Angela Park, piano / Rachel Mercer, cello / Eve Rachel McLeod, soprano

February 19 at 3 PM, 2012 / Toronto Centre for the Arts / 5040 Yonge Street (North York subway station)

Tickets: $40, $30, $25, and student rate $15 with valid ID / http://www.tocentre.com/studio/neapolitanconnection / Ticketmaster toll free: 1 855 985 2787 / TorontoCentre for the Arts box office: 416 250 3708 

In approaching piano music, Liszt swallowed the instrument whole, like a python, subduing it, conquering it, and transcending it.  He concentrated almost exclusively and obsessively on the piano repertoire, scrutinizing it from every possible angle to expand it and make it as technically insane as possible.  He added ingenious dimensions of fiendishly difficult technical elements (think Evgeni Plushenko in men’s figure skating, tossing in quad combination jumps everywhere) to the piano which were totally unthinkable in Liszt’s day – but commonplace now.

Liszt made piano recitals exciting – he was the rock star of his day, and women swooned over him. He revolutionized the way audiences responded to recitals, making the solo piano recital into a big-time anticipated event – much like Lang Lang or, quite frankly, Justin Bieber does today. Franz Liszt heightened the status of both instrument and player in the process.

See you there!

When I heard it was returning, I screamed for joy.  Turns out Ted and Richard want to do it one last time, so their kids can see it.  As a former piano student who was often frustrated, then a frustrated piano teacher whose students will never practise enough, to a person who came to terms with her musical limitations – I can’t recommend this play enough.  Lawyers, doctors, figure skaters, musicians – successful or not – all identify with the theme of this play.

I threatened my piano students with a “FAIL” for the year if they don’t see this, and am even okay with them missing their piano lesson to do so.

Check it out, people – it’s a very special piece of Canadian theatre.  I’m so proud it’s back, and to promote it.

Oct 29 – Nov 20 / Panasonic Theatre (near Yonge, south o’Bloor) / $29 – $74 / 416 872 1212 or 1 800 461 3333 / www.mirvish.com 

http://www.classical963fm.com/blog/Live-From-The-Concert-Lobby-2-Pianos-4-Hands

Ted Dykstra + Richard Greenblatt, piano-playing actors, at a Classical FM 96.3 interview. Oct 17/11

Also featured for VIP ticket holders is a special exhibit, “The Oscar Peterson Folio” by photographer Mr. Al Gilbert, CM.

Tix: $250 – pre-concert VIP cocktail reception, concert, and party / $100 – concert and party / $75 groups 10+.  Call Cheryl to book: 416 409 3570 / $20 – concert, student price.  416 872 1111 or 416 733 9388.

]]> http://lizpr.com/blog/jazz-goes-to-the-movies-jpec-gala-wed-oct-26-toronto-centre-for-the-arts/feed/ 0 http://lizpr.com/blog/esprit-orchestras-opening-night-oct-1911/ http://lizpr.com/blog/esprit-orchestras-opening-night-oct-1911/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:41:08 +0000 lizparker http://lizpr.com/blog/?p=620 ESPRIT ORCHESTRA‘s opening night is upon us!  Esprit is a real treat – you may hear something new, something familiar – but always on the new side of things.  Esprit founder Alex Pauk conducts.

The rep: Arvo Pärt: Cantus in memory of Benjamin Britten / Chris Paul Harman: Silver Threads Among the Gold / Douglas Schmidt: The Devil’s Sweat (Carbon Concert for carbon cello and orchestra) featuring Shauna Rolston / John Corigliano: Symphony No. 1 (AIDS Symphony).

Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor Street West.  Tix: $67 – $20.  www.rcmusic.ca / 416 408 0208 or www.espritorchestra.com.

What’s happening: GRYPHON TRIO raises awareness for Progress Place with a concert & CD launch, “BROKEN HEARTS & MADMEN”. 

