The Toronto Symphony Orchestra will launch its new season with a gala concert featuring renowned pianist- Lang Lang.
TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian will celebrate his 10th season and the 2013/2014 schedule at Roy Thomson Hall is jam-packed with musical gems – including a new Friday Night concert series .
2013 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Benjamin Britten.
The TSO celebrates the revered English composer with several of his pieces performed in the fall of the 2013/2014 season: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, led by TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian (Sep 18 & 19, 2013); the Canadian première of an arrangement by Colin Matthews of Movements for a Clarinet Concerto (Sep 25 & 26, 2013); the Violin Concerto performed by Canadian violinist James Ehnes (Oct 10 & 12, 2013); and Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings featuring TSO Principal Horn Neil Deland and tenor Nicholas Phan (Oct 31, Nov 1 & 2, 2013).
Returning is the critically acclaimed New Creations Festival (Mar, 2014) and the audience favourite Mozart festival (Jan, 2014).
The orchestra has also announced its first annual Chinese New Year special concert modeled after a similar programme of the New York Philharmonic.
There are two World Première performances and 30 artist débuts, including Rufus Wainright and a commission from RBC Affiliate Composer Kevin Lau (Mar 1, 2014). Throughout the season are 11 Canadian premières and a North American première.
Mozart at 258 celebrates the January birthday of one of classical music’s most beloved composers with three programmes .
TSO Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis has performed with the TSO each season since 1974 and returns in the 2013/2014 to lead Mahler Symphony 9 (Apr 30 & May 1, 2014) and a programme of Beethoven and Strauss with soprano Erin Wall (Nov 20 & 23, 2013). Three Mahler symphonies are performed in the 2013/2014 season as Edward Gardner leads Mahler Symphony 1 (Nov 27 & 28, 2013) and Kent Nagano leads the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in Mahler Symphony 7 (Feb 12, 2014).
TSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke presents the TSO 2013/2014 Pops season – a series of concerts that includes celebrated tunes from popular culture including stunning visual performances, classic Broadway hits and timeless tunes. In addition to the Pops series, the TSO 2013/2014 season includes two Pops specials: the classic romantic film Casablanca screened as the Orchestra performs Max Steiner’s glorious score live to the film (Feb 14 & 15, 2014); and renowned Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton performing The Music of ABBA featuring hits including Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me, and Dancing Queen (May 23 & 24, 2014).
The TSO’s Young People’s Concert series presents A Christmas Carol – a holiday concert for young audiences (Dec 8, 2013). The TSO and conductor John Morris Russell bring Dickens’s most beloved festive tale to the TSO stage, complete with narration and an ensemble of Christmas characters. At intermission, have a chance to participate in free arts and crafts activities with the Avenue Road Arts School!
For more information visit tso.ca