John Storgårds Returns to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra November

The month of November at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) begins with The Mozart Experience (a pair of delightful family concerts) and ushers in the holiday season with Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker & More. In between, the TSO offers much-loved music by Beethoven, John Adams, and Ravel-in a program entitled Boléro-and presents the poignant Britten War Requiem, coinciding with the centennial of Armistice Day.

On November 3 (at 2:00pm and 4:00pm), guest conductor Sameer Patel returns to the TSO for The Mozart Experience. A recipient of three consecutive Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards, Patel is currently the Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony. With the participation of the Magic Circle Mime Company, this concert is a fun-filled and educational journey through the life of W. A. Mozart. The program also spotlights young violinist Duncan McDougall, a winner of the 2017/18 Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) Concerto Competition.

On November 8 & 10, the TSO commemorates the centennial of Armistice Day with Britten War Requiem-a tribute to all those who have given their lives in defence of freedom. For the world première of his War Requiem, Britten's plan was to bring soloists from Great Britain, Germany, and Russia together on stage as a sign of the reconciliation between once-hostile countries. It is in the same spirit that the TSO has invited Russian soprano Tatiana Pavlovskaya, British tenor Toby Spence, and Canadian-German baritone Russell Braun, joined by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Toronto Children's Chorus under the direction of Bramwell Tovey, to perform this moving work. The November 10 evening includes a free pre-concert performance by The TSO Chamber Soloists at 6:45pm.

On November 21, 23 & 24, Finnish conductor John Storgårds is back on the TSO podium for Boléro. The TSO reprises City Noir, John Adams's jazz-tinged evocation of 1940s Hollywood cinema. Kirill Gerstein, praised by The New York Times as "one of the most respected pianists of his generation," takes centre stage for Beethoven's lyrical Piano Concerto No. 4, before the Orchestra delivers Ravel's great orchestral showpiece, Boléro.

On November 25 (3:00pm), the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) bring their passionate music-making to the George Weston Recital Hall (Toronto Centre for the Arts). For the first public performance of the season, the young musicians and their new conductor, Simon Rivard, deliver the delightful overture to Candide and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Bernstein, as well as Brahms's tongue-in-cheek Academic Festival Overture. The program also includes Debussy's beautiful Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune.

On November 28, 29, 30 & December 2, the TSO sets the scene for the holiday season with Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker & More. Korean-Canadian Earl Lee-the TSO's former RBC Resident Conductor-conducts this year's tribute to the beloved Russian composer, which features some of Tchaikovsky's theatrical and symphonic music, including selections from the ballet The Nutcracker, complemented by the passionate and tempestuous Fourth Symphony.

The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.
The Mozart Experience is sponsored by Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life.

About the TSO: One of Canada's most respected arts organizations, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) plays a vital role in the city's dynamic cultural life. Committed to serving local and national communities through vibrant performances and expansive educational activities, the TSO offers a wide range of programming that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. With a notable recording and broadcast history complementing international touring engagements, the TSO is a unique musical ambassador for Canada around the world.

The TSO continues its long-established history of connecting younger generations with orchestral music. Two core programs include School Concerts, performed for over 40,000 students annually, and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO), which, in a tuition-free model, offers high-level orchestral training for talented young musicians aged 22 and under. Additionally, the TSO supports the development of next-generation artists through its annual open call for Canadian orchestral scores, and its essential Resident Conductor and Affiliate Composer positions.

Peter Oundjian was named TSO Conductor Emeritus at the end of his 14-year tenure as Music Director in June 2018. In the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, Sir Andrew Davis will serve as Interim Artistic Director, prior to the arrival of the TSO's new Music Director in 2020. Sir Andrew Davis is well known to Toronto audiences, having a 44-year relationship with the TSO. Maestro Davis opens the 2018/19 season and returns to the TSO stage regularly in each of his two seasons as Interim Artistic Director.

The TSO was founded in 1922 by a group of Toronto musicians and gave its first performance at the historic Massey Hall. Since 1982, Toronto's iconic Roy Thomson Hall has been the TSO's home, drawing patrons from around the world. Soon to celebrate its centenary, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's name remains synonymous with musical versatility and growth, and artistic distinction.