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Toronto Symphony Orchestra to Conclude 2015-16 Season in June
By: Tyler Peterson May. 12, 2016
For the month of June, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) looks forward to a particularly impressive lineup, brimming with terrific events.
The Decades Project continues on June 1 and 2 with Ravel Daphnis et Chloé. Basque conductor Juanjo Mena leads the Orchestra, and charismatic Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto performs Nielsen's robust Violin Concerto.
On June 4 and 5, the TSO embraces American orchestral favourites with An American in Paris-a bluesy, jazzy evening featuring Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and the delightful An American in Paris, as well as music by Copland and John Adams, with guest conductor Andrew Grams and pianist Orion Weiss.
June 9, 10, and 11 bring The Decades Project to a close for the season with James Ehnes Plays Elgar. As he celebrates his 40th birthday this year, the distinguished Canadian violin virtuoso stops by Toronto as part of the James Ehnes@40: Canada 2016 tour. Ehnes brings out the nobility and poetry of Sir Edward Elgar's expansive Violin Concerto. The concert also features Stravinsky's masterpiece The Rite of Spring, all under the baton of TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian. The June 11 performance includes a pre-concert performance by The TSO Chamber Soloists, presenting a suite from Stravinsky's L'histoire du soldat. In addition, as the TSO's partnership with the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) continues for The Decades Project, The TSO Chamber Soloists appear at the AGO's Walker Court on June 12. The 2:00pm concert, included in the price of AGO admission, comprises Stravinsky's L'histoire du soldat, narrated by Derek Boyes.
On June 15 and 16, the TSO presents Beethoven Eroica Symphony and welcomes back the brilliant Yefim Bronfman for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. Peter Oundjian is at the podium for this electrifying program, which also includes the World Première/TSO Commission of a new work-City in Colour-by RBC Affiliate Composer Jordan Pal.
The TSO joins Pride Toronto as a Major Cultural Partner for Pride Canada's first-ever Pride Month, with Late Night: Beethoven Symphony 3 on June 17. Peter Oundjian returns to the podium for this event. In addition to Beethoven's mighty "Eroica" Symphony, the evening includes the World Première of Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and String Orchestra, which was composed by Mike Mills, founding member of R.E.M., and features GRAMMY-nominated violinist Robert McDuffie, for whom the piece was written. This work was co-commissioned by the TSO, the Aspen Music Festival, and Chicago's Harris Theatre. Prior to the concert, patrons can visit the Roy Thomson Hall patio for a little musical foretaste with The Massey Hall Band, performing R.E.M. covers. Night owls are invited to stay after the concert and enjoy a Pride party in the lobby, comprising cabaret performances and late-night carnival treats.
As part of the Luminato Festival, the TSO helps to transform the Hearn Generating Station into a community and cultural centre. Peter Oundjian leads the Orchestra in Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 & An American in Paris on June 21. The TSO Chamber Soloists also appear at the Hearn, performing Stravinsky's L'histoire du soldat, with narrator Derek Boyes on June 18. Tickets will be on sale through the Luminato Festival website.
The Second City Guide to the Symphony is back by popular demand on June 23, 24, and 25 (third performance recently added). The legendary Second City comedy theatre, the TSO, and Peter Oundjian team up once again for this hit show, filled with sketch comedy, satire, songs, improvisation, and, of course, incredible classical music-hosted by beloved comedian Colin Mochrie.
This year, once again, the TSO opens its doors to all Torontonians. On June 24, Thank You, Toronto!-a free lunchtime concert-is presented in gratitude to the citizens of Toronto for making the TSO a part of our city, and in celebration of the end of another great season. Music Director Peter Oundjian and RBC Resident Conductor Earl Lee will lead the Orchestra through a selection of classical favourites-from Mozart, Brahms, and Beethoven-and a few surprises as well!
The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.
The TSO Season Patron is The Renette and David Berman Family Foundation.
Twitter: @TorontoSymphony
Facebook: facebook.com/torontosymphonyorchestra
YouTube: youtube.com/torontosymphony
Instagram: instagram.com/torontosymphony
About the TSO: Founded in 1922, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada's most important cultural institutions, recognized internationally. Music Director Peter Oundjian leads 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. The TSO also serves the larger community with TSOUNDCHECK, the original under-35 ticket program; the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra; and music-education programs that reach tens of thousands of students each year.
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JUNE 2016 CONCERT LISTINGS
All concerts are at Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, unless otherwise noted.
Call the TSO ticket line at 416.598.3375 or order tickets online at TSO.CA.
Wednesday, June 1 at 8:00pm
Thursday, June 2 at 8:00pm
Juanjo Mena, conductor
Pekka Kuusisto, violin
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
Granados: Intermezzo from Goyescas
Nielsen: Violin Concerto
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé
June 1 & 2: Intermission chat in the lobby
TICKETS: $33.75-$148
Saturday, June 4 at 7:30pm
Sunday, June 5 at 3:00pm
Andrew Grams, conductor
Orion Weiss, piano
Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man
Copland: Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo
John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Gershwin: An American in Paris
Concert presented by Air Canada
TICKETS: EVENING $33.75-$107
MATINEE $29.50-$83.75
Thursday, June 9 at 2:00pm
Friday, June 10 at 7:30pm
Saturday, June 11 at 7:30pm
Peter Oundjian, conductor
James Ehnes, violin
Webern: Five Pieces for Orchestra (June 9 & 10 only)
Elgar: Violin Concerto
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
June 9 & 10: Intermission chat in the lobby
June 11 at 6:15pm: Free pre-concert performance by The TSO Chamber Soloists (included with ticket purchase)
June 11: Post-concert party in the lobby
TICKETS: JUNE 9 $29.50-$83.75
JUNE 10 $33.75-$148
JUNE 11 $33.75-$107
The TSO Chamber Soloists at AGO Walker Court
Sunday, June 12 at 2:00pm
Included with admission to the AGO
Derek Boyes, narrator
Yao Guang Zhai, clarinet
Michael Sweeney, bassoon
Gordon Wolfe, trombone
David Kent, percussion
Jonathan Crow, violin
Jeffrey Beecher, double bass
Andrew McCandless, cornet
Stravinsky: Suite from L'histoire du soldat
Wednesday, June 15 at 8:00pm
Thursday, June 16 at 8:00pm
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Yefim Bronfman, piano
Jordan Pal: City in Colour (World Première/TSO Commission)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"
TICKETS: $33.75-$148
Late Night: Beethoven Symphony 3
Friday, June 17 at 10:00pm
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Robert McDuffie, violin
Mike Mills, electric bass & piano
Rock Band
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"
Michael Mills/arr. & additional music David Mallamud: Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and String Orchestra (World Première/TSO Co-commission)
TICKETS: $25.50-$46
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 & An American in Paris (Luminato Festival)
The Hearn Generating Station, 440 Unwin Ave, Toronto
Tuesday, June 21 at 6:30pm
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Gershwin: An American in Paris
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
TICKETS: $39
Tickets on sale soon
The Second City Guide to the Symphony
Thursday, June 23 at 7:30pm
Friday, June 24 at 7:30pm
Saturday, June 25 at 7:30pm
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Colin Mochrie, host
The Second City, actors
TICKETS: $29.50-$101
Thank You, Toronto! (Free concert)
Friday, June 24 at 12:30pm
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Earl Lee, RBC Resident Conductor
Note: Seating is first come, first served.
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