Category Archives: Uncategorized

RECONNECTING WITH MUSIC AFTER A FIRE – PART 1

Posted on April 24, 2017 by strecker

After the fire of December 1, I didn’t listen to music, or do much of anything for that matter really, until just recently, almost five months later. I had lost a huge collection of recorded music on CD, LP, 45 … Continue reading →

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HANNA SHYBAYEVA: BELARUSSIAN-BORN DUTCH PIANIST DECLARES, “I WOULD ERASE MUSIC COMPETITIONS FROM THIS PLANET, BECAUSE THEY GIVE VERY WRONG IDEAS TO YOUNG MUSICIANS ABOUT WHAT’S IMPORTANT IN ART:” A REVIEWER INTERVIEWS PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on April 13, 2017 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, or have done, in the arts, what would you say? HANNA SHYBAYEVA: Classical pianist by education who is strongly influenced and inspired by … Continue reading →

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BOOK REVIEW: CLOUD MESSENGER: LOVE AND LOSS IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYAS BY KAREN TROLLOPE-KUMAR

Posted on March 18, 2017 by strecker

Cloud Messenger, a memoir by Karen Trollope-Kumar about “Love and Loss in the Indian Himalayas” resonates, in understated yet evocative prose, with many passages that cling to the reader. Try this: “……I could see that flowers had burst into bloom. … Continue reading →

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KARINA GAUVIN: A SOPRANO CONSIDERED “ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICES IN THE BUSINESS” SINGS HANDEL AND VIVALDI IN TAFELMUSIK’S “THE BAROQUE DIVA” FROM MARCH 23 TO 26, 2017 AT KOERNER HALL: A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on March 17, 2017 by strecker

Photo by Michael Slobodian James Strecker: What important beliefs do you express in your work? Karina Gauvin: Staying true to the composer’s wishes and paying special attention to style. Style defines every era in music, and I try to mould … Continue reading →

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KAREN TROLLOPE-KUMAR: AUTHOR, PHYSICIAN, MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGIST, AND EDUCATOR ON HER NEW MEMOIR “CLOUD MESSENGER, LOVE AND LOSS IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYAS” AND ON FINDING ONE’S “ESSENTIAL NATURE” – A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on March 14, 2017 by strecker

James Strecker: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, or have done, in the arts, what would you say? Karen Trollope-Kumar: Well, I don’t think I can come up with 50 words … Continue reading →

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KATE TROTTER: ACTRESS WITH OUTSTANDING STAGE CAREER AND OVER 100 CREDITS IN TELEVISION AND FILM -ALSO AN ACTING TEACHER AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION COACH- DECLARES, “I AM AN ACTRESS. I WAS BORN AND RAISED ON A FARM. WHAT GOT ME FROM THERE TO HERE IS A MYSTERY.” -A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on January 10, 2017 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, or have done, in the arts, what would you say? KATE TROTTER: I started my career under the guidance of Douglas Rain and … Continue reading →

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MARGARET ILLMANN, BALLERINA WITH AN INTERNATIONAL CAREER, INCLUDING BROADWAY, A MENTOR, A PHYSIOTHERAPIST, AND A BALLET COACH: A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on January 1, 2017 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, or have done, in the arts, what would you say? MARGARET ILLMANN: Initially dance was the athletic desire for optimal movement quality and … Continue reading →

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RACHEL MERCER: A CELLIST’S LIFE IN MUSIC WITH THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ORCHESTRA, AVIV STRING QUARTET, ENSEMBLE MADE IN CANADA, MERCER-PARK DUO AND MUCH MORE TOURING, RECORDING AND TEACHING TO COME – A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on November 15, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, or have done, in the arts, what would you say? RACHEL MERCER: Performing, recording and teaching artist, cellist, toured extensively as member of … Continue reading →

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FRANK KOREN: AFTER 25 YEARS OF GUITAR WORK BACKING OTHERS, A LEAP INTO THE “UNKNOWN WORLD OF SONGWRITING” AND A CD TITLED RED CHAIR – A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on November 15, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, or have done, in the arts, what would you say? FRANK KOREN: Over the past 25 years I’ve mostly contributed to the arts … Continue reading →

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TAFELMUSIK CHAMBER CHOIR TURNS 35 WITH HANDEL, STEFFANI, LULLY, RAMEAU, AND ZELENKA IN A VERY SPECIAL CONCERT AND –IT’S THEIR DOING- A VERY HIGH AUDIENCE IN RESPONSE

Posted on November 9, 2016 by strecker

I’m not aware of any debate in Ottawa concerning the legalization of Toronto’s Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. To be sure, there is much documented evidence confirming that any experience of this uniquely exhilarating band of players does indeed lead to scoring … Continue reading →

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