Monthly Archives: May 2012

Opera: Against the Grain’s Turn of the Screw reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

May 24, 2012. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, Toronto. Against the Grain Theatre has magic that carries even a shoebox production into your imagination and makes it live as art. They did it a few months ago with my favourite opera, … Continue reading

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Brahms & Shostakovich & Weilerstein & Dausgaard @ TSO reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

May 24, 2012. Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. I have come to appreciate Thomas Dausgaard, the Dane who regularly guest conducts the TSO, for his enthusiasm and light touch. Today, he buoyed the Beethoven-obsessed Brahms Symphony No. 2, making it dance … Continue reading

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Evgeny Kissin and Sir Andrew Davis at the TSO reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

May 17, 2012. Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. Edvard Grieg was 25 and newly married the summer he composed his one and only Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16. I remember listening to Eugene Ormandy’s recording with Arthur Rubenstein on … Continue reading

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Corigliano’s Clarinet Concerto & Holst’s The Planets @ TSO reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

May 9, 2012. Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. John Corigliano’s Clarinet Concerto generates tremendous excitement. The writing and instrumentation are so original that you cannot anticipate what’s coming; but the changes always surprise by their rightness and beauty. Corigliano consistently delivers the … Continue reading

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Yuri Bashmets’ Moscow Soloists and Mischa Maisky reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

May 3, 2012. Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. Show One Productions presented The Moscow Soloists Chamber Orchestra with their founder, Yuri Bashmet, as conductor and viola soloist. Bashmet conducts with bare hands, frequently raising them open, palms up, and in towards … Continue reading

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