Reviews

Kerry,
Having enjoyed listening to your programs on this radio station [Classical 96.3], often on long drives, I was looking forward to the performance at Roy Thompson Hall last evening. I have also been a fan of Homay’s music for some time and when I saw the event advertised with the contributors listed, I didn’t hesitate. My wife and I had excellent seats (centre third row) and were able to absorb the performance in its full glory. Quite frankly, it blew me away and exceeded our expectations. At the intermission we both agreed that this had been one of the best cultural events we’ve been to in quite some time. And, of course, you had a lot to do with that. Not only was the performance masterfully shepherded home, the obvious enthusiasm we saw in your expressions was ample evidence that you too were enjoying the event. I’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that I particularly enjoyed your reactions to the audience during the last piece and seeing you sing along to the Iran lyrics was the cherry on the cake.

Thanks Maestro,
(signed) M N-S.

As a lover of the arts and talent in general, there was a specific love I had for the performers in this late afternoon seduction. Performing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the the Toronto Concert Orchestra romanced and invigorated me with Tchaikovsky, Symphony No 4. The playing was eloquent and reserved when necessary, but the pieces required subtlety and thunder in a moments change. I do not have a collection of the Russian romancer, but after this I think I will imbibe in Toronto’s version. The players were flawless and Kerry Stratton was charming – thank you Kerry for teaching us about the various movements in the piece before hand – it lent to a greater appreciation.

(by Christopher Caldwell. Read full article)

Some spectacular Tchaikovsky Saturday night

The overflowing parking lot at Hi-Way Pentecostal Church, and the vehicles lining the side street beyond, were indicators of the marvelous evening awaiting those attending the second performance of the Barrie Concert Series on Saturday night.

The promise of a night filled with the spectacular works of Tchaikovsky brought people out in droves and the anticipation was palpable.

The concert opened, not with a work by Tchaikovsky, but with a lovely symphonic poem titled Sea of Blossoms by Canadian composer, Kevin Lau.

Played by the Toronto Concert Orchestra (TCO), under the baton of the eminent conductor maestro Kerry Stratton, the piece is an exploration of contrasts, from the delicate opening, which featured flute and triangle, to the expansiveness of the full orchestra and the thunder of the bass drum.

[ Note: This programme will be performed again Nov 10 in Markham, and Nov 13 in Toronto - see TCO website for ticket details. ]

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Orchestra brings beauty to the stage

WELLAND — Local residents came out in droves Friday evening to revel in the sounds of romance at Welland-Port Colborne Concert Association’s season opening concert.

Performed at Welland Centennial Secondary School’s Dr. J.M. Ennis Auditorium, the concert featured the Toronto Concert Orchestra led by maestro Kerry Stratton who was joined by compelling concert pianist Lang Ning Liu.

The orchestra is touring Ontario with a concert fittingly titled Russian Romance, which features Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and his Symphony No. 4 in F minor.

The night’s program was quite a generous one as it also featured its opening piece by Canadian composer Kevin Lau, titled Sea of Blossoms. Sea of Blossoms was the perfect starting point to the evening and really set the tone of what was to come. As the piece progressed, one could almost visualize the construction of the song from its initial pleasant notes and then finishing with the right amount of drama, it was easy to feel sad when it ended.

Not to be outdone, the second portion of the evening was the Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by soloist Liu, who graced the stage in a glittery illuminated gown. Not only was it beautiful, it also added to the whimsical sounds she was about to play.
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Russian Romance

Somewhere along the line, conductors have to measure up to the example Kerry Stratton sets.

He’s been to Orillia a number of occasions: in 2007 with the Czech Philharmonic, in 2008 with the Orchestra Internationale D’Italia, in 2010 with his own Grand Salon Orchestra, and tomorrow afternoon at the Opera House for an Orillia Concert Association event with his Toronto Concert Orchestra.

He conducts in a manner that a musician cannot mistake a cue or a temperament of playing. And unlike many other conductors, Stratton does it without the musical score in front of him. It’s all from memory.

