Music is the international
language that knows no boundaries and frontiers. It is for all to
listen and enjoy without subtitles or translations. From mellow
and relaxing to motivating and stimulating, there all musical scores
to please all tastes and serve all purposes.
This year's Christmas stamps feature carolling and choir
singing appropriate for the centennial of the Toronto Mendelssohn
Choir and the 100th anniversary of Toronto's famed Massey Hall.
Musical Heritage
Canada has a short yet
rich yuletide musical heritage brought to this land by early settlers.
It has left a social and cultural impact on Canadians, whose
philosophy and outlook on life was undoubtely affected by the music
that they heard. The first canoe songs motivated the paddlers to
a certain rhythm and a steady cadence. Working songs and dance
songs served other purposes, as did military and peace marches.
Although different forms of music served distinctive goals,
the ultimate end result remained the same - enjoyment.
Vocal Ensembles
Ever since the Halifax
Society, one of Canada's early choirs, to Les Petits Chanteurs
du Mont-Royal, an all children choir, vocal ensembles have played
an important role in our musical history. Whether liturgical or
secular, many were disbanded while a few survived. Such is the
case for The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, celebrating its centennial in 1994.
The Toronto
Founded by choirmaster
and organist A.S. Vogt, the choir began with 75 members, rapidly
increased to 167 and today boasts membership of about 200 men
and women from various religions and walks of life.
Disbanded in 1897 and reformedd in 1900 under a new constitution,
the TMC now required that all members re-audition. This practice
has continue and is conducted at the beginning of each season to
ensure that the tone remains pure. The reconstituted choir debuted
at Massey Hall on February 16, 1901.
Massey Hall
For years the Massey Music
Hall has been the home of the TMC. It performed its inaugural concert
on January 15, 1895 at the concert hall built by Hart A. Massey,
farm equipment magnate and patron of the arts who gave the building
to the City of Toronto in memory of his son, Charles Albert.
Specifically designed for concerts by acoustics architectural
expert C.R. Badgely, the building was to improve the cultural life
of Toronto. But like many Victorian halls, it heard ans saw it all!
From religious revival meetings, political and war rallies, films and
even a boxing match, nothing displaced its true vocation as a concert
hall. A public favourite due to its intimate atmosphere, seating
has been reduced to 2765 from the original capacity of 4000.
Mendelssohn Choir
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
Massey Hall
Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall
toronto.com
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