CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Occasions You Completely Want To See This Week: January 20 – 26

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L-R (clockwise): Flutist Leslie Newman (Picture courtesy of the artist); Alexey Dolgov (left) as Pinkerton in Houston Grand Opera’s manufacturing of Madama Butterfly, 2015 (Picture: Lynn Lane); Accordionist Maciej Frackiewicz (Picture courtesy of the artist)

It is a checklist of concert events we’re attending, wishing we might attend, or occupied with attending between January 20 and 26, 2025. For extra of what’s occurring round Toronto, go to our calendar right here.

Glenn Gould College: The Robert W. and G. Ann Corcoran Concerto Competitors Finals

Wednesday, January 22, 7 p.m.
Koerner Corridor. Free — register for tickets

In case you are in a decent monetary squeeze post-Blue Monday (that’s TODAY), or simply want some uplifting from the drudgery of winter, this occasion is for you! This annual concerto competitors from Glenn Gould College options finalists on numerous devices vying for an opportunity to play a concerto with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra within the 25/26 season. Koerner Corridor is gorgeous to take a look at, and it sounds wonderful. The kids are hungry and prepared. Items they’ve chosen are undoubtedly a number of the better of the canon — and I hear that there will probably be a harp concerto, a rarity. It’s open to the general public totally free. When you ever felt that Koerner Corridor occasions are out of your realm, that is the proper occasion to return and expertise it. When you at all times love the Koerner Corridor occasions, that is, nicely, a wealthy bonus. Information right here.

COC: Paraphrases on La Reine-garçon

Thursday, January 23, Midday
Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Free.

Canadian composer Julien Bilodeau has been busy, particularly in Montréal the place he regularly collaborates with the Montréal Symphony Orchestra and Opéra de Montréal. Because the Toronto viewers awaits the opening of La Reine-garçon on the COC later this month, Adam Sherkin, a well-known pianist, who is understood for his exploration of current and new music, and the world by means of his personal eyes as a composer, presents Bilodeau’s piano music on this Thursday afternoon. An important likelihood to sneakpeek the soundscape of Bilodeau — the best way composers write, much like the best way writers and painters categorical, is private and intimate. The extra acquainted we turn into, the extra we are able to hear and sense. A beautiful method to discover a person’s voice within the intimate and acquainted idiom of the solo piano. Learn our Preview right here. Information right here.

COC: Madama Butterfly

Friday, January 24, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, January 26, 2 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 12, 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 14, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2 p.m.

At the moment sold-out for normal seatings, with every day launch of standing room tickets, and rush tickets.

A staunch favorite by Puccini (Puccini was ranked no. 2 with 1,893 performances of 12 operas, throughout 5 seasons: 2008/09, to 2012/13, in accordance with the Operabase, outnumbered solely by Verdi), it’s already almost sold-out. A tragic love story with demise, colonialism, energy battle, battle — the checklist of challenges are countless on this specific work, particularly when seen by means of immediately’s eyes, however there are stunning arias — this, nobody can deny. No additional phrases are crucial, because the Toronto viewers are exhibiting their love with their tickets in palms! If you wish to try the hype, get your self early into the queue on efficiency days: standing room tickets (an actual cut price at 15 {dollars} a spot!), or rush tickets (subjected to availability) are probably your finest guess at this level. These are restricted to 2 per particular person, and there’s particular directions on the way to get hold of them — learn rigorously, get your self a spot, and expertise the drama. Information right here.

21C Music Pageant: Continuum Up to date Music: Spanning

Saturday, January 25, 8 p.m.
Temerty Theatre, Royal Conservatory of Music, $21+

It is a nice program of present voices by means of classical music. Beginning with some of the well-liked composers of our time, Kaija Saariaho (1952-2023), Continuum has curated an incredible number of music, stuffed strong on this short-and-sweet 80 minutes occasion. These names might not be acquainted but: Anna Höstman, Kotoka Suzuki, Ana Sokolović, Jocelyn Morlock (1969-2023), and Carolyn Chen, however belief that their concepts and expressions should be skilled dwell, to make sense in our personal world. We now favour digital entry for a lot of issues — however the media that we nurtured by means of the analogue world, won’t ever be true with out the feeling by means of our personal our bodies — to the touch, to carry, to bodily resonate, as we expertise it in its entirety, together with area (the dwell performers and the corridor), and time (with out the choice of opting out, or being distracted). Would you relatively be in a deep bodily embrace along with your family members, or choose a Zoom name? How do we all know what we really feel, except we’ve felt it by means of the elements which have constructed our lives — by means of touchable, passing actuality? There will probably be loads to take residence. Drop your worries about bizarre music, and are available. Information right here.

College of Toronto New Music Pageant: Maciej Frackiewicz

Sunday, January 26, 7:30 p.m.
Walter Corridor, 80 Queen’s Park, School of Music. Free.

Accordion. The place would you find in your thoughts? Oktoberfest? A view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower within the distance? Folksy bluegrass scene down south? Infectious pull of tango and cuenca? This transportable, versatile machine is at residence with many various types, and its capability to evoke has cemented its place in all genres of music — together with classical. Sure. Classical accordion music is a factor. It’s a nice pleasure to find new issues, particularly when the chance presents the most effective worldwide performers on stage, totally free. We’re very lucky to have a wealthy accordion scene in Toronto — if that is information to you, please come out on this Sunday night, and see Maciej Frackiewicz tear it up on the stage. With method to burn and spare, and a big thoughts and curiosity, Frakiewicz has gained many first worldwide prizes, and he’s been concerned with over 100 new works for the accordion — for solo, duos with cello, violin, piano, and many others., and bigger chamber music works. Come and listen to what is feasible, and put slightly crack within the stereotype that we frequently construct in our personal thoughts. Isn’t it wonderful to nonetheless be capable to discover new issues, when all the things feels so saturated and acquainted? Information right here.

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