Sunday’s program is called Russian Romance and no, Stravinsky’s music doesn’t fit that description. He’ll be conducting Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and the Fourth Symphony.
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Milton Concert Presentations (MCP) closes out 25th anniversary season with Bel Canto concert on April 29.

“Absolutely, that was just a natural choice,” said founding member and long-time talent booker Charles Somerton, referring to having Kerry Stratton conduct the upcoming milestone performance, set for Friday, Apr. 29 at Southside Community Church. …
Having a conductor of Stratton’s stature — said Somerton — has been one of the building blocks for the local group, which since its 1985/86 season inception has grown from three to seven concerts a year, and from audiences of 50 to 60 to those approaching the 400 mark.

“Working with Kerry has been so positive… a huge plus for us. Not only is he a great conductor, but he’s been able to find a number of groups for us,” said Somerton, who along with now retired founding members Hinton and Brian Lodge debuted MCP with Boris Brott and the Hamilton Philharmonic, and over the years has welcomed the Toronto Philharmonic, Toronto Philharmonia and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony — among many other full orchestras and smaller ensembles. “A few years ago he brought in a number of groups from Europe that otherwise we simply wouldn’t have been able to get here.”

With Stratton at the helm, MCP wraps up its silver anniversary Nocturne Series with the Bel Canto, an opera-style concert complete with an orchestra and soprano, tenor and baritone singers. “It’s (Bel Canto) one of my favourites. With all the opera highlights, it’s a musical moulinex,” said Stratton.

The April 29 concert will start at 8 p.m. at Southside Community Church, 2850 Derry Rd. For tickets or more information about the concert, call (905) 878-1526, email MCP or visit the MCP website.
(read article)

The sixth concert of the Barrie Concert Series on Saturday night was a performance of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto and Dvorak’s 9th New World Symphony featuring pianist, Michael Kim and the Toronto Concert Orchestra under the direction of conductor, Kerry Stratton. Kim, a doctoral graduate of Juillard, has been the recipient of numerous Canadian and International awards over the course of his substantial career. Maestro Stratton is world-renowned for his conducting. Combine this artistry with the performance of magnificent standards of classical repertoire, and it’s no wonder the crowd was at capacity.

The contrast between the crystal clear voice of the piano and the shifting colours of the orchestra was beautifully demonstrated in Saturday’s concert. In response to a standing ovation, Kim offered one more treat, a calming solo performance of Schumann’s Traumerai.
(read review)

Ottawa’s sold-out Viennese ball celebrated its 15th anniversary Saturday looking renewed, rejuvenated and ready to dance until the wee hours in the gorgeous Great Hall of the National Gallery of Canada. … CBC TV’s Adrian Harewood MCd the $400-a-ticket dinner, and the Grand Salon Orchestra and The Stevens & Kennedy Band filled the hall with beautiful and fun music all night long.
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The inaugural event of the 2010-2011 season of Barrie Concerts … consisted of two of Beethoven’s greatest works — the Violin Concerto and the Ninth Symphony. Well-known conductor Kerry Stratton directed the Toronto Concert Orchestra, which packed the stage with a full complement of strings, winds and percussion. … Stratton and the orchestra portrayed the great beauty and musical depth of the first three movements, after which there was a slight pause …At last, the much anticipated fourth movement began. The orchestra presented the stormy opening passage before lapsing into reminiscences of all three preceding movements. When baritone, Nicolae Raiciu, entered with the call to “raise our voices”, the spine tingled. Joined by mezzo soprano Marta Herman, tenor Christopher Mayell and soprano Allison Cecilia Arends for the exposition of the verse, and then the full chorus and orchestra, the effect was immensely stirring.
A glorious sound echoed into the night.
(read review)

“Something of a surprise was also Canadian conductor Kerry Stratton, till now unknown on these shores. In Rossini’s Silk Ladder Overture, and then in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, he struck a brisk, invigorating tempo, fast but not over-hurried, with no swallowed notes despite the speed. Into Beethoven’s often-heard symphony he injected refreshing energies …”
(read review)