Some of the Best Classical Music in Toronto in 2019
On Saturday, December 21, I read the annual “best of” columns in the Globe and Mail Arts Section with mixed feelings. The arts columnists/critics are all wonderful writers and their “round-ups” painted a rich picture of the cultural life of Toronto. But, once again, the only gaping hole was in the music department: Brad Wheeler wrote about Drake, the Rolling Stones, Shawn Mendes and others and the one “shout out” to a Classical music event in Toronto in 2019 was the Television critic John Doyle’s lauding of Against the Grain’s excellent revival production of Kopernikus by Claude Vivier.
It prompted - again - the question: why doesn’t the Globe cover classical music? There is no coverage of the important artistic work being done by thousands of classical musicians in the city. We get reviews of opera, but nothing about chamber music, orchestral music, choral music, experimental new music, etc.
So, in the absence of a Classical “best of” list - and at the absolute last minute - here is a somewhat biased, subjective, incomplete list of a number of what I feel were important and excellent concerts/productions in Toronto in 2019, in no particular order:
Art of Time Ensemble: To All A Good Night - Andrew Burashko’s fifth annual Christmas show featured a great array of solo singers, a kick-ass band of the best classical/jazz players, the Canadian Children’s Opera Company and the luminous Jackie Richardson, who brought the house down…..several times.
Jane Archibald and Liz Upchurch in Recital - The Women’s Musical Club of Toronto presented a sensational recital by two of Canada’s absolute treasures, featuring gems by Purcell, Mozart, Debussy, Britten, Burns and Strauss and the finest performance of Schubert’s “Shepherd on the Rock” I’ve ever heard…with guest clarinetist Dominic Sesautels.
Komitas: A Canadian Tribute - The Amici Ensemble, led on this occasion by Serouj Kradjian, presented a spectacular portrait of the Armenian master composer, featuring terrific performances by the Elmer Iseler Singers, Hamazkayin Toronto Dance Ensemble, Russell Braun, Lynn Isnar and the Canadian Children’s Opera Company. Admittedly, I watched this “live streamed” from Koerner Hall on the RCM website, but the tremendous power of the occasion shone through.
Two Odysseys: Pimooteewin / Gallabartnit - Soundstreams ground-breaking double-bill of Indigenous operas from Canada and Finland was a powerful event and showcased a tight instrumental ensemble and some of Toronto’s finest singers. Kudos to music director David Fallis for his steady leadership.
Alternate Takes - Northwind Concerts gave a beautiful program of music written for different and interchangeable combinations of clarinet, cello, viola and piano by Schumann, Brahms, Kodaly and Bruch. Excellent playing and interesting commentary by co-artistic director Colin Savage.
The Book of My Shames - Tenor Isaiah Bell gave a one-man performance full of unflinching personal narrative, gorgeous music (some of it composed by him) and a deft dramatic/comedic touch. Pianist Darren Creech gave steady support. Thanks to Tapestry Opera for presenting. Please bring this show back!!
Ontario Youth Choir: From Nostalgia to New - guest conductor Vicki St. Pierre curated a beautiful and exciting program of choral music by a wide variety of composers and inspired 40 young choristers from all over Ontario to give their all. Energy abounded and one was filled with hope for the future. Thanks to Choirs Ontario for organizing this important program each year.
The Cave - A crazy, avant garde and tremendously moving show by Tomson Highway and John Millard - presented by Luminato - imagining a group of animals huddling and taking refuge from a storm in a cave. We hear their stories and laugh, cry and feel fear and uncertainty along with them. Incredible performances by singers Alex Samaras, Neema Bickersteth, Andrea Koziol and Derek Kwan and a brilliant cameo song by Millard himself. This was an unforgettable night.
Neil Crory: A Tribute Concert - A star-studded celebration of the former CBC Senior Producer who was responsible for establishing the careers of a whole generation of important Canadian performing artists and ensembles. So many beautiful performances, with highlights including Howells’ King David sung with great conviction by baritone Brett Polegato, a sensational Je suis Titania from Tracy Dahl and a riveting performance of R. Murray Schafer’s Amente Nufe by mezzo soprano Krisztina Szabo and percussionist Ryan Scott.
Night Games - The Toronto Consort presented this ingenious madrigal comedy featuring music by Orazio Vecchi, Adriano Banchieri, Adrian Willaert and others and featuring the incredible artistry of Marie-Nathalie Lacoursiere, Stephanie Brochard and Pierre-Francois Dolle. The Consort, under Katherine Hill’s direction, sounded fantastic and the creativity and ingenuity of the whole evening was a revelation.
Shanawdithit - The World premiere of this beautiful opera by Yvette Nolan and Dean Burry was an important event, produced elegantly and with great thoughtfulness by Tapestry Opera. Marion Newman shone in the title role and was supported by several other excellent singers in the ensemble. What stuck out for me both times I saw it was the breath-taking dance and movement by Aria Evans, one of the most original and riveting dancers I think I’ve ever seen.
The Sun, the Wind and the Man with the Cloak - David Bowser conducted the Pax Christi Chorale, soloists Catherine Daniel, Asitha Tennekoon and Brett Polegato in the World premiere of a substantial new choral work by Stephanie Martin and her collaborator Paul Ciufo. A compelling story based on an Aesop’s Fable and very moving performances from all involved.
Hell’s Fury, The Hollywood Songbook - Baritone Russell Braun and pianist Serouj Kradjian gave tour de force performances in this riveting Luminato production depicting the life of the composer Hanns Eisler. One of the greatest shows I’ve ever seen, I think.
The Hunt: Mozart and Haydn - Tafelmusik gave a breathtakingly beautiful program of Mozart’s Symphony 25 and the E-flat major Horn Concerto (played with great artistry by soloist Scott Wevers), a little-known work by Joseph Martin Kraus and ended with a seamless and perfect reading of Haydn’s Symphony 73 “La Chasse”. This was the last performance by the orchestra with Jeanne Lamon and Christina Mahler, who moved to Victoria shortly afterwards. It was a poignant and understated evening of really great music-making.
There were so many other fantastic shows this year and we should be grateful for the dozens of organizations, large and small, who present great music in provocative and stimulating ways.
I will endeavour, in 2020 and beyond, to write more about the events I attend, so that there continues to be a record of the important music work being done in this city.
Larry Beckwith