchtracks as Corea’s La Fiesta and his ownToronto Folk Song show his talents well.However, this CD is really a showcase forChris Lee. His dazzling technique on TicoTico and Caliendo’s Caliente come acrossas all the more amazing when contrastedwith the subtle tones of such works asPonce’s Estrellita.For me, the highlight is El Choclo, oneof the most recognizable of all tangos.This begins with a slow section where theperformer introduces us to an amazingspectrum of tonal colours. Here the haunting The CD ends with dazzling virtuosity ofCaliente. A must have recording.— Jack MacQuarrieFEELING LUCKY?THREE WAYS TO WINCDs, tickets and othermusical prizes courtesy ofThe WholeNote1. 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Old Wine, New Bottles | Fine Old Recordings Re-ReleasedTis a Limited-Edition, 50-CD set ofoutstanding performances and recordingsdating from 1957 until 2009 packaged inches of shelf space. As to be expected,there are many familiar works and a wealthof off the beatentrack items. A veryimportant factor inthis particular collectionis the rosterof artists, manyexclusive to Decca,heard at their distinguishedbest in theirchosen repertoire.Even though thereare no subsequentre-mastering datesrevealed, in nocases did anyperformance soundless than freshlyminted with spacious,translucentsound clarifying textures tures from top to bottom.The complete list of contents may be seenon the Decca web site www.deccaclassics.com board facsimile of the original CD cover.The 198 page booklet gives complete detailsof recording dates, venues, producers, etc.,together with an extensive history of Deccafrom 1937 when Edward Lewis assembled ahand-picked collection of experienced soundengineers including the inspired and inspiring,forward-looking Arthur Haddy whoheaded the Decca team for decades. Giventhe excellence of the contents and presentation,at about $2.50 per disc this package isjust about irresistible.Eileen Joyce: The Complete Parlophone. Today, only collectors and archivistsrecognize her name, but in the 1930s, 40sand 50s Eileen Joyce was a pianist held inhigh esteem by her fellow musicians, criticsand record collectors. She was born inTasmania in 1908 and grew up in BoulderCity, Western Australia. Her talent wasrecognized at an early age. Later PercyGrainger described her as “the most transcendentallygifted child he had ever heard.”She studied in Leipzig from 1927 until shemoved to London early in 1930 where shewas accepted by Tobias Matthay, one of thegreat musical pedagogues of his time, whosemethods had produced many successfulpianists including Myra Hess and CliffordCurzon. Her career took off in 1933 andshe was in demand both as a recitalist andB R U C E S U R T E E Sin concertos, appearing with such conductorsas Beecham, van Beinum, Karajan, deSabata, Celibidache, Ormandy, Wood, Szelland the rest. In those days it was still acceptedand indeed expected that performingartists would have their own signaturestyle and sound. Therefore there was morevariation betweenthem, as to howthey produced theirsounds and howthey projected it inthe music. The collectorsof historicrecordings are fascinatedby this in-dividuality which has become rare in the lasthalf century. Bryce Morrison states in theinformative liner notes that “Virtually all ofher recordings in this issue have the powerto reinvent themselves so that you seem to Joan Sutherland – The Complete Decca StudioEdition). The late Joan Sutherland (1926–2010) was one of the outstanding sopranosof the last century and she was known to themillions who were never privileged to hearher live through her many Decca recordingsof operas and recitals. She was a commanding won her a devoted following. To honour her,Decca has assembled every one of her studiorecitals and packaged them in this attractiveset. Her husband Richard Bonynge was, progressively,her pianist, coach and conductor.They married in 1954 and he directed hertowards the baroque repertoire, the bel cantoperiod and French works of the 19th century.The turning point in her career came on theevening of February 17, 1959, when she sang Garden in 35 years of Lucia de Lammermoor.The performance was a well-deserved triumphfor Sutherland and immediately hername was recognized in operatic circlesaround the world. She retired from the stagein 1990. Included in the 23 CDs are Art ofthe Prima Donna, Command Performance,Age of Bel Canto, The Noel Coward Album,Songs My Mother Taught Me, The MozartAlbum and many more. The albums datefrom 1959, Operatic Arias through to 1986,Talking Pictures—Songs from the Movies and Romantic Trios for soprano,horn and piano, with Barry Tuckwelland Bonynge (all born in Sydney —a niceending to her recording career). The enclosedbooklet contains full recording details and ashort biography.It was with singular pleasure that I listenedto the second suite from Daphnis et Chloéplayed by the Bavarian Rundfunks Orchestraon this new release from Tahra. Jochumfounded the orchestra in 1949 at the biddingof Bavarian Radio, creating one of Europe’s Ravel suite is an excellent example of thecomposer’s meticulous craftsmanship andthisvirtuoso performance from October1950 is played with an unexpected subtle- interpretation. Annelies Kupper was aGerman operatic soprano, well knownand admired in her day as an interpreterof Mozart, Wagner and Richard Strauss.Her repertoire on CD is quite extensivebut here, from December 1950 is her onlyrecording rd of The Four Last Songs, richlysung with assurance and ardor and sumptuouslysupported by Jochum. The overture toDie Fledermaus is played with a sparklingexuberance that is usually heard only fromthe pit. The overture to Handel’s Agrippinais followed by Mozart’s Rondo K382 for pianoand orchestra played with Edwin Fischerat the 1954 Wurzburg Festival. There areno complaints about the sound which isfull-bodied, often with a natural, front toback dimension and with virtually no recordingartifacts. This is the 23rd CD fromTahra devoted to performances conductedby Jochum and all the works are new to hisrecorded repertoire.There can be no denying that there wasa unique sound to the French School ofstring quartet playing, such as the Calvet,Loewenguth, Parrinen, Krettley and Pascalquartets. All were characterized by theirelegance and purity of style, immaculateintonation and humility in the face of themusic. DOREMI has issued Quartets performed by the Pascal Quartet,circa 1952 .Mozart string quartets, particularly the ten gems in classical music. In listening to thePascals playing one senses that they areplaying for the love of the music and thatthe microphone just happens to be listeningin. The juvenile quartets are played withthe same respect and appreciation. Theoriginal recorded sound was ideal in everyrespect and the meticulous transfers fromthe Musical Masterpiece Society LPs restorethese radiant performances to life. This setis essential Mozart.A more detailed version of this columncan be found at www.thewholenote.com.84 thewholenote.comDecember 1 – February 7, 2012

