Musical Toronto’s 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.
Monday 10
Cecilia String Quartet at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. 7:00 p.m. $10-25
Starting off the week, the University of Toronto Faculty of Music presents the Cecilia String Quartet leading a program of Beethoven’s String Quartet Op.18 No.1, Webern’s Langsamer Satz, and Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet in g Op.57. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of Toronto’s best young quartets flex their bow strings. Find out more.
Tuesday 11
Lu Jia conducts the China NCPA Orchestra with Xiaoyu Liu at Koerner Hall. 8:00 p.m. $25-85
Toronto has been enjoying an unusual number of visiting orchestra this season. Continuing with the trend, China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra will be in town with the young pianist, Xiaoyu Liu. They will be performing Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5, Qigang Chen’s Wu Xing (Five Elements), and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in g. Details here.
Wednesday 12
Toronto Symphony Orchestra with pianist Jan Lisiecki at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $33–145
One of the TSO’s season highlights is a special two-week mini series featuring Jan Lisiecki, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concertos 3, 4, and 5. At only 19 years-old and already one of Canada’s finest pianists, this is an opportunity to get better acquainted with Jan Lisiecki’s concerto repertoire. Not only that, the great Danish conductor, Thomas Dausgaard will be leading the way. Includes Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro (Overture) K.492, and Nielsen’s Symphony No.4 “The Inextinguishable”. A do-not-miss event. Show repeats Nov 13(mat). More Details here.
Thursday 13
Dover Quartet at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. 1:30 p.m. $45
The Women’s Musical Club of Toronto presents the award-winning Dover Quartet as part of its Music in the Afternoon Series. They made a big impact after winning 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2013 and are in fine firm. They will be performing works by Haydn, Saariaho, and Beethoven. Info here.
Tapestry Opera’s Tapestry Briefs at the Ernest Balmer Studio. 8:00 p.m. $35
The ever popular Tapestry Briefs starts tonight with a large number of micro operas by James Rolfe, Morris Panych, David Yee, Nicholas Billon, Dean Burry, Ivan Barbotin, Nicole Lizée, Chris Thornborrow, and Donna-Michelle St. Bernard. Topics include screaming goats and an adaptation of Gogol’s The Overcoat. Okay! Repeats Nov 14, 15 and 16. Details here.
Friday 14
Yuja Wang (piano) and Leonidas Kavakos (violin) at Koerner Hall. 8:00 p.m.$45-100
Two top soloists (Pianist Yuja Wang and violinist Leonidas Kavakos) are in town tonight to present a concert that should be on everyone’s radar. They will be performing four violin sonatas by Brahms, Schumann, Ravel, and Respighi. Prepare to be wowed! Details here.
Sinfonia Toronto at the Glenn Gould Studio. 8:00 p.m. $12-39
Come hear a program of old and new, with Toronto mainstays, Sinfonia Toronto. The program includes Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D, Waghalter’s Sinfonia Op.3a (North American premiere), Ichmouratov’s Chamber Symphony No.3. with pianist Antonio Di Cristofano, and conductor Nurhan Arman. Tickets here.
Saturday 15
Aprile Millo at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, Jeanne Lamon Hall. 7:30 p.m. $25-80
Tonight is a very special opportunity to hear one of the world’s greatest living Verdi sopranos. She will be singing works by Donaudy, Strauss, Wolf, Verdi, Bellini and others. Special guests include Mary-Lou Vetere, soprano; Giacomo Folinazzo, tenor; Gustavo Ahaulli, baritone; Merynda Adams, harp. A do-not-miss event for opera lovers. Details here.
Sunday 16
Pianist Richard Goode at Koerner Hall. 3:00 p.m. $35-85
Royal Conservatory and Music Toronto present the great American pianist and Ludwig van Beethoven specialist Richard Goode performing Mozart’s Adagio in b, Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.24, Brahms’ 8 Klavierstücke, Debussy’s Children’s Corner and Schumann’s Humoreske. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Details here.
Trio Arkel with Jonathan Crow at Church of the Holy Trinity. 4:30 p.m. $15-30
Closing out the weeks’ concerts offerings is Trio Arkel, performing Crumb’s Black Angels, and J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations arranged for string trio by Sitkovetsky. Includes guest violinist Jonathan Crow. Info here.
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