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.
Wednesday 4
Toronto Symphony Orchestra | New Creations Festival: Masterworks Series: let me tell you at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $33-145
The TSO New Creations Festival continues this week with the second of three events featuring amazing soprano Barbara Hannigan. Tonight she joins American pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough, to perform premieres including, Lieder und Arien by Toronto’s very own Chris Paul Harman. Skip over to Saturday March 7, for details on the festival closer. You won’t be disappointed. | Details.
Thursday 5
University of Toronto Faculty of Music | Thursdays at Noon: Duo Concertante at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. 12:10 p.m. Free!
Canadian pianist Timothy Steeves and violinist Nancy Dahnis are two halves of Duo Concertante, and when combined, create music as one. The duo will be at Walter Hall to perform Schubert, and new work by U of T composition faculty member Chan Ka Nin. Did we mention it’s free? | DETAILS.
Friday 6
Elmer Iseler Singers | Warrior Songs at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. 7:30 p.m. $15-40
The Elmer Iseler Singers are back for their third concert of their season, joining improvising percussionist Jerry Granelli. They will perform the premiere of an epic five-movement concerto Warrior Songs, by composer Peter Togni, which includes text from Buddhism, Malcolm X and the Roman Catholic Liturgy. Intrigued? Come check it out. | DETAILS.
Show One Productions | Vadim Repin at Koerner Hall. 8:00 p.m. $65-125
Vadim Repin was described by violinist Yehudi Menuhin as the most perfect violinist that he had ever had the chance to hear. We’d have to agree, Repin is a monster talent, with seemingly endless abilities. He joins pianist Svetlana Smolina to perform Bartók’s Violin Rhapsody No.1, Debussy’s Violin Sonata, Ravel’s Tzigane, and Stravinsky’s Divertimento. Tickets are selling fast. DETAILS.
TorQ | at the Music Gallery. 8:00 p.m. $10-20
Tonight one of Canada’s finest and most entertaining groups join pianists Greg Oh and Wesley Shen (no slouches!) to perform a range of classics as well as a new work by TorQ’s own Jamie Drake. A big draw will be an opportunity to hear Steve Reich’s mesmerizing Sextet, and Louis Andriessen’s Workers Union. The event is a celebration of Louis Andriessen’s 75th birthday. | DETAILS.
Saturday 7
Toronto Symphony Orchestra | New Creations Festival: Casual Series: Written on Skin at Roy Thomson Hall. 7:30 p.m. $33-145
Closing the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s new music festival, is a very special opera-in-concert presentation of George Benjamin’s Written on Skin. The New Yorker’s Alex Ross called it, “as immaculate as anything that Benjamin has written, or, for that matter, anything composed since the heyday of Ravel.” If that were enough, soprano Barbara Hannigan again perform along with Krisztina Szabó, Lestyn Davies, Isaiah Bell, Christopher Purves, and George Benjamin conducting. As this is a casual concert, so save your fancy pants for another night. There will be a pre-concert performance in lobby and a post-concert chat on stage. | DETAILS.
*NB: Don’t forget to set your clocks one hour ahead tonight for that momentous point we’ve all been waiting for: Daylight Savings Time!
Sunday 8
Royal Conservatory of Music | Kahane Swensen Brey Trio at Koerner Hall. 3:00 p.m. $30-80
Does the name Kahane Swensen Brey Trio sound familiar? After a 25-year hiatus the virtuosi musicians reunited in 2012, and are now here in Toronto to perform a program of piano trios by Mozart, Schumann, Ravel, and Schoenfield. These are three incredible musicians and will offer a sure bang for your buck| DETAILS.
.Mooredale Concerts | The Vienna Piano Trio at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. 3:15 p.m. $20-30
The Vienna Piano Trio are one of the most noted trio ensembles in the world, and are best known for their specialization of repertory by composers closely associated with Austria: Brahms, Schubert, and Haydn, and Dvorák. Highly recommended for those looking for a true European chamber music experience. | DETAILS.
Tuesday 10
Music Toronto | Till Fellner at Jane Mallett Theatre. 8:00 p.m. $10-55
Over the past few years pianist Till Fellner has dedicated himself mastering Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier and the 32 piano sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven. Then in 2012 he disappeared from the stage to devote himself to the study of new repertoire and to deepen his knowledge of composition, literature and film. Since then he has become an extraordinary deep and thoughtful artist, who’s talent will grace the Toronto stage for the first time. Not-to-be-missed. | DETAILS.
Talisker Players | at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. 8:00 p.m. $15-35
Tonight takes a dark turn, with music and words in search for meaning in a hostile world. Like listening to Barber’s Dover Beach while stuck in traffic on the Gardner, perhaps? Talisker Players will be performing works by Barber, Shostakovich featuring Ilana Zarankin, soprano, Joel Allison, baritone, and Stewart Arnott, reader. | DETAILS.
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