“To witness such a high calibre of performance was one thing. But then to follow that with a world première of a new and challenging piece you commissioned by a composer who was also present was breathtaking. Thank you again!
Sean Howard, concert guest
Sommerville concert photos Read More »
Bounce world première – “full of suspense and mystery”.
Penelope Cookson, WMCT Artist Selection Committee member shares her views of Sommerville concert.
James Sommerville presented an outstanding concert in Walter Hall for Music in the Afternoon Nov. 24. The French horn is not often featured in recital, and this was a marvellous opportunity to hear the instrument masterfully played in an intimate setting. Sommerville was accompanied by Peter Longworth, piano, and violinist Scott St. John joined them for two of the works.
From the moment Somerville played his first notes, we knew we were in for a wonderful afternoon.
The concert opened with Villanelle by Paul Dukas, which was designed as an examination piece for the Paris Conservatory. The horn is often considered one of the hardest instruments to play, but in this first piece we were introduced to what the instrument sounds like in the hands of a master. The Villanelle was followed by three of Charles Gounod’s Six Mélodies: Larghetto, Andantino, and Andante sostenuto. Longworth and Sommerville collaborated magnificently in both these opening works.
The French horn evolved over time from the hunting horn, and has a haunting quality, often used in repertoire to suggest the hunt or to call attention in melancholic way. The third work, commissioned by the WMCT was the World Première of Bounce created by Canadian composer Vivian Fung.
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“Outstanding concert”… James Sommerville Read More »
Three recent WMCT award winners received “spectacular” praise following performances in Generation Next concert at Koerner Hall Thursday Nov. 10.
Pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin, winner of the $20,000 Career Development Award in May 2015; cellist Stéphane Tétreault, second prize winner of $10,000 in the same competition and mezzo soprano Emily D’Angelo who won the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto Centennial Scholarship in 2015-16 are praised as “exceptional young Canadians on the verge of major international careers” by Joseph So in Musical Toronto.
Award winners “spectacular” in Generation Next concert Read More »
Meet the composer: Vivian Fung will attend the world première.
Vivian Fung World Première – Nov. 24 Read More »
International performer and British pianist Paul Lewis, opened the 115th Anniversary season of Music in the Afternoon in 2012. In this Guardian article he discusses his dislike for music competitions, how he got involved in “the Leeds” and what can change.
Paul Lewis reboots competitions Read More »
Issachah Savage interviewed by Joseph So
Issachah Savage interview and photos Read More »
Frances Henry, president of the Toronto Wagner Society interviewed Issachah Savage at a special meeting of the group Tuesday. “It was a wonderful session. TWS members loved the warm and humble personality of Mr. Savage”, said Joseph So who attended. Many had heard Mr. Savage in the two performances of Siegmund he sang at the COC Walkure.
Toronto Wagner Society Interviews Issachah Savage Read More »
“The moment Savage started to sing, our collective jaw dropped. It was clear that this was a major voice.”
Read Joseph So’s interview with Issachah Savage.
“In the world of opera, good tenors are always in short supply. Unlike the baritone voice which is in the range of the typical male speaking voice, the tenor voice is like a high-wire act, singing up to a high C and beyond. Anytime a promising tenor emerges on the operatic firmament it is cause for celebration. In February 2015, American Issachah Savage stepped in to sing Siegmund in the Canadian Opera Company’s Die Walkure when the scheduled tenor fell ill. I had the great good fortune to be in the audience that evening. The moment Savage started to sing, our collective jaw dropped. It was clear that this was a major voice. At the final curtain, the ovation for him from the capacity audience was among the most impressive I’ve experienced in my 45 years of attending COC performances.” (Read On)
Joseph So interviews Issachah Savage Read More »
Teacher of elite pianists played last concert for Music in the Afternoon in 1982.
Marina Geringas, much-loved teacher and performer died at her home in Toronto on June 20 at the age of 77. Russian-born, she lived through the Second World War in the Soviet Union and immigrated to Canada in 1975. In addition to performing, she became a leading teacher at both the Royal Conservatory of Music and the University of Toronto. In 1982 she retired from performing and played her last concert on Dec. 9 in Christ Church Deer Park presented by the WMCT.
Obituary: Marina Geringas Read More »
WMCT award winners in Generation Next concert
Three young artists – all WMCT award winners in 2015 – will perform in Generation Next a special concert part of the International Association of Arts Managers Conference to be held in Toronto in November. Pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin won the WMCT’s $20,000 Career Development Award competition in April 2015 and cellist Stéphane Tétreault won the $10,000 silver prize. Mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo was awarded the $10,000 WMCT Centennial Scholarship.
The three are among five talented young Canadian musicians who will perform in Generation Next on Novemeber 10, 2016. The Royal Conservatory hosts the conference’s opening day and will present the Koerner Hall concert in the evening.
Charles Richard-Hamelin last year continued his success winning the silver medal and the Krystian Zimerman prize at the 17th Frederic Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. It was the first time any Canadian had made it to the finals. Also in the Generation Next concert is Torontonian pianist Tony Yike Yang, who at 16 became the youngest prize winner in the history of the Chopin competition with his fifth-place finish. Pianist Alexander Seredenko recipient of the prestigious Ihnatowycz Piano Prize at The Royal Conservatory completes the list of young talent in the Generation Next concert.
Charles Richard-Hamelin‘s Career Development Award prize includes a concert in the Music in the Afternoon series and he will perform in Walter Hall on May 4, 2017.
Concert Showcases WMCT Award Winners Read More »
