The title of this piece is a quote from a TED Talk that has become widely used. It makes the point that facts in isolation have little meaning. Their context shapes their significance. On Friday, we enjoyed a concert. … Read More
The Canadian Guitar Quartet opened the second half of Friday’s concert at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium with a piece entitled Empty Houses. Guitarist and composer Renaud Côté-Giguère explained that as a boy he had believed his old homes would … Read More
Last Friday we enjoyed a marvelous concert of music by Beethoven and Brahms. They’re famous. Just say the name and everyone knows of whom we are speaking. History is full of talented composers who have produced glorious music, but … Read More
At first blush, there couldn’t be a greater contrast. The man was unassuming. The artist was sensational. The man was short. The artist was towering .The man mumbled at times. The artist communicated with passion and clarity. Charles Richard-Hamelin embodied … Read More
It was a trio. But every memory of Thursday’s concert returns unerringly to one face. The three of them played with brilliance and passion. But one of them played with the audience. Vladimir Volokhin was an absolute wizard with … Read More
A large audience filled the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium last Thursday for the concert by Casa Diva and left feeling warmed and happy. There was much to savour as the notes faded and the applause finally ended. There was the … Read More
One of the things that regular concert goers come to expect is that the instruments the performers use will be familiar to them. We get used to the piano, the violin, the cello, the trumpet, the clarinet, the oboe, the … Read More
There is a form of two-piano entertainment, often including singing, which is promoted as “dueling pianos”. It embodies a sense of rivalry and competition. One-upmanship becomes a game between the participants. We had two pianos at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium … Read More
Here is an octet of random thoughts about an octet of cellos (and a post script as an encore). Where did that sellout come from? We have had very good audiences this year, all about the same size. There was … Read More
We have just enjoyed an evening of great music brilliantly performed. It has become my custom recently to reflect on the music or the performers or some other aspect of the presentation from the stage. Today I wish to turn … Read More