Piano Masterclass with Fry & Laurie

If there is one thing we love, it's British Comedy and it doesn't get much better than A Bit of Fry & Laurie, the brilliant pairing of Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie (aka Dr. House before the American accent). In fact, we can't think of anyone we adore more at the moment than Stephen Fry and could talk about him forever. North American audiences will know him best from his title role as Oscar Wilde in the film Wilde (in which a then-unknown Jude Law played his lover) ,the detective in Robert Altman's Gosford Park, Jeeves in Jeeves & Wooster and the writer/presenter of the fascinating documentary Stephen Fry in America, the last two of which can be seen here on PBS. We promise lots more on musically related Britcom material, especially where he's concerned! Not to mention the novels, the non-fiction, the panel show QI, oh, we could go on for hours, really....

Artistic Lives Well Lived: Kate McGarrigle (1946-2010) & Paul Quarrington (1953-2010)

Canada has lost two of its most prolific artists in the past few days. A wise commenter on CBC’s website wrote that when an artist dies, it is fitting to take some time out to listen, read, or view a sample of their lives' work. With the Internet providing such instant access to musical and artistic output, we think this is a fine and fitting idea.

It was difficult to narrow down the selection as with folk singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle (pictured above with son Rufus Wainwright)  and musician/writer Joel Quarrington, the songs and words from which to choose were overwhelming.

Kate McGarrigle  may be better known to many of the younger generation as the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright, but she and her sister Anna as the McGarrigle Sisters are not only pure Canadian music legends, but legendary folk singer-songwriters south of the border too. Their songs have been recorded and re-recorded, covered by the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg and Dolly Parton to name a few. Heart Like a Wheel, Talk to Me of Mendocino and Hard Times Come Again No More were a few of their most well-known songs.

From the Archives #1 - Boris Plays the Guitar

This past summer, the Maestro pitched in and learned the guitar chords to Deep Purples infamous riff, Smoke on the Water, never having played guitar before. The Spectator's Mark McNeil -- himself a fine guitarist and singer-- taught Boris the chords in an effort to encourage Hamiltonians to help break the Guinness Book of World Records for most people to perform the riff in one place. The great guitar project was spearheaded by Lorne Lieberman of Festival of Friends and alas, came up 75 short of the record. It's always great to see Boris, who has played the violin and french horn learn new music -- not to mention a new instrument -- so quickly, and we especially love him in the jeans!See http://www.thespec.com/article/615234

A Classical Cafe

If you're like us, you miss hearing fantastic musicmaking by our National Academy Orchestra musicians in our Festival's offseason. Well, miss out no more! We're HUGE fans of the James North arts (and restaurant!) scene, and were thrilled to get a phone call from Ron Weihs and Judith Sandiford who have done a splendid job of transforming the former sports bar Three Amigos into a cozy and charming neighbourhood arts bar called Artword Artbar. They are dedicated to featuring all sorts of live music, art, poetry, theatre and dance and had great success with the concept in Toronto

Welcome!

So here we are 2010 and Brott Music enters the blogosphere! We hope you like our behind the scenes look at Canada's largest orchestral music festival as well as tidbits, archives, reviews and  general silliness brought to you by the staff and musicians of BMF. Enjoy!