L-R (clockwise): Joy Lapp (Photo courtesy of the artist); pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout (Photo courtesy of the artist); the Masmoudi Quartet (Photo courtesy of the artists)

This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between May 6 and May 12, 2024. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.

Elmer Iseler Singer: Choral and Organ Tapestry

Tuesday, May 7, Noon
Roy Thomson Hall. Free, Tickets Required.

Elmer Iseler Singers, in their 45th season, take over the Roy Thomson Hall for an open midday concert, featuring choral-organ repertoire under the direction of Lydia Adams, with Shawn Grenke at the organ. Hear the Gabriel Kney organ roar in the huge acoustic space of the Roy Thomson Hall, while EIS deliver their signature refinement. Info here.

Kronos Quartet: Five Decades

Thursday, May 9, 8 p.m.
Koerner Hall. $21+

Champion of innovation and new music, the iconic Kronos Quartet is on tour this year, ahead of the retirement of John Sherba (violin) and Hank Dutt (viola), Kronos veterans of 45+ years: Dutt joined in 1977, and Sherba in 1978. With David Harrington (violin) — who founded KQ in 1973, and Paul Wiancko (cello) — the latest new member since February 2023 — KQ will bring their signature programming, featuring George Crumb’s Black Angels, and five additional works that will receive Toronto/Ontario/Canada premiers. KQ is legendary for its musical finesse and technological mastery — this is the concert not to be missed, and a handful of tickets are still available. Info here.

Art of Time Ensemble: Both Sides Now: A Tribute to Joni Mitchell

Thursday, May 9, 8 p.m., Friday, May 10, 8 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m.
Harbourfront Centre Theatre. $40+

For 25 years, Andrew Burashko and the Art of Time Ensemble has built up quite a following with their unique chamber music series, including anything and everything from contemporary to jazz, Canadiana of the past, present, and future. For this last project for their final Coda season, it’ll be the music of Folk to Jazz, heart to heart: the music of Joni Mitchell in brand new arrangements with six singers and a hybrid ensemble, loosely based on a mash-up of jazz ensemble and string quartet, plus a bit of extra. What history they built with us — and now a farewell. Tickets are no longer available online, but keep ringing the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, to be there with ATE, for the last time. Info here.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra: Tchaikovsky + Brahms

Friday, May 10, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall. $35+

Frank Peter Zimmermann, one of the best current soloists, brings one of the best violin concertos, Brahms D major, and TSO and TSYO will double up for Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Yes, that would be a super-packed stage, overflowing with sheer adrenaline from the youngsters. It is so important for these young musicians to experience great music and a supportive, enthusiastic audience. Please make your way to these concerts, as without the new generation, there simply is no future. The payout will be exceptional, as the youngsters will give you so much back — from their hearts. A win-win. NexGen Composers, Julia Mermelstein (May 10th) and Christina Volpini (May 11th) will have their works premiered as concert openers. Fantastic. Info here.

Upper Canada Choristers/Cantemos: New Beginnings

Friday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.
Grace Church on-the-hill, $25, Free for children under 16

The importance of community music-making goes beyond the simple act of rehearsal and performance — it builds communities, encourages the individual pursuit of excellence, and allows creative expressions from many different backgrounds. Upper Canada Choristers/Cantemos, are celebrating their 30th anniversary — considering the difficulties we’ve all faced during COVID-19, seeing such community groups thriving again is simultaneously reassuring and amazing. There will be four brand-new works by Gwyneth Twyford, David Archibald, Matthew Secaur, and Laurie Evan Fraser, the multi-talented music director. In the spirit of inclusion and community celebration, the Boys’ Choir of Maurice Cody Junior Public School will make a guest appearance. Info here.

Brentano Quartet, Jonathan Biss & Joseph Conyers

Friday, May 10, 8 p.m.,
Koerner Hall. $45+

Brentano, known for their exploration of contemporary quartet repertoire, bring two big ones from the canon for their debut in Koerner: a late Beethoven, Op. 130, and Schubert’s Trout Quintet. Universally loved for its exuberant beauty and charm, the Trout is a great choice to go with the beauty of the spring elation; Jonathan Biss (Piano), and Joseph Conyers (Bass) — who might look familiar, as he was just in town to play under the baton ofYannick Nézet-Séguin, as the principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra – will join the Brentano for the Trout. Info here.

