Chandos Releases Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works By The TSO & Peter Oundjian

The month of June at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is a long tribute to Peter Oundjian, who completes his tenure as Music Director of the TSO at the end of the 2017/18 season. One of the many highlights this month includes today's release of the TSO's new recording. Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works (CHAN5201), on the prestigious Chandos label, is available in stores across North America, as well as on iTunes and Apple Music, as of today. The recording is also available for streaming on Spotify.

This commemorative recording unites three defining features of Oundjian's long tenure with the TSO: a passion for the music of Vaughan Williams, a focus on Canadian soloists, and a celebration of the Orchestra's renowned principal players. The recording was captured during acclaimed live performances at Roy Thomson Hall in November 2017. In the program notes for these performances, Oundjian declared: "Ralph Vaughan Williams was possibly England's most significant composer, and he is a personal favourite of mine. This recording presents some of his finest works, featuring soloists from the Orchestra as well as some of Canada's most notable solo artists.... The lyrical and engaging Oboe Concerto is rarely heard, but it is one of his most inspired works. Serenade to Music showcases his exquisite vocal writing, which also figures prominently in the ravishingly beautiful Flos Campi, so surprisingly scored for solo viola, choir, and chamber orchestra. The Piano Concerto is more dramatic, with a juggernaut opening and a brilliant fugal finale."

Featuring the TSO's own soloists-Principal Viola Teng Li and Principal Oboe Sarah Jeffrey-the new recording also showcases the immense talents of Canadian pianist Louis Lortie, and singers Carla Huhtanen, Emily D'Angelo, Lawrence Wiliford, Tyler Duncan, and the Elmer Iseler Singers.

Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works
Soloists | Toronto Symphony Orchestra | Peter Oundjian

Piano Concerto in C*
Serenade to Music#
Concerto in A minor for Oboe?
Flos Campi+

Artists

Carla Huhtanen | Soprano#
Emily D'Angelo | Mezzo-soprano#
Lawrence Wiliford | Tenor#
Tyler Duncan | Baritone#
Louis Lortie | Piano*
Teng Li | Viola+
Sarah Jeffrey | Oboe?
Elmer Iseler Singers#+
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian

Peter Oundjian has served in the role of Music Director for 14 seasons, the second-longest tenure in the TSO's history, surpassed only by Sir Ernest MacMillan, who was at the helm of the TSO for 25 seasons. Over the course of his tenure, Oundjian has selected almost half of the current musicians of the Orchestra-including Concertmaster Jonathan Crow and two-thirds of the principal players. Since 2004, Peter Oundjian has led the TSO with a commitment to innovative programming and audience development through a broad range of performances that showcase the exceptional talents of the Orchestra along with a roster of distinguished guest artists and conductors, strengthening the ensemble's presence in the world. Beginning with the 2019/20 season, Mr. Oundjian will return for a number of annual engagements, conducting the TSO at Roy Thomson Hall as part of the flagship Masterworks Series.

Throughout the entire month, Torontonians and audience members are invited to sign a commemorative book for Oundjian (stationed in the Roy Thomson Hall lobby) or visit BravoPeter.ca to leave a message online.

Peter Oundjian's final concerts:

Brahms Symphony 1
June 13 & 14, 2018
Guest artist: Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 3
June 16, 2018
Guest artist: Daniil Trifonov, piano

Ax Plays Mozart
June 20 & 23, 2018
Guest artist: Emanuel Ax, piano

Christopher Plummer's Symphonic Shakespeare
June 26, 2018
Guest artist: Christopher Plummer, narrator

Beethoven Symphony 9
June 28, 29 & 30, 2018
Guest artists: Kirsten MacKinnon, soprano; Lauren Segal, mezzo-soprano; Andrew Haji, tenor; Tyler Duncan, baritone; and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.

The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.
The 2017/18 season is dedicated to H. Thomas Beck in recognition of his vital and long-standing support of the TSO.

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