This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between June 2 and June 8, 2025. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Lula Music & Arts+ Lulaworld Records: Ladom Ensemble Album Release Concert
Monday, June 02, 8 p.m.
Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W, $36.39
Open this first week of June with Ladon Ensemble’s kaleidoscopic new album launch: Sofreh Tisch. Known for their creativity, LE draws from a wide-range: Western classical, klezmer, rock, tango, jazz, and all things possible. This third album is inspired by Iranian (from Pouya Hamidi, piano), and Yiddish culture (from Beth Silver, cello), and it’s a joy to experience such genuine, deep richness of the vibrant multiculturalism in our own city. Read our Interview with Pouya Hamidi here. Info here.
Royal Conservatory of Music: Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Cello, With Isata Kanneh-Mason, Piano
Tuesday, June 3, 8 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $50+
After the unfortunate snafu with Air Canada regarding transportation of the Godfriller cello, valued at $3 million USD, and the subsequent cancellation of sold-out concert for last December, the power siblings, Sheku, and Isata Kanneh-Mason, take two, to fill out Koerner Hall with lush cello-piano repertoire. The Faure 1st sonata and Poulenc sonata, are so fantastic, yet rarely performed; this would be a great chance to experience these two works live. The connection between well-matched musical duos is pure magic — the instantaneous communication, physical volleying of ideas, demonstrating the joy of being together- a core human value that we all crave, and appreciate. Grab a precious seat on this near-capacity concert, and sink in- to sync in. Info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Beatrice Rana: Mozart’s Jupiter
Wednesday, June 4, 8 p.m., Thursday, June 5, 8 p.m, Saturday, June 7, 8 p.m, at Roy Thomson Hall; Sunday June 8, 3 p.m., George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre. $30+
Jupiter, the most brilliant Mozart symphony, is paired with mercurial, agile, and stunningly beautiful Ravel Piano Concerto for the TSO this week. Pianist Beatrice Rana, a silver medal, and the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Van Cliburn, is known for her technical virtuosity, and her love for Ravel — since she picked up Gaspard de la nuit at tender age of 14, she’s been fascinated with the dichotomy of Ravel’s music, a modernist in the peak of Romanticism. This capricious concerto is a great choice to experience Rana live. Come on down to RTH, at the heart of downtown, or, if you live uptown, save the driving and enjoy the TSO in the heart of North York, for a leisurely Sunday afternoon concert. Info here.
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Motets: Bach as Muse
Friday, June 6, 8 p.m.
Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, $45.
This single night concert is built with Bach’s motets at the centre, along with motets of Homilius, Mendelssoh, Brahms, Rheinberger, Reger, and selected movements from Bach’s cello suites played by Michale Unterman. Bach’s polyphonic writing, along with his brilliant word painting, makes him a true master of choral writing. Though only seven of his motets survive, along with his larger choral works, most notably the passions, and B-minor mass, Bach’s influence on Western classical music is impossible to define, and these carefully chosen companion pieces, under Taurins’ direction, will surely move even the coldest heart. Come and enjoy the fine mastery of drama at heart by Bach. Info here.
Roy Thomson Hall: An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma / An Afternoon with Yo-Yo Ma
Friday, June 6, 8 p.m., Saturday, June 7, 2 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, $210.90+
One of the most influential musicians of our time, Ma visits Toronto for two concerts in Toronto this week. With over 120 albums, 19 GRAMMY Awards, and slew of cross-cultural project, including our own Toronto Music Garden (yes, this garden was a direct part of Ma’s Inspired by Bach project, involving Ma, the landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy, Rhombus Media Incorporated, and the City of Toronto), Ma occupies a special place for many, going far beyond the usual classical music territory. This week’s programming will pair Ma’s performance and his own thoughts on the possibility of culture as a major exploration and definition of humanity; it’s nearly sold-out, so act fast if you are interested in joining Ma and fellow Torontonians in this super-popular event. Info here and here.
Poculi Ludique Societas: York Plays 2025
Saturday, June 7, 6 a.m. start, *Rain date: Sunday, June 8, 6 a.m.
Start; Burwash Quad, Victoria University, University of Toronto, 89 Charles St. W, Toronto, Free Admission with Donation Option
FIFTY medieval plays by 17 North American theatre groups will fill out this day, starting at 6 a.m., finishing sometime around midnight. These medieval plays are going to be played on the replica wagon stages, just like the way it happened way back in medieval York (1376-1569). One of the key elements of the medieval play was music, and this year, early music groups: The Gemsmen, Pneuma Ensemble, The Dawn Players, and others, will join the troupes for this all-day-and-night fun. The audience is encouraged to waft in-and-out of this all-day affair, to truly enjoy the day at their own pace. What an excellent way to spend a Saturday! For this unique event, the Y25 plays made a detailed info sheet to make your day enjoyable, from bringing your own lawn chairs, to bringing your favourite snacks! Info here.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox
HERE.
- FEATURE | Celebrating Estonian Song: Report From Laulupidu 2025 - July 14, 2025
- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: July 14 – July 20 - July 14, 2025
- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: July 7 – July 13 - July 7, 2025
