Toronto is the place to be for classical music aficionados this season! With a plethora of events dedicated to the genius of Ludwig van Beethoven, there's something for everyone. From the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's vibrant opening with Jan Lisiecki performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition at David Pecaut Square, to Emanuel Ax's mesmerizing recital at The Royal Conservatory of Music featuring Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 13. Explore the depths of Beethoven's music through insightful presentations by Rob Kapilow at Meridian Hall, and enjoy the dual role of Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Don't miss the chance to witness Jan Lisiecki’s virtuoso performances over two nights, delving into all of Beethoven’s piano concerti. The Takács Quartet and Sir Stephen Hough bring a modern twist to Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 1, while Pierre-Laurent Aimard's interpretation of Beethoven’s 11 Bagatelles is a must-see. Conclude your Beethoven journey with Sunny Ritter's performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and finally, be uplifted by the grandeur of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony.

Experience Beethoven Across Toronto: From Concertos to Symphonies

Experience the mesmerizing charm of Mozart in Toronto with a series of splendid events! From the enchanting 'Mozart & Masquerade' at the Meridian Arts Centre to the profound 'Requiem' conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and the virtuosity of Angela Hewitt playing Piano Concerto No. 21, there's something for every classical music enthusiast. Don't miss the magic of the 'Jupiter' Symphony and a diverse blend of masterpieces by Bach, Schumann, and modern composers. Join us in Toronto for an unforgettable musical journey through the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart!

Mozart's Magic in Toronto: A Symphony of Celebrations

Toronto is set to host an array of classical music events that celebrate the genius of Felix Mendelssohn. From the captivating performances of Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason to Bruce Liu's breathtaking piano solos, and Schaghajegh Nosrati's debut at Koerner Hall, the city will be alive with Mendelssohn's timeless compositions. Not to be missed is Angela Hewitt's enchanting rendition of Mozart and Mendelssohn with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Experience Mendelssohn in Toronto: A Musical Journey with The Royal Conservatory of Music

Toronto is set to be filled with the enchanting melodies of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in the coming months. From the magical world of 'The Nutcracker' by The National Ballet of Canada and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, to the powerful emotions of 'Swan Lake,' 'Eugene Onegin,' and 'Pathétique,' there are ample opportunities to experience the genius of Tchaikovsky live. Whether it’s through ballet, opera, or symphony, these performances promise to be unforgettable highlights of Toronto’s cultural calendar.

Celebrate Tchaikovsky: Magnificent Performances in Toronto

Join the musical journey across Toronto as the city comes alive with the enchanting melodies of Johannes Brahms. From Saraste's powerful rendition of Mozart's Requiem and Brahms's Symphony No. 3 at David Pecaut Square, to the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir's romantic waltzes and tangos at The Royal Conservatory of Music, the city will reverberate with Brahms's genius. Experience the high spirits of Brahms's Academic Festival Overture at Meridian Arts Centre, the innovative Takács Quartet, and the unparalleled energy of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra featuring Brahms's Violin Concerto. This Brahms-infused series will culminate in a grand finale with Gimeno conducting the best of Brahms, ensuring every concert-goer leaves with a heart full of timeless music.

Toronto Celebrates Brahms: Concerts Highlighting the Master Composer

Toronto is set to resonate with the enthralling symphonies of Dmitri Shostakovich through a series of events at David Pecaut Square and Meridian Arts Centre. From the evocative 'Fire & Ice: Shostakovich & Sibelius' to the dynamic 'Brahms & Shostakovich' with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the heart-stirring 'Shostakovich’s Fifth,' these concerts promise an unforgettable musical journey. And let's not forget Sinfonia Toronto's 'Sunny's Beethoven: Flowering Moon,' featuring Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony no. 1.

Experience Shostakovich's Masterpieces in Toronto: A Symphony of Emotions

Toronto becomes the epicenter of classical music as it hosts a series of extraordinary performances featuring the works of Antonín Dvořák. From the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s vibrant renditions of Symphony No. 8 and the iconic New World Symphony to the Czech Philharmonic’s captivating concerts under Semyon Bychkov, and an intimate chamber recital by Martin Fröst, Antoine Tamestit, and Shai Wosner, the city offers a rich tapestry of musical experiences for all enthusiasts.

