MONDAY SEPT. 16
- Madawaska Quartet with pianist Brett Kingsbury at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 12:15 p.m.
There’s just one piece on today’s Music Mondays programme at the big, old church behind the Eaton Centre (where I work), Johannes Brahms’ emotionally evocative, harmonically rich Op. 60 Piano Quartet from 1875. It’s a great way to start the first full week of a new music season. Freewill donation.
- Euphonia at Lula Lounge, 8 p.m.
The city’s lively and adventurous new chamber orchestra has spent the summer honing its ensemble skills under conductor Simon Capet. The club atmosphere on hip Dundas West is fun and informal, but these are serious musicians. This week they tackle a nice programme of Haydn, Mozart and Mendelssohn. You’ll find all the details here.
TUESDAY SEPT. 17
- Organist Andrew Ager at St James Cathedral, 1 p.m.
Until St James’s star Brit import David Briggs settles in for recitals later this fall, lunchtime listeners can enjoy the prodigious keyboard talents of local organist and composer (and former St James music director) Andrew Ager. It’s worth a sample in this gorgeous Victorian Gothic space. Freewill donation.
WEDNESDAY SEPT. 18
- Toronto Symphony Orchestra with cellist Alisa Weilerstein at Roy Thomson Hall, 8 p.m. (repeats Thu. at 8 p.m.)
Young American cellist Alisa Weilerstein brings her remarkable artistry to bear on Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, with the help of music director Peter Oundjian as the TSO opens its 2013-14 season. The programme also includes Benjamin Britten’s masterful Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell and Antonin Dvorák’s Symphony No. 7. Details here.
THURSDAY SEPT. 19
- Tafelmusik with conductor Bruno Weil at Koerner Hall, 8 p.m. (repeats to Sunday)
Jeanne Lamon’s final season as Tafelmusik’s music director begins with a visit by conductor Bruno Weil to present the first two symphonies the period-instrument orchestra presented in its long-running Beethoven cycle — Nos. 1 & 2 — last led by Weil at Massey Hall in 1999. We will also hear the Prometheus Overture, which also dates from the opening years of the 19th century. You’ll find all the details here.
FRIDAY SEPT. 20
- Tapestry Opera Briefs at the Ernest Balmer Studio, Distillery District, 7 p.m. (performances begin on 19th and continue to the 22nd)
There are four performances for Tapestry’s latest crop of new opera scenes, beginning on Thursday. This year’s participants include veteran playwright and director Morris Panych and wonderful Vancouver-based composer Jocelyn Morlock. You’ll find more details here.
SATURDAY SEPT. 21
- Toronto Symphony Orchestra with pianist Lang Lang at Roy Thomson Hall, 7 p.m.
There aren’t likely to be many tickets still available for this one-night-only visit by a superstar pianist performing two Mozart piano concertos (No. 17, K453 & No. 22 K482). Music director Peter Oundjian rounds out the evening with an odd choice: the Overture to Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner. Details here.
All of these are one person’s idea of good musical outings this week. For a look at the full breadth of what’s available in and around Toronto, check out the comprehensive concert listings in WholeNote magazine here.
John Terauds