This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between September 22 and 28, 2025. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Royal Canadian College of Organists Toronto Centre: A Celebration of Organ Music in Toronto
Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m.
Church of St. May Magdalene, 477 Manning Ave., Pay-what-you-can
It’s great to see the public becoming interested in all kinds of instruments, thanks to the proliferation of videos and recordings with such easy daily access — just a tap on a screen, and voila, there it is. If you’ve ever been interested in the brilliance of Anna Lapwood, as she commands the biggest of them all, the pipe organ, ringing through the building, its foundation, and the sky above, this celebration of Toronto’s own organ music is a must-attend. Come and enjoy the oldies and brand new compositions through six excellent organists. The classicals such as Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor will always be popular as they fully demonstrates the capability of the organ and human expressiveness; however, having the chance to hear how the organ speaks in our time is also quite interesting; what sonic influences and soundscapes do you sense, as contemporary impressions and thoughts are transformed through one of the oldest instruments of the Western world? Info here.
GFN Productions: Music at the Movies: A Tribute to John Williams
Friday, September 26, 8 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, $75+
As a Xennial, one of my most vibrant memories was watching E.T. crossing over the moon, accompanied by John Williams’ brilliant music. And for the younger crowd, perhaps it was the twinkle of magic in the opening of Harry Potter, with Hedwig’s Theme. And the theme from Jaws, so familiar, is an undeniable part of our pop culture, even half a century later since its premiere. Often people say that classical music is so far from their everyday lives, not realizing that simply isn’t true — some of it is so close and familiar, it becomes hard to see it afresh. Francis Choinière leads the best of John Williams, with FILMharmonique Orchestra and Amadeus Choir for this one-night event. Take the whole family, and sink into Williams’ masterful writing in full-symphonic glory. The resonance and dynamic nature exclusive to live music performance will never be replicable through technology only. Skeptical? Come and find out! Info here.
Tafelmusik: Mozart 40 & Schubert 5
Friday, September 26, 8 p.m., Saturday, September 27, 8 p.m., Sunday, September 28, 3 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $35+
The ever charismatic Rachel Podger, Principal Guest Director of Tafelmusik, returns to Toronto for the first concert of the season. Two very different works — one from mature Mozart, and another by a young Schubert, as he turned 20, a young man with dreamy eyes — fill the evening, with a lovely Mozart punctuation in the middle: the Rondo for violin and orchestra. Podger and Tafelmusik do create lovely gestures together, and this particular selection, transparent, vibrant, and light-footed, is a great way to highlight their finessed expression. Read our Preview here. Info here.
Canadian Opera Company: Roméo et Juliette
Saturday, September 27,7:30 p.m., with six additional dates in October: Sunday, October 5, 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 8, 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 14, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 16, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 18, 4:30 p.m., $45+
The grandeur of large houses are returning for the fresh season — last week was Toronto Symphony; this week, Canadian Opera Company starts their new season with Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette. The production set was built for Malmö Opera, and it looks fantastic, filled with the gold and glitter of New Year’s Eve in 1889 New York. It looks dreamy, fun, and over-the-top, befitting this eternal story of young love, beautiful and innocent, tragically driving itself into a hard end, with untameable passion. Many familiar faces are found in the cast, and Kseniia Proshina singing Juliette, promises a beautiful experience. The summer has passed, and as nights descend a little earlier every day, come to the opera, and fill the evening with hope, love, glitter, and death. Read our Interview with Director Amy Lane here. Info here.
Mooredale Concerts: CelloFellos
Sunday, September 28, 3:15 p.m.
Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park, $40+
Two cellists, Leonard Disselhorst and Bryan Cheng have been busy taking the cello out of the traditional repertoire since forming CelloFellos in 2020. Taking a deep dive into a wide world of music, and taking the time to make bespoke arrangements, CelloFellos is creating new repertoire, and new language for the cello duo format. Come and see how these two have transfigured timeless, ancient folk tradition through Bartok, Ellington’s infectious rhythm, and the dramatic world of Astor Piazzolla. Info here.
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