Experience Dvořák's Masterpieces in Toronto: A Musical Journey

Get ready, Toronto! The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and The National Ballet of Canada are bringing a series of spectacular events featuring the timeless works of Maurice Ravel, among other musical treasures. From John Adams' return to a heartfelt farewell to Guillaume Côté, this is a musical feast you don't want to miss!

Toronto's Musical Extravaganza: Celebrating Ravel and More

Toronto is set to become a haven for classical music enthusiasts with a series of breathtaking performances highlighting the works of Felix Mendelssohn. From the dazzling sibling duo Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason to the electrifying Bruce Liu, and from the brilliant Schaghajegh Nosrati to the beloved Angela Hewitt, these concerts promise an unforgettable musical journey.

Celebrating Felix Mendelssohn: A Classical Feast in Toronto

Toronto is the place to be for classical music enthusiasts and ballet lovers this season! From the enchanting 'The Nutcracker' by The National Ballet of Canada to the majestic 'Swan Lake,' and the captivating 'Eugene Onegin' by the Canadian Opera Company, Tchaikovsky's masterpieces are taking center stage. Join the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for their renditions of 'Pathétique,' the Violin Concerto, and more. Don't miss out on this extraordinary celebration of one of classical music's greatest composers.

Celebrating Tchaikovsky: A Symphony of Events in Toronto

Toronto is set to resonate with the timeless brilliance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart this season, featuring a series of captivating events that honor his legacy. From Sinfonia Toronto's 'Mozart & Masquerade' at the Meridian Arts Centre to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's presentation of 'Mozart’s Jupiter', music lovers are in for a treat. Highlights include Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducting Mozart’s haunting Requiem, Angela Hewitt's enchanting performance of Piano Concerto No. 21, and the grandeur of 'Dvořák’s New World Symphony'. With an array of other masterpieces by Bach, Schumann, and contemporary composers, Toronto’s stages will be alive with extraordinary musical experiences.

Toronto's Musical Splendor: Celebrating Mozart and More

Toronto is set to become a haven for classical music aficionados with a series of captivating events celebrating the genius of Ludwig van Beethoven. From the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s vibrant performances of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto and Violin Concerto at David Pecaut Square to the Royal Conservatory of Music hosting Emanuel Ax and the Takács Quartet, these events will showcase the timeless beauty and emotional depth of Beethoven’s works. Additionally, don’t miss Rob Kapilow’s enlightening 'What Makes It Great?' series at Meridian Hall and Meridian Arts Centre, along with Pierre-Laurent Aimard’s masterful piano interpretations and the grand 'Eroica' symphony to close the season.

Toronto’s Classical Music Delight: Unveiling Beethoven's Masterpieces in 2024-2025

Toronto is set to become a haven for classical music enthusiasts with a spectacular lineup of events featuring the works of Johannes Brahms. From the haunting melodies of Mozart's Requiem conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste to the passionate waltzes and tangos of Brahms's Liebeslieder Walzer with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the city will resonate with musical brilliance. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra will showcase Brahms's Academic Festival Overture, Symphony No. 1, and Violin Concerto, while the Takács Quartet and Sir Stephen Hough will bring innovative interpretations of Brahms's Piano Quintet. Don't miss the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's electrifying performance of Brahms's Violin Concerto and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. Finally, Icelandic sensation Víkingur Ólafsson will deliver a profound exploration of Brahms with his Second Piano Concerto and Fourth Symphony. Join us in celebrating the timeless beauty of Brahms's music in Toronto.

Experience the Magic of Brahms in Toronto: A Symphony of Events

Toronto is set to host a series of captivating musical events featuring the works of Dmitri Shostakovich at esteemed venues like David Pecaut Square and Meridian Arts Centre. From the evocative landscapes of Sibelius’s First Symphony in 'Fire & Ice' to the emotional drama of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the upcoming performances promise an unforgettable experience. Highlights include the serene 'D’un matin de printemps' and the premiere of Barbara Assiginaak’s ode to nature in 'Sunny's Beethoven: Flowering Moon'.

Musical Masterpieces in Toronto: Shostakovich and More

Toronto's music scene is set to explode with a series of captivating concerts featuring the enchanting works of Antonín Dvořák. From the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's high-energy performances of Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony and New World Symphony to the Czech Philharmonic's elegant renditions of Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, music lovers have much to look forward to. Add in the intimate chamber recital by Martin Fröst, Antoine Tamestit, and Shai Wosner, and Toronto becomes a must-visit destination for classical music enthusiasts this season.

