Author Archives: Stanley Fefferman

Free Flying: Fred Hersch and Julian Lage Live CD reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

Fred Hersch and Julian Lage. Free Flying. PALMETTO.  Picture this: water flowing down stairs. That’s what you get when you dig these duets from Julian Lage’s guitar running together with the piano of Fred Hersch. The changes are round at … Continue reading

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Debussy and Brahms Bring A happy ending to TSMF’s La Belle Époque: reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

August 2, 2013. Walter Hall, Toronto. The Toronto Summer Music Festival’s emphasis on French Music of La Belle Époque brought something into focus about the music of Debussy: The Music is The Message. The Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp, … Continue reading

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The Minimalist Dream House Project Rocks the TSM Festival: a review by Stanley Fefferman

August 1, 2013. Koerner Hall, Toronto.       Photo by Umberto Nicoletti. In the minimalist dream house you listen to the sound of raindrops on the roof, the patter of small animals in dry leaves at night, the chorus … Continue reading

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Memorable Music of Franck, Ravel, and Hahn reviewed by Marshall Walker

July 31, 2013. Walter Hall, Toronto. A pickup-band of five extraordinary musicians gave the audience at Walter Hall a night to remember. Canadian violinist Martin Beaver of the lately ended Tokyo Quartet and French cellist Marc Coppey  rendered Maurice Ravel’s Sonata … Continue reading

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Pacifica Quartet and Alexander Fiterstein at TSM Festival Make Mozart and Ravel Shine: a review by Stanley Fefferman

Friday, July 26, 2013. Walter Hall, Toronto. The Pacifica Quartet with Clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein made the Toronto Summer Music Festival a ‘starry, starry night.’ First violinist Simin Ganatra is a sensitive extravert who radiates animation, something in the manner of … Continue reading

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André Laplante Makes Beautiful Music with his Friends at TSM reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

July 24, 2013. Walter Hall, Toronto. Haydn:  Piano Sonata No. 52 in E flat Major. André Laplante jumped into it with gusto and delicate musicality. Arpeggios and trills rolled by at speed but crisply. Laplante marshalled their flow into a palpable … Continue reading

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Dynamic recital by Philippe Sly and Julius Drake at Toronto Summer Music Festival Reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

Twenty-something Philippe Sly wields an impressive voice. Like the mythical John Henry’s hammer, it rings like silver in the upper register, the middle shines like gold, and his bass is firm as iron. From the second line of Henri Duparc’s … Continue reading

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Triple A for Gryphon Trio and Guests at Toronto Summer Music Festival reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

July 18, 2013. Koerner Hall, Toronto. Triple A rating for Toronto Summer Music Festival’s third Mainstage concert at Koerner Hall last evening. The Gryphon Trio earned the first A for their attunement to each other in timing and friendly rapport. … Continue reading

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