{"id":121824,"date":"2026-02-17T12:03:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T17:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=121824"},"modified":"2026-02-17T12:03:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T17:03:18","slug":"critics-picks-classical-music-events-absolutely-need-see-week-february-17-february-22-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/02\/17\/critics-picks-classical-music-events-absolutely-need-see-week-february-17-february-22-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC\u2019S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: February 17 \u2013 February 22, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"L-R
L-R (clockwise): Baroque dance artist Caroline Copeland (Photo: Christopher Kayden); Pianist Yefim Bronfman (Photo courtesy of the artist); L\u2019Atelier Romantique – Jessy Dub\u00e9 (violin) Sari Tsuji (viola) and Marie-Michel Beauparlant (cello), Pascal Valois (guitar) (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 February 17 and 22, 2026. For more of what\u2019s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Rameau & The Art of the Dance \u2014 Tafelmusik Meets Juilliard<\/h3>\n

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.
\nTrinity St. Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts, $23.50+<\/p>\n

Tafel with guest Robert Mealy, who\u2019s been busy heading the Juilliard\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Mahler’s Ninth<\/h3>\n

Thursday, February 19, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 3 p.m.
\nRoy Thomson Hall, $69+<\/p>\n

Following up on the extravaganza of Mahler 3 by the Budapest Festival Orchestra with Ivan Fischer<\/a>, Toronto audiences are presented with Mahler\u2019s 9th, his last complete symphony, this weekend. If Mahler\u2019s 3rd was about the creation of the world and its unstoppable force, Mahler 9 is about the inevitable progress of life \u2014 from love to loss. Dying at an early age of 50 \u2014 unfortunately too early \u2014 Mahler\u2019s 47th year was full of tragedies: Alma\u2019s operation, the death of Anna Mahler, the little \u2018Putzi\u2019 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\u2019s these tragedies that started to stain Mahler\u2019s heart with death, slowly yet surely marching against one\u2019s 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 \u2014 one of the best slowburns ever written. This compact concert is a single-feature; yes, just Mahler 9, a great way to experience Mahler\u2019s goodbye to the earthly world without distractions. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Toronto Symphony Orchestra: TSYO: Death & Transfiguration<\/h3>\n

Saturday, February 21, 3 p.m.
\nGeorge Weston Recital Hall, $24+<\/p>\n

One of my favourite events of the year, the dedicated and talented young musicians of TSYO tackle two big works: Ravel\u2019s Tombeau de Couperin and Strauss\u2019s Death & Transfiguration. The Tombeau is full of the most brilliant and beautiful wind writing \u2014 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\u2019s 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 \u2014 get your tickets early, as TSYO\u2019s two concerts always sell out super early. A Canadian work, Endymion by Jean Coulthard, opens this ambitious program. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Guitar Society of Toronto: L\u2019Atelier Romantique<\/h3>\n

Saturday, February 21, 7:30 p.m.
\nSt. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 73 Simcoe St., $20+<\/p>\n

This quartet of musicians: Jessy Dub\u00e9 (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<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

New Music Concerts: Black Box Music<\/h3>\n

Saturday, Feburary 21, 8 p.m.
\nBetty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis St., $20+<\/p>\n

This first concert for 2026 by NMC features a great variety of textures and soundscapes. Involving hordes of veteran musicians from Toronto\u2019s contemporary music scene, the program is full of interesting works, including Simon Steen-Anderson\u2019s Blackbox, featuring everything percussive along with winds and brass, Rashaan Allwood\u2019s Break My Hands! for 1 piano crammed with three pianists (world premiere), Boulez\u2019s Messagesquisse involving 7 cellists, and Sarriaho\u2019s 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<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Royal Conservatory of Music: Yefim Bronfman<\/h3>\n

Sunday, February 22, 3 p.m.
\nKoerner Hall, $75+<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Arabeske, and Debussy\u2019s 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 \u2014 come and experience the richness of these beloved classics with the master. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra: 35th Gala Concert<\/h3>\n

Sunday, February 22, 4 p.m.
\nMeridian Arts Center, $16.75+<\/p>\n

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\u2019ll 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 \u2014 continuing to grace people\u2019s lives, no matter where one may be in life. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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