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Photo: Dominick Mastrangeo

Review: NACO on Tour–New York Dispatch, Boris Brott Remembered

By Natasha Gauthier on 6 April 2022 Concert Reviews, Ottawa

The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Carnegie Hall concert on Tuesday night began under a dark cloud, as musicians learned of the horrific hit-and-run death of Orchestre Classique de Montréal and former Hamilton Symphony conductor Boris Brott an hour before going onstage. “I’m still processing it,” soloist James Ehnes said after the concert. “He was the first conductor I ever worked with, in 1987. From the time I was 11, he treated me with respect and gave me confidence that I had something to say that was worth hearing. It’s a tragic loss, both personally and professionally.” Canadian violinist Lara…

Review: Truth in our time – NACO Toronto Premiere

By Natasha Gauthier on 31 March 2022 Concert Reviews, Ottawa

The National Arts Centre Orchestra is touring for the first time since before the Covid era, its new Philip Glass commission to Toronto and New York City before returning to Ottawa later in April. Just as the orchestra left for Toronto, however, there was a stark reminder that the pandemic is not behind us, as one musician was unable to join the tour due to testing positive that morning for Covid (we wish them a speedy and uncomplicated recovery). The tour program consists of the new Glass work–his Symphony No. 13, written in memory of the Canadian-American newsman Peter Jennings,…

Newswire: TSO Celebrates 100 Years of Artistic Achievement and Community Impact

By Newswire on 23 March 2022 Classical Music, Newswire, Toronto

Toronto, Ontario—March 23, 2022: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) announces an historic 2022/23 season that celebrates the Orchestra’s 100th anniversary. Events, repertoire, and world-renowned artists have been programmed to reflect and pay homage to the TSO’s illustrious past, signal the beginning of a dynamic future, and pay tribute to the vibrant, diverse community it serves. “I cannot fully express my delight and honour to be celebrating such an auspicious anniversary with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and our incredible Toronto community,” says TSO Music Director Gustavo Gimeno. “We are doubly thrilled that in 2022/23 we not only celebrate a landmark event…

Review : Montero & Shostakovich with NACO

By Natasha Gauthier on 14 March 2022 Classical Music, Concert Reviews, Ottawa

If you want an example of how all art is political, you needn’t look any further than the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Southam Hall concerts on March 9-10. The soloist was the incandescent Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero, a musician who has never blanched at criticizing the greed and cruelty of the Chavez and Maduro governments. She often aims her sharpest barbs at the country’s El Sistema musical education scheme, and of her fellow musicians who promote its propaganda abroad while remaining silent on its track record of corruption and exploitation. Joining Montero was 37-year-old Ukrainain-Finnsh conductor Dalia Stasevska. If Stasevska…

The NAC Orchestra Welcomes Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser as Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner

By Newswire on 23 February 2022 Newswire, Ottawa

February 23, 2022 – Ottawa — Orchestral Conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser joins the National Arts Centre Orchestra as Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner for a three-year mandate beginning this month. In the first major initiative of his mandate, Bartholomew-Poyser will be directing Reggae Roots, an upcoming video-on-demand learning series and a concert that will be part of the NAC Orchestra’s 2022-2023 Pops Series. “Daniel is a wonderfully engaging, passionate and dedicated ambassador for all that is vibrant about symphonic music. He brings his great talent and experience to bear in conceiving and leading projects that use the orchestra and its…

Photo: Courtesy of the Royal Conservatory's Koerner Hall

Kronos Quartet: Time and Time Again

By Charles Geyer on 15 November 2021 Chamber Music, Contemporary, Toronto

Can there be anyone even casually aware of contemporary serious music who hasn’t encountered the Kronos Quartet? For 48 years, their sounds have resonated outward, along with the sonority of that mythic-sounding moniker that seems to evoke titanic energies, even the mystery of time itself. And while their music was suspended by COVID-19’s near universal freezing-over of time, a rising thaw now brings Kronos-redivivus – active again, alive as ever. Origins The Kronos origin story dates to 1972, with an adventitious encounter between a young musician named David Harrington and a certain provocative piece of music. “I heard this music…

Photo: Gerard Richardson

Good vibrations at TSO reopening

By Arthur Kaptainis on 11 November 2021 Concert Reviews, Toronto

TORONTO – Standing ovations before and after: The response by a live audience to the reappearance of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra following a long separation was both appropriate and predictable. Happily, the enthusiasm Wednesday night in Roy Thomson Hall was justified by the calibre of the playing. This was a first-class ensemble led by a conductor – Gustavo Gimeno, making his live-public debut as music director – who gave every indication of being equal to his task. The program, amounting to a little more than an hour of music, was not of exceptional interest, which made the success of the concert…

Courtesy of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

CEO Matthew Loden to Depart the TSO

By Newswire on 7 July 2021 Arts Industry, Toronto

Toronto, Ontario—July 7, 2021: Matthew Loden, CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), will be stepping down from his leadership role to return to his hometown of Houston, Texas. He has been appointed Rice University’s Lynette S. Autrey dean at the Shepherd School of Music, which is recognized as one of the most important and prestigious schools of music in North America. Mr. Loden’s leadership since joining the TSO in July 2018 has had a significant stabilizing effect on the organization, including during the past 15 months of the pandemic. He hired its new Music Director, Gustavo Gimeno, oversaw dynamic…

The National Arts Centre of Canada

The NAC announces new initiative to support female-identifying producers

By Newswire on 23 February 2021 Arts Industry, Ottawa

February 23, 2021 – OTTAWA, CANADA – The National Arts Centre is proud to announce a new initiative to support female-identifying producers in the music industry, and right the gender imbalance in their field. The new Global Network for Female-Identifying Music Producers will provide an opportunity for up to 25 female-identifying studio producers and beatmakers from around the globe to meet, discuss ideas, network and help overcome barriers in the industry together. Led by Heather Gibson, the NAC’s Executive Producer of Popular Music and Variety, and developed in partnership with international music industry leaders, the multi-year program will be designed to meet the needs…

$3.875 million donation will support the TSO’s Education & Community Engagement programs

By Newswire on 23 October 2020 Classical Music, Toronto

Toronto, Ontario—October 23, 2020: Recognizing the urgent need to use music to help positively impact communities, especially during challenging times, Bob and Francine Barrett have donated $3.875 million over five years to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) through the Barrett Family Foundation. The investment will support the TSO’s highly lauded Education & Community Engagement programs, including the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO). They have also invited other TSO supporters to contribute by offering $250,000 every year in matching funds. In recognition of this transformative gift, the TSO’s Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser will now be known as the Barrett Principal Education Conductor &…

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