Skip to content

SPOGreatMusic Performance Series – 2020-21

Episodes: 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,

Episode 1, Oct 9

Chris Wind’s “Lament for Contrabass”
Arranged for and performed on bass by Maximos Farmakidis. Originally written for the viola, this arrangement, performance, and video effectively represents how many of us are and have been feeling during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ludwig van Beethoven’s 6th movement (Andante con moto alla marcia, Presto) from the “Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20”

Featuring violinist Joyce Lai, violist Ian Clarke, cellist Ronald Royer, bassist Tim Fitzgerald, clarinetist Kaye Royer, bassoonist Kristin Day, and hornist Jason Austin.

Maurice Ravel’s “Jeux d’Eau” (Playing Water)
Featuring Alexander Panizza, piano. Besides showcasing his truly exceptional piano performance, Alexander created this video to illustrate this impressionistic music about “playing water”.

J. S. Bach’s “Prelude from the Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major”
Featuring Ellamay Mantie. The 6th suite was written for a five-string instrument, which is not commonly used today. This suite is normally included with the five that were composed for cello, but is quite difficult to play. The prelude is an excellent vehicle for Ellamay, who displays an advanced technique and an expressive musically. The SPO has a mandate to support young artists and we are proud to showcase this local high school student who is planning to study music further in university.

Emily Shapiro’s “Utter Zoo” – Trailer
Check out the trailer for “Utter Zoo” from Emily Shapiro and Elizabeth Brown, two talented woodwind players and creatives.

Episode 2, Oct 23, 2020

Beethoven’s 1st Movement from “Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69”
Ronald Royer, cello; Dr. Lisa Tahara, piano.

Beethoven’s 2nd Movement from “Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69”
Ronald Royer, cello; Dr. Lisa Tahara, piano.

Beethoven’s 3rd Movement from “Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69”
Ronald Royer, cello; Dr. Lisa Tahara, piano.

Emily Shapiro’s “Utter Zoo – Part 1”
Featuring music composed by Emily Suzanne Shapiro and words by Edward Gorey, “Utter Zoo” is wonderfully strange and intriguing. Contributing artists include declaimist, Megalodipticus, and two talented musicians, Elizabeth Brown (oboe, english horn), and Emily Shapiro (clarinet, bass clarinet). The movements are: Ampoo / Boggerslosh / Epitwee / Fidknop / Humglum. Mixing and mastering was done by Alexis Hählen.

Program notes from Emily:

The Burning Heart – Odin String Quartet with Julian Richings – Hallowe’en Special Content
“The Burning Heart” by Hans Zimmer & Klaus Badelt from the 2001 film “Hannibal”. Text from La Vita Nuova by Dante Alighieri as quoted in the film, with additional text by David Mamet & Steven Zaillian. Performers: Alex Toskov (violin/viola/vocals) Tanya Charles Iveniuk (violin/viola/vocals) Veronica Lee (viola/vocals) Samuel Bisson (cello/vocals) Julian Richings (narrator) Audio Editing: Samuel Bisson Mixing & Mastering: Kambiz Mirzaei Video Editing: Samuel Bisson.

Episode 3, Nov 6, 2020

J. S. Bach’s “Partita No. 2 in D minor” BWV 1004
The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to have this complete and intimate performance by our SPO Concertmaster, Mr. Corey Gemmell.

Emily Shapiro’s “Utter Zoo – Part 2”

Program Notes

Episode 4, Nov 20, 2020

Maurice Ravel’s “Alborada del Gracioso”
featuring Alexander Panizza, piano.

J. S. Bach’s “Gigue from Suite No. 2”

Featuring Ellamay Mantie. Ellamay displays an advanced technique and an expressive musically. The SPO has a mandate to support young artists and we are proud to showcase this local high school student who is planning to study music further in university.

Franz Schubert’s “Trio in B-flat Major” for violin, viola, and cello
Joyce Lai, violin; Brenna McLane, viola; Ronald Royer, cello. Enjoy this fantastic performance, recorded on September 27, 2019, at St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Anglican Church. Audio recorded by John S. Gray. Video provided by Vanessa Yu. Video edited by Devin Scott.

Iranian-Canadian Composers of Toronto’s “Caravan Rhapsody” Scrolling Score
Saman Shahi, Keyan Emami, and Maziar Heidari, composers; Maziar Heidari, conductor; Joyce Lai, violin; Ian Clarke, viola; Ronald Royer, cello; Tim FitzGerald, bass; Kaye Royer, clarinet; Kristen Day, bassoon; Jason Austin, horn. The Scarborough Philharmonic is thrilled to have a fantastic working relationship with the Iranian-Canadian Composers of Toronto (ICOT). The SPO commissioned “Caravan Rhapsody”. Funding support from the Canada Council for the Arts is greatly appreciated.

Evangelos Kokkoris’ “Fantasia”
“Fantasia” is a composition for solo contrabass and piano touched by an air of French and Italian music. It is dedicated to my good friends Maximos Farmakidis (contrabass) and Dimitra Marangozis (piano). Italy, specifically Venice, is the place where I studied composition and I realized the notion of the arts. The presence of music in Venice runs deep into my soul. Images of my birth place Greece and images of Venice, the place I studied both coexist in my musical imagination and in my composition “Fantasia”. In Greek, fantasia means imagination. – Evangelos Kokkoris, composer.

