For past activities pictures, click here

Past Activities :

December 6, 2009 - Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

This time we would like to focus on Shostakovich Symphony No. 5. Shostakovich's work is
closely related to Mahler's and Shostatkovich consider Mahler as his
favorite composer. Also, Toronto Symphony Orchestra is going to
perform this work on Nov 26, 28 and 29, it would be a great
opportunity to learn more about this work and discuss its meaning.

We are going to show a video regarding the symphony, it's an in depth
study of the work and document the historical events when Shostakovich
compose this work. Since we need a DVD system to show the video and a
good audio system for this gathering, a member has graciously offer
his apartment for this event, so there will be very limited seat
available this time. He is also going to share about his trip to the
Mahler Library in Paris with pictures and material he got there.
Please reply to this email ASAP if you are interested to come to this
gathering. We hope that there will be lively discussion and comparison
of different recordings of the symphony.

Date : SUNDAY December 6
Time : 2-5pm
Location : Near Bay TTC Station, parking is available. Details will be
sent out later.
Topic : Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5

August 22, 2009 - Talk by Rick Phillips on Mahler's music

We have finalized details of the next Toronto Mahler Society meeting,
as announced we are glad to have invited Mr. Rick Phillips to talk
about a very interesting aspect of Mahler's music. Mr. Phillips is the
former host of CBC Radio's Sound Advice, he is also a well known music
appreciation teacher in Toronto and host of pre-concert talk for
Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has taught various music appreciation
classes at Royal Conservatory of Music, including one all about
Mahler's work.

The topic will be "Conflict and Contrast in Mahler's music - the
reasons and purpose". Conflict is a major characteristics of Mahler's
music as well as his life. Mr. Phillips will explore this theme in
Mahler's music and explain why conflict and contrast are so important
in his music and how they affect his music writing. The talk will have
a lot of musical examples to illustrate the idea so you can understand
better, music excerpts from various Mahler's works will be used. Mr.
Phillips talk is suitable for everyone with interest in Mahler's music
regardless of your music background, his talk is always interesting
and easy to follow.

The meeting will start with an introduction of the Toronto Mahler
Society, followed by the music talk by Mr. Rick Phillips including a
short break with refreshments, then we will have time to ask questions
and share our view about the talk or anything about Mahler. The format
will be causal and you will have chance to chat with other Mahler
lovers and make some new friends.

SPEAKER : Mr. Rick Phillips (http://www.rickphillips.ca)
TOPIC : Conflict and Contrast in Mahler's music - the reasons and purpose
DATE : Saturday, August 22nd
TIME : 2 to 5 pm
LOCATION : Room 224B,
Northern District Branch (Toronto Public Library),
40 Orchard View Blvd
(1 block north of Yonge/Eglinton - TTC Eglington Station)
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hou_az_nd.jsp
FEE : $15 / $10(Students)
( To cover music talk, room rental and refreshments)

April 25, 2009 - Mahler Symphony No. 6

UPDATES: Meeting Pictures now available, check the link above.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra is presenting Mahler Symphony No. 6 with
Gunther Herbig on May 28&30, on the same program is Haydn Cello
Concerto in C with Johannes Moser.

The Toronto Mahler Society is having a meeting/gathering on Saturday,
April 25, this meeting will be hosted by the renowned Mahler recording
collector Peter Fulop at his home. Mr. Fulop has been in the business
of historical recording and has built an extensive collection of
Mahler recordings. He published the "Mahler Discography" which is
currently being revised for the Mahler Centenary in 2010. We are
grateful for his hospitality and expert knowledge on Mahler
recordings. His business website and Mahler recording sites:
http://mahlerrecords.com
http://www.mikrokosmos.com

This meeting will be causal, we will listen, compare and discuss
different CD/DVD of Mahler Symphony No. 6 and other interesting
material. Mr. Fulop has a massive collection(150+ ) of this work and
all other Mahler recording that has been ever released. We are in a
treat to have this great resource to listen to various recording of
the work and compare. There will be a brief introduction to get you
familiarize with the work and hopefully this meeting will better
prepare you for the TSO performance.

Date: Saturday, April 25
Time : 2-5pm
Location : Finch/Bathurst Area (Exact address to be notified later)
It's easily accessible by TTC or pickup/carpool can be arranged if required.

Because of space limitation, we can only have 15 people to this meeting.

PLEASE R.S.V.P to me as soon as possible and by Saturday April 18
latest so that we know number of people coming and prepare accordingly.

I hope to see you there and this will be a wonderful opportunity to
share some great music with fellow Mahler lover.