{"id":110120,"date":"2024-12-09T10:45:06","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T15:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=110120"},"modified":"2024-12-09T10:45:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T15:45:06","slug":"critics-picks-classical-music-events-absolutely-need-see-week-december-9-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/12\/09\/critics-picks-classical-music-events-absolutely-need-see-week-december-9-15\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC\u2019S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: December 9 \u2013 15"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"L-R
L-R (clockwise): pianist Isata and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason (Photo courtesy of the artists); The Toronto Children\u2019s Chorus (Photo courtesy of TCC); The St. Michael\u2019s Choir School (Photo courtesy of St. Michael\u2019s College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between December 9 and 15, 2024. For more of what\u2019s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Confluence Concerts: Letters to the Author<\/h3>\n

Tuesday, December 10, 7:30 p.m.
\nHeliconian Hall, $30<\/p>\n

Life is a continuous dialogue. Despite the rigid lines we try to draw in between things, the constant semiosis of the in-betweens marks our own transient nature, and the messy, rich, and wide world we occupy. This concert, curated by the 24-25 Confluence Concert Young Artistic Associate, Aidan McConnell, focuses on that infinite space between the creators and the recipients \u2014 artists and audience; or perhaps, we all are artists when we perceive things that are greater than the mechanical part of reality and become \u2018art,\u2019 if just for that flashing moment. Music of Joni Mitchell, Milton Nascimento, Elis Regina, Cecile Mclorin Salvant, Burt Bacharach, Benjamin Britten, John Coltrane, and others, has been chosen to create a bright constellation for all who join in with open ears. Come for sweet moments of intimacy \u2014 sink into the music as these lovely musicians, crossing many genres and boundaries, pulse together. Pre-concert chat at 6:45 p.m. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Toronto Symphony Orchestra: TSO Holiday Pops<\/h3>\n

Tuesday, December 10, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, December 11, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday, December 12, 8 p.m.
\nRoy Thomson Hall, $78+<\/p>\n

Christmastide is one of the best times for a pops concert: old favourites, classical bangers, choir carols, and jazz \u2014 it\u2019s very difficult to sit in and try to maintain a grinch stance when these familiar tunes waft in with a sense of festivity. Denzal Sinclaire, one of the best Nat King Cole interpreters, with three albums under the belt with Universal Music, is joined by Etobicoke School of Arts Holiday Chorus, TSO, and two young and mighty soloists from TSYO: Tina Sievers and Ethan Hyo Jeon. Come and get your holiday season started with this sparkling program. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Royal Conservatory of Music: Sheku Kanneh-Mason with Isata Kanneh-Mason<\/h3>\n

Wednesday, December 11, 8 p.m.
\nKoerner Hall, $50+<\/p>\n

Two members of the astonishing Kanneh-Mason family grace Koerner Hall this evening. Cellist Sheku, the winner of 2016 BBC Young Musician competition, became an instant household name when he played at the British Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; the eldest Kanneh-Mason, Isata, a pianist, has been busy performing across the world, including a BBC Proms concerto performance. To experience these talented siblings presenting this great program of cello-piano sonatas is an amazing treat, as it\u2019s the symbiosis between the individuals that makes a live human performance a successful experience. Technically and musically demanding, yet extraordinarily beautiful works by Mendelssohn, Faur\u00e9, Poulnec and Klouda (Canadian premiere) promise excitement and elegance. Not to be missed. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Elmer Isler Singers: December Splendour: Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/h3>\n

Friday, December 13, 7:30 p.m.
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church, $35+<\/p>\n

Handel wrote many bangers, and perhaps his most popular work, Messiah, graces many halls across the world during Christmastide and Easter. For this week, the ELS and great guests: VIVA Chamber Singers, and the Amadeus Choir, bring in tidings and joy of the good news to people on this Friday. Familiar faces, Leslie Fagan, Allyson McHardy, Colin Ainsworth, and Peter McGillivray, will deliver the good news as soloists. Messiah works in many settings \u2014 small and intimate, to massive, full-out stadium scale, and this feels just right; a communal effort, from young children to experienced pros. Do come and experience it live, among this wonderful community. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Royal Conservatory of Music: VOCES8<\/h3>\n

