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Photo: Paul Robinson

Review | Mandolin Magic: The Artistry of Avi Avital

By Paul E. Robinson on 26 April 2023 Concert Reviews, Toronto

The mandolin is not widely recognized as a regular component of classical music concerts, but in a recent concert in Toronto the Israeli mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital made the best possible case for his instrument. Avital was joined by about 20 string players from the Toronto Symphony for a richly rewarding program of Vivaldi and Bach concertos, along with a recent concerto written for him by Avner Dorman, at the George Weston Recital Hall in North York. A near-capacity audience seemed thrilled with what they heard. The mandolin is historically a very old instrument but its role was mostly confined…

Newswire | Six Emerging Conductors Take the Podium with Jean-Sébastien Vallée and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

By Newswire on 24 April 2023 Newswire, Toronto

Toronto, April 24th, 2023—The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée welcome six emerging choral conductors to Toronto for Take the Podium, the TMChoir’s 2023 Conducting Symposium. This annual gathering offers an invaluable opportunity for emerging conductors from across North America to work with artistic director and conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée and the full TMChoir for a five-day series of workshops and masterclasses. Participants will have the rare opportunity to conduct the 130 voices of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, including the 24-voice professional ensemble, the TMSingers, in rehearsals throughout the week and in the concluding public performance, which will also…

Photo: Allan Cabral

Review | TSO’s Visions of Spain: A Spanish Influenced Program

By Paul E. Robinson on 3 April 2023 Classical Music, Toronto

It was not the first time that Spanish-born TSO music director Gustavo Gimeno conducted Spanish music in Toronto, and more is scheduled for next season. And why not? It is mostly music worth hearing and Gimeno has shown that he has a real flair for conducting it. Add to the mix the Spanish-born flamenco guitarist Juan Manuel Cañizares, and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, and you have the ingredients for an afternoon of musical enjoyment. In the event, we heard virtuoso guitar playing, first-rate playing from old and young musicians alike, superb conducting, and even some surprise drumming from the…

Photo: Taylor Long

Review | Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s B Minor Mass a Fine Performance of a Great Work

By Joseph So on 29 March 2023 Choral, Concert Reviews, Toronto, Vocal

Soloists: Jacob Abrahamse, Neil Aronoff, Julia Barber, Lesley Emma Bouza, Rebecca Claborn, Simon Honeyman, Kieran Kane, Rebecca McKay, Nicholas Nicolaidis, and Sinéad White; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Baroque Orchestra, Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor. Koerner Hall, March 28, 2023. With Easter just around the corner, we are at the height of the oratorio season. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s offering this year was Bach’s great B Minor Mass. It was a large and enthusiastic audience gathered last evening at Koerner Hall, where they were treated to a superlative performance from the 100+ voices and baroque orchestra, under the assured and knowing baton of its Maestro,…

Takács Quartet, photo: Amanda Tipton Photography

Review | Takács Quartet Performance with Insight and Passion

By Paul E. Robinson on 25 March 2023 Chamber Music, Concert Reviews, Piano, Strings, Toronto

Takács Quartet with Jeremy Denk. Music by Haydn, Fanny Mendelssohn and Schumann. Koerner Hall, Toronto. March 23, 2023. Rating: ***** Bringing together thoughtful and talented musicians for a concert nearly always guarantees time well spent, and the experience might even be revelatory. That was certainly the case on March 23, 2023 at Koerner Hall in Toronto when the Takács Quartet led by Edward Dusinberre and American pianist Jeremy Denk took the stage. The Takács Quartet has been around since 1975 and Edward Dusinberre has been its first violinist since 1993. Dusinberre is a wonderful violinist and leader but he is…

Review | Rarities Galore Grace TSO’s Buffet of Cultural Delights

By Andrea Rush on 24 March 2023 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Romantic, Strings, Toronto

Brian Harman : Madrigal – Celebration Prelude – premiere, commissioned by the TSO As the TSO celebrates its 100th anniversary, the premiere commissioned from Canadian Brian Harman provided a fitting regal tone to open the evening. The joyful fanfare of this tonal, contemporary work is light and uplifting. Harman counts among his influences Prof. Brian Cherney, of McGill, with whom he studied during his PhD degree in composition. The hall bubbled with enthusiasm as Harman took a bow on stage following the TSO performance. Jean-Guihen Queyras: cellist As an additional, rare treat, solo cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras performed two concerti. The…

Amadeus Choir: An Immersive Experience of a Unique New Commission

By Denise Lai on 24 March 2023 Classical Music, Toronto

When Artistic Director and Conductor Kathleen Allan first took the helm of the Amadeus Choir in 2019, she commissioned Cree cellist and composer Cris Derksen to write the 30-minute Mass for Nîpîy which is about to make its world première. Allan was impressed with the expressiveness of Derksen’s works and “how beautifully she weaves together Indigenous traditional sounds with classical music.” Water Derksen was drawn to the idea of water (nîpîy in Cree) and wants to highlight the issue of water sovereignty—the inequitable access to clean water supply in Canada, especially among Indigenous communities. In Indigenous belief, water is alive,…

Esprit Orchestra’s New Wave Festival

By Eva Stone-Barney on 24 March 2023 Classical Music, Toronto

Esprit Orchestra is looking ahead to a busy second half of their 40th anniversary season. First up is the return of their New Wave Festival. Established in 2002, the festival aims to feature works by celebrated, international composers of new and experimental music alongside pieces by young emerging composers, both from Canada and abroad. This year, concerts will take place in the new TD Music Hall, an intimate performance venue nestled within the walls of Toronto’s Massey Hall. With its in-hall bar, state-of-the-art technical capabilities, and a more relaxed atmosphere than the traditional concert hall, this space is well suited…

Photo : Sim Canetty Clarke

Review | Imogen Cooper’s Solo Piano Debut captivates Koerner Hall

By Andrea Rush on 8 March 2023 Concert Reviews, Toronto

Pianist Imogen Cooper has many rare gifts. One is to convey the thoughts and emotions of others with clarity. This is a trait that is prized in all walks of life. For Dame Cooper, it has defined a legendary career as a concert pianist, recipient of many prestigious accolades in the U.K. Her influences include her music critic father, her studies in Paris and Alfred Brendel. What you missed On March 5, Cooper stopped by Koerner Hall in Toronto, to perform a program consisting of mainstream “classical” music – Liszt, Beethoven and Schubert. The acoustics of the Hall are ideal.…

Review | TSO and Kerem Hasan, Youthful Energy

By Andrea Rush on 3 March 2023 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Toronto

This week’s program at the TSO bursts with the musical contemplation of youth– the composers and TSO guest conductor, Kerem Hasan. Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, op. 33a, were followed Missy Mazzoli’s Dark with Excessive Light, a contemporary Concerto for Contrabass and String Orchestra. Sparkling effervescence, Mozart’s Haffner Symphony opened the second half, followed by a return to more of Britten.c What you missed? Guest conductor Kerem Hasan exudes self-confidence onstage. He is the recipient of a Bachelor of Music degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and many prizes for his principal studies, piano and conducting. The TSO is well…

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