Jan. 10, 2023: Orchestra Toronto Joins Music and Movement with Dances of the Americas
Denis Plante shares the stage with the orchestra to celebrate a variety of western hemisphere dances
Toronto, Ontario – January 10, 2023 – Orchestra Toronto is stepping up its third concert by celebrating music and movement with Dances of the Americas. The concert will be held in the George Weston Recital Hall at the Meridian Arts Centre on February 26, 2023 at 3:00pm. A pre-concert chat with Music Director and Conductor, Michael Newnham, begins at 2:15pm.
Denis Plante will join Orchestra Toronto to perform Astor Piazzolla’s Bandoneón Concerto, a reinvention of the tango, the national dance of Argentina, which mixes ideas from classical, jazz and popular music. Orchestra Toronto also will be playing music by Florence Price, Arturo Márquez and the Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein. Canada will also be represented with the “Bootlegger’s Tarantella” from the opera “Filumena” by John Estacio, as well as the premiere of “Circus March”, a new work by Orchestra Toronto’s composer-in-residence, Elizabeth Raum.
“February can be cold and wet in Toronto, which is why we are excited to be bringing music that will heat up the concert hall, lift spirits and warm the heart,” said Michael Newnham, Music Director of Orchestra Toronto. “We are also overjoyed to have the artistry of Denis Plante joining us for Piazzola’s Bandoneón Concerto.”
Denis Plante was raised in Montreal in a family of artists, surrounded by instruments used to play traditional and early music, and by theatrical costumes, sets, and props. After a period living in Argentina, he settled in Quebec where he founded the ensemble Tango Boréal. One of the premier players of the bandoneon, he is an unparalleled interpreter of contemporary tango known both in Canada and on the international stage. A charismatic soloist, he is often invited to perform with orchestras or as a soloist with chamber music ensembles. He has received many awards and accolades for his creative works and compositions, including the Opus award for Recording of the Year (World Music) for his albums Tango Boréal and Pampa Blues.
The full performance includes:
- Elizabeth Raum: Circus March
- John Estacio: Bootlegger’s Tarantella from “Filumena”
- Florence Price: Dances in the Canebrakes
- Arturo Márquez: Danzón No. 2
- Astor Piazzolla: Bandoneón Concerto with Denis Plante
- Leonard Bernstein: Symphonic Dances From “West Side Story”
Orchestra Toronto has welcomed 170 newcomers to Canada at its first two 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 even more people to the last three concerts of its season.
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 (https://www.facebook.com/OrchestraToronto), Twitter (@OrchToronto), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMJ-IHjJQ_TP7rJL5fIopUg) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/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
