Blythwood’s back with the show that almost didn’t happen.
The story is familiar. Like everyone, Blythwood’s season was cut short in 2020, and time seemingly stood still – for years. Their canceled season finale, Blythwood Remixed, was a hybrid wind quintet show featuring live electronics, multiple guest artists, and even a world premiere. Planned to be a dynamic sonic experience, it was not something that could be pivoted to a virtual concert. So they waited, and with great caution now, that wait is finally over.
Blythwood is a self-made ensemble. Founded in 2010 by classmates at the Glenn Gould School of Music at the Royal Conservatory, they have become regarded as the eminent wind quintet in Toronto as champions of new music, representing our city and province on the national stage. They co-founded Wind Quintet International, a collective of professional ensembles across the country and beyond. With a mission to perform new works by Canadian composers, they have commissioned and premiered twelve new pieces for their ensemble since forming. Blythwood Winds: Sarah Yunji Moon, flute; Elizabeth Eccleston, oboe; Anthony Thompson, clarinet; Kevin Harris, bassoon; Curtis Vander Hyden, horn.
Their upcoming show, Blythwood Remixed explores pieces that combine electronics with the acoustic wind quintet in various ways. Some use tape, like Cris Derksen’s Five Bucks per Head, Phillip Bimstein’s Casino, and Elisha Denburg’s Liveable Cities. Greg Harrison (Grej) joins the ensemble on live electronics in his piece, Techno/Self.
Highlighting the concert will be the world premiere of Migrations by Toronto-based physicist-turned-composer, Patrick McGraw, who will also be a guest performer mixing electronics live.
The program explores many aspects of our modern society, from its troubled past that we can no longer ignore, the nature of community and cities, the dark side of capitalism, technology and media, and the loss and isolation we have all experienced these two plus years.
Meditative and provocative, their return to the stage after the pandemic hiatus is not to be missed. Blythwood Remixed almost didn’t happen. Will you be there?
When: Thursday, December 8th, 2022 8PM
Where: 918 Bathurst St, Toronto, Ontario
Tickets: https://www.blythwoodwinds.com/
