There was no soloist at Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Respighi concert, but the greatly augmented TSO gave a near-capacity audience a stunning display of orchestral fireworks
In the COC’s latest performance of Don Giovanni, bass-baritone Gordon Bintner nails the titular role, and the orchestra breathes life into Mozart’s thrilling and elegant score.
There are times when concert programming becomes predictable and boring. So it was with great interest that I approached a Koerner Hall concert Sunday, Jan. 21 that showed a refreshing departure from that tradition.
On Jan. 16, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra delivered a sumptuous performance of Szymanowsky’s Violin Concerto n.1 op.35 and Mahler’s Symphony n7 in E minor.
Having attended Salute to Vienna concerts most years since the mid 2000’s, I must say I can’t think of a better way to musically usher in the new year.
It’s been another vibrant year of classical music in Canada, complete with exciting debut performances, innovative programming, and plenty of fan favorites.
Sitting in the audience at the TSO Messiah this past Sunday, I kept thinking how lucky I was to witness another performance of Messiah in the familiar Roy Thomson Hall.