Experience the Magic of Dvořák: A Series of Unmissable Concerts in Toronto

Toronto will be the vibrant stage for an array of mesmerizing performances, featuring the works of Maurice Ravel among other renowned composers. From John Adams' return with a Canadian premiere to the romantic tales of 'Daphnis et Chloé,' the Toronto Symphony Orchestra promises an unforgettable musical journey. Ballet enthusiasts will also celebrate Guillaume Côté’s remarkable career with stunning new works and Ravel’s powerful 'Boléro.' Don’t miss the culmination of these artistic expressions at venues like David Pecaut Square and the Meridian Arts Centre!

Experience the Magic of Maurice Ravel in Toronto: A Symphony of Exceptional Performances

Sibelius’s First Symphony evokes scenes of snowy Finnish landscapes and the quiet strength of winter, while Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto, with its haunting and expressive melodies, embodies the fiery resilience of the human spirit.

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Fire & Ice: Shostakovich & Sibelius

David Pecaut Square

One of the most prolific and influential composers of today, John Adams returns to the TSO podium, leading sensational Spotlight Artist Anna Prohaska in “This is prophetic!” from his era-defining opera Nixon in China, depicting the historic 1972 US Presidential visit, along with the Canadian Première of his eclectic new work, Frenzy.

John Adams Returns

Join our musical menagerie with Peter and the Wolf, where a brave young boy and his lively animal friends are brought to life by instruments of the orchestra. Young listeners will buzz with excitement during “Flight of the Bumblebee” and encounter other delightful animal friends on this symphonic safari for little explorers and music lovers alike.

Peter and the Wolf

Gianandrea Noseda returns with Canadian violinist Timothy Chooi, who masterfully interprets Bruch’s First Violin Concerto, every note and phrase speaking to the heart with their melodic charm and dramatic intensity. The crescendo builds with Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony, an epic finale filled with rhapsodic vigour and dramatic flair.

Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2

“This is Halloween—everybody make a scene!” Tim Burton’s cult classic comes to life like never before, projected on the big screen with Danny Elfman’s delightfully quirky score performed live by your Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert

Tony Award® winner Adrienne Warren (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) joins Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and your TSO for an electrifying tribute to the one and only Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll, Tina Turner! Relive Tina’s greatest hits, from “Proud Mary” to “River Deep, Mountain High” and so much more in this can’t-miss Pops Series opener.

Simply the Best: A Tina Turner Tribute with Adrienne Warren

Former TSO Music Director Jukka-Pekka Saraste presents Mozart’s final words, his haunting Requiem, famously featured in the film Amadeus. Experience the profound emotions of this monumental work, powerfully delivered by the voices of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

Saraste Conducts Mozart’s Requiem

You’re invited to a lively symphonic soiree featuring whimsical and well-loved works. Mozart’s gracefully animated Violin Concerto No. 3 complements Rossini’s famed overture to The Barber of Seville and Johann Strauss II’s spirited overture to Die Fledermaus, which will have you waltzing in your seat!

Spirited Overtures

Experience the magic of music at our TSO Open House & Free Concert! Join us for an extraordinary day of free musical experiences designed for newcomers and symphony fanatics alike.

Open House & Free Concert

Raise a glass to a vibrant new season! Spotlight Artist and Canadian piano sensation Jan Lisiecki joins Concertmaster Jonathan Crow and Principal Cello Joseph Johnson for a work that shines a light on three soloists, Beethoven’s captivating Triple Concerto. Then, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition invites you on an imaginative stroll through an art gallery, each note echoing the brush strokes of a different painting.

Pictures at an Exhibition

Eclectic and irreverent Australian chanteuse Meow Meow was named one of the “Top Performers of the Year” by The New Yorker. Following the invitation of international diva Renée Fleming to appear on her VOICES concert series, Fleming described Meow Meow as “a performer who gleefully tramples the barriers of genre…. Her shows may be moving, hilarious, or even shocking, but you can be sure she is never dull.” Meow Meow has been called “sensational” (The Times, UK) and a “diva of the highest order” (New York Post). Be electrified, hypnotized, inspired, and terrified by Meow Meow’s kamikaze cabaret.

