Sunday, November 15, 2009

Trio

This week as you already know the trio will have a sub for the position of flute. It will be a challenge to have someone prepare the music in one rehearsal. We have decided that it will be better to perform as a trio than try to prepare duos for clarinet and bassoon since we have never performed as a duo. One of these days we will tackle that music.
Will let you know how the performance went after Thursday.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

November

November is a quiet month for the group. Zach will be away so we have one performance next week. We will bring in another flute player to sub. This will require a rehearsal and then we are off to one of our favourite locations: Belmont House.
December will be different this year, no Spadina House because it is undergoing renovations. However, our calendar is quite full so we are not complaining.
More about December at a later date.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Kensington Residence

The Taffanel Wind Ensemble is busy with the fall and winter schedule. Next week, the group will be playing at Kensington Residence, downtown. This will be for the volunteer recognition dinner. The trio will play for cocktails and then the dinner. We will be fed after during speechs. This will be a lovely treat.
After this, the group is busy organizing for other seniors residences and soon we will bring out our Christmas music to prepare for Spadina House and other locations such as Beechwood in Mississauga.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Otteto Prosciutto at the McMichael Gallery

This afternoon, the octet plus two flutes, Otteto Prosciutto performed at the McMichael Gallery. And so ends the 2009 season. Hard to believe that another 4 months have passed and we have managed to perform at Belmont House, Central Park-Leaside Residence and Fellowship Towers as well as the gallery this afternoon.
This year, we were lucky enough to Gloria Ratcliffe conduct us and as a bonus Gary, her husband recorded the group's performance today. What a privilege to have such professionals work with us.
The Taffanel Wind Ensemble is busy and will be performing this week.
More about that later in the week.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Concert Ideas

As you already know this is a quiet time for the Taffanel trio. Meanwhile, the octet is busy preparing for a number of performances at the end of summer.
Recently, I read about an interesting programming idea. Not sure that we can make it work for the ensembles but worth considering. Close Encounters with Music ensemble programmes works of well-known composers and juxtaposes them with works by contemporaries who are not as well know but worth a listen. For example, the group programmed the work of Eduard Franck, esteemed pianist and teacher. He knew Wagner and Chopin, and he was a close friend of Robert and Clara Schumann. He was a favourite of the King of Denmark. Most significantly, he was Felix Mendelssohn's prized student and protege, and his accompanist for violin recitals. Mendelssohn was a huge early influence on Franck's composing style, and the two musicians' paths crossed through the rest of Mendelssohn's life-in fact, Franck was a pallbearer at his mentor's funeral. Close Encounters programmed Franck's music at a concert of Mendelssohn's music.
This is an idea that will take some planning but definitely worth considering. The repertoire for wind ensembles is not as extensive but will look into this idea and theme.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

August

August is a quiet month for the Taffanel Wind Ensemble, things will pick up in September. We already have bookings in February 2010. In the meantime, we are busy with the octet (dectet), Otteto Prosciutto right now and will be starting performances on August 27 and we finish the first Sunday in October at the McMichael Gallery.
Our conductor, Gloria Ratcliffe is helping us go through our paces which is good for us and helps us cover the music in a more musical manner. Disagreements are dealt with quickly.
Interesting time for all of us.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Spadina House

Otteto Prosciutto was looking forward to performing at Spadina House this summer but since the Civic workers strike does not seem to have an end in sight we are cancelled for this coming weekend. Sad, that events like this will not happen but without the support of the staff some of whom are part-time, this along with many other worthy events are put off or cancelled.
The Plein Air concert is still on and Nora and Zach are busy preparing their music.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Happy Canada Day

The Taffanel Wind Ensemble is busy planning for the fall. The summer is quiet with one performance planned for July. We will be returning to Plein Air http://artistsgarden.blogspot.com/ with a duo: flute and bassoon. Bill, our clarinet player will be busy that date, July 29th. If you are in the area check out the concert and the rest of the series. The stage (pictured at the right is quite innovative and lovely as a performance area or place to have tea.)

Otteto Prosciutto is busy practising and will be performing in August and September. More about that in a couple weeks.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Otteto Prosciutto

It is amazing how much computer problems affect us. Life is now good and we are back on-line and tomorrow the octet starts another season. Concerts are being lined up and a season planed.
More later. Will send pictures asap.
For those people hoping for a music fix. The Taffanel Wind Ensemble will be at Spadina House in two weeks, the gardens should be wonderful. The music fun but that is a given.
Will keep you posted about musical events now that we are back on-line.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Spadina House

At this time of year, it is no longer hard to imagine presenting an outdoor concert. The trio is now preparing its music for Spadina House and Music in the Orchard. June 14 at 1:30, we are back in the orchard.
With the weather that we are enjoying, the gardens should be wonderful and the concert a treat for those people looking for a chance to be outdoors and enjoy music.
We also recommend a tour of the house and gardens.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

McMichael Gallery Concert

Reminder that if you are looking for something to do this Sunday, the trio will be performing at the McMichael Gallery as part of the Sunday Concert Series. The trio is pleased to have played at the gallery for over 10 years.
Time to get back to practising for the performance.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

McMichael Gallery Concert

Since we are already planning for this concert, would like to let people know that the trio will be performing at the McMichael Gallery http://www.mcmichael.com/about/ on Sunday May 3, 1:30 p.m. This concert has always been one of the highlights of our performing season. We love performing at other locations but this is one where we have to work up a full 2 hour programme which challenges us musically. Our programme is being planned now and we hope that some of you will be able to make your way to one of the artistic treasurers in the GTA.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Music in the Orchard

Time to think of spring again. For those of you who plan in advance, the Taffanel Wind Ensemble will be back at Spadina House on Sunday June 14, 1:30 p.m. playing in the Orchard for Spadina House's Music in the Orchard series. These concerts are free to the public and a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Spring and Colborne Lodge

Spring is coming. It has been confirmed. The Taffanel Wind Ensemble is playing at Colborne Lodge http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/colborne-lodge.htm on Friday March 20 which marks the beginning of spring. Hopefully, snow will be gone and it will be lovely evening.
We performed at this lovely home in High Park a few years ago and it was an delightful experience, playing in the kitchen with its cozy space.

Hopefully, some of you will consider attending this event.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Happy New Year

The Taffanel Wind Ensemble wishes everyone a Happy New Year as we start a new season. We have prepared a new programme for the first half of the year. This will include works like Malcolm Forsyth's Melancholy Clown and Beethoven's Trio, Opus 87 originally for 2 oboes and English Horn.
Our first performance of 2009 will be a return visit to Sunnybrook K-wing; a place that we feel privileged to perform.
Time for us to practise and get ready for many new opportunities.