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Showing posts from November, 2012

Ottawa Symphony Orchestra: Mahler 9th

Courtesy of a Groupon offer last week, I went to see the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO) on 26th November in their performance of Mahler's 9th Symphony . This was my first OSO performance (as well as my first Mahler 9th performance) and I was suitably impressed both by the quality of the performance and by the turnout. In a related event, the Austrian Embassy had set up a small display about artist Gustav Klimt in the NAC foyer, introduced by incoming ambassador Arno Riedel. There were around 10 themed boards with information in English and German about various aspects of Klimt's life and career. Small but nonetheless a nice complimentary touch to the evening. In addition to the Klimt display, a very informative pre-concert chat by David Gardner provided an excellent introduction. I didn't really notice the length of the Symphony as the music was so intense and descriptive. Even just the first movement was like the telling of a story and it was clear how many sub

The PepTides at Irene's Pub

The onset of winter's bitter evenings heralded The PepTides ' last show of 2012 at Irene's Pub on Saturday, 26th November. Interestingly, M and I arrived about 9pm to be told that the pub was at maximum capacity; by 9.45 or so there were about 10 people in this line. 4 or 5 of us were let in about this time, and to my eyes, the pub was about 60% full. To me, a full pub is one reminiscent of London's Circle line at rush hour; on Saturday there was definitely standing room for another 50 people. I imagine that capacity regulations are somehow linked to the alcohol licence but for the lineup still waiting outside at 10.30pm, well, organisation could have been better.   We heard some of The Pelts' support set from the bar -  seemed to be listenable, danceable fun music but not so memorable. Not so the main set. From their introductions, this was the last live show in the current format - with an EP based on Stuart McLean's The Vinyl Cafe just out and a new

ECM+ Generation 2012 competition winner

Further to my post on 14th November about the ECM+ Generation 2012 concert in Ottawa, I received an email with competition results. Each attendee at the Generation 2012 series of concerts had a voting card to vote for their favourite piece, with the winner earning a $1500 prize and commission.  This year's winner is Riho Esko Maimets with his piece Beatitude . Further details from the press release below:

Sinfini Music

Today's website discovery is a fresher take on 'classical' music. Sinfini Music is a new online portal whose motto is 'cutting through classical' - lots of news, views, videos and more from the world of classical music but without a lot of the jargon. Plus Paul Morley . As a music lover it is sometimes irksome the way that classical music content can be a little opaque. I've just enjoyed reading 'Opera Strip - The Ring Part 1' . 

ECM+ Generation 2012 plus Voltaire and Frederick

I bought tickets for last night's ECM+ Generation 2012 concert, featuring Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal, at the NAC 4th Stage in an 'it'll be interesting' frame of mind, and interesting was just the start. A very full 4th Stage for a very entertaining and intruging evening. In order of performance, the four new works were: Animaris Currens Ventosa by Marielle Groven ; Ninavanjali by Gabriel Dharmoo ; Beatitude by Riho Esko Maimets ; and Jenny's last rock by Annesley Black . Each performance was preceded by a Q&A with host Nicholas Gilbert, who injected the whole evening with humour. In terms of immediate response, I most enjoyed Beatitude , a concise, intimate and very beautiful concerto for violin and ensemble. Following on from Maimets' explanation, his references to choral music and music of all different time periods were clear. This piece would easily sit alongside more 'traditional' chamber repertoire in a programme.  Maimets