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by Charles Angers, Félix-Antoine Hamelin, Heather Weinreb, Tom Inoue, Joseph So, Dino Spaziani
The Jazz Loft Project: Photographs and Tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 821 Sixth Avenue, 1957-1965
By Sam Stephenson, with a foreword by Robin D.G. Kelley University of Chicago Press, 2023, 288 pp.
This beautiful book combines the photographs of W. Eugene Smith with transcriptions from his private tapes as well as short testimonies by witnesses to a unique era of New York jazz history as it unfolded in a Sixth Avenue loft building in the 1950s and ’60s. The perfect companion to the documentary The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith and—if you can still find it—to the double CD David X. Young’s Jazz Loft. Cloth: US$40; PDF: US$39.99.FAH www.press.uchicago.edu
That’s My Piano, Sir! / WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Text by Ana Gerhard; Illustrated by Marie Lafrance; Music performed by I Musici de Montréal; Narration by Colm Feore. (Also available in French: C’est mon piano, Monsieur!) Published by The Secret Mountain
Montreal publishing house The Secret Mountain has a wealth of musical children’s books designed to captivate children’s interest in classical music. This hardcover illustrated picture book on Mozart (with CD and unique digital download code) is part of a series by Ana Gerhard about a mischievous mouse whose adventures revolve around cheese and classical music. Other books in this series focus on the music of Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Haydn, Schubert and Paganini. All recordings are performed by Montreal’s own I Musici. $22.95. HB www.thesecretmountain.com
Amadeus, by Miloš Forman (DVD)
Every Mozart fan must own this classic film, winner of eight Oscars including Best Picture, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It follows the life of the virtuoso genius from the perspective of an enemy jealous of his talent: the musician Antonio Salieri. Perfect for the holiday spirit and invigorating with indescribable performances, this cinematic masterpiece has aged well since its release in 1984. It will satisfy the appetite of those obsessed with what is sometimes called the greatest musician of all time. $23. CA
The Callas Imprint: A Centennial Biography
By Sophia Lambton The Crepuscular Press, 2023, 644 pp.
Dead but not forgotten. Maria Callas would be 101 this December, had she not died in 1977 at a young 53. I dare say more books have been written about her than any opera singer in our lifetime. Here’s another one, all 644 pages—a fascinating, exhaustive and deeply personal paean by British author Sophia Lambton on Callas, one that should be in the collection of every Callas fan. $26 paperback. JS www.thecrepuscularpress.com
Solomea: Star of Opera’s Golden Age
By Andriy J. Semotiuk Rodovid, 2023, 466 pp.
Likely most opera lovers would be unfamiliar with the Ukrainian dramatic soprano Solomea Krushelnytska (1872-1952), whose career began in late 19th century and extended into the 1920s. She was an acclaimed Tosca, Butterfly, Elsa, and Salome. Among her conductors was Arturo Toscanini. Interestingly, the author Andriy Semotiuk is her grandnephew, which gives the biography a special perspective. $35 paperback. JS
Sound Wave Wall Decoration
Whether it’s for the holiday season or Valentine’s Day, lovers can have their most cherished musical memory engraved on a fully personalized decorative plaque with the lyrics of the special song, the desired motifs and a choice of metallic finishes, not to mention the dedication. $110. DS
Hans Zimmer Live box set
Sony Classics (2023)
Hans Zimmer LIVE is a two-disc set published by Sony Classics, containing two hours of the best themes by Los Angeles genius-composer Hans Zimmer. In brief, the music is taken from the following major films: Dune; The Lion King; The Dark Knight; X Men: Dark Phoenix; Dunkirk; Gladiator; Inception; Interstellar; The Last Samurai; Man of Steel; James Bond: No Time to Die; Pirates of the Caribbean; and Wonder Woman 1984. Having seen his show in Montreal and the quality of the production, this makes an ideal gift for any of his fans. $38. CA
Suitcase Record Player
The rebirth of cool—or, what’s old is new again. In a world of digital music, LPs have made a surprising comeback in recent years. Join the revolution and add a stylish retro spin to your music appreciation with one of these fun players. Best of all, it’s portable, so now you can share the magic and entertain your friends and family with a different kind of groove. Integrated speakers and Bluetooth options. $65 and up. TI
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Francais (French)
