Our weekly Critic’s Picks are a fully curated list of some of the best concerts happening now through the end of the week. Of course this is not to say we are the provocateurs of taste, but simply seek to provide a good weekly summary. For a look at the full breadth of what’s available in and around Toronto, check out the comprehensive concert listings from our friends at Wholenote Magazine.
Tuesday 14
Canadian Opera Company Dance Series with Opera Atelier at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Noon. Free!
This COC noon-hour event is hosted by co-artistic director Marshall Pynkoski, and includes members of the Opera Atelier presenting various excerpts from Handel’s Alcina. This is a great chance to hear examples of Handel’s Baroque opera up-close and personal, performed by one of the best opera companies in the land. Did I mention it’s free? More info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra with Rajaton & Steven Reineke, conductor at Roy Thomson Hall, 8:00 pm. $33-100
Dust of your Chelsea boots, the British invasion is back in Toronto with the TSO’s Pops: Best of The Beatles. The concert, led by Steven Reineke, features the incredible Finnish vocal ensemble, Rajaton who presents a unique interpretation of the Beatles classic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They will also sing a handful of Beatles hits. Show repeats October 15 (mat & eve). Details and tickets here.
Wednesday 15
Canadian Opera Company Piano Virtuoso Series with Anastasia Rizikov at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Noon. Free!
A very special treat this afternoon – Toronto-born Anastasia Rizikov, will present an all-Russian program of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mussorgsky, and Balakirev. The heavy hitting repertoire will be sure to stir some passion into your midweek doldrums. Be sure to come early as seats fill up fast. Details here.
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at Koerner Hall. 7:30 pm. $20-81
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir opens their 120th Anniversary season with a concert of Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass; Mozart: Requiem. Soloists include Lesley Bouza (soprano), Anita Krause (mezzo), Charles Davidson (tenor), Sean Watson (bass-baritone), with Noel Edison and Caron Daley conducting. There are a number of new faces in the choir this year, so it should be interesting to see how it all turns out. There will be a pre-concert chat with Rick Phillips at 6:45 pm. Full details here.
Thursday 16
TorQ Percussion Ensemble at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building 12:10 pm. Free!
One of Canada’s best and brightest percussion groups will be at their alma mater this Thursday to celebrate their tenth-anniversary (has it been that long already?). The concert will include Standford’s If a tree falls… Awakening Fire, and the co-composed Elements Suite (Burrows/Morphy). TorQ are always entertaining and dazzling, so this should be a great show. (very few) Details here.
Esprit Orchestra, Alex Pauk conductor at Koerner Hall. 8:00 p.m. $20-50
Buckle your seat belts for a concert of contemporary works performed by the incomparable Esprit Orchestra including Thomas Adès, Charles Ives, Paul Frehner, and Chris Paul Harman. A strong list of composers paired with the Esprit, should make for a compelling event. More info here.
Music Gallery/Batuki Music Society X Avant New Music Festival IX: Transculturalism: Laraaji with Diely Mori Tounkara and friends at the Music Gallery. 8:00 p.m. $10-20
The Music Gallery, Toronto’s contemporary music headquarters, presents the X Avant New Music Festival. An annual affair, this year’s focus is on “Transculturalism: Moving Beyond Multiculturalism.” The show features Multi-stringed, ambient, improv and live visuals. Performers include Laraaji (electric zither), Diely Mori Tounkara (kora), and Brandon Valdivia, Colin Fisher and Scott Peterson. Come out and hear something new. Details here. For details on other festival offerings see here.
Friday 17
London Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Vladimir Jurowski and pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $29.50-$129.50
It is not everyday Toronto gets to hear The London Philharmonic in our own backyard. The London Phil have only ever performed once in Toronto, so this is a very special event. This concert also marks the only Canadian stop on their current North American tour. The concert includes conductor Vladimir Jurowski – at the top of is game – and the sensational pianist, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Tickets will sell out fast, so book early. Details here.
Saturday 18
Toronto Symphony Orchestra with pianist Conrad Tao & Robert Moody, conductor at Roy Thomson Hall, 7:30 pm. $33-93
After the London Philharmonic’s performance this week, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra have a very tough act to follow. Headlining will be pianist Conrad Tao, performing Grieg: Piano Concerto. Works include Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Márquez’s Danzón No.2, and selections from Holst’s The Planets. Show repeats October 19th. More info here.
Sunday 19
Pax Christi Chorale and Orchestra at Grace Church on-the-Hill. 3:00 p.m. $25-35
For a nice change of pace, come out and hear some choral music from the Pax Christi Chorale and Orchestra this Sunday. Blest Pair of Sirens–A Celebration of Voice and Verse includes Parry: Blest Pair of Sirens; I Was Glad; Elgar: There is Sweet Music; works by Willan and S. Martin. Details here.
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