{"id":108713,"date":"2024-10-21T10:30:52","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T14:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=108713"},"modified":"2024-10-21T16:07:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T20:07:16","slug":"critics-picks-classical-music-events-you-absolutely-need-to-see-this-week-october-21-27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/10\/21\/critics-picks-classical-music-events-you-absolutely-need-to-see-this-week-october-21-27\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC\u2019S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: October 21 – 27"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"L-R
L-R (clockwise): Director Tawiah Ben M\u2019Carthy (Photo courtesy of the artist); Fujii Percussion (Photo courtesy of the artists); Quartetto No\u00fbs (Photo courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between October 21 and 27, 2024. For more of what\u2019s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Instituto Italiano di Cultura: Quartetto No\u00fbs<\/h3>\n

Tuesday, October 22, 7 p.m.
\nHeliconian Hall. Free; registration required.<\/p>\n

In celebration of the 100th year of Puccini\u2019s death, the Instituto Italiano di Cultura is presenting a program of Puccini and his successor Verdi\u2019s string quartets. Taking the tradition of bel canto, where singers dictated the terms of engagement \u2014 range, key, ornamentation, repetitions, and even addition of extra things (even by other composers) with impunity, the rebels Puccini and Verdi started to write arias that are tightly bound to the libretto, with explicit musical directions on the score, demanding greater dedication to the composition itself. It is interesting to see how this creative transformation is adapted into the non-verbal music of the string quartet, and this free concert, featuring Quartetto No\u00fbs will bring the bel canto lyric magic to the intimate setting of the Heliconian Hall. A rare chance to hear this amazing repertoire live. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Soundstreams: Letters to God<\/h3>\n

Thursday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
\nTrinity St. Paul\u2019s United Church, $27.60+<\/p>\n

The mother-daughters trio, Fujii Percussion, is crossing the ocean to bring us an evening of amazing repertoire featuring percussion, piano (technically percussion), and the Canadian Children’s opera Company. Since its initial printing in 2008, Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall\u2019s legendary book, \u2018Children\u2019s Letter to God\u2019, a collection of letters expressing the littles\u2019 thoughts in the simplest, yet deep terms, has inspired many: composer Akira Miyoshi\u2019s take based on a Japanese edition translated by Syuntaro Tanizaki, a great Japanese poet and translator (he translated Charles Schulz\u2019s Peanuts, and for the other direction, his collection Floating in the River in Melancholy was the American Book Award winner in 1989). Such creative processes always bring challenges and unexpected joy through transcending from one medium to another. Additional selections from Toru Takemitsu, and Canadian composers R. Murray Schafer, Melody McKiver and Claude Vivier will fill the evening. A great chance to experience Fujii Trio, Japan\u2019s First Family of percussion (Daniel Druckman), in their peak of technical mastery and superb musicianship, supported by the local favs, Greg Oh, Ryan Scott, Soundstreams Choir 21, and the Canadian Children\u2019s Opera company. What a night of timbral and philosophical exploration. Read our Preview here<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Art of Time Ensemble\/Royal Conservatory of Music Glenn Gould School\/Koffler Arts: Sankofa: The Soldier\u2019s Tale Retold<\/h3>\n

Thursday, October 24, 8 p.m., Friday, October 25, 8 p.m., Saturday, October 2 p.m., and 8 p.m., Sunday October 27, 2 p.m.
\nHarbourfront Centre Theatre. $25+<\/p>\n

Stravinsky\u2019 wildly popular classic, the Soldier\u2019s Tale, is being recast in this provocative production, where the conflict of war meets additional dimensions of racism and historical erasure, through the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the only Canadian Battalion of Black soldiers who served in WW1. How would it all change, this work that we always had, and have loved, when the new libretto by Titilope Sonuga, and direction under Tawiah M\u2019Carthy, opens a parallel world where things might appear similar, yet so different? Somehow, the theme of transformation\/adaptation seems to be the undercurrent of the week. Come and find out. What do we know, when we say we understand? Read our Interview with AoT Artistic Director Andrew Barashko here<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Opera Atelier: Acis and Galatea<\/h3>\n

Thursday, October 24, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 26 7:30 p.m., Sunday, October 27, 2:30 p.m.
\nThe Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres, $55+<\/p>\n

Classics done well: Opera Atelier\u2019s focus on established repertoire, mostly from Monteverdi to Mozart, is an interesting exploration into the art of historically-informed performance practice. In an effort to give us a slice from the past, OA\u2019s focus on historical instruments, and the dance element of the works, can be surprising- that old things can become alive, and the past is not just a mere re-animation, but could be a real sensory experience in the present. Handel\u2019s operas, especially with the firework arias, are musically impressive- they evoke, even just as a simple audio playback. How would it feel, to experience it live, with a stage full of carefully constructed sets and costumes, and amazing dancers, all to enhance the music? A decent opportunity to get one\u2019s feet wet in the historical performance arena. Read our Preview here<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Royal Canadian College of Organists Toronto: Phantoms of the Organ: Halloween Spooktacular<\/h3>\n

Friday, October 25, 8 p.m.
\nMetropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E. Free, donations welcomed.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Halloween without haunting organ music? Clich\u00e9 aside, come and experience this biggest organ in Canada ranging from a haunting pp to ground-rumbling ffff. With the high ceilings and dark woods in the elevated sanctuary and the organ centred on the stage, this is your chance to have a bit of fun \u2014 come wearing your best costumes, and see the organists (who you barely see most of the time, as they are cooped in the secret organ consoles located in so-many-different-placements depending on the layout of each church!) ring through this huge building with their chosen party pieces with flair and drama. And yes, the program will end with the favourite: Bach\u2019s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565. Bring the whole family out, and experience the fullness of autumn with crunching leaves underfoot, on a dark night full of scary music. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Orpheus Choir of Toronto: The Lamb White Days<\/h3>\n

Saturday, October 26, 7:30 p.m.
\nGrace Church on-the-hill, $25+<\/p>\n

Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means,\u2028Time held me green and dying,\u2028 Though I sang in my chains like the sea.<\/em> \u2028(Dylan Thomas, Fern Hill)<\/p>\n

Words are so much more than words. Opened carefully, and spoken with care, they become worlds, often more vibrant than the present \u2014 as we pour our hearts out in creating and expressing these black-on-white bits of suggestions. Dylan Thomas\u2019 Fern Hill is a beautiful work, and John Corigliano\u2019s setting is perhaps one of the most successful pastoral settings of our time. Come and celebrate Orpheus\u2019 60th season centred on this amazing work. Along with familiar pieces by Mozart and Faur\u00e9, hear Orpheus\u2019 dedication in our time through works by contemporary composers, including Katerina Gimon, George Chung, Stephanie Martin, Veljo Tormis, Budi Susando Yohanes, Tracy Wong, and more. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! \u2014 local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox <\/em>HERE<\/a>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Classical music and opera events in Toronto for the week of October 14 to 20, 2024. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":108714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[40967,10,76,19,3895,38,43,63,72],"tags":[41443,9497,40688,3079],"yst_prominent_words":[12628,12650,12651],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-90.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-shr","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108713"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108713"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108751,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108713\/revisions\/108751"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108713"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=108713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}