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Why are Toronto-based Tafelmusik’s performances and recordings of early music so electrifying? Is it their distinctive sound, creative interpretation or cohesive collaboration? The unique leadership style of the Artistic Co-Directors Brandon Chui (viola), Christina Zacharias (violin) and Dominic Teresi (bassoon) likely has something to do with it.
This Juno Award-winning ensemble continues to attract talented performers and plays to packed halls. In addition to their extensive home season, Tafelmusik is a shining example of Canadian content that is exported throughout the world. The orchestra will be touring Korea this November, led by the world-renowned baroque violinist Rachel Podger, who begins her tenure as the group’s Principal Guest Director this September. Tafelmusik’s extensive catalogue of recordings can be heard on all major streaming services (Apple, Spotify, etc.) and they also offer beautifully filmed concerts via an annual Digital Pass available via Tafelmusik.org.
Dominic Teresi, one of the three Artistic Co-Directors of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Choir eloquently describes Tafelmusik’s longstanding commitment to early music, to audience engagement, and to growth through collaboration.
Secrets to success
“A distinctive feature of Tafelmusik is that our orchestra plays on original instruments or copies of the original instruments that the music we play was intended for,” says Teresi. “These instruments serve as a key that opens the door to the sound world and aesthetic that existed in the time of Bach or Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre or Mozart or Beethoven. The strings are made of gut, the woodwinds have fewer keys, and the brass have no valves. The instruments have a warm and vibrant sound and play in a way that draws the player and listener alike toward a very natural expression. The result is that the music can come alive in uniquely communicative, evocative, impactful and accessible ways.”
Along with this, he believes the collaborative spirit of Tafelmusik to be a crucial part of why the orchestra has been so successful. “Every musician feels like their voice is important and valued. As a result, in our concerts everyone on stage is 100% committed and engaged. Performing together this way is a joyous experience and the audience gets to take part in this joy as well. We hope that ultimately our performances bring great comfort, delight and connection.”
“Our baroque orchestra has more in common with a contemporary band than a modern symphonic orchestra in that it is most often player-led and very collaborative,” Teresi continues. “Even when expanding size for later periods, each musician bears a lot of individual responsibility and communicates with every other musician through careful listening and empathy. Performers and listeners alike are attracted to this chamber music-making approach.”
The season ahead
Tafelmusik will present 10 different programs in their home season, seven in Jeanne Lamon Hall and three in Koerner Hall. These programs have been designed to share a wide variety of extraordinary music and experience, including well-known works, underrepresented composers that deserve to be heard, and many rarely-heard gems.
The season will open in September with an all-Mozart extravaganza led by Principal Guest Director and soloist Rachel Podger at Koerner Hall. This will include Mozart’s incidental music: from Thamos, King of Eqypt, a dazzling violin concerto, to his final symphonic masterpiece, the Jupiter Symphony.
The season continues with collaborations with the exquisite French violinist Amandine Beyer, Venezuelan superstar soprano Samuel Mariño, and the incredible Italian oboist Alfredo Bernardini, all orchestra and audience favourites.
At Christmas, the orchestra will present Bach’s extraordinary Christmas Oratorio, featuring the Tafelmusik choir and guest soloists; an exploration of the brilliant music of Zelenka; and the return of Sing-Along Messiah to Massey Hall, led by Mr. Handel himself (aka Choir Director Ivars Taurins, in full costume). Mr. Handel always has something new up his sleeve, so you won’t want to miss it.
The 2024-2025 season will also see Tafelmusik’s first CD release since pre-pandemic! Come October, they will release Haydn Symphonies 43 “Mercury” and 49 “La Passione,” with Rachel Podger. “We are very proud of this disc,” says Teresi, “and happy that the preview tracks released so far have been selected for Spotify’s recommended playlist of New Classical releases.”
Tickets are now available for Tafelmusik’s season. Don’t miss Mozart Jupiter, directed by Rachel Podger, Sept. 27, 28 and 29 at Koerner Hall. www.tafelmusik.org.
Tafelmusik is based in the magnificently renovated Jeanne Lamon Hall at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre and performs regularly at Koerner Hall, both on Bloor Street in downtown Toronto. The facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
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