Anya Wassenberg

FEATURE | Soundstreams 2018-19 Season Is A Contemporary Music Linchpin

In any season, I’m really interested in new works and premieres,” says Lawrence Cherney, Artistic Director of Toronto’s Soundstreams. It goes along with the organization’s mandate, but for the 2018–19 season, there’s a little older new music in the mix.

15 Secrets About The GoT Cast They Wish They Could Keep Under Wraps

Game of Thrones season 8 is filming now in Croatia, Ireland, and other locations around the world, with an air date some time in 2019. But, that doesn’t mean that the beloved HBO series has fallen off anyone’s radar. The sense of anticipation for what is sure to be an explosive culmination of a groundbreaking series is running high.

NEVER HEARD OF IT | Why Is New Music Such A Hard Sell?

Earlier this year, the TSO announced the cancellation of its long-running New Creations Festival, a yearly showcase of contemporary classical music. It comes at a time when the TSO and orchestras all over the continent are increasingly programming performances like movie screenings with live music and crossover artists that turn beloved classics into pop music. Is the future of classical music in trouble? Does it mean that Toronto audiences don’t support new compositions?

Peripheral Vision: More Songs About Error And Shame

More Songs About Error And Shame by Toronto’s Peripheral Vision offers sophisticated, melodic modern jazz with an esoteric bent and eclectic tastes. Co-founders Michael Herring and Don Scott are joined by Nick Fraser on drums and Trevor Hogg on tenor sax in seven original tracks that combine elements of contemporary jazz with a garage band vibe and a groovy Sixties flavor of cool that includes swinging guitars and a strong rhythmic pulse.

15 Celeb Couples Who Were Doomed From The Start Because Of Their Zodiac Signs

Celebrity astrology — especially when it comes to break-ups — is yet another way to enjoy our fave actors, musicians and other celebs. Whether you are already sold on astrology or not, checking out celeb couples against their Zodiac signs turns up some coincidences we just can’t deny.

FEATURE | Can We Talk About Classical Crossover?

This is, without question, the most ridiculous list of “classical” music that I’ve ever read. Piano Guys? Two Cellos?? Jackie Evancho??? ELVIS????? At least Elvis was a great performer, if not remotely classical. The rest are nothing more than fake musicians. — Bill from the United States

Bill wasn’t alone in his negative reaction to an online list of the best-selling classical and crossover albums of 2017 taken from the industry standard Billboard classical charts. That list includes Gregorian chants from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Shall We Dance, an album that incorporates classical repertoire along with music from movies like The Godfather, by classical popularist André Rieu, Rise, by The Texas Tenors, who turn their golden voices to material like the Eagles hit “Desperado” and incorporate country/classical mash-ups in their original material – and everything in between. Reality TV star Jackie Evancho released an album of movie songs, and Elvis is still a hit singing with an orchestra. The February 2018 Billboard crossover chart includes the soundtrack for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and a collaboration between Annie Lennox and the Kronos Quartet.

15 Secrets Not Even Marvel Fans Know About Stan Lee

Stan Lee, the Marvel Comics legend who created Spider-Man, The Avengers, The Hulk, Thor, and most of the other iconic superheroes of the Marvel stable. Or did he? Lee’s major claim to fame is just one of the many ambiguities, inconsistencies, and dark secrets that pepper his long career.

Here’s Why I Broke Up With My Car, And You Should Too

Looking down now at cars from my seat on the bus, they seem like an outlandishly wasteful thing, all to get one person down the road.

A few years ago, I finally broke up with cars. It was a long time coming.

Our relationship used to seem so exciting and practical. Now, it all feels like i was under some insane delusion

20 Secrets Only Dennis Rodman Knows About His Bestie Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un — supreme leader of a secretive, isolationist nation with its very own nuclear arsenal — and Dennis Rodman — one-time madman of the NBA— are besties. You couldn’t make this up. It’s not only one of history’s most oddball relationships, it’s also a source of international intelligence. It is widely acknowledged that any details the West knows about North Korea’s leader come from either Dennis Rodman or a Japanese sushi chef who once worked for the Marshal of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Great Successor, the Sun of the 21st Century, all rolled up in the person of one Kim Jong Un.

THE SCOOP | Former Hamilton Phil Conductor Daniel Lipton At Large After Warrant Issued For Arrest

Daniel Lipton, an acclaimed conductor of opera, remains at large after a warrant was issued for his arrest in Hamilton, Ontario for a sexual assault that his accuser claims occurred some three decades ago. Lipton resigned his position as artistic director of Opera Tampa in Florida in July 2017, and now faces mounting allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.