This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between April 22 to 28, 2024. For more details on what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble
Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Temerty Theatre, The Royal Conservatory, Free, tickets required.
GGS New Music Ensemble under the direction of Brian Current, presents a mixed bag of new and newer. Xenakis, whose face was partially blown off by military shell shrapnel, drew from all sounds and forms in life — whether it be mathematical, architectural mastery of structure, the explosive extremities of energy of war and terror, or early synthesizer and computer-driven music, and continues to amuse/amaze the listener. Phlegra (1975), written for 11 instruments, avoids melody, but draws the audience into the creation and decay of chordal and textural morphosis — this development is further highlighted by the complete absence of vibrato. This stark music is balanced with the music of Linda Catlin Smith’s Cut Flowers (2009); known for her lyricism and shaping of the flow of time. LCS took a sentence from each of 44 sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, creating a deep exploration of shades of thoughts and feelings, for a large ensemble and soprano. A familiar name to Torontonians, Samy Moussa’s Kammerkonzert (2006, rev. 2008) for large ensemble opens this concert. Info here.
Daniel Hope: Irish Roots
Wednesday, April 24, 8 p.m.
Koerner Hall. $55+
Daniel Hope and his AIR ensemble brings music from Ireland, and Ireland-inspired music from the late Renaissance-Baroque period. South African born, Hope became deeply interested in his Irish roots, which he explores in the documentary film, Celtic Dreams, recently aired on PBS. A master of curation and presentation of both live and recorded performances, Hope’s concerts are always highly polished, and the Irish music — from its deeply melancholic to explosive, infectious energy — with support from the AIR ensemble, promises a great evening out. Read our interview with Daniel Hope here. Info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Brilliant Bach
Wednesday, April 24, 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m., Saturday, April 27, 8 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall
Sunday, April 28, 3 p.m., George Weston Recital Hall. $56+
In contrast to last week’s bombastic music of Star Wars, TSO goes intimate this week, with an all-Bach concerti program. Four violinists from TSO: Jonathan Crow, Yolanda Bruno, Eri Kosaka, and Clare Semes, are featured as soloists in Bach’s double and triple violin concerti. The two Brandenburg Concerti: No. 2 and No. 4, involving flutes (Julie Ranti and Leonie Wall) and trumpet (Andrew McCandless), and the Oboe Concerto (Sarah Jeffrey), highlight the beauty and intricacy of the Baroque chamber ensemble. Info here.
Esprit Orchestra: Sonic Universe
Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m.
Koerner Hall. $20+
Esprit Orchestra presents the last concert of the 23/24 season: Sonic Universe. R. Murray Schafer’s ‘Adieu Robert Schumann’, a work that looks closely at Schumann’s last days — his own accounting of messages from the angels, to Clara Schumann’s letters to Robert — draws from Schumann’s vocal and piano compositions, building a beautiful, but tragic drama. John Adams’ ‘Harmonielehre’ is well-loved for its large-scale scope and amazing rhythmic pulsation that drives the piece from the first E chord drop to the last massive triumphant arrival back again to E. Such music deserves a live-listening experience, as no recording and speakers can do justice. Pre-concert chat at 7:15pm. Info here.
Canadian Opera Company: Don Pasquale
Friday, April 26, May 2, May 4, May 8, May 10, 7:30 p.m.; May 12, 2 p.m.; May 18, 4:30 p.m.
Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts. $55+
As far as opera plots go, Don Pasquale is not too crazy; for current sensibilities, it’s simply a bit nuts. The elderly bachelor Don Pasquale is unhappy that his nephew, Ernesto, the sole heir, isn’t going through the arranged marriage; Ernesto is in love with poor but beautiful Norina. Don’s friend, Malatesta, offers Pasquale his sister, ‘Sofronia,’ so that he can punish Ernesto, out of anger. ‘Sofronia,’ who really is Norina, is totally fine to dupe Pasquale as long as she’ll get together with Ernesto at the end. Don marries ‘Sofronia’, and she becomes owner of half of Don’s wealth. ‘Sofronia’ starts to spend Don’s money, and treats him badly — you get the idea. Donizetti’s music, bright in buffa style, keeps this weird story of cheating, lying, and helping others to cheat and lie popular on the international stage. Will you be convinced of this work’s greatness or would you be left puzzled? Info here.
Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra: Titan — A Celebration of the TSYO’s 50th Anniversary!
Saturday, April 27, 3 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, $22+
The talented youngsters of Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra celebrate their golden jubilee season with Shostakovich Festival Overture and Mahler 1. The real draw is Kalevi Aho’s Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra, featuring Cian Bryson (2022/23 TSYO Concerto Competition winner). The bassoon still remains somewhat obscure to the general public, with the exception of the opening of Dukas’ ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ perhaps — but it is capable of so much more. And Aho’s exploration of all instruments is spectacularly displayed in his phenomenal orchestral writing — what a great combination of fresh soundscapes! Info here.
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir: Verdi’s Requiem
Saturday, April 27, 8 p.m., George Weston Recital Hall, $25+
Tuesday, April 30, 8 p.m., Koerner Hall, $25+
TCM and Jean-Sébastien Vallée, with soloists Teiya Kasahara 笠原 貞野, Rose Naggar-Tremblay, Andrew Haji, and Geoffrey Sirett, bring hellfire and eternal sorrow to George Weston and Koerner Hall. Composer of 26 operas, Verdi spared no drama in writing this requiem. It was never intended for liturgical use, and rather than consoling the survivors, Verdi explores the psych of the living facing death and eternal damnation, unleashing the dark side of death: fear, judgment, grief, in their full terrifying glory. The tightness of the liturgical text, without the clumsy plot-building of typical opera, heightens the drama — more operatic than opera. Read our interview with Jean-Sébastien Vallée here. Info here.
New Music Concert: Future Resonance Festival: Swara Sutras Goes Electric
Saturday, April 27, 8 p.m.
St. George by the Grange, 30 Stephanie St. $16.95+
We are very happy with what we already know. Predictability is comforting and delicious. Guzheng, Tabla, Bamboo Flute, Erhu, Sarode, Fiddle and Bass are instruments fairly common in commercial and arts music, even if we may be unfamiliar with their name. Within the first few seconds, we click into the familiar sound with ease — but do we? In this concert, NMC mixes up these instruments with technology — amplifying, morphing and transforming into something new. The program includes four world premieres, and it’s always worth a shot to go hear something that we cannot predict. 7:30 p.m. pre-concert chat. Info here.
Dover Quartet & Leif Ove Andsnes
Sunday, April 28, 3 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $60+
Dover quartet and Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes present an afternoon of chamber music: a string quartet by Turina, and two piano quintets: Dohnányi No. 2, and Brahms. Both parties are at the peak of their game, no more intro is needed. Info here.
Amici Chamber Ensemble: Diasporic Bridges
Sunday, April 28, 3 p.m.
Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, $30+
Amici brings music from close and far — from home, and away from home — in this homage to diaspora, an integral part of Toronto and many Torontonians’ identities. Music of Ana Sokolović, Gideon Klein, Florence Price, Roberto Sierra, Christos Hatzis, Antoine Gérin-Lajoie, Alexina Louie, Paco de Lucia, and Serouj Kradjian will be played by Amici members and a large group of friends. A promise for a meaningful afternoon of story sharing, along with a film screening. Read our interview with composer/co-artistic director Serouj Kradjian here. Info here.
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- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week:April 29 – May 5 - April 29, 2024
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