TORONTO, ON — (April 24, 2026) — Music Toronto is proud to announce its 2026–27 season, a vibrant and wide-ranging series that brings together many of today’s leading international and Canadian artists while deepening the organization’s commitment to artistic excellence, discovery, and community connection.
On October 8, the season opens with internationally acclaimed cellist Pablo Ferrández, hailed by some as “the next Yo-Yo Ma,” making his Canadian solo recital debut. The program celebrates the 150th anniversary of Pablo Casals’ birth, honouring the legendary artist whose legacy reshaped the voice of the cello through works by Bach, Britten, and Cassadó.
Throughout the season, Music Toronto welcomes the return of distinguished ensembles including Quatuor Danel (France & Belgium), the Esmé Quartet (Germany, Korea), and the Gryphon Trio (Canada), alongside first appearances by the Escher String Quartet (USA) and the New Orford String Quartet (Canada). Pianists Illia Ovcharenko (Ukraine) and Danny Driver (United Kingdom) return with distinctive recital programs, while Duo Concertante (Canada) joins forces with the Dior String Quartet (Canada) for a major collaborative performance.
The season also reflects a broader artistic focus on Beethoven, as the global music community approaches the 200th anniversary of the composer’s death in 2027. Across the season, audiences will encounter a selection of Beethoven’s chamber and solo works, culminating in major statements including the Diabelli Variations, the String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132, and the Appassionata Sonata.
Composer-performers also take a central role this season. Dinuk Wijeratne appears with the Canadian Chamber Orchestra in a program that includes his work for solo piano and chamber orchestra entitled Gajaga Vannama. Inspired by Sri Lankan ritual and the majesty of the elephant this vibrant East-meets-West score pulses with dance rhythms, jazz inflections, tonal clusters, and dazzling colour. Also featured this season, the Gryphon Trio presents the world premiere of a new work for piano trio by Graham Campbell.
A highlight of the season is the return of Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great?®, part of Music Toronto’s MUSE (Music Unveiled, Stories, Explorations) series. Kapilow brings his signature insight and energy to Mendelssohn’s Octet and Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata, guiding audiences through the music with live musical examples and illuminating commentary, before the works unfold in full, newly vivid and deeply understood.
Music Toronto’s commitment to artistic continuity and depth is embodied in the Gryphon Trio’s December 10 performance of Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, presented with clarinetist James Campbell. A work they have performed with Campbell for over 25 years, Messiaen’s profound statement of faith, endurance, and human resilience represents an important thread in the Trio’s ongoing artistic journey.
The season concludes with a range of distinctive voices and perspectives, including Mayrig (Mother), an immersive multimedia work that weaves Armenian music from Anatolia and songs of Lebanon, by cellist Karen Ouzounian and composer-pianist Lembit Beecher. The program also includes new works exploring memory, heritage, and resilience across generations.
In addition to its mainstage concerts at the Jane Mallett Theatre, Music Toronto continues to expand its artistic reach through pre-concert performances, master classes open to the public, artist residencies, and its MUSE series, offering audiences deeper ways to engage with music and artists throughout the season.
MUSIC TORONTO 2026-27 SEASON
- Pablo Ferrández, cello — Canadian solo recital debut (Oct 8, 7:30 pm)
- Quatuor Danel — Mozart, Gubaidulina, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky (Oct 22, 7:30 pm)
- Dinuk Wijeratne & Canadian Chamber Orchestra — including Gajaba Vannama
(Nov 3, 7:30 pm) - What Makes It Great?® with Rob Kapilow — Mendelssohn Octet (Nov 15, 4:00 pm)
and Beethoven Appassionata (Jan 17, 4:00 pm) - Illia Ovcharenko, piano – Beethoven, Schumann, Kosenko, Liszt (Nov 24, 7:30 pm)
- Gryphon Trio & James Campbell — Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time (Dec 10,
7:30 pm) - Esmé Quartet — Beethoven, Barber, Dvořák (Feb 11, 7:30 pm)
- Duo Concertante & Dior String Quartet — Chausson Concert (Feb 23, 7:30 pm)
- Danny Driver, piano — Beethoven Diabelli Variations (Mar 17, 7:30 pm)
- Escher String Quartet — Music Toronto debut (Mar 25, 7:30 pm)
- Ouzounian & Beecher— Mayrig, an immersive multimedia program (Apr 18, 4:00 pm)
- New Orford String Quartet — Beethoven Op. 132 (May 6, 7:30 pm)
All concerts take place at: Jane Mallet Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5E 1B4.
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TICKETS
Subscriptions for the 2026–27 season are now available, offering savings of up to 40% and priority access to the best seats, starting at $138 for a 3-concert series. Single tickets are $40 to $70, plus tax and service fees, and will go on sale on August 4.
To purchase subscriptions, Flex packages, or single tickets visit:
www.music-toronto.com/concerts
or call TO Live Box Office at 416 366-7723
For all other Music Toronto inquiries please call 416 214-1660.
ABOUT MUSIC TORONTO
For over five decades, Music Toronto has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life, presenting outstanding chamber music performances by leading international and Canadian artists. Founded in 1971, the organization continues to connect audiences through the immediacy of live performance while supporting artistic development, community engagement and education across the city.
This work is made possible through the generosity of our donors and sponsors, and with the support of the Temerty Foundation, Government of Canada (Department of Canadian Heritage), Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council, whose investment helps bring extraordinary live music to our community.
