{"id":40516,"date":"2020-02-03T12:39:52","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T17:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=40516"},"modified":"2020-02-03T12:40:12","modified_gmt":"2020-02-03T17:40:12","slug":"liszts-10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-roy-thomson-hall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2020\/02\/03\/liszts-10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-roy-thomson-hall\/","title":{"rendered":"LISZTS | 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Roy Thomson Hall"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Roy
Interesting factoids about Roy Thomson Hall that may surprise you.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe St.) has been a provocative subject for Toronto’s concert goers. While it can sometimes sound a little cavernous, one undeniable fact is that it has become a major part of Toronto’s musical and architectural history.<\/p>\n

Here are a few interesting facts we found that you might not have known about Toronto’s premiere concert venue.<\/p>\n

Did we miss any? Add your own in the comments.<\/p>\n

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1<\/h3>\n

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Renowned violinist and frequent Toronto Symphony Orchestra guest artist Itzhak Perlman acted as a special advisor to the Roy Thomson Hall architects to ensure accessibility at all levels for disabled performers and patrons.<\/p>\n

2<\/h3>\n
\"Leonard
Bernstein conducted the Vienna Philharmonic in celebration of his 70th birthday (Photo: University Musical Society\/Creative Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On October 30, 1988, Leonard Bernstein conducted the Vienna Philharmonic as part of The Great Orchestra Series at RTH. This was his only appearance at the Hall, and he died of a heart attack two years later.<\/p>\n

3<\/h3>\n
\"South
South view of Roy Thomson Hall’s reflecting pool.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The courtyard pond was originally designed to be used as a skating rink in the winter. The building was influenced by RTH\u00a0architect Arthur Erickson’s journeys in Japan and his relationship with the North American Aboriginals.<\/p>\n

4<\/h3>\n
\"Roy
Roy Thomson Hall ramp where Xavier and Magneto converse briefly in the film, X-Men.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has a long history of launching the festival every year at RTH with a Gala Screening. The hall has been the site of world premieres for such Oscar Winning films as The King\u2019s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, Black Swan. (It was also used \u00a0as a location for the movie, X-Men.)<\/p>\n

5<\/h3>\n
\"Roy
Roy Thomson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Originally known as “The New Massey Hall”, it was renamed on January 14, 1982, in honour of Roy Thomson (founder of the publishing empire Thomson Corporation), who donated C$4.5 million to the construction of the hall.<\/p>\n

6<\/h3>\n
\"Jack
RCMP officers carry the casket at Roy Thomson Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The hall was the venue of the state funeral of federal Leader of the Official Opposition and NDP leader Jack Layton on August 27, 2011.<\/p>\n

7<\/h3>\n
\"R
R Murray Schafer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first concert in the gala opening festival, 13-25 Sep 1982, included two commissions: Fanfare by Ray Luedeke for the Toronto Symphony, and Sun by R. Murray Schafer for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Followed by a concert production of Capriccio by the Canadian Opera Company among others.<\/p>\n

8<\/h3>\n

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RTH has served as the main venue for the Munk Debates<\/a>. The first debate, \u201cBe it Resolved, Religion is a Force for Good in the World,\u201d was held between former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and author Christopher Hitchens.<\/p>\n

9<\/h3>\n

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RTH acquired its Yamaha CF-2 concert grand piano from the estate of Glenn Gould in 1983.<\/p>\n

10<\/h3>\n

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The hall was renovated over a period of six months in 2002, after years of complaints from musicians about the quality of its acoustics.<\/p>\n

Bonus<\/h3>\n

For more, check out this video of MT founder and co-author of “Roy Thomson Hall: A Portrait<\/a>,” John Terauds, as he shares some behind the scenes stories about the acoustic renovation of 2002 at Toronto’s iconic venue here:<\/p>\n