This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between February 17 and 22, 2026. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Rameau & The Art of the Dance — Tafelmusik Meets Juilliard
Thursday, February 19, 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 20, 8 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 8 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 3 p.m.
Trinity St. Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts, $23.50+
Tafel with guest Robert Mealy, who’s been busy heading the Juilliard’s Historical Performance program and the Boston Early Music Festival, and the young, curious students from Juilliard415 ensemble, present selections from Rameau, one of the most grandiose and florid composers of the French Baroque era. Rameau’s music, arcing from the glory of the Sun King into the regime of Louis XV, packed opera houses, and filled the glorious hall of the Versailles for Royal occasions. His music is still performed with fervour, and with its French operatic flair and the dance tradition, it’s difficult to not to tap your feet. For this program, this kinetic infectious energy will be further demonstrated by the renowned Caroline Copeland and Julian Donahue as they grace the floor with the intricacy of Baroque dances. A great way to enjoy this literally gilded music against the February drab. Read our Preview of the concert here. Info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Mahler’s Ninth
Thursday, February 19, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 3 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, $69+
Following up on the extravaganza of Mahler 3 by the Budapest Festival Orchestra with Ivan Fischer, Toronto audiences are presented with Mahler’s 9th, his last complete symphony, this weekend. If Mahler’s 3rd was about the creation of the world and its unstoppable force, Mahler 9 is about the inevitable progress of life — from love to loss. Dying at an early age of 50 — unfortunately too early — Mahler’s 47th year was full of tragedies: Alma’s operation, the death of Anna Mahler, the little ‘Putzi’ at the tender age of 4, due to scarlet fever and diphtheria, and Mahler himself started to notice significant health challenges regarding his heart. It’s these tragedies that started to stain Mahler’s heart with death, slowly yet surely marching against one’s life as he started to contemplate the 9th. This four movement symphony, written at the same time as the Das Lied von der Erde, opens with a slow procession, and expands into a 90+ minute exploration of death. Sounds tragic. However, the beauty he creates in this last work is an absolute pinnacle of Mahlerian genius, especially the last movement — one of the best slowburns ever written. This compact concert is a single-feature; yes, just Mahler 9, a great way to experience Mahler’s goodbye to the earthly world without distractions. Info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: TSYO: Death & Transfiguration
Saturday, February 21, 3 p.m.
George Weston Recital Hall, $24+
One of my favourite events of the year, the dedicated and talented young musicians of TSYO tackle two big works: Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin and Strauss’s Death & Transfiguration. The Tombeau is full of the most brilliant and beautiful wind writing — always there at the centre of the dreaded orchestral excerpts audition list. Ravel, perhaps the best orchestrator in the history of Western classical music, knew how to draw the best from each instrumental section, and this orchestral version is full of extra colours and vibrancy compared to the gentler solo piano version. It’s difficult to imagine this music was born out of the blood and ashes in the middle of WW1, posing grave challenges to so many, including Ravel, as he drove trucks to the front line, loaded with soldiers facing their death. Expect serious fireworks from the young principals and their sections. Death & Transfiguration, a remarkable work, is a great segue, as Strauss contemplates a dying man in his last hours. Too dark and difficult? These youngsters will surprise you with their emotional depth and technical facilities — get your tickets early, as TSYO’s two concerts always sell out super early. A Canadian work, Endymion by Jean Coulthard, opens this ambitious program. Info here.
Guitar Society of Toronto: L’Atelier Romantique
Saturday, February 21, 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 73 Simcoe St., $20+
This quartet of musicians: Jessy Dubé (violin), Sari Tsuji (viola), Marie-Michel Beauparlant (cello), and Pascal Valois (guitar), presents lovely music of Schubert and Paganini with extra flair. The beloved Arpeggione Sonata, arranged by Valois, will be surrounded by additional arrangements of Stanchen (Schubert), one of the most heart-tugging of love songs, and the fireworks and intimate melodies of Paganini. A great and rare chance to hear the guitar with its stringed friends. Take this Saturday to sink into the lovely, intimate pallet of the guitar, and its great expressivity. Info here.
New Music Concerts: Black Box Music
Saturday, Feburary 21, 8 p.m.
Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis St., $20+
This first concert for 2026 by NMC features a great variety of textures and soundscapes. Involving hordes of veteran musicians from Toronto’s contemporary music scene, the program is full of interesting works, including Simon Steen-Anderson’s Blackbox, featuring everything percussive along with winds and brass, Rashaan Allwood’s Break My Hands! for 1 piano crammed with three pianists (world premiere), Boulez’s Messagesquisse involving 7 cellists, and Sarriaho’s Neige for 12 cellos. A festive, and full-on chamber music experience. Come and experience these hard-to-encounter-works live, through this hoard of high calibre musicians. Info here.
Royal Conservatory of Music: Yefim Bronfman
Sunday, February 22, 3 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $75+
No intro needed here. One of the best of his generation, Bronfman brings a solo piano program of Schumann, Brahms, Debussy and Prokofiev for a Sunday matinee. Schumann’s Arabeske, and Debussy’s Images, Book 2, are great colourful, short contrasts to monument sonatas by Brahms and Prokofiev. At age 67, Bronfman is at the peak of his knowledge, experience, and artistry — come and experience the richness of these beloved classics with the master. Info here.
Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra: 35th Gala Concert
Sunday, February 22, 4 p.m.
Meridian Arts Center, $16.75+
One of the most celebrated and dedicated youth music programs in Toronto, TYWO continues to celebrate their 35th year, by gathering everyone for a big, joyous program. Featuring all three youth ensembles of TYWO, the adult alumni bands, Metropolitan Winds, and the TYWO Alumni Reunion Band, they’ll be there to celebrate the joy of music making at all ages. Come and support the youngsters of TYWO, and share the delight of the adults, who have kept music in their hearts as they progressed through life beyond childhood. After all, this is music at its best — continuing to grace people’s lives, no matter where one may be in life. Info here.
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