{"id":123195,"date":"2026-04-08T11:00:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T15:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=123195"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T18:00:02","slug":"preview-london-symphonia-presents-brahms-effect-tom-allen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/04\/08\/preview-london-symphonia-presents-brahms-effect-tom-allen\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | London Symphonia Presents The Brahms Effect With Tom Allen"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Graphic for The Brahms Effect with Tom Allen (Courtesy of London Symphonia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

London Symphonia invites audiences to embark on a journey of discovery with its presentation of The Brahms Effect with Tom Allen. Allen is a musician and storyteller, a CBC Radio 2 host, and he\u2019ll be leading the audience in an examination of the creative force behind Brahms\u2019 Clarinet Quintet on April 18<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are delighted to welcome back Tom Allen, one of Canada\u2019s most captivating storytellers to our stage in this concert dedicated to the music and influence of composer Johannes Brahms,\u201d said Andrew Chung<\/strong>, Artistic Producer of London Symphonia, in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cTom will tell the intriguing story of how Brahms\u2019 incredible Clarinet Quintet came to be and how it changed the music that came after as we sample works by Gerald Finzi, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Steve Reich. His weaving of the stories behind these compositions and their connections back to Brahms will enhance our emotional understanding and enjoyment of the music, and our appreciation of Brahms\u2019 genius.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Music<\/h2>\n

Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op.115 was composed in 1891, after the composer had been impressed by a private performance by clarinetist Richard M\u00fchlfeld. With him in mind, he also composed his Clarinet Trio, Op. 114, and premiered both works the same year. M\u00fchlfeld performed both pieces, and Brahms himself performed in the trio. Both pieces were immediately successful, and added weight to the few such works that had been written for the configuration previously.<\/p>\n

It was a hit with audiences then, a popularity that continues today. The work has influenced generations of composers who came after Brahms.<\/p>\n

Graham Lord, principal clarinet, and London Symphonia\u2019s String Quartet will perform Op. 115, along with selections from works that were inspired by Brahms\u2019 masterpiece, including Steve Reich\u2019s rarely performed New York Counterpoint.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve performed the Brahms Clarinet Quintet twice before and am thrilled to be presenting it alongside my dear colleagues from London Symphonia,\u201d said Graham Lord<\/strong>, principal clarinet, London Symphonia.<\/p>\n

\u201cA highlight of this concert for me will be performing Steve Reich\u2019s New York Counterpoint for live clarinet plus taped clarinets. This complex work is not often performed. I\u2019ll be playing all the parts \u2013 including a recording of myself from almost 20 years ago! I\u2019m absolutely delighted by all the pieces on the program, and so happy to share them with the audience here in London. I hope you can join us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Performers<\/h2>\n

Tom Allen<\/h3>\n

Born in Montr\u00e9al, Tom Allen worked as a bass trombonist in New York City, and toured with the Great Lakes Brass. He later added broadcasting to his CV, and began working for the CBC, where he now hosts a show on CBC Radio 2.<\/p>\n

Allen\u2019s career has expanded to include authoring several books, creating and hosting shows for both theatre companies and orchestras, and touring chamber musicals with his wife, harpist Lori Gemmell. His latter includes The Missing Pages, Being Lost and JS Bach\u2019s Long Walk in the Snow.<\/p>\n

Tom was recently granted an honorary Doctoral degree from Brandon University. Recently, he published an 18th century-style Classical Musick Almynack<\/a>, created with illustrator Ian Bell.<\/p>\n

Graham Lord<\/h3>\n

A native of the Vancouver area, Graham Lord is the principal clarinetist of both London Symphonia and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. He is also a busy freelance musician who works across Canada. He\u2019s been invited to perform as guest principal with the symphony orchestras of Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Nova Scotia, and Thunder Bay.<\/p>\n

Lord has also performed internationally, including at the Scotiabank Northern Lights Music Festival (Ajijic, Mexico), Yale University’s Norfolk Chamber Music Festival (Connecticut), and the COSI summer opera program (Sulmona, Italy). He has also given masterclasses at Western University, the University of Manitoba, Acadia University, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.<\/p>\n

Performance Details<\/h2>\n

Audiences can experience The Brahms Effect with Tom Allen, the London Symphonia String Quartet, and Graham Lord in person, or online via London Symphonia\u2019s new Watch and Listen channel, featuring high quality 4K HDR videos of 2025-26 concerts along with a treasure trove of past seasons.<\/p>\n

Live performance of The Brahms Effect takes place April 18 at the Metropolitan United, 468 Wellington St, London, ON.<\/p>\n