Orchestra Toronto Celebrates Triumphant Season 2022-2023
Orchestra’s season finale brings Jonathan Crow to perform one of the most popular violin concertos
Toronto, Ontario – May 16, 2023 – Audiences will enjoy a victorious afternoon as Orchestra Toronto presents its season finale concert, “Crow and Rachmaninov”. The concert will be held in the George Weston Recital Hall at the Meridian Arts Centre on June 4, 2023 at 3:00pm. A pre-concert chat with Music Director and Conductor, Michael Newnham, begins at 2:15pm. During the concert, a draw will be held wherein one lucky attendee will win two season passes for Orchestra Toronto’s 2023-2024 season; a total prize value of $420!
For the June concert, Orchestra Toronto is thrilled to have Canadian violinist, Jonathan Crow, share the stage to perform Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor. In addition, the Orchestra will be performing Sergei Rachmaninov’s award-winning Symphony No. 2 in E Minor. Finally, the Orchestra is excited to present Joel Toews, the winner of its first-ever Prize in Composition contest, which was announced in December 2022. His “Sleeping Giant”, inspired by the landscape of the area near Thunder Bay, is an atmospheric work, utilizing the complete 85-piece orchestra. Written for this occasion, Orchestra Toronto is excited to give its world premiere performance that afternoon.
“This concert concludes one of our best seasons to date,” said Michael Newnham, Music Director of Orchestra Toronto. “This is music that lifts the spirit. Rachmaninov’s Symphony no. 2, in recent years, has become one of the most popular symphonies, with its soaring and gut-wrenching melodies. It is all about the celebration of triumph after a long struggle. Bruch’s Violin Concerto no. 1 is a Romantic gem and one of the best loved pieces of its kind in the repertoire. We are thrilled to have Jonathan Crow with us to perform that piece.”
A native of Prince George, British Columbia, Jonathan Crow has spent eleven seasons as Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. From 2002 and 2006, Jonathan was the Concertmaster of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra; during which time he was the youngest concertmaster of any major North American orchestra. Jonathan has performed with orchestras across Canada and around the world, including Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras, the National Arts Centre and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestras, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Filarmonia de Lanaudiere and Pernambuco Festival Orchestra (Brazil). Jonathan was Associate Professor of Violin at McGill, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Honours Performance, and is currently Associate Professor of Violin at the University of Toronto.
The full performance includes:
Joel Toews
Max Bruch
Sergei Rachmaninov
Sleeping Giant (Winner of the Orchestra Toronto’s Prize in Composition) Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, featuring Jonathan Crow
Symphony No. 2 in E minor
Orchestra Toronto has welcomed hundreds of newcomers to Canada at its concerts this season as part of its
Welcome Seat program. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of RBC for this program, Orchestra Toronto looks forward to welcoming more to its season finale.
Further information on Season 2022-2023, including concert packages or individual concert tickets, can be found on Orchestra Toronto’s website (www.orchestratoronto.ca). In addition, music lovers of all generations can interact with and hear Orchestra Toronto on:
Facebook @OrchestraToronton
Twitter @OrchToronto
YouTube @orchestratoronto8833
Instagram @orchtoronto
Effective March 21, 2022, and in alignment with provincial and City orders, TOLive lifted its mandatory mask mandate. This change applies to all audiences and staff members across its venues and TOLive will no longer enforce the wearing of masks. Orchestra Toronto respects the choice of each individual audience and orchestra member to wear a mask or not and requests that others also respect that choice. Orchestra Toronto works closely with its partners at TOLive to make the concert experience as safe and enjoyable as possible for all involved. The health and safety of its audience and performers are of the utmost importance to Orchestra Toronto and the organization bases its protocol and practices on the best, most current research available. As recommendations change, Orchestra Toronto will adjust its practices as required. Please visit the website for the most current COVID-19 protocols that will be in place.
About Orchestra Toronto
Comprised of approximately 80 musicians, Orchestra Toronto is an orchestra created by passionate musicians within the community, for the community. We offer the enjoyment of music, foster education and music appreciation and support emerging Canadian talent. Our organization of volunteers is committed to making symphonic music accessible to a broad and diverse public beyond the concert hall.
For more information or to arrange interviews with artists, guest artists or the Music Director, please contact:
Julianna Cole, Orchestra Toronto Executive Director at: executive.director@orchestratoronto.ca
