{"id":20179,"date":"2014-08-22T10:17:25","date_gmt":"2014-08-22T14:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=20179"},"modified":"2014-08-22T12:34:09","modified_gmt":"2014-08-22T16:34:09","slug":"toronto-symphony-orchestras-upcoming-year-of-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2014\/08\/22\/toronto-symphony-orchestras-upcoming-year-of-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming year of change"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Performing<\/a>
Performing Rachmaninoff “Symphonic Dances” at Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam. August, 18, 2014 TSO European Tour. Photo: Josh Clavir.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It will be\u00a0a year of change for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, who will be will opening its 93rd<\/sup> season on September 18, at Roy Thomson Hall, with a number of exciting shows planned.<\/p>\n

The TSO have been abroad since August 15\u00a0on a 10-day, six-concert European tour<\/a>, led by music director Peter Oundjian, which includes violinist James Ehnes and clarinetist-composer Jo\u0308rg Widmann. This marks the TSO’s first European concert tour in 14 years. Unfortunately they did not include a single\u00a0work by living Canadian composer, which is odd, considering the large number of well-received premieres over the seasons since Oundjian arrived 11 years ago. The sole Canadian work is the eerie Orion<\/em>, by the late Claude Vivier, which has gathered some steam internationally. It was also just performed as part of the Toronto Summer Music Festival at Koerner Hall on Aug. 12.<\/p>\n

Besides the tour, the TSO’s\u00a0newly minted CEO, Jeff Melanson<\/a> will be starting his tenure with the orchestra;\u00a0\u00a0promising some much-needed verve to help steer the ship away from declining attendance. Hopes are high for the ex-Banff impresario.<\/p>\n

Announced last January, the season will include a river of classics with a number of visiting soloists and conductors, spread over innovative formats, including the 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Afterworks presentations.<\/p>\n

The season kicks-off with Berlioz\u2019s Roman Carnival Overture<\/em> and Rimsky-Korsakov\u2019s Capriccio espagnol<\/em>. Violin virtuoso Joshua Bell will make an appearance in Lalo\u2019s Symphonie espagnole<\/em>.<\/p>\n

On September, 20 and 21st<\/sup>, the TSO presents \u201cArabian Nights,\u201d a programme with Concertmaster Jonathan Crow performing Rimsky-Korsakov\u2019s Scheherazade<\/em>, which will be\u00a0released on Chandos Records this August. (For a review of the album, by Musical Toronto’s Paul Robinson, see here<\/a>.)\u00a0The program also includes Stravinsky\u2019s Suite from The Firebird<\/em> (1919) and the standard Bol\u00e9ro.<\/p>\n

The TSO\u00a0continues with Beethoven\u2019s Ninth, presented in all its blustery glory on September 25, 26, and 27 with a full cast of soloists, backed by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Rachmaninoff\u2019s Rhapsody<\/em> shares the bill, featuring the TSO d\u00e9but of the young Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov.<\/p>\n

The TSO\u2019s Pops season beings October 14-15, with conductor Steven Reineke, and the Finnish a cappella Rajaton, who audiences might recall performed ABBA covers with the TSO last season. This year is all about the 50th anniversary of The Beatles\u2019 American invasion.<\/p>\n

The busy October will also include some new faces, and conductor d\u00e9buts. These include Czech baton Jakub Hr\u016f\u0161a, leading the way in the very first Afterworks Concerts on October 8, and Casual Concert on the 11th<\/span>. The programme features Montreal born Karen Gomyo, performing Sibelius\u2019s Violin Concerto.<\/p>\n

Maestro St\u00e9phane Den\u00e8ve will also appear alongside Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti (one of my personal favourites) on October 22 and 23 with some Russian fare, including Prokofiev\u2019s Romeo & Juliet<\/em> and Shostakovich\u2019s Violin Concerto No. 1. Benedetti is worth the price of admission alone.<\/p>\n

Some new pianists to announce as well: Khatia Buniatishvili performing Chopin\u2019s Piano Concerto No. 2, on October 2 and 4, and the young American born pianist Conrad Tao, performing Grieg\u2019s Piano Concerto on October 18 and 19.<\/p>\n

Besides conductors and instrumental soloists, Australian tenor Stuart Skelton will make his TSO d\u00e9but for Elgar\u2019s The Dream of Gerontius<\/em>, with a full stage including mezzo-soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers, bass-baritone John Relyea, the Amadeus Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers. Elgar’s oratorio is a true masterpiece, and a highlight of the TSO season. (Ben Heppner was originally scheduled to appear as a\u00a0soloist, but after announcing his retirement last spring, Mr. Skelton stepped-in.)<\/p>\n

In the spirit of Halloween, the TSO\u2019s first Young People\u2019s Concert will take place on October 25, with conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong spooking-out the audience with Bach\u2019s Toccata in D Minor, The Sorcerer\u2019s Apprentice<\/em>, and selections from Symphonie fantastique, accompanied by a dance group. They are encouraging the audience to come in full costume, so I\u2019d imagine this will be a \u2018spirited\u2019 concert on, and off stage.<\/p>\n

For more details, see below:<\/p>\n

Opening Night: Joshua Bell
\nThursday, September 18 at 7:00pm Special Concert
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

Peter Oundjian, conductor
\nJoshua Bell, violin<\/p>\n

Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture
\nLalo: Symphonie espagnole
\nRimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol<\/p>\n

Tickets: $38.75 \u2013 $169<\/p>\n

Call TSO\u2019s ticket line at 416.593.4828 | Chinese hotline: 416.593.0688 | Online Tickets at TSO.CA<\/p>\n

To purchase an Opening Night Gala package, which includes premium tickets and an exclusive post-concert dinner, please call TSO Special Events at 416.593.7769 X261.<\/p>\n

The Gala Reception Sponsor is Livingston.<\/p>\n

Arabian Nights
\nSaturday, September 20 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nRoy Thomson Hall
\nSunday, September 21 at 3:00pm Masterworks
\nGeorge Weston Recital Hall<\/p>\n

Peter Oundjian, conductor
\nJonathan Crow, violin<\/p>\n

Ravel: Bol\u00e9ro
\nStravinsky: Suite from The Firebird (1919)
\nRimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade<\/p>\n

Tickets:
\nSept. 20: $33 \u2013 $145 | Sept. 21: $43.50 \u2013 $98.50<\/p>\n

Call TSO\u2019s ticket line at 416.593.4828 | Chinese hotline: 416.593.0688 | Online Tickets at TSO.CA<\/p>\n

The September 21 performance is at the George Weston Recital Hall located at 5040 Yonge Street.<\/p>\n

To purchase tickets by phone call Ticketmaster at 1.855.985.ARTS (2787)<\/p>\n

The Three at the Weston Series performances are generously supported by Margaret and Jim Fleck.<\/p>\n

Air Canada is the Official Airline & September 20 Sponsor.<\/p>\n

Beethoven Symphony 9
\nThursday, September 25 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nFriday, September 26 at 7:30pm Masterworks
\nSaturday, September 27 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

Peter Oundjian, conductor
\nDaniil Trifonov, piano
\nJessica Rivera, soprano
\nAndrea Ludwig, mezzo-soprano
\nDavid Pomeroy, tenor
\nTyler Duncan, baritone
\nToronto Mendelssohn Choir<\/p>\n

Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
\nBeethoven: Symphony No. 9 \u201cChoral\u201d<\/p>\n

There will be a pre-concert chat in the North Lobby on September 25.<\/p>\n

Tickets: $38.75 \u2013 $169<\/p>\n

Rachmaninoff Symphony 2
\nThursday, October 2 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nSaturday, October 4 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

David Zinman, conductor
\nKhatia Buniatishvili, piano<\/p>\n

Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2
\nRachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2<\/p>\n

Tickets: $33 \u2013 $145<\/p>\n

Dvo\u0159\u00e1k New World Symphony
\nWednesday, October 8 at 6:30pm Afterworks
\nThursday, October 9 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nSaturday, October 11 at 7:30pm Casual Concert
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

Jakub Hr\u016f\u0161a, conductor
\nKaren Gomyo, violin
\nTom Allen, host (October 8 only)<\/p>\n

