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Turning the page

As a kid I recall being put on the spot at one of my Dad’s concerts. He was conducting a choir, accompanied by the shiniest, biggest piano I had ever seen. The pianist needed a page-turner. Enter 10 year-old Steph. The tall accompanist, elegantly dressed in white tie and tails said, “When I nod, you turn the page.” Seemed simple enough. Now you’re waiting for the punch line – when the music fell off the rack, or blew away, or I turned three pages at once, or missed a repeat. Actually none of that happened. It was exhilarating just being… Read More »Turning the page

Howard Dyck’s review: ‘The Sun, the Wind, and the Man with the Cloak’

Pax Christi Chorale, a 100 plus voice Toronto choir, scored another impressive triumph yesterday with the world premiere of Stephanie Martin’s new oratorio “The Sun, the Wind, and the Man with the Cloak”. David Bowser, Stephanie’s successor as Artistic Director of PCC, gave us fine readings of English repertoire (Britten, Elgar, Vaughan Williams) before the intermission. The new choral work is a charming retelling of the famous Aesop fable about the sun and the wind arguing who is the more powerful. Stephanie Martin’s highly effective score was enhanced in no small measure by playwright Paul Ciufo’s delightful libretto. This is… Read More »Howard Dyck’s review: ‘The Sun, the Wind, and the Man with the Cloak’

12 mysteries of life

1. How does cat hair get into the fridge? 2. Why can people be in love one day, and be worst enemies the next day? 3. Why do weeds come back every year in the garden, but things you plant do not? 4. Why are some people content to live in the same house for 40 years, yet others move around all the time? 5. Why do raccoons have no representatives in parliament? 6. What secrets are cows hiding? 7. How can two people that share the same DNA (ie siblings) be entirely different people? 8. How is it that… Read More »12 mysteries of life

Swiss composer Frank Martin

I am not this man (A Haiku lament)

I’m on the programme! One of Canada’s best choirs Sings my music. Yay! But later, I sigh; Mistaken for Frank Martin Again. I’m not him. I am not this man. He was a French composer – Actually, Swiss. But I’m not this man. Nor am I any of these Other fine Martins: Who sings Rock and Roll? A different girl: same name – Stéphanie Martin. That guy with grey hair, Who makes everyone laugh? Steve Martin’s his name. The Prime Minister Who saved Canada’s finance? That was Paul Martin. I love these Martins, But today, this is my wish –… Read More »I am not this man (A Haiku lament)

Tomato warrior

The skill set needed to harvest an urban tomato crop lies somewhere between rugby player, ballet dancer, and medieval warrior. The plants, huddled closely in a phalanx of foliage, are shielded by the dewy remnant of late afternoon rain. They are ripe, ready and wet. You’re going to need steely resolve to go in there and win! Since many have fallen, you’ll just have to roll up your sleeves, wrestle with your entrenched enemy, and get dirty. Actually quite dirty. At the same time, the plants’ contorted postures require your best twists and turns, extended reach, and some tastefully awkward… Read More »Tomato warrior

The Sun, the Wind, and the Man with the Cloak

The Sun, the Wind, and the Man with the Cloak (SWMC) In May 2017 Pax Christi Chorale gave me a beautiful parting gift: a commission to write a big new piece for them. Here’s what happened. De-programming with my colleague Paul Ciufo at O’Brien’s Irish pub after our first operatic project The Llandovery Castle, I recalled a childhood storybook shared with a group of wide-eyed, cross-legged kids in the public library. Book upon her knee, the librarian entranced us with Aesop’s ancient fable of ‘The Sun, the Wind, and the Man with the Cloak.’ The Story Two elemental protagonists, arguing… Read More »The Sun, the Wind, and the Man with the Cloak

Holy Family Church

Two places at once

On June 9th I will be happy, but conflicted. On that Sunday my ‘Missa Chicagoensis’ gets its Canadian premiere, conducted by Aaron James at the Oratory of Philip Neri on King street in Toronto. Up the street a ways, at the very same time, Matthew Whitfield conducts the Toronto premiere of my Pentecost motet ‘Dum complerentur’ at St. Thomas’ Anglican church on Huron street. They say it never rains but it pours. Both of these pieces were commissioned, recorded for Youtube and published by Fr Scott Haynes and his stellar choir at the church of St John Cantius in Chicago.… Read More »Two places at once

Rob’s Birthday Paean

Caveat: The last line of this fine birthday song, written for Rob Castle, Cantor at the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, long ago, needs no word of explanation for those of you familiar with the traditional, rousing, Toronto birthday toast, “Here’s to so and so: he’s a horse’s ass.” No disrespect is intended. In fact it’s a badge of honour – in certain circles – to receive this sobriquet from friends and family. To further curate the text, please understand that ‘clivis’, ‘pes’ and ‘torculus’ are the names of neumes: musical signs used… Read More »Rob’s Birthday Paean

How to become a millionaire: sandwich math

I was shuffling my way to work in the freezing cold and suddenly realized I had forgotten to pack my lunch. Annoyed with myself, I stopped by a convenient and friendly little corner café to buy a sandwich. As I watched the proprietor slowly assemble the required ingredients, toast the bread, spoon out the pre-made sandwich filling with an ice-cream scoop, apologize that I wouldn’t be getting any lettuce since the romaine had been recalled, squeeze out the mayo, and carefully cut the completed creation in half horizontally, I wondered “is this actually saving me any time at all,” and… Read More »How to become a millionaire: sandwich math

Let all mortal flesh keep silence

Seems when I have trouble in life, some Earthly Angel comes along to give me direction. Such an EA (Earthly Angel) descended last month, shortly after my Dad died. Catherine Daniel has been busy travelling and singing Wagner, Strauss and other big opera roles. She also takes time to develop new Canadian works of a more modest nature. If you attended the workshop of our opera Llandovery Castle you would have heard her creating the role of  Margaret Marjory “Pearl” Fraser in June of this year. Cathy asked me to arrange a hymn for her upcoming recording project Sacred Christmas.… Read More »Let all mortal flesh keep silence