Artistic Directors: Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata30Years Celebrating the Art of SongThe 30th Anniversary GalaSunday, February 19, 2:30 pmKoerner Hall, TELUS Centre forPerformance and Learning,273 Bloor Street West, TorontoSponsored by:Sixteen of our starriest singers joinus to celebrate:Colin Ainsworth, Benjamin Butterfield,Michael Colvin, Tyler Duncan,Gerald Finley, Gillian Keith,Shannon Mercer, Nathalie Paulin,Susan Platts, Brett Polegato,Catherine Robbin, Lauren Segal,Krisztina Szabó, Giles Tomkins,Monica Whicher, Lawrence WilifordVisit rcmusic.ca or call 416.408.0208The 30th Anniversary Sunday SeriesOctober 16: Clair de lune (songs of Gabriel Fauré)November 27: The Great Comet (Franz Liszt at 200)March 18: Schubert and the EsterházysApril 29: A Country House Weekend (an English idyll)All concerts at 2:30 pm in Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building,80 Queen’s ParkVisit aldeburghconnection.org or call 416.735.798278 thewholenote.comDecember 1, 2011 - February 7, 2012

22 Church Street, Aurora, Ontario L4G 1G4Music at the CentreGREAT ARTIST PIANO SERIES Presenting four stunning concerts in the intimate salon setting of Brevik Hall,located in the beautifully restored Church Street School (circa 1886).The Great Artist Piano Series is made possible through the generosity of Bonnie & Norbert Kraft.Friday, February 17, 2012 8pmANDRÉ LAPLANTE“Laplante’s is a formidable virtuosity guided by a rare musical intelligence.”— The Globe and MailProgram to include works by Liszt, Schubert.Friday, March 23, 2012 8pmSOYEON LEE“…a stunning command of the keyboard“ — The Washington PostFirst Prize Winner of the prestigious 2010 Naumberg International PianoCompetition. Lee will present an “Invitation to the Dance” programincluding works by Bartok, Schuman, Liszt and Albeniz.Friday, April 27, 2012 8pmKATHERINE CHIWinner of the Honens International Piano Competition, Chi has been hailedby the New York Times as possessing “…a keen musical intelligence and apowerful arsenal of technique.” Program to include works by Rachmaninoffand Ravel.Friday, June 1, 2012 8pmTHE GRYPHON TRIOWinner of a 2011 Juno for Beethoven: Piano Trios.Firmly established as one of the world’s pre-eminent piano trios, the groupwill present a program to include works by Beethoven and Arensky.TICKETS 4-Concert Subscription Series: $95 Adult; $80 Seniors (60+) & Students (up to 18 years)Single tickets: $30 Adult; $25 Senior & Student; + HSTBOX OFFICE 905 713-1818 (9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday), or in person at the Centre

416.593.4828tso.caCONCERTS AT ROY THOMSON HALL“A grand, majestic spectacle that should be seenand heard by every Torontonian” TORONTO LIFEMOZART256Series SponsorDecember 14 -19Nicholas Kraemer conducts and performsalongside a stellar line up of vocal soloists andThe Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in theseuplifting performances of this immortal oratorio.Tickets start at $38!Christmaswith the Canadian BrassDecember 20 & 21Conductor Steven Reineke and the bright golden tones ofthe Canadian Brass spark this joyous holiday celebration!They bring their fun-loving spirit to a festive seasonalprogramme that includes such favourites as Ding DongMerrily on High, Go Tell It on the Mountain, and ChristmasTime Is Here – plus a dash of hot Dixieland jazz.Celebrate Mozart’s 256 th birthdayand indulge in his final masterpieces –dramatic and powerful workswritten just before his death.Mozart Jupiter SymphonyJanuary 11 & 12, 2012Mozart’s Magnificent VoyageJanuary 14, 2012Family PerformanceMozart RequiemJanuary 18 – 22, 2012*January 22 at the GeorgeWeston Recital Hall