Morawetz: Carnival Overture (October 9 only)
\nSibelius: Violin Concerto (first movement only on October 8)
\nDvo\u0159\u00e1k: Symphony No. 9 \u201cFrom the New World\u201d<\/p>\n

Afterworks concerts are 75-minute performances without intermission and feature complimentary pre-concert appetizers.<\/p>\n

There will be a pre-concert chat in the North Lobby on October 9.<\/p>\n

There will be a post-concert party in the lobby on October 11 as part of the Casual Concert series.<\/p>\n

Tickets:
\nOct. 8: $39 \u2013 $82 | Oct. 9: $33 \u2013 $145 | Oct. 11: $33 \u2013 $105<\/p>\n

Best of The Beatles<\/p>\n

Tuesday, October 14 at 8:00pm Pops
\nWednesday, October 15 at 2:00pm Pops
\nWednesday, October 15 at 8:00pm Pops
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

Steven Reineke, conductor
\nRajaton, vocal ensemble<\/p>\n

The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper\u2019s Lonely Hearts Club Band (complete album)
\nThe Beatles: Selection of Number One Hits<\/p>\n

Tickets:
\nEvening: $33 \u2013 $100 | Matinee: $29 \u2013 $82<\/p>\n

The Planets & More
\nSaturday, October 18 at 7:30pm Light Classics
\nSunday, October 19 at 4:00pm Light Classics
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

Robert Moody, conductor
\nConrad Tao, piano<\/p>\n

Shostakovich: Festive Overture
\nGrieg: Piano Concerto
\nArturo M\u00e1rquez: Danz\u00f3n No. 2
\nHolst: Selections from The Planets<\/p>\n

Tickets: $33 \u2013 $93<\/p>\n

Romeo & Juliet
\nWednesday, October 22 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nThursday, October 23 at 2:00pm Masterworks
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

St\u00e9phane Den\u00e8ve, conductor
\nNicola Benedetti, violin
\nToronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO)<\/p>\n

Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave (side-by-side with TSYO)
\nShostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1
\nProkofiev\/arr. St\u00e9phane Den\u00e8ve: Suite from Romeo and Juliet<\/p>\n

There will be a pre-concert chat in the North Lobby on October 22.<\/p>\n

Tickets:
\nEvening: $33 \u2013 $145 | Matinee: $29 \u2013 $89<\/p>\n

Symphonic Spooks
\nSaturday, October 25 at 2:00pm Young People\u2019s Concerts
\nSaturday, October 25 at 4:00pm Young People\u2019s Concerts
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor
\nTha Spot Halloween Dancers
\nDavid Simon, organ<\/p>\n

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Overture to The Phantom of the Opera
\nStravinsky: \u201cInfernal Dance of King Katschei\u201d from The Firebird
\nGrieg: \u201cIn the Hall of the Mountain King\u201d from Peer Gynt
\nTchaikovsky: Waltz from the Suite from The Sleeping Beauty
\nJohn Williams: Hedwig\u2019s Theme from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\u2019s Stone
\nSaint-Sa\u00ebns: \u201cFossils\u201d from The Carnival of Animals
\nJohnson: \u201c’Dem Bones\u201d
\nWagner: \u201cThe Ride of the Valkyries\u201d from Die Walk\u00fcre
\nRavel: \u201cConversations of Beauty and the Beast\u201d from Mother Goose
\nBerlioz: \u201cDream of a Witches’ Sabbath\u201d from Symphonie fantastique<\/p>\n

There will be a pre-concert performance in the North Lobby.<\/p>\n

Tickets: $20 \u2013 $32<\/p>\n

The Dream of Gerontius
\nThursday, October 30 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nSaturday, November 1 at 8:00pm Masterworks
\nRoy Thomson Hall<\/p>\n

Peter Oundjian, conductor
\nCatherine Wyn-Rogers, mezzo-soprano
\nStuart Skelton, tenor
\nJohn Relyea, bass-baritone
\nAmadeus Choir
\nElmer Iseler Singers<\/p>\n

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius<\/p>\n

There will be a pre-concert chat in the North Lobby on November 1.<\/p>\n

Tickets: $33 \u2013 $145<\/p>\n

Michael Vincent<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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