Meow Meow’s Pandemonium

Acclaimed Broadway star and Toronto native Ramin Karimloo joins celebrated Canadian vocalist Mikaela Bennett for a journey through the blockbusters of musical theatre, from the Golden Age to favourites of today, with signature songs and duets from West Side Story, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Funny Girl, and more.

Broadway Blockbusters with Ramin Karimloo & Mikaela Bennett

Following his sold-out performances with the TSO in 2022, composer and conductor Joe Hisaishi, known for his iconic Studio Ghibli film scores, is set to make his highly anticipated return. Enjoy Ravel's ethereal masterpiece "La valse," a breathtaking suite from the Academy Award-winning film Spirited Away, and the grandeur of Hisaishi's own Symphony No. 3 "Metaphysica." Don't miss this extraordinary program with Japan's legendary composer and conductor!

Hisaishi Conducts Hisaishi

The combined force of soprano and alto voices and a treble choir, and the soaring solo vocals of contralto Gerhild Romberger, bring the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Masterworks series to a magnificent close in Mahler’s Symphony No. 3. The six movements of this monumental work characterize the composer’s philosophy of the interconnectivity of nature and man to the heavens—each movement embellishing nature’s next plateau, from simple birdsong to celestial transformation, punctuated by choral passages.

Mahler Symphony No. 3

A cornerstone of the repertoire, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is a passionate and technically mesmerizing display of the instrument’s capabilities. It soars in the hands of the gifted Randall Goosby, a former student of Itzhak Perlman who, at 13, was the youngest winner of the Sphinx Competition. The beloved work is complemented by a delightfully effervescent Divertimento for String Orchestra composed by Bartók in just 15 days, along with Mozart’s popular “Prague” Symphony, and the World Première of a work by Métis composer Ian Cusson, created in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Mendelssohn’s Violin

Experience an extraordinary musical union as the talented young musicians of our own Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and our guests from the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra join forces for an electrifying and inspiring performance.

TSYO & Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra

Conductor Stéphane Denève leads Spotlight Artist James Ehnes in Bernstein’s Serenade, inspired by the philosopher Plato’s views on love, blending the composer’s signature classical, romantic, and modernist elements with hints of jazz and Broadway. Connesson's composition paints a musical vision of an enchanting, mythical city, and Gershwin’s love letter to Paris, with its classical-jazz fusion, stirs emotions with its seductive rhythms and harmonies.

James Ehnes + An American in Paris

Game ON! mesmerizes with an exhilarating and unequalled concert experience that celebrates the passion and excitement of video games. Featuring soundtracks from an unprecedented lineup of blockbuster titles, including Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, The Witcher 3, Bioshock, Ori, Assassin's Creed and many others; Game ON! combines gorgeous symphonic arrangements with stunning, never-before-seen HD video.

Game ON!

From singing at age 10 for her father’s church in the City of Detroit to performing on the world stage for six decades, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, defined contemporary Gospel, Blues, R&B, Jazz, and Rock across the globe. Three powerhouse vocalists, Shaleah Adkisson, Blaine Alden Krauss, and Tamika Lawrence, join your Toronto Symphony Orchestra to showcase the hits of the artist Rolling Stone recently hailed as the “greatest singer of all time.”

FREEDOM! A Tribute to Aretha Franklin

The Force is strong with this one, as your Toronto Symphony Orchestra transports you to a galaxy far, far away with John Williams’s Academy Award–winning music from all nine films in the Skywalker saga, including the original trilogy of Star Wars (A New Hope), The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, along with prequels The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith, and sequels The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. 

The Music of Star Wars

Feel the fiery intensity of Brahms’s Violin Concerto as interpreted by the virtuosic Frank Peter Zimmermann, and embrace the dramatic power of Tchaikovsky’s supercharged Fourth Symphony, as the vibrant energy of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra merges with your TSO in a side-by-side spectacular display of musical mastery.

Tchaikovsky + Brahms

Nicknamed “Beethoven’s Tenth”, Brahms’s monumental First Symphony is a grandiose gesture of emotion embroidered with rich woodwind harmonies, thundering timpani, and raucous brass. Spotlight Artist Emily D’Angelo sings a suite of stunning vocal works by centuries of composers, plus a new work by TSO RBC Affiliate Composer Alison Yun-Fei Jiang opens the performance.

