The Classicaliszt

The “vinyl comeback” that has received almost excessive amounts of media coverage, does not seem to have affected the classical music industry as heavily. Only a handful of new releases have been pressed to vinyl and reissues seem to trickle out at a snail’s pace. Thankfully, Toronto string ensemble the …

Solo piano is the ultimate transcedant meeting of art & performance,the most intimate stroke of a key can move listeners in a way almost no other instrument manages to. For the past 2 years, NYC’s Patrick Amory classical vinyl enthusiast and trained pianist (as well as Manager of rock label …

Many attempts at “mashing up” Hip-Hop and classical music have failed miserably, but Polish composer/beatmaker Radzimir “JIMEK” Dębski has pulled it off masterfully. Much like Californian composer and Dilla disciple Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s Suites for Ma Dukes, classical hip-hop covers work best when the composer is both a certified orchestrator and …

I had the privilege to take part in the 2015 Montreal International Music Competition as a phantom jury for the CBC. Being as this year was the vocal competition, I was immediately taken back to my days as a choir signer and operatic performer. We have touched upon the voice …

The human voice is a formidable instrument. It’s astounding to think of the required combination of physical prowess, emotional intelligence to properly interpret a passage and skill and culture that allows a performer to enunciate repertoire in many languages effortlessly and truly master this musical tool. Those that made to …

Classical is an ambitious genre to tackle. From gregorian monk choirs singing in caverns to contemporary music recitals in museums, the spectrum is enormous. The sheer number of pieces for any composer is astounding. The size of the orchestra, the endless and subtle variations by conductors and musicians can seem …

Choir composition are at the genesis of classical and one of the first documented forms of music in the world. Polyphony (multiple voices in harmony) revolutionized music as we know it and like most early music, it is thoroughly entrenched in religious tradition. Indeed, gregorian chants performed by secluded monks …

French composer Érik Satie is unique and isolated musical figure in all senses. Adulated by our current generation, his appeal with the common audience is almost greater than his more accomplished peers, yet during his time he was extremely poor and unpopular. While many great artists (Cocteau,Picasso) and composers (Debussy,Ravel) …

A truly great artist is comprised of many traits. Skill, innovation,style & ease of execution; all transcendent aspects of a singular personality that undoubtedly garner both critical acclaim and universal admiration. However above all, its the artists personal connection to the material and his creative interpretation that creates a unique …