Classical

Cello, Classical, Grammy, United States December 9, 2020

When the pandemic hit, it left Yo-Yo Ma wondering – ‘What is music for?’ – his album Songs of Comfort and Hope provides one answer

Nick Krewen Special To the Star Yo-Yo Ma, the Paris-born, New York-raised world-renown cellist, has packed a lot of living into his 65 years. He’s recorded more than 150 albums, earned 18 Grammy Awards and performed in every place imaginable around the world. But until the pandemic hit earlier this year, there was one thing that Ma had never experienced: regular business hours.  “I’m realizing for the first time that…

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Classical, Composer, United States, YouTube June 13, 2014

Violinist Lindsey Stirling credits YouTube with meteoric rise

In four short years, the classical crossover sensation reached the top with the help of viral videos. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Fri Jun 13 2014 In four short years, classical crossover sensation Lindsey Stirling has gone from anonymity to star stature without the help of the usual star-making machinery. There is no major label, prominent manager, radio station or concert promoter that can claim responsibility for the elfin dubstep…

Classical, Classical Crossover, Indie pop, United Kingdom, Voice March 22, 2013

Canadian Music Week: Charlotte Church gets extreme musical makeover

Classical singer raising eyebrows with outlandish costumes and thundering pop sound. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Fri Mar 22 2013     These days, Charlotte Church is running from her past just as fast as her voice can carry her. Although she implements a bit of her classical crossover singing technique in her latest EPs One and Two, her new dramatic, percussion-heavy, thundering pop music approach…

Arranger, Classical, Composer, Fusion, Grammy, Jazz, Producer, United States December 5, 2012

Acclaimed musician Gary Burton on his partners through life, including Chick Corea

Gary Burton, vibraphonist and more, hits Koerner Hall on Dec. 5. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Dec 05 2012 Gary Burton and Chick Corea have proven to be one of jazz music’s more enduring partnerships. Including 1972’s introductory Crystal Silence, the American vibraphone-and-piano duo has recorded seven albums together and netted themselves five Grammy Awards, as they’ve explored everything from fusion and chamber music to…

Ambient, Arranger, Aubrey "Drake" Graham, Canada, Classical, Classical Crossover, Composer, Electronic, Electronic, Experimental, France, Germany, Indie pop, JUNO, Montréal, Piano, Pop, Producer, Songwriter November 7, 2012

Chilly Gonzales deserves a warm reception at Toronto show

He’s better known as a collaborator with Feist, Drake, Peaches and Tiga, but Chilly Gonzales is an accomplished performer in his own right. Chilly Gonzales’s background is classical but he considers himself pop. “I want to be a man of my time,” he says. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Nov 07 2012 Chilly Gonzales is so prolific, it’s a surprise he’s not more of a…