Friday, December 13, 8 p.m.
\nKoerner Hall. $50+<\/p>\n

Doubtlessly one of the best vocal ensembles in the world right now, VOCES8 makes its Koerner Hall debut. A splendid program of Christmas music from Praetorius to \u2018Silver Bells\u2019 and \u2018Let It Snow\u2019 will showcase what eight human voices can do together. This concert sold out weeks ago, yet there is likely to be small number of rush tickets for a few lucky individuals on the day, so get your speed-dial ready to ring at 5 p.m. sharp, to join the packed hall, in anticipation of what just may be the best choral concert of the year in the city. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

St. Michael\u2019s Choir School: Gloria!<\/h3>\n

Saturday, December 14, 7 p.m.
\nMassey Hall, $45<\/p>\n

St. Michael\u2019s Choir School brings the tradition of choral scholarship to Massey Hall on this Saturday evening. For the 59th annual Christmas concert, the boys and men, including returning alumni, are presenting Vivaldi\u2019s Gloria, Carol of the Bells, and The Carol, among other seasonal favourites. The splendour of 300+ male voices is quite special \u2014 another great chance to experience the rich resonance of a large vocal ensemble. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Royal Conservatory of Music: Emilie-Claire Barlow: Winter Wonderland<\/h3>\n

Saturday, December 14, 8 p.m.
\nKoerner Hall, $50+<\/p>\n

Come for an intimate holiday concert with Emilie-Claire, one of the brightest Canadian jazz stars. Known for her lovely voice and a sharp ear for arranging, Emilie-Claire’s been busy publishing 12 albums on her own, and with her expertise as a top-notch producer, she’s an all-around tour-de-force. This evening, she will fill the Koerner Hall with a 9-members mixed ensemble, evoking joy and grace to sum up this holiday season. Without intermission, this 90-minute concert could be just the thing for you to bring that holiday cheer up another notch. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Canadian Children’s Chorus: Songs of the Season<\/h3>\n

Sunday, December 15, 2 p.m.
\nRoy Thomson Hall $56.36+<\/p>\n

We often say we need to nurture and inspire children. But in this case, come and be amazed and inspired by these talented, hardworking children as they present \u2018Songs of the Season with Toronto Children’s Chorus\u2019, a tradition that’s been going on for over 30 years. Ranging from age six to young adults, it is amazing what they create artistically \u2014 their musicianship and technical mastery of choral singing are genuinely impressive \u2014 singing is not an easy thing! With many guests, including musicians of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, and an alumni choir, this is a great way to experience diverse artistry within our community. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Royal Conservatory of Music: Kevin Chen<\/h3>\n

Sunday, December 15, 3 p.m.
\nKoerner Hall, $30+<\/p>\n

This young Canadian man has been busy dashing through the international piano festivals. He was the youngest\u00a0winner of the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition, and has won the first prize at the Concours de Gen\u00e8ve<\/a>, and the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition<\/a>. Chen is bringing the peak canon repertoire of the Romantic piano works of Chopin and Liszt. If you need a respite from the sea of seasonal cheer, this concert will present you with impressive technicality and panache of classical piano.\u00a0 Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Classical music and opera events in Toronto for the week of December 9 to 15, 2024. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":110121,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[40967,74,11,76,19,3895,5722,63],"tags":[40084,39815,34187,3342],"yst_prominent_words":[8345,10737,14120,8465,6744,10549,6606,14121,14099,10287,12857,6674,8282,11056,7171],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-2024-12-09T101307.589.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-sE8","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110120"}],"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=110120"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":110122,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110120\/revisions\/110122"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110120"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=110120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}