This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between July 15 and July 21, 2024. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Toronto Summer Music Festival: Connolly & Middleton
Tuesday, July 16, 7:30 p.m.
Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building, University of Toronto. $25+
Dame Sarah Connolly, one of the finest interpreters of Mahler, brings an evening of rich German repertoire to Walter Hall, with Joseph Middleton at the piano. Their 2023 recording of Rückert-Lieder, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, and Kindertotenlieder with Signum Classics has been widely praised: “No Mahler collector will want to pass it by” (Gramophone), and to listen to the duo live is an unmissable opportunity. For this program, along with Rückert-Lieder, works by Barber, Errollyn Wallen, Richard Rodney Bennett, Schoenberg, Berg, and Weill, promise finesse and beauty, from both composer and artist. Info here.
Payadora Tango Ensemble: A Night of Tango with Payadora
Wednesday, July 17, 8 p.m.
Jazz Bistro. $20 cover
Freshly back from their German tour after collecting the German World Music Prize RUTH (for Drew Jurecka, Rebekah Wolkstein and Dan Rosenberg), Payadora take to the stage once again at the Jazz Bistro. Their playing has been recognized internationally over the years by German Public Radio, the Irish Public Radio RTE, and the BBC, to name a few, and it is so nice to be able to hear them perform live regularly in downtown Toronto. Come on down and soak into the drama, in the haze of the summer eve. Info here.
Toronto Summer Music: Vadym Kholodenko
Thursday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.
Koerner Hall. $26+
Gold medal winner of the 2013 Van Cliburn competition, Ukrainian pianist Vadym Kholodenko brings a program of Handel and late Beethoven, along with Prokofiev’s Four Pieces for Piano, and 8th Sonata. Prokofiev’s Sonata No. 8, the most complex of the three War Sonatas (Nos. 6, 7, and 8, written after his return to the Soviet Union), are considered the best of Prokofiev’s output in their technical and emotional complexity. A great chance to see a superb pianist demonstrating fine technical and dramatic mastery. Info here.
Toronto Alternative Chamber Orchestra: Summer Fling
Thursday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.
College Street United Church, 452 College st. $20+
It’s refreshing to see small start-up ensembles being created in Toronto — it’s the collective efforts of these small independent ensembles that contributes innovation and new ideas into the general scene. (Think about all the small opera companies in the GTA that continuously bring us different versions, in a very different vibe from the larger, established companies such as the COC — for instance, Against the Grain, anyone?). This is TACO’s second concert, and they are bringing music from Jessie Montgomery, Aaron Copland, and Mendelssohn. Come out and support these brave people, who are ready to share their drive and curiosity for continued practice in the challenges and possibilities in this ever-changing world of music. Read our Preview here. Info here.
National Youth Orchestra Canada: Horizons Tour
Friday, July 19, 7:30 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $10+
Despite the challenges we face in public arts education, the future of Canada’s classical music remains bright, thanks to dedicated communities, families, and students. NYOC’s summer tours are such a highlight for both performers and the audience. Aged 16-28, selected through fierce competition, these young musicians often go on to become leaders of their generation internationally, and their hard work during the summer intensive is impressive and touching. Each tour date features a slightly different program, and for Toronto, they will play a mixture of familiar and new — Lili Boulanger, Ravel, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Danial Sheibani, Violet Archer — ending the evening with Bartók’s masterpiece: Concerto for Orchestra. Come out and feel the energy of this young, boundless group — the best of our own. Info here.
TO Live/Small World Music Series: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy— Kal Ho Naa Ho
Saturday, July 20, 7 p.m.
Meridian Hall, 1 Front St. E., $50+
If you are looking for something to hum along to, come out to the Meridian Hall, for the music of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa, the biggest of Bollywood trios. Their music has graced over 50 movies, and following the cooperative writing practice of Bollywood, their different backgrounds and strengths have created many amazing successes over the years. A great way to experience true cultural diversity, presented with finesse and joy. Info here.
Fado@ DROM Taberna
Sunday, July 21, 8 p.m.
Drom Taberna, 458 Queen St. W
Fado@DROM project has been running for a while, and if you want a quick getaway into the warm air of a Lisbon eve, but are not able to fly out, this is a great way to test your heart with the drama of Fado. Grown from the working-class life, steeped in daily joy and heartbreak, the Portuguese sentiment of saudade is hard to describe with words — but so easily felt with Fado. Come out, sit still for a while, and let saudade seep into your mind. The DROM is definitely one of the very best live music venues in Toronto, and the quality of their menu always adds a special touch to the visit. The space can be tight, with everyone piling in — do consider making a reservation, and know that their $10 per person cover for reservation goes directly to the musicians. Win-win. Info here.
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