Toronto, ON (October 27, 2025) — This November, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, directed by the incomparable Rachel Podger, embarks on an exhilarating Western Canada and U.S. tour (November 4–22, 2025) with a program titled Brilliant Baroque, a vivid musical journey through 17th- and 18th-century Europe.
Praised by The Times as “the unsurpassed British glory of the baroque violin,” Rachel Podger returns for her second season as Principal Guest Director, leading Tafelmusik in a program that captures the colour, energy, and expressive power of the baroque. From Lully’s lively French dances to Bach’s transcendent counterpoint, Brilliant Baroque celebrates a tapestry of brilliant music infused with the trademark warmth and virtuosity that define Tafelmusik.
The program features:
- Lully: Suite from Roland
- Avison: Concerto no. 6 in D Major, after Scarlatti
- Bach: Prelude and Fugue in E-flat Major, after BWV 552
- Telemann: Concerto for 2 oboes and bassoon in D Minor, TWV 53:d1
- Bach: Concerto for violin in G Minor, after BWV 1056 — Rachel Podger, violin soloist
- Handel: Concerto grosso in G Minor, op. 6, no. 6
From California to Alberta, the tour includes 12 performances in 11 cities across the U.S. and Western Canada:
- Nov 4 – San Diego Early Music Society, St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla, CA
- Nov 6 – San Francisco Early Music Society, First Church Berkeley UCC, Berkeley, CA
- Nov 7 – Carmel Bach Festival, Sunset Center, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Nov 8 – Early Music Seattle, Nordstrom Recital Hall, Seattle, WA
- Nov 9 – Denver Friends of Chamber Music, Gates Hall, Denver, CO
- Nov 14 – Early Music Society of the Islands, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Victoria, BC
- Nov 15 – Early Music Vancouver, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Vancouver, BC
- Nov 17 – Vancouver Island Symphony, The Port Theatre, Nanaimo, BC
- Nov 19 – Chamber Music Kelowna, Mary Irwin Theatre, Kelowna, BC
- Nov 20 – Edmonton Chamber Music Society, First Presbyterian Church, Edmonton, AB
- Nov 21 & 22 – Calgary Pro Musica, Eckhardt-Grammaté Hall, Rosza Centre, Calgary,
AB
“As Canada’s most toured orchestra, Tafelmusik thrives on connection,” says Cristina Zacharias, Artistic Co-Director. “This program embraces a spirit of cultural exchange—Handel from London, Lully from Paris, Avison shaking hands with Scarlatti from Madrid, and Bach from Leipzig—woven together by the powerful kinship of Rachel and Tafelmusik.”
Podger adds, “Each piece on Brilliant Baroque is like a conversation between friends across time and borders. It’s an invitation to listen, to dance, and to rediscover the baroque as something alive, generous, and full of joy.”
With performances in 350 cities worldwide and a discography that has garnered ten JUNO Awards, Tafelmusik remains one of the world’s leading period ensembles. This fall tour follows Toronto performances of Mozart 40 & Schubert 5 and Toronto and Ottawa performances of Vivaldi’s World, continuing a season defined by passion, collaboration, and the pursuit of beauty.
For more information about the tour and upcoming performances, visit www.tafelmusik.org.
New Film Release
Tafelmusik is delighted to announce the release of a new concert film, Concerti Virtuosi, available to stream on YouTube beginning on November 6, 2025. Directed by Rachel Podger, the program features a bouquet of dazzling concertos that highlight the violin, cello, recorder, oboe, and bassoon. Committed to broad access, Tafelmusik is thrilled to offer a selection of concerts, clips and chats with free access on its YouTube channel. Visit youtube.com/tafelmusik1979 to enjoy Tafelmusik’s latest offerings and subscribe for free.
