Volume 26 Issue 1 - September 2020

TAFELMUSIK
The Goldberg Variations in an original orchestral arrangement by music director Elisa Citterio was originally scheduled for a world premiere
earlier this spring – a major highlight of their season – before the pandemic shut everything down. In their own homes, Tafelmusik musicians
recorded the first and final variations (no. 1 and no. 30), which Citterio scored for strings, winds, and continuo, and presented it online
internal protocols that will guide
the orchestra through its stages of
reopening.
According to Kehoe, “Our mainstage
series programs between
February and May 2021 as originally
announced in March remain largely
unchanged, although we are looking
into back-up concerts for filming/
recording should live concerts still
not be prudent and given challenges
of working with larger ensembles
or non-local artists… Our goal is to
be as flexible as possible. When we
made the decision to reimagine the
20/21 season, we based our discussions
on three key criteria: [that]
whatever we did would protect the
health and safety of our musicians, staff and patrons; [that] we would
comply with government public health and safety regulations; [and
that] we would respect our patrons and community by providing
them with access to the beauty and joy of music, even when in-person
concerts aren’t possible. We’ll adapt as we can to ensure our artists
can work and our art endures.”
Perusing Tafelmusik’s fall brochure, one may be forgiven for
believing that circumstances have already returned to the way they
were last season, for the programming is as characteristically vibrant
and enticing as any other year. Mozart Together, scheduled to be
streamed on October 1, will be the first time that the orchestra’s
musicians perform on stage together since March and will undoubtedly
be an emotional and stirring season debut. Shortly after, on
October 22, Passions of the Soul explores the heights and depths of
the early music canon through works by Bach, Locatelli, Lalande and
Telemann, while A Tafelmusik Christmas, on December 10, promises
choruses and chorales from seasonal favourites, including Bach’s
Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s Messiah.
TAFELMUSIK
Carol Kehoe
As for patrons …
At this point in the column I usually
insert a paragraph encouraging you,
the reader and audience member,
to consider attending some of the
concerts contained in this issue of
The WholeNote, and this month is
no different. With so much incredible
programming more readily
accessible than ever before, you can
enjoy world-class live music from
the comfort of your home and every
ticket, currently virtual but eventually
in-person, makes a concrete and
profound difference to the stability
of arts organizations and those
who work within them. Reviewing
Tafelmusik’s schedule over the next
three months, it appears that the orchestra is capable of handling the
pandemic’s challenges quickly, effectively and efficiently – but such
drastic adaptation is not without some difficulties. “While it may
appear that Tafelmusik has escaped the current situation relatively
unscathed, it is far from business as usual within our organization,”
said Kehoe. “Layoffs, reduced work schedules and other sacrifices have
been made by artists and staff alike so that we may remain stable for
the next 12 months.”
“Patrons who participate during this crucial season will be
supporting the welfare of our artists and staff, ensure wider
community access to the comfort of music in these deeply unsettling
times, and help to ensure Tafelmusik’s survival into the future.
We want to take a moment to recognize the support of our subscribers
and donors, who are the foundation upon which we are building
this new future. In a time of great challenge, they have chosen to put
their faith in us, our team, our artists, and our music. We are deeply
grateful for their support.”
Matthew Whitfield is a Toronto-based harpsichordist and organist.
26 | September 2020 thewholenote.com