There has been a lot of commentary on the dismissal of Maestro Andris Nelsons. This Substack article by Orlando Alonso addresses the issues and goes far beyond. Frankly, I feel it should be required reading for anyone working in any sector of the arts.
Here's the link: https://substack.com/@orlandoalonsomusic
Today would have been the 83rd birthday of Spanish/Canadian composer José Evangelista. Here are three selections from his masterful 'Air d'Espagne'. Happy birthday Maestro!
José Evangelista (1943-2023):
Air d'Espagne
13. Palomita;
14. Charrada Cantiga
15. No. 61 (Alfonso el Sabio)
Sinfonia Toronto; Nurhan Arman, Conductor
https://youtu.be/jnkb41N678E
Recorded live on April 7, 2017 CBC Glenn Gould Studio
#sinfoniatoronto #torontoschamberorchestra #nurhanarman #toronto
One of the 20th century's most performed composers Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998) died on this day. His music will live forever in the hearts and minds of music lovers. I must confess that this polka has been a recurring earworm for me. Schnittke's Gogol Suite is a good example of his genius. https://youtu.be/8D1GpmOxXIo
Alfred Schnittke: Polka from the Gogol Suite
Sinfonia Toronto; Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Schubert: Death and the Maiden - 2nd movement
String Quartet No.14 in D Minor - Andante con moto
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Orchestral version by Nurhan Arman
Recorded live on May 5, 2017, Toronto Centre for the Arts
Looking forward to conducting @sinfoniatoronto next week at the @nikolateslafest 2026! We'll be joined by amazing violinist @stefanmilenkovichofficial. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of science, culture, and music at #niagarafalls #niagarafallscanada🇨🇦
#sinfoniatoronto #torontoschamberorchestra #nurhanarman
https://www.instagram.com/p/DaWfkW4ynSh/?igsh=MWg0ZWtiMHo2eGdqbQ==
Wishing all my friends and followers a very Happy Canada Day with a fanfare that I premiered with Sinfonia Toronto back in 2017. My composer friend Chan Ka Nin is a fellow immigrant to Canada who has contributed enormously to Canada's cultural life. I can't agree more with the loving title of this piece!
CHAN KA NIN: My New Beautiful, Wonderful, Terrific, Amazing, Fantastic, Magnificent Homeland
(Fanfare, celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday)
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
World premiere performance recorded on May 5, 2017, Toronto Centre for the Arts.
https://youtu.be/yI4x0wHyd6Q
#happycanadaday #Never51 #immigration #sinfoniatoronto #nurhanarman
A hearty congratulations to the Canadian team at #FIFA! Have a great week everyone!
Modest Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
The Hut on Fowl's Legs "Baba-Yaga"
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Shostakovich: Chamber Symphony Op 118a
I. Andante
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Happy birthday Robert Schumann (1840-1856)! Here is an excerpt of his beautiful Love Songs.
Robert Schumann: Spanisches Liederspiel Op. 74
No. 1 Erste Begegnung (In the beginning)
No. 3 Liebesgram (Love dream)
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Recorded live on January 27, 2017 CBC Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto
Maestro Nurhan Arman chats about his participation in the Summer Social event on Sunday June 14.
Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk died on this day in 2020. A 'People's Artist of Ukraine' and a 'Hero of Ukraine' he lives forever with his unforgettable 'Melody'.
Myroslav Skoryk: Melody
Homage to Ukraine
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Livestreamed on April 1, 2022
https://youtu.be/z_buSmZ0BJ4
Czech composer and violinist Josef Suk died on this day in 1935. He was the son-in-law of composer Antonín Dvořák and grandfather of the violinist of the same name. His beautiful Serenade is composed almost as a homage to Antonín Dvořák. I have always likened the begining of the last movement to the opening of a champagne bottle, it simply sparkling!
Josef Suk: Serenade in E-Flat Major
IV. Allegro giocoso ma non troppo presto
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Livestreamed on November 10, 2022 from the Jean Lamon Hall, Toronto. https://youtu.be/7DQeKffElD8
A late but a hearty happy birthday to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with his own favourite composition performed by the wonderful Arpeggione Kammerorchester.
Dirigent: Nurhan Arman
Arpeggione Kammerorchester
Recorded live im Palast Hohenems, Rittersaal, Austria
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (May 7, 1840-Nov 6, 1893)
Andante non troppo - Allegro moderato 00:24
Walzer. Moderato. Tempo di Valse 10:48
Elegie. Larghetto elegiaco 14:57
Finale (Tema Russo) Andante - Allegro con spirito 23:46
Two great composers died on this day - Aram Ilyich Khachaturian in 1978 and Antonín Dvořák in 1904. Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" made history in 1948 by becoming a massive hit on American jukeboxes, crossing over from the classical world into popular culture. Here's a clip from a pandemic era livestream with Sinfonia Toronto
Khachaturian: Sabre Dance arr. Papyan/Arman
Sinfonia Toronto; Nurhan Arman, Conductor
https://youtu.be/zzbEdefAo6w
Livestreamed on March 4, 2023.
Today marks exactly 90 years since the passing of the great Italian composer Ottorino Respighi. Through his extraordinary compositions and masterful orchestration, Respighi created a legacy that continues to resonate deeply. His music remains a vital part of the repertoire and will undoubtedly live forever in the hearts of music lovers around the world.
Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936): Il Tramonto (The Sunset): Lyric poem for mezzo-soprano and string orchestra
Michele Bogdanowicz, mezzo-soprano
Sinfonia Toronto; Nurhan Arman, Conductor
https://youtu.be/riRfYx716x0
Recorded live on March 3, 2018 Toronto Centre for the Arts