Brahms’s First

Join us for the epic conclusion to the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra’s golden jubilee season. Throughout its 50 year history, the TSYO has taught young musicians to be the best versions of themselves, both inside and outside the concert hall. TSYO musicians have seen their share of trials and tribulations, but they have always emerged triumphant, just like the featured piece in this milestone concert—Mahler’s First Symphony.

Titan: A Celebration of the TSYO’s 50th Anniversary!

Experience the glorious and invigorating music of J.S. Bach! Filled with exuberance and virtuoso flourish, the Brandenburg Concertos are among the most beloved and inventive masterpieces of the Baroque era and, indeed, all of music. Led by Concertmaster Jonathan Crow and spotlighting the incredible artistry of the TSO’s musicians, these concerts also feature Bach’s exquisite Concerto for Oboe, and the well-known “Double” and “Triple” concertos for violin.

Brilliant Bach

Dance in your seats with your whole family at Bhangra & Beyond!

Join us for a fun-filled morning with your Toronto Symphony Orchestra and special guests Maritime Bhangra and Sanskriti Arts as we embrace the power of music, rhythm, and dance. Create core memories as you introduce your children to a love of music and live performance. This concert is particularly great for ages 8–12.

Bhangra & Beyond

Step into the immersive world of a live listening party, led by Hrishikesh Hirway, the visionary behind the groundbreaking Song Exploder podcast and Netflix series. Known for his incisive conversations with pop stars and music icons — from Billie Eilish and Bono to Yo-Yo Ma and Metallica — Hirway reveals the soul of songcraft. This unmissable evening features Hirway and Toronto Symphony Orchestra Music Director Gustavo Gimeno in conversation stageside, along with the full orchestra. Together, they dissect the mesmerizing layers of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, accompanied by live replays of musical sections and microscopic insight into the orchestra in action. The grand finale? A complete, soul-stirring rendition of the famously unnerving piece.

Symphony Exploder

Experience Richard Strauss’s masterful musical narration of Don Quixote—an imaginative tone poem where instruments of the orchestra represent the characters of the Cervantes novel about the adventures of a delusional Spanish knight and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza—plus the North American Première of Canadian Samy Moussa’s Trombone Concerto, co-commissioned by the TSO, masterfully played by Jörgen van Rijen.

R. Strauss’s Don Quixote

Join the original voice cast members of Animaniacs for a zany, animany and totally insaney musical adventure that’s fun for the whole family! Experience the iconic Emmy Award-winning songs from the cherished television series performed live to film by your TSO alongside original voice actors Rob Paulsen (Yakko, Pinky) and Maurice LaMarche (The Brain), along with the Emmy-winning songwriter and composer himself, Randy Rogel.

Animaniacs in Concert

Scandinavia reigns supreme as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra welcomes the return of internationally renowned Finnish conductor Osmo Vänskä to lead the compelling Second Symphony of his compatriot Jean Sibelius. Completed in 1902 during an uncertain Russian domination of Finland, the piece became an uplifting interpretation of nationalistic identity, with sweeping majesty that elicits the adventurous landscape from which it sprang. Opening the performance is the jovial and familiar Peer Gynt Suite of Edvard Grieg, which was created at the request of Norway’s literary giant, Henrik Ibsen, as incidental music to his play of the same name. Finally, German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser joins for the North American Première of a new cello concerto, written for him by one of Europe’s leading composers, Detlev Glanert, and co-commissioned by the TSO.

Sibelius Symphony No. 2

Guest conductor Ryan Bancroft leads a programmatic tour de force that explores the complexities of the human experience. Opening with Anna Clyne’s Within Her Arms, the lamenting elegy for 15 strings was inspired by the composer’s loss of her mother. Then, the demanding Piano Concerto No. 3 of Sergei Prokofiev is a testament to his technical prowess as both a performer and a composer, as brilliantly displayed by British pianist Isata Kanneh- Mason, winner of the 2021 Leonard Bernstein Award. Full of orchestral colour amid manic passages of virtuosity contrasted by moments of serene, lyrical melodies, the concerto is one of the most popular of the 20th century. Finally, Russian compatriot Dmitri Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony, written shortly after the death of Joseph Stalin, is a scathing musical indictment of the terror and violence experienced under Stalin’s regime. Sombre, wrenching emotion dominates most of the piece, until, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it closes with a triumphant climax.

