MONDAY
- Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet at Walter Hall, 7 p.m.
UofT’s Faculty of Music welcomes five distinguished guests from the Berlin Philharmonic. After teaching masterclasses earlier in the day, they show how it’s done in a French-heavy programme (pieces by Jacques Ibert, Darius Milhaud and Jean Françaix) that includes other works, including an arrangement of Three Fantasies for mechanical organ by Mozart. For tickets and details, click here.
TUESDAY
- Pianist/conductor Stephen Hargreaves at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, noon. Free.
Unheralded and practically unnoticed, the man playing the fortepiano during the opening performance of the Canadian Opera Company’s La clemenza di Tito on Sunday afternoon did a spectacular job.
His task was to play chords as accompaniment to the acres of recitative between the opera’s arias. He gave each one an individual touch, depending on the mood of the moment, ranging from quick, needle-like jabs to luxuriant rolls and arpeggios. This was a master at work.
That person, the remarkably versatile Chicago-based conductor, pianist and church organist Stephen Hargreaves, steps into the light of day with his own solo recital at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, trading the fortepiano for a Steinway concert grand.
He plays a rich and diverse programme from the late-1920s/early-1930s that includes Sergei Rachmaninov’s transcription of three movements from J.S. Bach’s Partita No. 3 for solo violin, Aaron Copland’s fiercely Modernist Piano Variations, Art Tatum’s take on “Tea for Two” and an obscure treat by Benjamin Britten, Three Character Pieces.
Here are the Britten pieces played by Sarah Beth Briggs:
WEDNESDAY
- COC Ensemble Studio performs La clemenza di Tito at the Four Seasons Centre, 7:30 p.m.
The apprentice singers in the Canadian Opera Company’s midst take over Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito for a single performance. This production may not be to everyone’s taste, but the music is very fine, offering each character an opportunity to use their full artist’s toolbox in solo and ensemble pieces. It’s also a great opportunity to see a mainstage production at a fraction of the cost. Tickets are $25 and $55 — details here.
THURSDAY
- Violinist Erika Raum and pianist Lydia Wong at Walter Hall, 12:10 p.m. Free.
These two exceptional University of Toronto Faculty of Music teachers offer substantial lunchtime fare that starts with Leos Janáček’s Violin Sonata and finishes with Toronto composer Omar Daniel’s Metsa Maasikad (Wild Strawberries).
- TorQ Percussion Quartet improvises at Gallery 345, 8 p.m.
These boys are a treat. For the third concert in their first self-produced Toronto season, they’re going to make it up in the intimate confines of this gallery-turned-salon-turned-concert-space. Details here.
THURSDAY TO SATURDAY
- Toronto Masque Theatre presents a Parisian cabaret at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, 8 p.m.
The promise of seeing tenor Colin Ainsworth join Toronto Masque Theatre regulars in an all-French programme that goes from François Couperin to Charles Aznavour has already sold out this three-concert run. But there’s a waiting list for ticket returns. Details here.
FRIDAY
- Schola Magdalena at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, 8 p.m.
The six women of this a cappella vocal ensemble are joined by Ben Grossman on the hurdy-gurdy in a concert that features a programme covering the full range of Western music history — including new works. You’ll find more details here.
SATURDAY
- There are two very different yet equally promising choral concerts on offer. The Group of 27 orchestra and its conductor Erik Petkau create a buzz that lasts for weeks after each of their rare appearances. The Mendelssohn Choir presents one of the finest of Giacomo Rossini’s “sins of old age,” his gorgeously, wittily operatic Petite Messe Solennelle (there’s nothing small or solemn about it).
• Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 3 p.m. Strong soloists and an accompaniment close to Rossini’s original version for piano and harmonium will be conducted by Noel Edison. There will also be a live webcast. Details here.
• The Group of 27 and Larkin Singers at Church of the Holy Trinity, 8 p.m. Soprano Jennifer Taverner and mezzo Anita Krause add extra attraction to this concert featuring Joseph Haydn’s Theresienmesse, Franz Schubert’s Mass in G and Michael Oesterle’s Unreasonable World — as well as artworks by visual artist Paula Arciniega. Details here.
- Scaramella at Victoria College Chapel, 8 p.m.
Viol enthusiast and gamba player Joelle Morton has invited fellow viol enthusiasts Marie Dalby Szuts, Elin Söderström and Liam Byrne to join her in a concert of music from the Elizabethan (I not II) and Stuart eras. Morton has convinced the doyens of Hart House to liberate two of the historic Hart House Viols from their glass case in the foyer of the Gallery Grill for this concert. Details here.
SUNDAY
- Hannaford Street Silver Band at the Jane Mallett Theatre, 3 p.m.
This excellent large wind ensemble gives a concert with a contemporary twist that includes Tongues of Fire by Toronto composer Christos Hatzis and Wildfire by wind specialist Robert Teehan. Percussionist Beverley Johnston is a guest. James Gourlay conducts. You’ll find too few additional details here.
- Continuum Contemporary Music and New Adventures in Sound Art at the Citadel (304 Parliament St), 8 p.m.
Continuum tends to favour new music with structure. New Adventures in Sound Art gravitates toward the experiences that help us hear the world around us in new ways. There’s hope that this collaboration could turn into the Reese’s serendipity (chocolate meets peanut butter) of concert experiences. The evening includes the Toronto premiere of a new piece by Andrew Staniland. Details here.
John Terauds
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
