Tues. November 1, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. Kornel Wolak, clarinet Chris Donnelly, piano
Reeds and Keys Clarinetist Kornel Wolak and pianist Chris Donnelly present a unique and beguiling hour of jazz and classical (written and improvised) music celebrating the similarities between the styles. The program includes revered classical pieces such as Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Oscar Peterson’s jazz classic Hymn to Freedom, as well as intriguing solo transcriptions of works by Paganini and Bach, classics from The Great American Songbook, and original compositions. The musical selections are supplemented with light-hearted historical and personal perspectives on the music.
Wed. November 2, 2011 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Adi Braun Quartet Adi Braun, vocals Jordan Klapman, piano George Koller, bass Daniel Barnes, drums
Noir Adi Braun invites you to an hour of delicious and dangerous music from the era of the film noir. Let Marlene Dietrich wrap you in the arms of “The Blue Angel” (1931), Doris Day sing of Ruth Etting’s woes in “Love Me or Leave Me” (1955), be seduced by the haunting beauty of David Raksin’s melody “Laura” (1944), and taste the bittersweet reality of life in “Blues in the Night” (1941). Noir is filled with songs and repartee from this truly unique period in film-making where, as Fay Helm said in “Phantom Lady,” there are “no names, no addresses – just companions for the evening.”
Thurs. November 3, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. Nova Bhattacharya, dancer/choreographer Ed Hanley, tabla
Bharatanatyam Beat Ipsita Nova Dance Projects’ artistic director Nova Bhattacharya and her long-time collaborator, composer and virtuoso tabla player Ed Hanley, introduce you to their hybrid world of contemporary dance and music based in the traditions of Indian classical dance (bharatanatyam) and music (Hindustani from the north and Carnatic from the south). Bhattacharya and Hanley give these traditional styles a highly personal and contemporary expression.
Tues. November 8, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. ArrayMusic
Thurs. November 10, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. Caroline Chéhadé, violin Michael Nicolas, cello Marie-Hélène Trempe, piano
Tues. November 15, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. Lucas Porter, piano
Serenity and Passion Young virtuoso pianist and emerging composer Lucas Porter showcases his expressive scope in a rich and varied program of works ranging from the tranquility of "Sheep May Safely Graze" from Bach's Birthday Cantata, Chopin's Nocturne in D-flat Major and his own Nocturne in B-flat Minor, “Lento lacrimoso”, to the passionate outbursts of Scriabin's Etude in D-sharp Minor.
Thurs. November 17, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. TorQ Percussion Quartet
What to Do 'Til the Power Comes On Jeunesses Musicales Ontario, a branch affiliate of Jeunesses Musicales Canada presents one of Canada’s most electrifying young ensembles in an exciting program of works for percussion inspired by electronic music, featuring compositions by Paul Lansky (U.S.), Lukas Ligeti (Hungary/U.S.), Ann Southam (Canada), and the premiere of a new composition by TorQ member Daniel Morphy.
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Tues. November 22, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. Ricker Choi, piano
Atmospheres Pianist Ricker Choi takes a break from his usual daytime routine as a financial risk consultant to explore a range of pianistic atmospheres from dark to light, contemplative to extroverted. The alluring program includes Chopin's majestic Ballade No. 1, four short pieces from Brahms’ introspective late work, Op. 118, and Scriabin’s mysterious and ecstatic Sonata No. 5.
Wed. November 23, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. Vesuvius Ensemble
In the Shadow of the Volcano: Traditional Music of Southern Italy The fiery passion of Southern Italy comes alive in this program by Toronto’s new Vesuvius Ensemble, which will fill the amphitheatre with the folk music of Campania (the area surrounding Naples). The soulful voice of Francesco Pellegrino is accompanied by a rhythmic band of rustic string, wind and percussion instruments. The ensemble will introduce you to various forms such as the villanella, tarantella, fronna and tammurriata, transporting you to the foot of Mount Vesuvius!
Tues. November 29, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. Nathaniel Anderson-Frank, violin Carson Becke, piano
Postcards from Paris Young Canadian violinist Nathaniel Anderson-Frank teams up with pianist Carson Becke in a program of works evoking the end of La Belle Époque: violin sonatas by Debussy and Ravel, Satie’s Choses vues a droit et à gauche (sans lunettes), and Messiaen’s Thème et variations. The concert also features a work by award-winning Canadian composer Elizabeth Raum (Les ombres).
Thurs. December 1, 2011 12 – 1 p.m. Artists of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Creative Explorations Join the TSO Adopt-A-Player musicians as they premiere a jointly composed work based on their experiences of being artist-educators. Blurring the lines between music and theatre, this original composition will introduce you to the techniques that the musicians use during the creative music-making process. This performance does not necessarily represent a finished product; rather, it is a snapshot of the process that the musicians underwent in exploring creative composition.