Prokofiev’s Piano

Enter the Hungarian folk-inspired world of Béla Bartók in this live-recorded performance. The ballet score to The Miraculous Mandarin, with its alluring melodies and seductive rhythms, tells a saucy tale of desire and intrigue, while his Concerto for Orchestra is an electrifying display of orchestral brilliance.

Brilliant Bartók

The exuberant energy of Brahms’s Academic Festival Overture and the vibrant rhythms of Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances culminate with the soaring melodies of Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony in this high-octane program that will leave audiences reeling.

High Spirits: Brahms, Borodin & Dvořák

Meridian Arts Centre

We throw open the doors to the holiday season with a journey to the Land of Sweets in Act II of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. The beloved ballet classic comes to life with familiar favourites including “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Waltz of the Flowers”. Adding to the revelry, the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra joins side by side for a thrilling performance of Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor.

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker: Land of Sweets

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler, and raised among Santa’s elves. This holiday season Buddy travels to New York—with a live symphony orchestra! Celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary and experience John Debney’s wonderful score as the full film plays on the big screen


Elf in Concert

Gather the whole family for a celebration of the season with an upbeat jazzy twist! Led by Jeff Tyzik and featuring the smooth vocals of Toronto’s own Denzal Sinclaire, this festive concert is sure to get you into the holiday spirit faster than you can say, “Fa la la!”

TSO Holiday Pops

Rejoice greatly! Jean-Sébastien Vallée leads your TSO and the vibrant voices of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir along with four outstanding soloists in a resplendent rendition of Handel’s beloved oratorio. Gather friends and family for Toronto’s grand musical holiday tradition—a majestic performance that will leave you singing "Hallelujah!"

Messiah

Drawing inspiration from Dvořák’s late 19th-century journey to the United States, his “New World Symphony” embodies the spirit of exploration and adventure. Its dynamic themes and rhythms brilliantly portray the diverse cultural tapestry and expansive terrains of the Americas. And, in a delightful program highlight, Principal Clarinet Eric Abramovitz performs an audience favourite, Mozart’s enchanting Clarinet Concerto.

Dvořák’s New World Symphony

The cosmic grandeur of Richard Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra, famously immortalized as the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey, captivates with its awe-inspiring majesty, and renowned pianist Emanuel Ax, celebrated for his interpretations of Mozart, returns under the direction of Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis.

Sir Andrew Conducts Emanuel Ax + Mozart

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider’s dual role as conductor and violinist lends an intimate touch to Beethoven’s beloved Violin Concerto, and Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza is a vibrant homage to Beethoven. Robert Schumann’s Second Symphony, composed amid his personal struggles, oscillates between despair, introspection, and exuberance, mirroring his emotional journey.

Beethoven’s Violin

Tarmo Peltokoski returns to lead Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, an awe-inspiring monument of ingenious lyricism and technical experimentation, performed by renowned Armenian violinist Sergey Khachatryan, followed by Vaughan Williams’s Symphony No. 4, a deeply compelling work that captures a spectrum of human emotions, from tumultuous intensity to profound serenity.

Tchaikovsky & Vaughan Williams

Witness Spotlight Artist Jan Lisiecki’s virtuosic journey through all of Beethoven’s piano concerti, which he both plays and leads. Over two nights, experience the full expanse of the composer’s genius, from the youthful exuberance of his early piano works to the profound depths of his later compositions. 

All Beethoven with Lisiecki

Ring in the Lunar New Year with an enchanting evening of music! Join your TSO and special guests for a symphonic celebration that promises good fortune, prosperity, and a captivating blend of classic and festive favourites.

Year of the Snake: A Lunar New Year Celebration

Embark on an epic musical journey with Beethoven’s iconic Symphony No. 5 and the galactic wonders of John Williams’s Academy Award®–winning Star Wars score, a perfect fusion of timeless and modern classics that will thrill both newcomers and seasoned symphony lovers alike.

May The Fifth Be With You: Beethoven & Star Wars

Set sail on a Caribbean adventure with Captain Daniel B-P and special guests for an exhilarating day of calypso and cumbia rhythms and orchestra magic! Dance in your seat, feel the beat, and dive into the vibrant world of island music with your TSO.

