February 8: Pianopalooza

Emmanuel Ax is in town.  He is curating 10 concerts in Toronto along with impromptu concerts in train stations and hospitals and office buildings.  He has convinced many internationally recognized pianists to join him in this 2 week long piano extravanganza.  I attend Pinchas Zukerman’s concert, part of his farewell tour prior to his retirement as conductor of the National Arts Centre orchestra.  He makes his violin sing. 

But then, my favourite instrument is still the piano.  And Manny Ax can certainly tease out some pleasant sounds from those keys.  What makes the encounter even better is his affability.  He comes off as everyone’s favourite doting uncle.  Oh those lucky students in his master class session next week!

My introduction to Mr. Ax was from an errant CD.  Remember the days when one would subscribe to Columbia records and receive a varying number of free CDs?  My shipment arrived with an error.  I did not order the CD featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Ax, and Richard Stoltzman.  However, it has become one of my favourites. 

Koerner Hall plays host to one of Manny's concerts--one of my favourite pianists in my favourite concert hall in Toronto for free.  Hard to beat that.

  

http://performance.rcmusic.ca/event/pianopalooza

February 1: Sundogs and other winter wonders

I get paid to spend a week in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.  Marathon is located on a peninsula jutting from the rocky northern shore of Lake Superior.  Coves and islands frame the view towards the dark blue expanse.  Their world class cross-country ski trails hosted the Canadian Olympic ski team in the past.

Pity the thermometer says minus 34 celsius this morning.  But then, the cold has its assets.  A spectacular sundog appeared one early morning.  This phenomenon is unique to colder climes--the flare is created by sunlight’s play on ice crystals.  Then there were the northern lights—except I was snuggled indoors when they made their appearance.  If only it were cold enough to see ice caves.