Category Archives: Uncategorized

BIRTHDAY BLOG APRIL 15…..JAMES STRECKER REVIEWS THE ARTS

Posted on April 15, 2025 by strecker

Today is my birthday and, since I don’t feel up to two hours at the seniors’ gym at McMaster University, I shall listen instead to favorite recordings and try to conquer a steadily growing list of things I must – … Continue reading →

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EYBLER QUARTET’S MASTER TAKE ON HAYDN & JULIA WEDMAN’S MEMORABLY PROBING SONATAS AND PARTITAS OF BACH ….. RECENT PLEASURES IN THE ARTS: NOVEMBER 2024

Posted on November 21, 2024 by strecker

JUST RELEASED! EYBLER QUARTET CD OF WEISS QUARTETS ******************************************************************************** Many years ago, I was slowly easing through Vienna’s Haydn Museum, once the residence of the composer. It was almost eerily quiet and inviting of contemplation when, with a dynamic air … Continue reading →

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AN UNMISSABLE CANDIDA AT THE SHAW FESTIVAL & A PRICELESS JUDI DENCH BOOK, SHAKESPEARE: THE MAN WHO PAYS THE RENT

Posted on August 9, 2024 by strecker

I’ve long maintained that an exceptional production of a play by, say, Shaw is much akin to a memorable concert of, say, Beethoven. Try this synchronicity. The August issue of Gramophone was sitting in our mailbox, when I arrived home … Continue reading →

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RECENT PLEASURES IN THE ARTS—FILMS, BOOKS, CDs

Posted on February 5, 2024 by strecker

photo of John Whiting I’ve seen Carol Reed’s The Third Man many times – it’s one of my favourite films, after all. But after a recent viewing, I finally decided, as well, to read Graham Greene’s “Cold War classic novella,” … Continue reading →

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CROW’S THEATRE DOES AN UNFORGETTABLE UNCLE VANYA AT THEATRE AQUARIUS UNTIL JANUARY 27

Posted on January 23, 2024 by strecker

Back in 1994, while in the middle of several intense writing projects, I took ten days in London as a needed sanity break. In turn, I ended up at the at the Royal National Theatre sharing eye level with the … Continue reading →

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ANNA-JULIA DAVID: SOPRANO HAS “A DREAM COME TRUE” AS SHE DEBUTS WITH OPERA ATELIER AS AMOUR IN GLUCK’S ORPHEUS AND EURIDYCE – OCTOBER 26 TO NOVEMBER 1 AT TORONTO’S ELGIN THEATRE

Posted on October 18, 2023 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: In what specific ways is preparation for your upcoming Amour in Orpheus and Eurydice a fairly easy process and in what ways is it difficult? Why is this so? ANNA-JULIA DAVID: The role of Amour is quite short and … Continue reading →

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MODERN COMPOSERS FEATURED AT THE 2023 TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL JULY 6-29…. #7 IMAN HABIBI: COMPOSER, PIANIST, DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS ………A REVIEWER INTERVIEWS PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on July 15, 2023 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: Please tell us about a creation of yours featured at this year’s Toronto Summer Music Festival. Why exactly does it matter to you and why should it matter to your listeners? IMAN HABIBI: Relics is a collection of … Continue reading →

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MODERN COMPOSERS FEATURED AT THE 2023 TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL JULY 6-29…. # 6  GABRIELA LENA FRANK: ……A REVIEWER INTERVIEWS PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on July 13, 2023 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: What are the most important parts of yourself that you put into your creations? GABRIELA LENA FRANK: I am known for frequently exploring my heritage which still astounds me in how globe-spanning it is. My ancestors were certainly … Continue reading →

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MODERN COMPOSERS FEATURED AT THE 2023 TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL JULY 6-29…. # 5 DINUK WIJERATNE: CONDUCTOR, COMPOSER, PIANIST ………A REVIEWER INTERVIEWS PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on July 8, 2023 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: Please tell us about a creation of yours featured at this year’s Toronto Summer Music Festival. Why exactly does it matter to you and why should it matter to your listeners? DINUK WIJERATNE: The Isidore String Quartet will … Continue reading →

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MODERN COMPOSERS FEATURED AT THE 2023 TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL JULY 6-29…. # 4 DAVID BOWSER: COMPOSER, CONDUCTOR, UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTOR, VOCAL COACH, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ………A REVIEWER INTERVIEWS PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on July 8, 2023 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: Please tell us about a creation of yours featured at this year’s Toronto Summer Music Festival. Why exactly does it matter to you and why should it matter to your listeners? DAVID BOWSER: I am looking forward to … Continue reading →

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