Hot, Hot, Hot! Calypso, Cumbia & More

Spotlight Artist Jan Lisiecki, one of the foremost interpreters of Chopin, brings to life the emotive depths of the composer’s First Piano Concerto. Revel in this romantic masterpiece, a blend of tender lyricism and technical brilliance. The concert concludes with Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1, a soul-stirring work that showcases the orchestra’s full dramatic range.

Lisiecki Plays Chopin

Holst’s famed The Planets is a powerful and sublime symphonic tour of the solar system; its iconic “Mars” the inspiration for Darth Vader’s theme, “The Imperial March”. Award-winning British conductor Thomas Adès also presents two of his own works: “Paradiso” from Dante, evoking transcendence into heaven, and his Piano Concerto, its unconventional rhythms and harmonies creating a unique and memorable musical journey for the listener.

Holst’s the Planets

Join your TSO and a star-studded Broadway cast featuring Hailey Kilgore (Once on This Island), Derek Klena (Jagged Little Pill, Anastasia), Javier Muñoz (Hamilton), and Tony Award® winner Ali Stroker (Oklahoma!) for an extravaganza of contemporary musical-theatre favourites from Wicked, The Color Purple, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and more.

21st-Century Broadway

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®–winning feature-length film Encanto™ comes to life with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra performing the score. Encanto™ tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the mountains of Colombia. When Mirabel, the only ordinary Madrigal, discovers the magic surrounding their home is in danger, she may be her family’s last hope. Encanto™ received an Academy Award®, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Feature. The soundtrack features original songs by Academy Award®–nominated, and Tony®-and-GRAMMY®-winning songwriter/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana) with an original score by Academy Award®–nominated composer Germaine Franco.

Disney’s Encanto in Concert

Our west-coast friends from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of Otto Tausk, bring the kinetic excitement and technical brilliance of Brahms’s Violin Concerto, performed by Vadim Gluzman, along with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a work ablaze with emotional drama, reflecting the anxious tensions of the pre–World War II era.

Brahms & Shostakovich with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

The magic of Mahler’s Fourth lies in its ability to transport listeners to a world that is both ethereal and familiar. It is a musical depiction of heaven seen through the eyes of a child, voiced by our exquisite Spotlight Artist Anna Prohaska, who also shimmers in works by Mozart and Haydn.

Mahler’s Fourth

Beethoven Lives Upstairs features a lively exchange of letters between young Christoph and his uncle. Their subject: the “madman” who has moved into the upstairs apartment of Christoph’s Vienna home. Through a touching correspondence, dramatically underscored with excerpts from the composer’s most beautiful creations, Christoph slowly comes to understand the genius of Beethoven and the beauty of his music.

Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Celebrated Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt brings her elegant technique and musicality to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, a kaleidoscope of melodic drama and charm, while Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony transports listeners to the hauntingly beautiful misty moors and rustic landscapes of Scotland

Angela Hewitt Plays Mozart

Discover the unparalleled musical genius of legendary film composer and record producer Hans Zimmer—a GRAMMY®, Golden Globe, and Academy Award® winner who has captivated Hollywood for decades with his iconic scores to The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Intersellar, Dune and more.

Pops Goes to the Movies: The Music of Hans Zimmer

The thread of romance intricately connects each of the works on these captivating performances. Canadian composer Kevin Lau’s Kimiko’s Pearl takes inspiration from a powerful ballet about hope, resilience, and transformation. The romantic eloquence of Saint-Saëns’s First Cello Concerto weaves a narrative of passion and virtuosity, and Ravel’s balletic Daphnis et Chloé portrays the timeless Ancient Greek love story between a shepherd and a nymph.

Romantic Treasures

Yuja Wang returns with Tchaikovsky’s brilliant Piano Concerto No. 1, melding fiery passion with delicate lyricism only as she can. The performance also features Janáček’s Sinfonietta, a grand tribute to the modern city, and a World Première by Cree composer Andrew Balfour, created in collaboration with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Yuja Wang Plays Tchaikovsky

Radiant rhythms and vibrant melodies await in this colourful celebración hispana, featuring Jimmy López Bellido’s spirited tribute to his Afro-Peruvian heritage, and Karen Gomyo’s blazing take on Astor Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, where classical music meets Argentinian tango. The fiesta culminates in the south of Spain with Bizet’s Carmen Suites, including the crowd-pleasing favourites “Habanera”, “Toreador Song”, and more.

