Category Archives: Uncategorized

BARBARA HANNIGAN COMES TO TORONTO SYMPHONY’S NEW CREATIONS FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 7: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CANADIAN SOPRANO CONSIDERED BY SIMON RATTLE AS “ONE OF THE BEST MUSICIANS OUT THERE”

Posted on February 20, 2015 by strecker

Photo by Raphael Brand James Strecker: Since you’ll be performing in three concerts of the Toronto Symphony’s New Creations Festival beginning February 28, I wonder, first, how it feels to have festivals like this that celebrate the contemporary music to … Continue reading →

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ALISON MACKAY OF TAFELMUSIK: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AWARD-WINNING CREATOR OF THE GALILEO PROJECT, HOUSE OF DREAMS (REMOUNTED FEBRUARY 11-15), AND THE UPCOMING J. S. BACH: THE CIRCLE OF CREATION MAY 6-MAY 10).

Posted on January 20, 2015 by strecker

Photo by Sian Richards Alison Mackay is the recipient of the 2013 Betty Webster Award for her contribution to orchestral life in Canada. She has played violone and double bass with Tafelmusik since 1979 and is the creator of a … Continue reading →

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THE ART GALLERY OF HAMILTON: 3 EXHIBITIONS AND A VISIT OF MEMORIES, AESTHETIC PLEASURES, AND DISCOVERY

Posted on January 13, 2015 by strecker

Some decades ago, even before the Leafs won their last Stanley Cup, I as a young fellow used to hop on my bike in Hamilton’s east end and peddle seven miles to visit the Art Gallery of Hamilton in our … Continue reading →

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AN INTERVIEW WITH JOËLLE MORTON, MUCH-TRAVELLED VIOL PLAYER, PERIOD MUSIC SPECIALIST, SCHOLAR, EDUCATOR AND FOUNDER OF SCARAMELLA IN TORONTO

Posted on December 28, 2014 by strecker

James Strecker: To begin, thank you so much for Scaramella’s recent Hamilton concert of music by William Lawes, in the series created by Hammer Baroque. It was a night of revelations and of constant musical surprises and one certainly had … Continue reading →

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SALUTE TO VIENNA: AN INTERVIEW WITH ATTILA GLATZ, CREATOR OF THIS NEW YEAR’S TRADITION NOW CELEBRATING ITS 2OTH YEAR OF INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS, INCLUDING HAMILTON

Posted on December 23, 2014 by strecker

photo by Wilhelm Denk (c) dewi photo by Barry Roden James Strecker: First of all, congratulations on twenty years of Salute to Vienna productions. What’s most satisfying for you about this anniversary? Attila Glatz: Thanks for the congratulations! It is … Continue reading →

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THE TORONTO SYMPHONY, THE TORONTO MENDELSSOHN CHOIR, AND FOUR DISTINCTLY REWARDING SOLOISTS IN HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Posted on December 23, 2014 by strecker

Mezzo Soprano Allyson McHardy with conductor Grant Llewellyn: photo by Malcolm Cook Tradition be damned. The next time I attend a performance of Handel’s Messiah, I shall insist on seats in a section where one is not compelled to rise … Continue reading →

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“IT’S A DIVINE FEMININE ENERGY THAT SHOULD BE RESPECTED”: CANADIAN MIDDLE EASTERN DANCER BADIA STAR, WHO ONCE INDEED WAS A STAR IN CAIRO -AND ALWAYS A SPIRITUAL BRENDA BELL- IS NOW DIRECTOR OF THE INNOVATIVE “BRENDA BELL WELLNESS”

Posted on December 17, 2014 by strecker

James Strecker: You do and have done so much in your life so, before we talk about all the parts that make up Brenda Bell Wellness –and Brenda Bell herself- please tell us about your fascinating life as a Middle … Continue reading →

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AN INTERVIEW WITH METIS TELEVISION AND FILM ACTOR+SINGER+WRITER+MESSENGER ANDREA MENARD

Posted on December 2, 2014 by strecker

James Strecker: Okay, we’ll talk soon about the actor and singer and writer aspects of your creative life, but why do you declare yourself also as Messenger on your website? What does that mean? Andrea Menard: It means that I … Continue reading →

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FIBROMYALGIA & LIVING WITH PAIN: A WRITER”S ACCOUNT

Posted on October 16, 2014 by strecker

Several doctors, physiotherapists, and sufferers from fibromyalgia have found this article to be an accurate description of living with pain, especially from fibromyalgia. Please feel free to share it with anyone you know who would benefit from reading this account, … Continue reading →

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AN INTERVIEW WITH SINGER ALEX PANGMAN, CANADA’S LONG-REIGNING SWEETHEART OF SWING AKA “LA CRÈME DU JAZZ CANADIEN” -WITH A NEW JUSTIN TIME CD RECORDED IN NEW ORLEANS

Posted on October 9, 2014 by strecker

For many years jazz singer Alex Pangman has been widely respected and praised as an exponent of jazz vocals from the twenties to the forties, a singer with insightful smarts in the idioms of this repertoire and an inherent sense … Continue reading →

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