When & Where: Sun., Oct. 2 at 8 PM / Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West

Why this is fabulous: For starters, Patricia O’Callaghan is featured on the recording and will sing at the launch.  She is sophisticated and pulls off a flower in her hair like nobody’s business.  And her Spanish is bang-on!  And the rep is typical Gryphon: some traditional (like Beethoven) and some not-so-traditional chamber music: Piazzola … Leonard Cohen … Nick Drake ….. the Gryphons dedicates this performance to raising awareness for Progress Place, a recovery centre for people with backgrounds of mental illness.  Progress Place provides friendship, employment, education, and housing in a supportive environment.

Wanna hear it? Attend?  Buy it?  Here’s how.  Come out to Lula Lounge – it’s a cool venue and the food’s tasty.  For the CD concert launch: $39 online in advance; $45 at the door (includes HST and CD); $10 for students (includes HST only) 416 588 0307.  Tix: www.lulalounge.ca or 416 588 0307.  Dinner reservations available (dinner & not included).

For more info: www.gryphontrio.com / www.patricia-ocallaghan.com / http://www.andrewkwanartists.com/

Gryphon Trio thanks the John McKellar Charitable Foundation; Music Toronto; Analekta; Andrew Kwan Artist Management, and Chamber Factory for their support of Broken Hearts & Madmen.

Questions?  I’m here.  liz@lizpr.com

Jamie Parker, warming up before a Gryphon Trio concert at U of T. Yes, he is chewing a Mentos.

More to come soon!

Cheers -

The Foundress

Penderecki Quartet + DJ P-Love at the Gladstone / Apr. 29 at 9 PM / www.gladstonehotel.com / $20 at the door

Toronto Masque Theatre's "Masques of Oprheus" / May 5 + 6, 8 PM / Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront / www.torontomasquetheatre.com / $40, $35

Esprit Orchestra's New Wave Composers Festival, www.espritorchestra.com: CHERCHER NOISE Esprit Wild & Wired at the Drake / May 12, 8 PM / $20 at the door *** Rising Star Composers Concert / May 13, 8 PM / Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront / FREE *** Young Composers Round Table and Open Forum / May 14, 2 PM / Hart House Music Room, U of T / FREE *** MUSICAL OFFERINGS & 11/12 Esprit season announcement / May 15, 8 PM / Koerner Hall / $53 - $15 *** Creative Sparks Student Compositions Concert / May 30, 12 noon / Glenn Gould Studio / FREE

TORONTO TO JAPAN – HOPE BLOSSOMS benefit concert

THURSDAY, APRIL 21
6:30 PM PRESHOW SILENT AUCTION * 7:30 PM SHOWTIME
TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX / 350 King Street West

Tickets go on sale Wed. April 13:

$40 (Students, $20 w/ valid ID; student tickets available at www.torontotojapan.ca)

Ph: 416-599-TIFF / In person: 363 King Street West / Online: http://torontotojapan.ca

ALL PROCEEDS TO SECOND HARVEST JAPAN * MSF/DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS * THE JAPANESE RED CROSS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 12, 2011

Toronto to Japan is a Toronto-based collective of Canadian artists, musicians, writers, activists and business leaders organizing events to raise relief funds for victims of the earthquake/tsunami in Japan.

PERFORMERS

Nobu & Mio Adilman, television personalities

Denis Akiyama, actor

Margaret Atwood, writer

Autorickshaw Trio, Indian fusion trio

Garvia Bailey, broadcaster, CBC Radio

Basia Bulat, folk singer

Alana Bridgewater, jazz singer

Adrienne Clarkson, journalist, former Governer General

Jason Collett, singer/songwriter, formerly of Broken Social Scene

Jim Cuddy, musician, formerly of Blue Rodeo

Allegra Fulton, actor

Jian Ghomeshi, broadcaster, CBC Radio

Molly Johnson, jazz/pop singer

Keiko Kitano, dancer/choreographer

Joy Kogawa, writer

David Mcilwraith, actor

Oh Susanna, folk singer

Michael Ondaatje, writer

James Parker, concert pianist

Anastasia Rizikov, concert pianist

John Ralston Saul, writer

David Suzuki (via video), environmentalist

David Wall, singer/songwriter

Bob Wiseman, musician, formerly of Blue Rodeo

For more information, please contact:

Sang Kim, Toronto to Japan Co-chair, sang@torontotojapan.ca

@torontotojapan <http://twitter.com/#/torontotojapan>
Liz Parker, LIZPR 416 544 1803 / liz@lizpr.com

What’s happening: Polish Canadian Daniel Wnukowksi makes a rare visit home from his London, UK base to perform a solo piano recital entitled “Heaven and Hell: A Year of Liszt”.

When & Where: Friday, February 4 at 8 PM, Glenn Gould Studio.  250 Front Street West, at John.

Why this is fabulous: the rep.  There’s something for everyone.  Chopin, Szymanowski, and Liszt.  Lots of impressive technical stuff.

Wanna hear it? Attend?  Buy it?  Here’s how. 416 872 4255 / www.roythomson.com / Box office for GGS is at RTH, 60 Simcoe at King.   $35 / $25 / $15.

For more info: www.wnukowski.com / www.lizpr.com

“THIS IS MY MUSIC”

What’s happening: Media friendly Jon Kimura Parker (“Jackie”) will guest host CBC Radio Two’s “This is My Music” for the second time this Saturday, December 4 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon, nation-wide.  His first appearance as guest host took place in the fall of 2009.

JKP as shot by Tara McMullen.

Why this is fabulous: Each week a different guest host presents all kinds of music along with memories and anecdotes.  Listeners can look forward to Jackie’s picks,  from Baroque composer Johannes Kapsberger to the 102-year old Elliott Carter, as well as Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and the original theme of television’s “Star Trek”.

Listeners will hear about the following:

-a bug that flew up Jackie’s nose mid-performance

-a gig with Barenaked Ladies which included a discussion about child-rearing techniques

-his discreetly tossing in a Star Trek melody into a Mozart cadenza just to see if anyone was listening

Other stories include the twist in the tale of the sale of a New York City apartment, and the Icelandic journalist who snapped a photo of Jackie doing yoga with an orchestra during the rehearsal break.

What, you’ve got plans Saturday morning?!?? If you miss it this Saturdayy, Jackie’s episode will be posted to www.cbc.ca/thisismymusic very soon after Monday, December 6.

For more info: www.jonkimuraparker.com

JKP hanging out with Barenaked Ladies.

JKP in Star Trek uniform. He has ACTUALLY performed in this.

Spivakov leads the way!

What’s happening: Conductor/violinist Vladimir Spivakov returns to Toronto to conduct the Moscow Virtuosi, and due to public demand, will play his violin.  Pianist Alexander Ghindin also featured.

When & Where: Thursday, November 18 at 8 PM, at Roy Thomson Hall.  Corner of King & Simcoe.

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9 “Jeunehomme” in E-flat Major, K.271 / Boccherini’s “Casa del Diavolo” / Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony Op. 110 / Schnittke’s Sonata for violin, chamber orchestra, and harpsichord with Vladimir Spivakov

Why this is fabulous: Vladimir Spivakov is now primarily known as a conductor and humanitarian, but he originally made his career as a virtuosic violinist.  He didn’t play the violin at his last Toronto concert, and due to public demand, he will this time in the Schnittke.  Also, Alexander Ghindin is one hell of a pianist and he will perform Mozart’s “Jeunehomme” piano concerto.

Wanna hear it? Attend?  Buy it?  Here’s how. Tickets, $105 – $45 (tax incl’d) / 416-872-4255 / www.roythomson.com / King & Simcoe box office

For more info: www.showoneproductions.ca / www.lizpr.com

Alexander Ghindin in action!