This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between May 25 and 31, 2026. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Hisaishi Conducts Hisaishi: Joe Hisaishi Returns
Thursday, May 28, Friday, May 29, Saturday, May 30, all three shows at 7:30 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, remaining tickets at $447
The international legend, Joe Hisaishi returns to Toronto, this time with two new works: a Viola Saga, and the Concerto for Orchestra (TSO Co-Commission/Canadian Première). Hisaishi has scored many popular anime scores, including nearly all major works from the Studio Ghibli, such as Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and the last work by Hayao Miyazaki: The Boy and the Heron. The three dates at the cavernous Roy Thomson Hall are nearly sold out. There are literally a handful of tickets left — at north of 400 dollars — with Saturday completely sold out. The hype and love for this man’s music is real. The Viola Saga soloist, Antoine Tamestit, who you may have heard at last year’s chamber music concert at Koerner Hall with Martin Frost, is a superb world-class star, making this program even more enticing. The concert seems casual to straight classical music fans, but the ticket sales show that this is a significant, much beloved event for many. It would be a lovely chance for pure classical music fans to meet a new group of people — who also love classical orchestral music with a full heart. Info here.
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Beethoven & Bologne: The Winds of Change
Friday, May 29, 8 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 8 p.m., Sunday, May 31, 3 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $48+
A season ender from Tafelmusik features a new guest music director, Shunske Sato. Concertmaster of Concerto Köln and former Artistic Leader of the Netherlands Bach Society, this polyglot man is known for on-the-edge excitement in his playing and musical leadership. He will be the featured soloist for the Bologne Violin Concerto Op.3, no.2, a demanding piece with much pyrotechnics and musicianship. The finisher for the evening is Beethoven’s Symphony 3, Eroica, a seminal work that launched symphonic form into its next phase. Perennially loved for its explosive energy and deep expression — the second movement, the funeral march, is one of the most memorable examples of the genre — it’s a real rouser. Come out and join in the festivities as summer approaches, to witness Sato’s finesse and charisma with Tafelmusik. Read our Interview with Shunske Sato here. Info here.
New Music Concerts: Future Resonance Festival: The Swara Sutras Ensemble in Concert
Saturday, May 30, 7 p.m.
St. George’s Grange Park Church, 30 Stephanie St. $30+, $20 (Student)
A night of true collaboration, NMC hosts the Swara Sutras Ensemble in a program of group compositions, including music from Steven Webb, Tsz Long (Fish) Yu, Andrew Staniland, Laurie Radford, and Myriam Boucher. SSE is a real mixed bag of cultural backgrounds and traditions involving the fiddle, sarod (Northern Indian lute), double bass, Peul flute (African transverse flute), and guzheng, its six members will bring many new sounds and expressions, along with hints of familiarity — but it’s only for one night, so don’t miss it! Get your tickets now, and come to experience this eclectic beauty in person. After all, such cultural diversity is the true strength of our city, Toronto. Read our Interview with Artistic Director Brian Current and Director of Operations and Communications Emily Schimp about the Festival here. Info here.
Arkel Chamber Concerts: Grand Romance
Sunday, May 31, 3 p.m.
Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, $40
The ACC are joined by many friends this afternoon to present three varied string ensemble formats: a quartet, a sextet, and an octet. Featuring music of Haydn, Richard Strauss and George Enescu, this lovely program will show you the changing possibilities of different string ensembles — as adding just one person brings so much more complexity and excitement to the group. Any musician will tell you that much of real musical joy is in playing, and that nothing beats a good play with friends — making this program attractive to audience and players alike. Come and see what ACC and their friends: Annalee Patipatanakoon, Aaron Schwebel, and Min-Jeong Koh (violins), Sharon Wei and Hezekiah Leung (violas), and Guillaume Artus, cello, will create. Info here.
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