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 useful 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 3
Against The Grain Theatre | Death&Desire at the Neubacher Shor Contemporary. 8:00 p.m. $35-70 (Repeats June 2, 4, and 5).
Against The Grain Theatre is back with another groundbreaking production that is sure to get everyone talking. Death&Desire is an intimate double-bill that pairs two of Canada’s most enchanting vocal talents — bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus and mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó with two song cycles by Franz Schubert (Die schöne Müllerin) and Olivier Messiaen (Harawi). Novel as ever, the two texts have been mashed-up into a single theatrical production. If you were to see only one show this week, this should be it. | DETAILS
Thursday 4
Toronto Symphony Orchestra | All-American at Roy Thomson Hall. 2:00 p.m. $29-105 (Repeats June 6-7).
The TSO show some love for American music with a program featuring John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine; Barber’s Symphony No.1; André Previn’s Double Concerto for Violin and Violoncello (Canadian première/TSO co-commission); and Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Soloists include the amazing Jaime Laredo (violin), and Toronto’s own Sharon Robinson (cello), with Peter Oundjian behind the conductor’s podium. | DETAILS
Friday 5
East-Meets-West Duo | at Musideum. 8:00 p.m. $15-20
You may not have heard of East-Meets-West Duo: Shahriyar Jamshidi (kamanche) and Raphael Weinroth-Browne (cello), but you should. They perform improvised concerts that blend musical genre, and by extension, culture. Jamshidi is a Toronto-based Kurdish performer who plays a Kamanche – an Iranian bowed string instrument. Raphael Weinroth-Browne is a cellist that defies the limits of the instrument in surprising and astonishing ways. You can see a video of them playing here. They’ll be taking the stage at Musideum this Friday, for a show well worth seeing. | DETAILS
Saturday 6
I FURIOSI Baroque Ensemble | All About Me at Calvin Presbyterian Church. 8:00 p.m. $10-20
Toronto’s hippest period ensemble performs some baroque navel-gazing music tonight with guest performers Rufus Müller (tenor) and James Johnstone (organ). You’ll hear works by Handel, Tartini, Bermudo and others. This marks I FURIOSI’s final concert of the season – don’t miss it. | DETAILS
Sunday 7
Off Centre Music Salon | 20th Anniversary Gala at Glenn Gould Studio. 2:00 p.m. $15-75
Off Centre Music Salon will be celebrating their 20th birthday will a very special Gala at Glenn Gould Studio (with Champagne!) The guest artists list reads like a who’s who of Canadian treasures: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Russell Braun, Krisztina Szabó , Nathalie Paulin, Norine Burgess, Joni Henson, Jeffrey Hill, Elina Kelebeev, Joseph Macerollo, Carolyn Maule, Christopher Mokrzewski, Jimmy Roberts, Lauren Segal, Alexander Sevastian, James Westman, Monica Whicher and Ilana Zarankin among many others. Master of Ceremonies will be Dr. David Goldbloom. Did we mention there will be champagne? | DETAILS
Monday 8
Music Mondays | River Runs Through It at the Church of the Holy Trinity. 12:15 p.m. PWYC
Looking for something to do on a Monday afternoon? Music Mondays is a great way to hear some amazing music set in the beautiful space of The Church of the Holy Trinity at 10 Trinity Square, downtown. Today, award winning pianist Angela Park will present an engaging program titled A River Runs Through It, featuring works by Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, and Canadian composer John Burge. | DETAILS
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