{"id":126054,"date":"2026-07-21T14:44:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:44:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=126054"},"modified":"2026-07-22T08:00:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T12:00:03","slug":"scrutiny-national-youth-orchestra-canada-kicks-off-canadiana-tour-toronto-dazzling-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/07\/21\/scrutiny-national-youth-orchestra-canada-kicks-off-canadiana-tour-toronto-dazzling-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"SCRUTINY | The National Youth Orchestra Of Canada Kicks Off Canadiana Tour In Toronto With Dazzling Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Daniel
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Canada at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, July 18, 2026 (Photo: Stuart Lowe)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

National Youth Orchestra of Canada: Canadiana Tour. William Grant Still (1895\u20131978) | Symphony No. 2 in G minor (\u201cSong of a New Race\u201d); Edward Elgar (1857\u20131934)| Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, Sabina Sandvoss, soloist; Liam Ritz (b 1996) | Pulse (SOCAN\/NYO Canada commission, World Premiere); Richard Strauss (1864-1949) | Der Rosenkavalier Suite. National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, conductor. July 18, 2026, Koerner Hall.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A National Youth Orchestra of Canada concert is always a standout event, made doubly so by the fact the July 18, 2026 date at Koerner Hall kicked off their Canadiana Tour<\/strong>. Until July 31, 2026, NYO Canada will be on the road, with four more stops between Toronto and Ottawa, finishing off at Saint-Ir\u00e9n\u00e9e \u2013 Domaine Forget de Charlevoix.<\/p>\n

Over the course of the tour, they\u2019ll be performing a varied program. The Toronto audience was fortunate enough to experience not only the world premiere of a piece by young Canadian composer Liam Ritz<\/strong>, but also the performance of cellist Sabina Sandvoss<\/strong>, the first prize winner of this year\u2019s Michael Measures Prize, as soloist for the Elgar Cello Concerto \u2014 and the debut of Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser<\/strong> as the orchestra\u2019s new Music Director in concert.<\/p>\n

\"Daniel
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, with cello soloist Sabina Sandvoss, at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, July 18, 2026 (Photo: Stuart Lowe)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

William Grant Still: Symphony No. 2 in G minor (\u201cSong of a New Race\u201d)<\/h3>\n

The program led with Still\u2019s Symphony No. 2, which NYOC conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser remarked afterwards was his favourite of all Still\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

Still\u2019s music is cinematic and storytelling in scope, with varied textures and moods that ranged from lyrical to highly dramatic. Of special mention, some lovely work by the flutes, with Alexis Bernier<\/strong>\u00a0playing 1st flute, and Aeri Seong<\/strong> on piccolo (later third flute). It wasn\u2019t the only time during the concert that the whole flute section, also incorporating Xavier Choquette<\/strong> (second flute) distinguished itself with flawless intonation, superlative tones, and sensitive interpretation.<\/p>\n

The oboe section, and clarinets, particularly Anjali Covill,<\/strong> also deserve singling out for their work in the Symphony, along with nice lyricism from the violas and cellos in a melodic section of the piece. In the third section, the bassoons were given a chance to shine, and they gave their time in the spotlight the attention it deserved.<\/p>\n

The symphony ends with the softest of sighs from the violins. Overall, the orchestra handled the wide dynamic and tonal ranges, and varied rhythms of the piece with aplomb.<\/p>\n

\"Cellist
Cellist Sabina Sandvoss performs with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducting, at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, July 18, 2026 (Photo: Stuart Lowe)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Edward Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85<\/h3>\n

Sabina Sandvoss<\/strong> was nothing short of sensational in her turn as soloist in Elgar\u2019s Cello Concerto. The piece is a cornerstone of cello repertoire, and should become a signature work of hers as well. A passionate performer, she offered a lovely and nuanced interpretation of the work, showcasing the instrument\u2019s range of colours and tones from darkest to sweetest.<\/p>\n

