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Reviews by Daniel Frasca

Daniel is currently in the University of Toronto Faculty of Music’s Concurrent Teacher Education Program. His musical journey began on piano at 3. Since then he has studied and performed on trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and guitar.
Date and venueTitle
22-Apr-2012
Glenn Gould Studio
Painting the Music With the Amici Ensemble in Toronto
Image credit: Lavinia I. VoicuThrough its 24th season, the Amici Ensemble has stretched the limits of music; pairing its inspiration with food and fashion. In their 2011/2012 season finale performance, they incorporated artist Lavinia I. Voicu into the concert, having her paint live to the music. Much like her paintings, which were on display in the lobby, the musical programme was abstract and diverse.
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27-Mar-2012
George Weston Recital Hall
Tafelmusik’s Choral Spectacular: A 30-Year Celebration in Toronto
Image credit: Tafelmusik © Keith SaundersAn anniversary is undeniably a time for celebration, a time to reflect on past accomplishments whilst keeping the future in close view. This was the case for Tafelmusik’s Chamber Choir on the eve of their 30th anniversary. Choir director and conductor Ivars Taurins selected a vast variety of repertoire showcasing the choir’s skill through 17th- and 18th-century works, progressing into music of more recent composers. With this exulting programme, Taurins masterfully presented an assortment of sacred and secular works which complemented each other well.
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3-Mar-2012
Roy Thomson Hall
Con Brio: Premières with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Image credit: Peter Eötvös, © Priska Ketterer"Con Brio" is a term which demands excitement, strength, and enthusiasm. This evening‘s Toronto Symphony Orchestra New Creations Series concert was based upon exactly these concepts. To kick off the program, Peter Oundjian led the TSO through the Canadian première of Jörg Widmann's concert overture Con Brio. The timpani opened followed by brief grandiose chords. The orchestra was overtaken by elongated, emphasized breaths. Unique techniques were used to produce unusual sounds: playing on the side casing of the snare drums, hitting the mouthpiece of the trumpet.
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17-Feb-2012
The Royal Conservatory of Music, TELUS Centre, Koerner Hall
Leon Fleisher and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in Toronto
Image credit: Leon Fleisher, © Joanne SavioAs children, we all had our iconic heroes, famous mentors, or performers we would die to meet. It is not very often in life these dreams become reality; however, The Royal Conservatory Orchestra had the unforgettable opportunity to rehearse, study, and perform under the honorary Leon Fleisher. Following the misfortune of losing feeling in his right hand, he has become devoted to teaching, mentoring, and conducting, working with some of the greatest orchestras in the world.
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2-Feb-2012
Roy Thomson Hall
An Evening Fit For an Emperor with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Image credit: Anton KuertiFebruary 2nd’s Masterworks Concert saw the return of two iconic figures to Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall. Günther Herbig, TSO music director from 1988-1994 was warmly welcomed back to Toronto to lead the orchestra through the week’s concerts. Pianist Anton Kuerti was also greatly received by the audience, making his 40th appearance with the TSO.
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29-Jan-2012
Glenn Gould Studio
Fashionista! Fashion as Art with the Amici Ensemble
Image credit: Lara St. John, © Twain NewhartOn Sunday afternoon, Glenn Gould Studio became host to a professional photo-shoot as well as the Amici Ensemble’s feature concert, “Fashionista: Fashion as Art.” The unique theme featured elegant gowns by Rosemarie Umetsu, demonstrating what one can draw and create from such elaborate musical selections. First on the programme was Galina Ustvolskaya’s Trio for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano.
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12-Jan-2012
Roy Thomson Hall
Leon Fleisher headlines Toronto Symphony Orchestra's Mozart@256 Festival
Image credit: Leon Fleisher, © Eli TurnerThe Toronto Symphony Orchestra kicked off their new year with the Mozart@256 Festival. Thursday night’s concert warmly welcomed guest conductor and pianist Leon Fleisher, as well as pianists Stewart Goodyear and Katherine Jacobson Fleisher. Leon Fleisher, at 83 years of age, continues to wow audiences around the world as a conductor, soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and masterclass mentor. Leon’s wife Katherine made her TSO début in this concert in Mozart’s F major concerto for three pianos. She is an active soloist, duo pianist, and chamber musician.
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16-Dec-2011
Glenn Gould Studio
Amici’s critics have spoken!
Image credit: Serouj Kradjian, © Bo HuangAmici’s unique Friday night performance entitled Critics’ Choice entertained requests from three notable music critics and connoisseurs from the greater Toronto area. It also featured a composition by Ezra John Pablo, a grade 12 student in the Claude Watson Arts Program at Earl Haig Secondary School.
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14-Dec-2011
The Royal Conservatory of Music, TELUS Centre, Koerner Hall
Tafelmusik performs Handel's Messiah at Koerner Hall: An unforgettable experience
Image credit: Ivars Taurins as Herr Handel, © Gary BeecheyAs Christmas is quickly approaching, it is only fair to take advantage of some of the musical gifts and traditions that accompany this festive season. Handel's Messiah is one of the most widely-known sacred oratorios, most commonly recognized by its Hallelujah chorus. However, Handel's Messiah, was not always regarded as a popular work for the Christmas season. Its first public performance on April 12th1742 in Dublin was highly successful and received well by the audience; however, the following year at the London première, the audience lashed insults upon the performers.
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1-Dec-2011
Roy Thomson Hall
TSO, Andrey Boreyko and Leila Josefowicz let the Russian gems shine at Roy Thomson Hall
Image credit: Leila Josefowicz, © J Henry FairOn December 1st, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra welcomed guest conductor Andrey Boreyko to guide them through a journey of "Russian Gems." Boreyko made his debut with the TSO in October 2003 and has had a prolific career through guest conducting and as a music director. He is in his third season as Music Director of the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker and he is also the Principal Guest Conductor of both the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Euskadi San Sebastián in Spain.
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