This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between April 14 and 20, 2025. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
St. Thomas’s Anglican Church: Baroque Music by Candlelight
Monday, April 14, 8 p.m.
383 Huron St., Toronto, Pay-what-you-wish
As we head into Passion Week, the musicians of St. Thomas have prepared Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, one of the most beautiful settings of the ‘sorrowful mother, standing.’ This hour-long community event with St. Thomas’s Choristers, children’s choir, and guest musicians (chamber ensemble with soloists Rebecca Genge and Rebecca Claborne) would be a good, solemn way to reflect on the drama that has captivated a big part of Western history. Savvy music directors Larry Beckwith and Manuel Piazza are determined to foster this lovely church, hidden from the bustle of Bloor street, into a real communal music hub; it’s a worthy cause to support, especially when additional selections from Handel, Bach, and Telemann are promised. It is difficult to relate to our physical communities, as we rely so heavily on intangible communities — and the act of being there, the core of community building, where we sit and share time and space with others, simply cannot be replaced with technology. Come and experience this short and tidy program, and see the real roots of music making — in our communities, with our neighbours, and with our children. Info here.
Canadian Opera Company: Totally Klezmerizing
Tuesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m.
Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Free
Schmaltz & Pepper, our own local virtuosic klezmer group, brings much joy as a Tuesday workday draws to an end. This has been a particularly hard spring — not only there are turmoils in the mental world, the snow and sleet that keeps returning has been a real drag. If you are lucky enough to enjoy the short work week as we head into Easter, why not celebrate it with a free concert, where colourful, deep human emotions are explored with a healthy dose of humour in the beautiful Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre? And, if you are facing work while others play this weekend — well, more reasons to take a little break, and be reminded that there is time for joy and beauty, even on a Tuesday evening. Info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Yuja Wang Plays Tchaikovsky
Wednesday, April 16, 8 p.m., Thursday, April 17, 8 p.m., Saturday, April 19, 8 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, $30+
It was a super let down earlier this year when Wang had to decline from performing in Toronto with Víkingur Ólafsson for a two-piano program at Koerner. Despite much jealousy and chauvinistic booing from some truly neanderthal classical music ‘fans’ busy talking down her amazing stage presence, inconceivable technical facility, and musical insight, Wang has won over the hearts of international audiences ever since her pre-teen days: she needs no introduction — a household name, reaching beyond the small pool of classical fans. Wang is playing Tchaikosky, and additional orchestral offerings include Janáček Sinfonietta — a real banger, where Janáček captures all the joy that bubbled up on the long-awaited declaration of independence for Czechs (with moments of possibly the most loud, fullest acoustic symphonic writing) — and Morlock’s My Name is Amanda Todd, a work reflecting on tragic, short life of young Amanda Todd who became a sharp focal point on cyberbullying. This is a great program, and the sales reflect that there are no easy advance tickets left. But all concerts have last minute tickets available, as some will inevitably cancel — similar to the airlines, where they will oversell, counting on some people not making the flight. So get the symphony box office on your speed dial, and call in. This concert is worth the hype. Info here.
Esprit Orchestra. Edge of Your Seat International Festival #5: Cosmic Heartbeats
Thursday, April 17, 8 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $20+
EO has been super busy with the Edge of Your Seat International Festival in the last few weeks, and we are now at its final concert: Cosmic Heartbeats. Along with two great hits: Vivier’s Lonely Child — a reflection on the idea of solitude for orchestra and voice, sung by Puerto Rican-American soprano Sophia Burgos — and Anna Meredith’s Nautilus, a juggernaut with an incredible beating heart, comes… mystery! Brand new commissions by Nicholas Ma, and James O’Callaghan, and the Canadian premiere of Unsuk Chin’s Alaraph ‘Ritus des Herschlagz’, presents a great chance to hear fresh works live. Chin is one of the most performed and celebrated contemporary composers of our time, and though her works spare no musicians (they can be fiendishly difficult), the music speaks and evokes — she has a huge musicians’ fanbase, and a large dedicated audience base. If you haven’t heard her music, this would be a fantastic chance to experience it. Take advantage of the Good Friday holiday, and come out! Pre-concert chat will start at 7:15 p.m. Info here.
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- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: April 28 – May 4 - April 28, 2025
- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: April 21 – 27 - April 21, 2025
- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: April 14 – 20 - April 14, 2025