The orchestra worked as well with a soloist as on its own, with a good balance of dynamics. In the first movement, the melody passes from cellist to violas, then the cello section, and later the violins. It was a beautiful and seamless transition. In the second movement, the cellist blends in and out of the string section as a whole.<\/p>\n

Elgar\u2019s Cello Concerto demands not just virtuosity, but a refined approach, and a high degree of control over dynamics and tonal variations. Sabina handled it all in stride. The piece closes with the third movement\u2019s rising intensity, which was balanced by the woodwind section\u2019s colours.<\/p>\n

The crowd immediately rose to its feet for a standing ovation that demanded three returns to the stage, and a lovely encore that she performed with her fellow cellists.<\/p>\n

Canada has produced a string of young, virtuosic cellists who have moved from early promise to celebrated careers, such as Rachel Mercer and No\u00e9mie Raymond, to name just two. I will anticipate adding Sabina Sandvoss\u2019 name to that list.<\/p>\n

Liam Ritz: Pulse<\/h3>\n

The world premiere of Liam Ritz\u2019s Pulse led the second half of the concert. After a dramatic opening, the work uses the full range of orchestral colours, including piano and harps. It features interesting rhythmic and dynamic changes at a rapid fire pace.<\/p>\n

The full percussion section of five performers was on stage, and kept busy by the kinetic score. There were spotlight moments for harp and clarinet as well. Ritz uses striking contrasts in the work, such as setting the shimmer of strings against the full brass and percussion.<\/p>\n

The orchestra attacked the piece with the energy it needed to soar, and Ritz received a nice round of audience applause at its completion.<\/p>\n

\"Daniel
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Canada at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, July 18, 2026 (Photo: Stuart Lowe)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier Suite<\/h3>\n

I can\u2019t remember the last time I heard Der Rosenkavalier Suite performed live, and it was a pleasure to hear the orchestra switch seamlessly from Ritz\u2019s contemporary sensibilities to its lush Viennese late Romanticism.<\/p>\n

Here, the orchestra was in full bloom, notably a string section that moved between its thrilling and intense moments to the lyrical waltz section with its iconic harmonic shifts. The first violin chair changed for each piece. For Strauss, it was Ehrentraud Moser,<\/strong> who added some stellar solo work to the suite.<\/p>\n

The horns and brass section underpinned the drama of the work with gorgeous tones and intonation.<\/p>\n

Towards the end of the work, Strauss cycles through all the thematic material in rapid succession, a passage that was well realized by the ensemble as a whole, leading up to its uber-dramatic finish.<\/p>\n

After a round of heartfelt cheers and applause, Bartholomew-Poyser and the orchestra finished off the evening with a song performed as an a cappella choir \u2014 an NYO Canada tradition. They sang Leave Her, Johnny, a traditional Irish\/British sea shanty, in the Stan Rogers\u2019 arrangement.<\/p>\n

Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s the first year of Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser\u2019s term as NYO Canada\u2019s Music Director, and his inaugural tour as their conductor. He led the orchestra with authority, but a light hand, guiding the young musicians as needed to bring out their natural talents as a group.<\/p>\n

Through the rehearsals leading up to the tour, it\u2019s clear that Bartholomew-Poyser has developed a great rapport with the orchestra, and you could see his joy in their accomplishment.<\/p>\n

Prior to the concert, I had a chance to chat with him briefly, and he mentioned their unflagging enthusiasm for the music. Even after a dozen rehearsals, the musicians were still coming up with new ways to improve and perfect their performance together.<\/p>\n

\"Daniel
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Canada at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, July 18, 2026 (Photo: Stuart Lowe)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n

Coming back from intermission, two of the musicians did a roll call that revealed musicians who came from every province. NYO Canada is a uniting influence in this country, and as speakers before the performance pointed out, it creates collegial bonds that will endure throughout their professional lives.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing quite like the passion and enthusiasm, fueled by nurtured talent, that NYO Canada brings to the stage. The audience responds with unbridled enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

As the attendee to my left remarked as we were leaving, it\u2019s an experience we all need right now.<\/p>\n