I had not already heard of the Toronto-based Art of Time Ensemble when I read about them today over on The Collaborative Piano blog, but–this being Mind the Gap–when Chris Foley pointed out that the ensemble “seeks to bring classical and non-classical genres closer together in new and untried ways” I certainly couldn’t pass it by. And I got pretty hooked on the video (well, not as hooked as I am on this video. But close!).
I like it. Melodramatically poetic, beautiful camera work, includes Angelina Jolie look-alike with a gun. Engaging! Is this how straight-up art song once fired the imagination of the audience (particularly if you spoke German) back in the day? Now I kind of want to see them take up some lieder just to see what happens, and yet I also grasp why that is a terrible idea.
Are they on Twitter at all? Would you know?
Molly responds: Indeed they are (http://twitter.com/artoftime) and they have a Facebook page as well, looks like.
Wow! thanks for posting this, Molly. I’ve been hoping to find a closer group I could work with for research, and Toronto’s only 2 hours away.
Molly adds: Fantastic. Enjoy, and report back!