In 2017, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra invited you to Canada Mosaic—our national celebration of Canada’s diverse musical landscape and a Canada 150 Signature Project.
The TSO celebrated Canada’s rich musical past, present, and future through performance, education, innovation, and collaboration.
See below for a complete list of special performances.
Canadian Legacy
January 21, 2017
We honour the legacy of esteemed 20th-century Canadian composers in Canada Mosaic’s inaugural concert, featuring a sparkling performance of André Mathieu’s Rhapsodie romantique by eminent French-Canadian pianist Alain Lefèvre.
Eruption
January 28, 2017
Witness the fine young musicians of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra—the next generation of great orchestral performers—as they join forces with the TSO in the World Première of Dutch-Canadian composer Edward Top’s Eruption, conducted by Toronto-born TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian.
Canadian Voices, Global Stage
February 1 & 2, 2017
Canadian artists are a powerful presence on the global music scene. Experience the breathtaking artistry of internationally renowned Canadian soloists Karina Gauvin (soprano), Russell Braun (baritone), and Jean-Willy Kunz (organ), plus music by acclaimed Canadian composer Samy Moussa.
The Year of the Rooster: A Chinese New Year Celebration
February 4, 2017
Celebrate Chinese-Canadian culture and The Year of The Rooster with the World Première of Ottawa-born Vincent Ho’s Rejuvenation: A Taoist Journey, a work for pipa—a Chinese folk instrument—performed by internationally renowned pipa virtuosa Wu Man and narrated by one of China’s biggest stars, Canadian Mark Rowswell (aka “Dashan”). Performed in both Mandarin and English.
DAM! The Story of Kit the Beaver
February 25, 2017
Lights, camera, orchestra! Join us for a fun film-themed concert as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to explore the magic of movies and music, including a newly commissioned short film (Kjell Boersma) with accompanying live orchestra score (Erica Procunier). Plus, hear best-loved tunes from Star Wars, Mission: Impossible, Jaws, and more! Arrive early for a pre-concert performance in the lobby. DAM! The Story of Kit the Beaver was produced by Josh Clavir with art direction by Julie Flett in collaboration with The Seneca Summer Animation Institute. Poster image from DAM! The Story of Kit the Beaver designed by Lucy Ray, Cherese Buchanan, and Kjell Boersma.
Tanya Tagaq
March 4, 2017
This program ranges from an imposing work for piano and orchestra by Jörg Widmann to the World Premières of works by the TSO’s RBC Affiliate Composer Jordan Pal and the astonishing throat singer and 2014 Polaris Music Prize–winner Tanya Tagaq, written with Christine Duncan and Jean Martin, with orchestrations by Christopher Mayo.
James Ehnes
March 8, 2017
Canadian composer Owen Pallett débuts his latest work, for orchestra and Canadian baritone Daniel Okulitch, in a bold and experimental program that also features Canadian violin virtuoso James Ehnes.
Nicole Lizée and Cassandra Miller
March 11, 2017
New music rock stars the Kronos Quartet add to their 800-plus world premières with Nicole Lizée’s Concerto, a wild and imaginative rave for this rare combination of instruments. Also on the program are daring works by Canada’s Cassandra Miller and Iceland’s Daníel Bjarnason.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Commissioning Partner for the Kronos Quartet’s Fifty for the Future project.
CA-NA-DA
June 10 & 11, 2017
From The Log Driver’s Waltz to “The Hockey Theme” (from Hockey Night in Canada), this must-see program of popular music from Canadian stage and screen will have you smiling from ear to ear! Conducted by Canadian Lucas Waldin.
Carly Rae Jepsen with Live Orchestra
June 17, 2017
One night only! Three-time JUNO Award–winning and GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen makes her must-see TSO début. Hear Carly Rae Jepsen perform her iconic hits with full Orchestra, plus intimate sets featuring guitar and string quartet. This collaboration, in celebration of Canada 150, is not to be missed!
Opening Night: Life of Pi
September 19, 2017
World Première. One night only! Breathe in the new orchestral suite from Canadian composer Mychael Danna’s Oscar-winning film score to Life of Pi, plus a brilliant performance of Chausson by eminent Canadian violinist James Ehnes. Join visionary director Ang Lee for an intermission chat in the lobby!
A Tribute to Glenn Gould
September 22 & 23, 2017
World Première. The TSO pays tribute to the life and legacy of legendary pianist Glenn Gould in a must-see concert hosted by renowned actor Colm Feore. Acclaimed Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki marshals all the nobility and turbulent drama of Brahms’s First Piano Concerto.
Triple Concerto for Canadian Concertmasters
September 27–30, 2017
World Première. In a landmark collaboration, The concertmasters of the TSO, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the National Centre Arts Orchestra pool their talents in an intriguing new concerto by Alexina Louie.
Adizokan
October 7, 2017
World Première. One night only! Celebrate the evocative culture of Canadian Indigenous peoples in a singular concert curated and directed by Sandra Laronde, founder and artistic director of Red Sky Performance. A potent mix of dance, video, electro-acoustic, and orchestra by Canadian composer Eliot Britton.
A Tribute to Maureen Forrester
October 19 & 20, 2017
World Première. One of the finest voices of her generation, Canadian contralto Maureen Forrester dazzled audiences worldwide. Honouring her memorable life and career, these performances, hosted by renowned Canadian tenor Ben Heppner, feature a new song cycle for mezzo-soprano and orchestra by Howard Shore, performed by Canadian Susan Platts, plus Mahler’s symphonic song cycle Das Lied von der Erde.
With Glowing Hearts
October 22, 2017
This all-Canadian program—curated by renowned conductor and Canadian music champion Victor Feldbrill—explores Canada’s rich history of classical composers. Notable Canadian pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico is the featured soloist in the Romantic-style Piano Concerto by Québec composer Claude Champagne.
Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation
November 9 & 11, 2017
To commemorate Remembrance Day, the TSO presents Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation, a soul-searching work by Canadian composer Jeffrey Ryan and Suzanne Steele, Canada’s war poet in Afghanistan, featuring a galvanizing performance by acclaimed Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman.