Following my July 2011 recording session of Jean Francaix works, with the Sir George Solti Chamber Orchestra in Budapest, the composer’s son Jacques Francaix wrote me:
“I think your CD will be very useful to make my father’s music more well known and, even for me, I was very surprised when I heard the music of “Die Kamelien” because I discovered that my father used, for it, several piano works of his music.”
Listen to a sample of each of the tracks from this upcoming CD release on Artist’s Choice Recordings; this CD should be available for purchase within the next 3 months.
Toronto Concert Orchestra and the audience enjoyed Beethoven, in the blazing afternoon sun on August 6, at Ontario Place’s Echo Beach. Thanks to event sponsors: Live Nation, Jim and Jane Love, and MPTF. (more photos…)
And from the previous day: our open rehearsal at the Windsor Arms Hotel (
more photos…)
Toronto Concert Orchestra (TCO) will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 on Saturday, Aug 6 at 4:00 pm on the Echo Beach Stage at Ontario Place (see TCO press release).
Toronto Concert Orchestra is Toronto’s official “homeless” orchestra. For the 2011-12 season the TCO will hold its rehearsals, as open rehearsals, at the Windsor Arms Hotel. Hear us there on Friday Aug 5. Admission by advance request only via email. Seating is limited and available on a first come first serve basis.
Each summer, WholeNote Magazine invites contributions from the local music community for a feature entitled “On The Road”. Read On the Road: Kerry Stratton.
Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Jean Francaix, who died in 1997. Next month, Kerry will be recording two previously unrecorded works by Jean Francaix, with the Sir George Solti Chamber Orchestra in Budapest. This is very exciting, as Kerry has been in communication for some time with the late composer’s son, who has suggested some truly marvellous scores. The plan is to release these recordings in the Francaix centennial year of 2012.
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)
Wish Opera’s 2011 Season is fast approaching: on April 15/16, Kerry will conduct the operetta Rose Marie, music by Friml and Stothart, lyrics by Hammerstein II.
Listen to Maestro Kerry Stratton on Rose Marie: A Canadian Love Story.
Posted in News, Wish Opera
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Opera Week is presented in celebration of the reopening of La Scala by Toscanini, May 11, 1946 by The International Resource Centre for Performing Artists (IRCPA) in collaboration with The Toronto Centre for the Arts, The Italian Cultural Institute & The New Classical 96.3FM.
Call to Opera Singers, Coaches, Pianists, Conductors, Directors
Here’s a great chance to work with coaches Vincenzo Scalera, Teatro alla Scala (May 5/6) Joan Dornemann, Metropolitan Opera (May 7/9/10). Applicants: Please send audition tape or DVD before April 10 to: IRCPA, 43 Bright Street, Toronto ON M5A 3H5. For more information: 416-362-1422, sumintl@rogers.com, or InternationalResourceCentreForPerformingArtists.com
Observers welcome $20 per session, at the door, Gallery Theatre Space, Toronto Centre for the Arts
Opera Week Celebration Concert
Presenting top artists from Opera Week coaching sessions on WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 at 8 PM, at Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street. $30, $25 seniors/students.
Box Office 416-872-1111 – www.ticketmaster.ca
On April 1 at 8pm, Kerry will be conducting the Toronto Concert Orchestra in a performance of Dvorak’s New World Symphony, and Rachmaninov’s Piano concerto number 2 in C minor, with soloist Michael Kim.
This event happens at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St (1 block north of Carlton).
Call Ticketmaster: 416-872-1111.
Sponsored by the New Classical 96.3, Audio Centre Oakville, Jeannie Kim (Korean Cultural Committee) and Ambiente.
(Updated April 15: Paisley Jura, who plays double bass with the TCO, offers her thoughts about our April 1 concert.)
