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If you’re scrambling to find good gift ideas for your music-loving friends and family members, La Scena Musicale‘s got you covered. Welcome to the 2023-2024 holiday gift guide!
For Book Lovers
There is no shortage of compelling music-related reads. Here are some of our favourites:
This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession (2008)
Neuroscientist and McGill University professor Daniel J. Levitin explores the effects that our favourite musical sounds have on the human brain. Combining scientific research with music theoretical and practical concepts, Levithan gets to the bottom of how—and why—we listen.
Wired for Music: A Search for Health and Joy Through the Science of Sound (2022)
Adriana Barton’s monograph combines scientific inquiry and personal memoir. The health journalist and former cellist connects the experiences of music listening and music-making to human health, resilience, and joy.
How Music Works: The Science and Psychology of Beautiful Sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles (2010)
In How Music Works, physicist John Powell combines music theory and acoustics to ask—and answer—questions about music, physics, and everything in between. Using easily digestible language, Powell brings readers into the fascinating world of the science of sounds.
The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century (2007)
Alex Ross, music critic at The New Yorker, brings readers into the world of 20th-century music in his 2007 book, The Rest is Noise. Ross tells the history of 20th-century Europe and North America through its classical repertoire, encouraging listeners to consider these experimental sounds through a new lens.
The Inner Voice: The Making of a Singer (2004)
Soprano Renée Fleming’s memoir tells the candid story of her art, and her career. Perfect for an emerging artist, or a fan of Fleming’s singing, this book provides an honest account of the trials and successes of her professional life, painting a picture of resilience and creativity.
The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera (2021)
Composer and author Matthew Aucoin’s The Impossible Art has been described as “a love letter to the form.” In it, he offers reflections on the relationship between composers and librettists, between literary and musical figures—all from his perspective as an opera artist living through the COVID-19 pandemic. The book also offers insight into the creative process of his recent work, Eurydice, which received its première at the Metropolitan Opera in 2021.
Absolutely on Music (2011)
Japanese writer Haruki Murakami sits down with former conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa, for a set of conversations on music. The pair discuss composers, recordings, Ozawa’s retreat for young musicians, and much more.
Holding t
he Note: Profiles in Popular Music (2023)
Hot off the presses, this new release by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Remnick provides in-depth portraits of some of the most influential popular musical artists of our time. This intimate look into the lives and work of Leonard Cohen, Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, and others is not one to miss.
New Albums
Purchasing an album not only offers the gift of music to friends and family, but shows support and encouragement to artists recording and releasing new classical performances. Please see our album reviews section for a longer list of new releases, all of which would make great gifts this holiday season.
Nocturne
Released by GFN Classics, and presented by Les 9, this album offers a collection of well-known works arranged for the lower strings by Joey Reda and conductor Francis Choinière, such as The Swan, Claire de Lune and Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise. Two selections feature the beautiful voice of soprano Lyne Fortin. The album also features a new composition by Christian Thomas, titled Messe solennelle pour une pleine d’été (based on text by Michel Tremblay). The playing is exquisite, and the recording top quality. Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, this disc provides a brief moment of quiet listening, bound to soothe the soul and refresh the spirits.
Waves
Released by Deutsche Grammophon, Bruce Liu’s new album, Waves, demonstrates his command of baroque performance practice, as he finds the perfect balance in playing this repertoire on the modern piano, which sounds light and crisp under his touch. He excels in capturing the brightness and youthful elegance of the repertoire, and is simply an exceptional pianist. He plays with taste, eloquence, breathtaking technical control, and nuance. A highly recommended album.
Community-Minded Gifts
Donations
One La Scena Musicale staff member recommends making a donation to your local orchestra, choir, or arts organization in the name of a loved one. In some cases, concert halls and theatres will name seats after your honouree—a perfect way to give, and give back! Some organizations, like Éveil Musical du Québec, are committed to providing free, accessible music lessons to all. A donation to organizations like Éveil promises the gift of music will be passed on to others. www.eveilmusicalduquebec.com
Personalized Performances
Alternatively, why not offer a song or piece to a loved one this holiday season? Either hiring a musical professional to record a personalized performance or recording a musical message of of your own is a unique way to share good tidings this year.
Inventive Products
Wall-Art
Positive Prints produces customized “Soundwave art,” artistically mapping the sound waves of your favourite song onto a print ready to be hung on your wall. www.positiveprints.com
Masterclasses & Online Learning
The online learning platform Masterclass offers lecture series on a wide variety of topics by industry experts, for affordable prices. In the masterclass by YoYo Ma, for instance, the virtuosic cellist explores music as a gateway to connection and creativity. Other courses are also available, taught by artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Reba McEntire, and Herbie Hancock. www.masterclass.com
YoYo Ma
Tuning Forks for Healing
While tuning forks have long been used as a practical device for musicians, they can also be used as a tool for health and wellness. www.sacredwaves.com
For Kids
Roll-Up Keyboard
A roll-up keyboard provides an affordable, space-friendly, playful way to introduce young children to the keyboard. www.indigo.ca
Guitar Night-Light
This customizable wooden guitar-shaped night light (item DRHL0148 on the Drawelry shopping site) will make the perfect addition to any young rock star’s bedroom. Just bear in mind that, in addition to shipping time, five to 12 days are needed to create the item. www.drawelryca.com
Music Lessons
The new year is a perfect time to start music lessons. A starter pack of one-on-one or group music classes in singing (choir), guitar, piano or violin is sure to be a fabulous, enduring gift for little ones
Contributors: Bridget Esler, Viktor Lazarov, Robin Mader, Joseph So, Dino Sapziani, Eva Stone-Barney, and Andréanne Venne
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