Music News
TORONTO - The first and last time the Judith oratorio was heard by an audience was in 1888 in Birmingham, England. It was written by one of Britain’s best-loved composers of the time, Hubert Parry, and was well-received by the critics of the era. But then the work fell into obscurity.
Music takes Steve Bell from the big house to God’s house
By Ruane Remy, The Catholic RegisterSteve Bell was ready to face the music: his decade-long career as a nightclub musician was over.
Is updated Band Aid charity song demeaning to Africans?
By Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News ServiceNAIROBI, Kenya - Some church leaders are criticizing a British musicians’ charity group raising funds for the West African Ebola crisis, saying its new single reinforces negative stereotypes of Africa.
At St. Michael’s Choir School, tradition matters
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - St. Michael’s Choir School brings Christmas, real Christmas, in six-part polyphony, to Toronto’s Massey Hall for the 49th time this Dec. 6 and 7. But if you haven’t managed to buy a $20 to $50 ticket yet, you could head down to Shuter Street and look for a scalper.
Leahy sets Christmas mood in Toronto
By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Fans of the fancy fiddle work of Ontario’s very own Donnell Leahy will have three chances to see the Lakefield native perform in Toronto this holiday season.
A nearly 300-year-old favourite has aged well
By Ruane Remy, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Even after performing Handel’s Messiah with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for almost four decades, Patricia Krueger says the music from this Christmas classic never gets old.
Singing nun covers Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceROME - Italy’s singing nun Sr. Cristina Scuccia, who became a global sensation after winning a TV reality show, has chosen Madonna’s controversial hit “Like a Virgin” as the first single from her debut album.
Melendez strums a message of hope
By Ruane Remy, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Armless guitarist Tony Melendez wants audiences to walk away from his performances with hope.
Catholic music is a rocking success story
By Ruane Remy, The Catholic RegisterUnder blue skies, dressed in black, stand the members of Christian band Darkness Divided. In the serenity of a forest clearing, the band members’ hands are stretched straight up, revealing streams of thick, dark blood pouring from wounds artificially created on their open palms. In the background, lyrics suggestive of Christ’s crucifixion are belted out supported by the severe guitar and drum sounds typical of a metalcore band. This is a scene from “The Hands that Bled,” a single off the band’s newly released album, Written in Blood.
Show can go on for Turkey’s ‘Rockin’ Imam’
By Jacob Resneck, Religion News ServiceISTANBUL - Turkey’s religious authorities have given the go-ahead for the country’s controversial “Rockin’ Imam” to keep on rocking.
Famed organist Christie to perform in Toronto
By Allison Hunwicks, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Prolific organist James David Christie is coming to Toronto to perform what appears to be a tour-de-force concert.