Episode 5, Dec 4, 2020

Beethoven’s “Violin Sonata, Op. 30, No. 2, in C minor”

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to have this complete performance by our SPO Concertmaster, Mr. Corey Gemmell, and our 2020/2021 Artist-in-Residence, Dr. Lisa Tahara.

“Chanukah Medley” – Traditional

Chag Urim Sameach! Happy Chanukah! SPO Music Director and cellist, Ronald Royer, performs a medley of traditional music with his wife and SPO principal clarinetist, Kaye Royer. Music arranged by Daniel Kelley.

I. Chanukah   II. S’Vivon   III. My Dreidel
 

“Sim Shalom” – Composed by Max Janowski

Performed by the Toronto Choral Society with cantorial soloist, Geoffrey Butler.

The SPO is honoured to present this amazing video from our friends at the Toronto Choral Society. A fantastic video with so many singers, too! Learn more about the Toronto Choral Society at https://www.torontochoralsociety.org/.
 

Episode 6, Dec 18, 2020

Glière’s “Cradle Song” from Eight Duets, Op. 39″

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to present this video as part of our “Together, Apart” content, featuring SPO violinist, Julia Zisser and our Music Director and Conductor, Ronald Royer, on cello. To complete this video in the safest way possible, both Julia and Ron recorded their parts separately, at different times and in different locations.

Pietro Yon’s “Gesù Bambino”

Our second “Together, Apart” video features SPO principal clarinetist, Kaye Royer, along with her husband and SPO Music Director/Conductor, cellist Ronald Royer, and our SPO 2020/2021 Artist-in-Residence, pianist Dr. Lisa Tahara.

“Greensleeves” – Traditional

“Greensleeves” is a traditional English folksong favourite, believed to have been composed by Henry VIII for his future love, Anne Boleyn. For centuries, it has been associated with the monarch. Enjoy this duet performance by Kaye and Ronald Royer.

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

Words and music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Arranged by Brent Edstrom. This tune was first featured in the 1944 MGM film, “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Performed beautifully on piano by Dr. Lisa Tahara.

“I’ll Be Home For The Holidays”

Words and music by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent. Arranged by Dan Coates. Once again, Dr. Lisa Tahara performs for us on the piano.

“Pat-a-Pan” – Traditional

Arranged by Daniel Kelley. Ronald and Kaye are happy to present their duet of this traditional holiday music. The SPO appreciates the support of all of our musicians who have stepped up to offer you these great performances.

“Silver Bells”

Words and music by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. This classic holiday standard was first introduced in the 1951 Paramount Pictures film, “The Lemon Drop Kid”. Performed on piano by Dr. Lisa Tahara.

We Three Kings Of Orient Are

Composed by John Henry Hopkins. Arranged by Daniel Kelley. To close out our 2020 Holiday Music offering, our popular SPO husband and wife duo perform this great Holiday music classic.

Episode 7 Jan 15, 2021

Maurice Ravel’s Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit Pianist: Alexander Panizza.

Dvořák’s Serenade for Wind Instruments, Cello and Double Bass in D minor, Op. 44 – Movement 1

Performed by the Winds of the SPO. 

Ontario Sketches: Land of The Silver Birch” Scrolling Score

Arranged by Bruno Degazio. The main musical theme of “Land of the Silver Birch” is of course the well-known campfire song of that name. 

J. S. Bach’s “Minuets” from Suite No. 1

We are honoured to present this performance of J. S. Bach’s Minuets from Suite No. 1, performed by an extremely talented young cellist, Ellamay Mantie.

Episode 8, Jan 29, 2021

Episode 9, Feb 12, 2021

Félix Mendelssohn’s “Variations sérieuses”, Op. 54

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to include this fine performance by young and talented local pianist, Vanessa Yu. Vanessa is also a New Generation Artist.

Jasmine Flowers: SPO Womens’ Chorus

Velvet Flowers: SPO Womens’ Chorus

Wisteria Flowers: SPO Women’s Chorus

Ontario Sketches: Reflection on the Huron Carol – Scrolling Score

‘Les Baisers Perdus’ by MIKA

Featuring Joey Niceforo and the Odin Quartet. Performers: Joey Niceforo, vocals; Raffi Altounian, guitar; Mor Shargall-Bisson, flute; Alex Toskov, violin; Tanya Charles Iveniuk, violin; Veronica Lee, viola; Samuel Bisson, cello

Episode 10, Feb 26, 2021

Maurice Ravel’s “Scarbo” from “Gaspard de la Nuit”

Maurice Ravel, Composer; Alexander Panizza, piano.

Ronald Royer’s “Danzon Overture”

Ronald Royer, Composer; Performers: Alex Toskov, violin I; Tanya Charles Iveniuk, violin II; Veronica Lee, viola; Samuel Bisson, cello. 

Elizabeth Raum’s “Searching For Sophia”

Elizabeth Raum, composer. Performers: Joyce Lai, violin; Brenna McLane, viola; Ronald Royer, cello; Kaye Royer, clarinet.

Program Notes.

Tōru Takemitsu’s “Air (1995)” – Performed by Rebecca Moranis

Ontario Sketches: Red Iron Ore – Scrolling Score – Bruno Degazio 

Episode 11 March 12, 2021

Haydn’s “String Quartet in B♭ major” Op 76, No. 4 (Sunrise) FinaleOdin Quartet

 

Journey Through Night – Chris Meyer – Odin Quartet

Episode 12. March 26, 2021

Related Works