Established in Toronto in 1989, the SLSQ came to Music Toronto in 1992 and continues annually.  The Quartet has developed an undisputed reputation as one of the world’s great ensembles.  Fiercely committed to collaboration with living composers, the SLSQ also has a special dedication to the string quartets of Haydn. Canadian baritone, Tyler Duncan, has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, the Spoleto Festival, and Pacific Opera Victoria.  He has given acclaimed recitals in New York, Boston, Paris, and throughout Canada,…

The Hannaford Street Silver Band 18-19 Season Concerts Carol Jantsch, Principal Tubist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Soloist Jean-Michel Malouf, Conductor One of the finest young tubists in the world today, Carol Jantsch will bring her unique blend of virtuosity and lyricism to Toronto for a wonderful afternoon of new and familiar music for tuba and brass. These lows notes will definitely be a highlight to open our 2018-19 season. Single tickets: $41; $31; $21 and $13. Subscriptions (now on sale):…

Ensemble Made in Canada, Canada’s premier piano quartet, brings together four musicians with solid individual careers:  Angela Park, piano; Elissa Lee, violin; Sharon Wei, viola; and Rachel Mercer, cello. Awarded the 2006 Galaxie Stars Award, EMIC has performed extensively throughout Canada, and has been Ensemble-in-Residence at Western University since 2014. PROGRAMME: MOSAIQUE, a specially commissioned suite of piano quartets by 14 Canadian composers, each inspired by a particular region of Canada. — Schumann –  Piano Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 47

Over her 35 year career, Louise Bessette has gained renown for her performances and for her commitment to promoting contemporary music. In addition to many recordings as a soloist and with chamber ensembles, along with appearances worldwide with orchestras and at important festivals, Ms. Bessette regularly tours throughout America, Europe and Asia. In 2016 Louise Bessette won her eighth Opus Prize (the Quebec Junos). Programme: ESCALES — Un piano autour du monde — Piano around the World John Adams – China…

Celebrating their 25th anniversary season throughout 2018, the Gryphon Trio continues to impress critics and audiences around the world with its highly refined, dynamic performances.  Repertoire from the traditional to the contemporary, commissioning – and playing – more than fifty mostly Canadian works, teaching and touring: the Gryphon does it all. PROGRAMME: Mozart and Mirrors: Works by Mozart, Silvestrov, Part and others Paul Frehner –  Bytown Waters, Toronto premiere, commissioned to celebrate the Trio’s 25th anniversary season. — Brahms – Piano…

Since their formation in 2012, Quatuor Van Kuijk has collected accolades:  First, Best Beethoven and Best Haydn Prizes at the 2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet competition, First Prize and an Audience Award at the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition, as well as becoming laureates of the Aix-en-Provence Festival Academy.  Currently BBC New Generation Artists, the Van Kuijk Quartet is in residence at ProQuartet, Paris, where they study with members of the Alban Berg, Artemis, and Hagen Quartets. PROGRAMME: Haydn –…

Celebrated as one of Finland’s most outstanding pianists, Juho Pohjonen gives recital and concerto performances widely in Europe and the U.S. Recent highlights include his debuts with Vancouver, Baltimore, and Cleveland Symphonies, and he continues his close association with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center at Alice Tully Hall and on tour. He was a student of the Sibelius Academy where he completed his Master’s Degree in 2008. “An unmannered style that called attention to the music more than…

The Hannaford Street Silver Band Philip Smith, Conductor and Trumpet Soloist Former Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, Philip Smith is back with the band to lead a concert of rollicking and powerful Russian music. Featuring the Festive Overture, The Procession of the Nobles, the Polovtsian Dances and other familiar barnstormers, this concert will get you dancing and keep you humming. Single tickets: $41; $31; $21 and $13. Subscriptions (now on sale): $50 (for students); $120 (seniors) to $150.00.

The Juilliard returned to Music Toronto in 2015 after many years’ absence.  They were invited back in 2016 with their new cellist, Astrid Schween.  The renewed Juilliard retains its legendary reputation and continues to represent the best in American string playing. Marc-Andre Hamelin needs no introduction.  He plays his 12th recital on our stage in October to open the 18-19 season. Among the great pianists of this age, with a discography that now numbers more than 100 recordings, he also…

One of Britain’s most respected and versatile pianists, Danny Driver made his Toronto debut on this series in November 2016 and we discovered his “impeccable technique and musicianship” (Gramophone). Most of his 15 recordings are on Hyperion—a label he shares with Marc-Andre Hamelin and Stephen Hough, company in which he definitely belongs. In addition to a busy performing career, Danny Driver was appointed Professor of Piano at London’s Royal College of Music in Fall 2016. Programme: C P E Bach –…

The Lafayette has achieved more than 30 years as an ensemble without a single change of personnel.  Coaching with major quartets followed by important awards led to an enduring career.  The LSQ have been artists-in-residence at the University of Victoria since 1991. The Saguenay (formed in 1989 as the Alcan) has developed a reputation for excellence throughout Canada and internationally since its formation over twenty-five years ago.  Based in Chicoutimi, Quebec, it receives the unconditional support of the Orchestre symphonique…

Cuban-born Hilario Duran grew up in Havana in a musical family, and immigrated to Canada in 1998. A giant of Afro-Cuban jazz, Hilario Duran performed with legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Michel Legrand and Arturo Sandoval. In his now 4-decade career, Duran has won multiple Junos and Canadian National Jazz Awards. For his special programme, Hilario will be joined by the Hilario Duran Trio: Hilario Duran (piano), Roberto Occhipinti (bass), Mark Kelso (drums), and by Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin), and Roman…

The Hannaford Street Silver Band Dan MacDonald, Fiddle Brian Taheny, Guitar Ross Griffiths, Pipes James Gourlay, Conductor The North Atlantic Drift is a current that runs directly from Canada’s East Coast to Ireland providing a historical trading and cultural connection. This season finale concert with the acclaimed Celtic Trio of the same name brings together the music of Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton with a distinctly Canadian style. Together with our own Scottish Lord of the Dance, James Gourlay, the…

Formed in Israel nearly twenty years ago when its members were students, the Quartet was recently awarded the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award.  The Ariel serves as the Faculty Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, where they play their own annual series of concerts in addition to their busy international touring schedule. PROGRAMME: Neue Bahnen (New Paths) Schumann – Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 41, No. 1 Beethoven  –  Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95,…