Tafelmusik: Transformations: Bach & Rameau

Friday, May 10, 8 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m., Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m.
Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity-St Paul’s Centre. $47+

Omnivorous Kristian Bezuidenhout, the Artistic Director of the Freiburger Barockorchester and Principal Guest Director with the English Concert, who plays all things piano (harpsichord, fortepiano, and the modern piano), will be sitting at the Harpsichord this week, to lead the Tafelmusik through the music of Purcell, Avison, Bach, Handel, and Rameau. This has been a great season to see how Tafelmusik responds and rises to their different styled guest leaders, and with the glorious keyboard music of such masters, the perspective is great. Info here.

Exultate Chamber Singers: Home in the 6ix — Part 2!

Friday, May 10, 8 p.m.
Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Ave. PWYC, suggested donation $40

‘The well of Toronto composers is deep’ — I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. This second part of ‘Home in the 6ix’ explores the music of Toronto composers exclusively. Works by Andrew Balfour, Shireen Abu Khader, Healey Willan, Larisa Kuzmenko and John Beckwith will fill the evening under the direction of Mark Ramsay. There’ll be a pre-concert chat starting at 7:15 p.m., with a few of the composers present. Chamber choir is one of the most heartfelt musical formats, and sharing this wonderful city as performers, audience, and creators, is a great luxury that we get to enjoy. Info here.

Cantabile Chamber Singers: A Prism of Sound

Saturday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.
Church of the Redeemer $30, $15 for youth, free for 12&under

A Canadian new work graces Cantabile Chamber Singers’ last concert of the season. Saman Shahi’s “Fragments” tells diaspora stories, with Nika Khanjani’s texts, drawn from personal interviews of the displaced people. Our own local, Ton Beau Quartet, will be joining the CCS, and additional works of Toronto/Canadian composers — Eleanor Daley, Matthew Emery, and many more, fill out the program. Without intermission, this concert is going to be an intimate sharing and celebration of what makes Toronto unique — its people. Info here.

Alliance Française de Toronto: Eternal Cities by The Masmoudi Quartet

Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m.
Spadina Theatre, 24 Spadina Road. $15+.

Mohamed Masmoudi, an oud composer and performer, is a true pioneer, busy merging two different worlds: Western classical and jazz, and Arabic Middle-East and North Africa. For this program, Eternal Cities, Maumoudi’s quartet will present his world of diaspora, history, and memories, and newly forged path in the new world. It is rare to hear good Arabic jazz in Toronto – if you’ve ever been curious, this is the right choice for your Saturday night exploration. Info here.

The Jon Cowherd Trio and Larnell Lewis & Joy Lapps

Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m.
Koerner Hall. $40+

What do you get when you put Larnell Lewis, Joy Lapps, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, and Jon Cowherd, on one night? A night of superstars. Joy’s artistry, drawing from her Antiguan and Barbudan roots, and Larnell’s exploration of how Afro-Caribbean roots have created a meaningful community-building movement, along with their their Torontonian heritage, is an interesting sharepoint with the Koerner audience – another successful combination of Toronto diaspora. The trio of jazz giants: Patitucci, Blade, and Cowherd, promises much further riches. Info here.

That Choir: 15 Years

Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m.
Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square PWYC, suggested donation $30

Truly one of the best chamber choirs in Canada, That Choir specializes in contemporary a capella choral music, and in celebration of their 15th season, Artistic Director Craig Pike promises a lovely Sunday afternoon of audience favourites. Pike is a maverick, in his entrepreneurial ways in Arts and beyond, and in his solid command of dedicated singers. He doesn’t hesitate to pick difficult repertoire, and That Choir always delivers the goods. Their first come-back concert from COVID-19, opening with Whitacre’s ‘When David Heard,’ was truly a heartbreaking experience in its beauty, utter sense of loss, despair and hope for salvation. If you haven’t heard them, please make your way, and if you have heard them, I bet you already have your ticket ready. Info here.

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Hye Won Cecilia Lee

Cecilia tumbled into 'serious' music study when she decided to avoid attending medical school. Currently working in the field of classical music, recording, and Korean-English interpretation, she tends to get her nose dirty in many different things in the city. Cecilia holds a DMA in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.