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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 …

Quartets are a team, they form a unit and perform as one; but the trio is entirely different. Three individual forces collide and hope to attain balance and achieve a maelstrom of virtuosity, creating the perfect musical storm. Violin,piano,cello all united as one.Trio compositions are also inclined to allow some …

There is so much contention in classical vinyl collecting over “THE” definitive version of a piece. The interpretation, the recording and the pressing all have an impact and then the historical factors and musical expertise come into play. This, however, is highly subjective and the whole notion of TAS lists …