Bizet’s Carmen Suites

Embrace the tranquil charm of Lili Boulanger’s D’un matin de printemps, a serene springtime tribute, contrasted with the intense, revolutionary echoes in Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, in a performance that weaves together peacefulness and power, awakening the full breadth of the senses.

Shostakovich’s Fifth

The TSO is thrilled to unveil a newly commissioned work based on Sandra Laronde’s award-winning début novel, She Holds Up the Stars. This new creation combines a contemporary original story with life-sized puppets, dance, storytelling, visual art, screen design, and orchestral music. Enter the world of an adolescent Indigenous girl navigating the challenges stacked against her amid a mesmerizing natural landscape. Her life undergoes a dramatic transformation upon encountering a wild horse, cruelly broken by a local rancher and his son. Tensions flare, causing ongoing discord within the rez and on the ranch. As she unexpectedly bonds with the horse, she discovers a strength within herself that reshapes her connection to home, land, and heart.

She Holds Up the Stars

Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique”, his eloquently profound final symphony, expresses the depths and peaks of the human experience, encompassing life’s beauty and the inevitability of death. By contrast, the poignant intensity of Bjarnason’s I Want to be Alive—Trilogy for Orchestra offers a powerful exploration of human vitality.

Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique

Let’s get loud with the sultry Latin rhythms and impassioned melodies of the ’90s and ’00s, including favourites from Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, and more, led by charismatic Pops conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez along with GRAMMY® Award–winning musicians and world-renowned vocalists.

La Vida Loca

Alexander Shelley leads the National Arts Centre Orchestra, featuring pianist Yeol Eum Son in Mozart’s expressive Piano Concerto No. 22, K. 482, along with Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony, a masterful depiction of triumph over adversity, showcasing the orchestra’s profound artistry.

Beethoven’s Fifth with the National Arts Centre Orchestra

The battle for the galaxy intensifies in this thrilling fifth episode of the unfolding saga. As Imperial Forces launch an all-out attack on the Rebel Alliance, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) flee to Cloud City where they are captured by Darth Vader. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) journeys to the mysterious, marshy planet of Dagobah, where the wise Jedi Master Yoda teaches the young hero the ways of the Force. Little does Luke know that all his Jedi training will be called upon so soon. A stunning revelation—and a seeming life-or-death duel with Darth Vader—await. 

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert

Experience the heroic and triumphant grandeur of Beethoven’s “Eroica”, a symphony that uplifts with its stirring power and grand themes. By complement, Stewart Goodyear’s Callaloo brings the lively and joyous rhythms of the Caribbean, showcasing the dynamic range of the Canadian pianist and composer’s talents.

Beethoven’s Eroica

Savour the delectable blend of jazz influences and classical expression in Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, masterfully interpreted by Beatrice Rana. The program culminates with Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony, renowned for its exquisite beauty and a dazzlingly brilliant finale.

Mozart’s Jupiter

Join Icelandic sensation Víkingur Ólafsson as he brings his unique touch to Brahms’s Second Piano Concerto, an impassioned blend of heartfelt melodies and dramatic flair. Along with Brahms’s Fourth Symphony, our Masterworks Series finale offers a profound exploration of one of history’s greatest composers, revealing the timeless beauty and brilliance of his music.

Gimeno Conducts the Best of Brahms

Gustavo Gimeno leads selections from Brahms’s Fourth Symphony and other cherished works, offering a profound exploration of one of history’s greatest composers, revealing the timeless beauty and brilliance of his music.

Brahms & Beyond

Rajaton returns, joining Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and your TSO for a brand-new show that will make you boogie oogie oogie ’til you just can’t boogie no more! Dance in your seat to disco beats and relive the magic of an unforgettable era in this high-energy concert.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra

21 - 23 Nov, 2024

Brilliant Bartók

Nov 24, 2024

High Spirits: Brahms, Borodin & Dvořák

27 - 30 Nov, 2024

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker: Land of Sweets

5 - 8 Dec, 2024

Elf in Concert

10 - 12 Dec, 2024

TSO Holiday Pops

16 - 17 Nov, 2024

Fire & Ice: Shostakovich & Sibelius

6 - 9 Nov, 2024

John Adams Returns

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