Volume 13 - Issue 10 - July/August 2008

Chris Haile: If I were writing my column as usual I would havenoted the strange fact that among the 135 offerings of that most populistof festivals, the Toronto Fringe, there are two operas! The 1781version of Handel's Acis and Galatea will be presented by the ClassicalMusic Consort at the Factory Theatre July 3-12 and a remountof David Ogborn's environmental Opera on the Rocks, presented bythe Ambient Opera Society, will be mounted at Paupers Pub July 2-13.Frank Nakashima (wearing another hat) as composerVirg ii Thomson in the upcoming feature filmadaptation of John Greyson 's "Fig Trees", a videoopera collaboration with Toronto composer DavidWall about AIDS activists Zackie Achmat and TimMccaskell.Frank Nakashima:Don't miss theworld-famous EnsembleClement Janequin,singing a programof "ParisianChansons of theRenaissance" (July26) as part of theToronto SummerMusic Festival. Noone can do it betterthan these guys!Also, Montreal'sEnsemble Capricemakes a rare appearancein these parts (atthe Elora Festival),performing music byVivaldi, Sammartini,Handel, Caldara and Bach (July 27). And some Toronto Music Gardenconcerts may be of interest to early music lovers: "Fanfares bythe Lake" (July 3); "The Secret of the Good Life" illustrating theevolution of the chaconne (July 10); "The Sunniest of All Keys" -music by Haydn and Mozart in my favourite key (July 17); "Blowing/Bowing in the Wind" -music from 17th-century Italy and Germany(July 27); and "A Tale of Two Lutes" (August 24), presenting theEuropean lute and the Chinese pipa.Richard Marsella: On Thursday June 26 The Music Gallerypresents a night of fine experimental electroacoustic music featuringGordon Monahan, Olivia Block and Joda Clement. Two nights later,on June 28 at The Music Gallery, be sure not to miss Feuermusikfeaturing Jeremy Strachan (woodwinds) and Gus Weinkauf (percussion)as they release their second CD No Contest with special guestsNeptune. On Tuesday August 5, the Toronto Summer Music Festival2008 presents the world premiere of Christos Hatzis' In the Fireof Conflict (for percussion, and cello) at Walter Hall, U of TKaren Ages: Harbourfront has some interesting programming comingup. Tiragn: Iranian Festival (July 17-20) showcases Persian culture,including eleven concerts, most of which are free (seewww .tirgan.com). Most of the concerts feature classical Persianmusic on traditional instruments, while others feature electronic musicand jazz with Persian influence. "What is Classical" (July 25-27)attempts to stretch the boundaries of what we commonly refer to as"classical" music. This series features eight concerts, covering aspectrum of genres; in the "world music" category, there's a BeijingOpera demoand workshop, andRiffat Sultana andParty performPakistani folk andclassical songs,both on July 26.Jack MacQuarrie:Since in my columnI usually talkabout things thathave already happened,for me Icould not possibly Jack MacQuarrie'sfavourite road trip music:have left out my Le Kiosque a Musiqueimpressions of asingle week in late May when I was treated to performances of nofewer that seven new compositions performed by very diversegroups.First, the final concert of the season for the Hannaford StreetSilver Band featured three Overtures, the winning entries in theBand's recent competition for new compositions. Composer MichaelSnelgrove had journeyed to Toronto from his home in Newfoundlandto hear his composition performed at that concert.Later that week, the annual spring concert for the students of Dr.Norman Bethune Collegiate of Scarborough featured four originalworks commissioned for the occasion. The school has a very highpercentage of students of Chinese ancestry, and as a music project,the students were asked to submit their favourite Chinese folk songs,which were then presented to noted American composer Elliot DelBorgo. From this melange of material the composer produced a mostengaging suite for the Senior Band, Five Songs of China. With thecomposer conducting, we were captivated by music which bridgedthe gap from the ancient Eastern traditions to a work ideally suitedfor the modern concert band.What CD would you take on a summer road trip?Richard Marsella: Captain Beefheart's Clear Spot .Jim Galloway: A composite CD with some ballads by Ben Websterincluding This ls All I Ask, Peace Piece played by Bill Evans, I'dClimb The Highest Mountain by Pee Wee Russell, one by JohnColtrane, maybe Easy To Remember, and to be unashamedly romantic,the first movement of Brahms's Concerto for Violin and Orchestrain D major (Op. 77). Is there room for all of that on a CD?Jack MacQuarrie: My CD of choice transports me back musicallyone hundred years. It is Kiosque 1900 performed by Le Kiosque aMusique under the direction of Alain Trudel. This seven-memberBrass & WoodwindInstrumentsflAccessories forall InstrumentsflGuitars & AmpsDrums &KeyboardsflSheet Musicfor al/ levelsflWWW. THEWHOLENOTE.COM