Musical Toronto’s weekly Critic’s Picks are a fully curated list of some of the best concerts happening now through the end of the week. Of course this is not to say we are the provocateurs of taste, but simply seek to provide a good weekly summary. For a look at the full breadth of what’s available in and around Toronto, check out the comprehensive concert listings from our friends at Wholenote Magazine.
Wednesday 4
Toronto Symphony Orchestra – Mozart@259 with Emanuel Ax and Pavel Kolesnikov at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $33-145
The annual TSO Mozart Festival wraps up this week with a concert of Mozart and Chopin, featuring soloist Emanuel Ax, and the very capable Russian pianist, Pavel Kolesnikov (winner of the 2012 Honens International Piano Competition). There will be a 6:45pm pre-concert performance featuring pianists Pavel Kolesnikov and Orion Weiss. Don’t miss it. Concert repeats February 5. Details.
Thursday 5
Canadian Opera Company – Piano Virtuoso Series with Pavel Kolesnikov and Orion Weiss and Emanuel Ax (host). Noon. Free!
It’s not everyday you get to hear a free concert with such high-caliber pianists, PavelKolesnikov (RussianHonens Prize Laureate) and the young award-winning pianist Orion Weiss performing opera transcriptions by Granados, Wagner and Liszt. The international piano master, (one-time Winnipeg resident) Emanuel Ax, hosts. Come early to claim your seat. Details here.
University of Toronto Faculty of Music – New Music Festival with The Cecilia String Quartet at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. 12:10 p.m. Free!
It’s a good week for free concerts and this one is for the new music lovers. The University of Toronto’s New Music Festival event includes the affable Cecilia String Quartet (now in their tenth season). This will also be a good opportunity to hear new compositions by faculty programme composition students, who we hear are very promising this year. More info can be found here.
Friday 6
Toronto Consort – Splendours of the Emperor’s Chapel at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. 8:00 p.m. $23-54
Recently named the new Artistic Director of the Toronto Chamber Choir, Toronto Consort Guest Director, Lucas Harris will lead a concert of rare music from the Viennese court and chapel of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. Bring in the Cornettos, sackbuts, strings, keyboards, and singers! Show repeats Feb. 7. Info here.
Music Gallery – Departures Series: Peter Evans, Brian Ruryk and Germaine Liu at Ratio, 283 College St. 9:00 p.m. $8-10
For those looking for the cutting-edge, come out and visit Toronto’s newest performances venue (Ratio) for a three solo set bill by performers: Peter Evans (International Contemporary Ensemble and Alarm Will Sound), and locals Brian Ruryk and Germaine Liu. A departure for sure. More on the artists here.
Saturday 7
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra – Piano Extravaganza at Roy Thomson Hall. 2:00 p.m. $29-79
Curated by Grammy Award-winning pianist Emanuel Ax, TSO’s RBC Piano Extravaganza is a festival of concerts and community activities is presented in partnership with The Royal Conservatory of Music. Events run through February 14, 2015. Tonight focuses on Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals, where Emanuel Ax and the Orchestra will be joined by young pianists from around Toronto. Looks very promising. Concert repeats at 4:00 p.m. Details here.
Opera by Request – Mozart Così fan tutte at College Street United Church. 7:30 p.m. $20
Opera by Request (an opera company with a twist) present their production of Mozart’s most ever popular opera buffa, Così fan tutte. O.B.R. are a performer led company and are always worth your while. More info here.
National Arts Centre Orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $33–145
Pinchas Zukerman makes his final Toronto appearance as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra with the knuckle-busting Grammy award-wining pianist Yefim Bronfman, and in-demand cellist Amanda Forsyth. They will be performing Brahms’ Double Concerto for violin, cello, and orchestra, and Piano Concerto No. 2. Not to be missed. You’ll find all the details here.
Sunday 8
Mooredale Concerts – A Classical Canadian Collaboration at Walter Hall. 3:15 p.m. $20-30
The award-winning violinist Erika Raum returns to Mooredale Concerts for their fourth event of the season with Scott St. John (violin), and Sharon Wei (viola) and Tom Wiebe (cello). They will be performing a stirring program featuring Schubert, Ysaÿe, and Sitkovetsy’s arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations for String Trio. Info here.
Monday 9
University of Toronto Faculty of Music with Russell Braun and others at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. 7:00 p.m. $10-40
Toronto favourite Russell Braun will be at U of T for perform along side Monica Whicher, soprano with Carolyn Maule, and Steven Philcox, pianos. They will be tackling Wolf’s Italienisches Liederbuch. Art song for one and all. Check it out.
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