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Orchestra Toronto on Tour
For more than half a century, Orchestra Toronto has been one of the most beloved and essential community ensembles in Canada — with over 80 players, it's also the country's largest. Comprising a fleet of talented musicians who pay a small fee to rehearse and perform, the orchestra takes on great compositions from both the classical and popular repertoires, playing everything from Brahms, Smetana, and Rossini to The Beatles and Duke Ellington.
Established in 1954, Orchestra Toronto's long road to becoming the institution it is today began when it kicked off as the Bennington Heights Community Orchestra and featured just 55 members. The first director was Assen Kresteff, followed two years later by Albert Aylward, who had previously played in the Toronto Symphony for 25 years.
In 1964, former St. Catharines Symphony conductor Milton Barnes took the reins. The group expanded throughout the 1960s, starting a junior string ensemble that played on weekends; numerous members from the orchestra performed with this National Youth Orchestra. In 1967, the group incorporated as the East York Symphony. Growing to more than 60 members, they continued to thrive as Orval Reis, conductor of the University of Toronto Orchestra, took over.
The organization saw a diversity of talented conductors in the ‘70s, exposing members to new styles and techniques. In the ‘80s, the orchestra was mostly conducted by David Ford, who had been the head of music at North Toronto Collegiate. As conductor, Ford brought in a number of big names that garnered the orchestra recognition at the national level.
Douglas Stanford took over in 1991, going on to conduct the group for 21 years. In 1993, the orchestra played for the Canada CIS Foundation, serenading an audience that included former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev. In the 1995-96 season, the ensemble partnered with the Royal Conservatory of Music to help young musicians gain orchestral experience. In 1998, they underwent yet another name change. They had finally become Orchestra Toronto.
Dr. Errol Gay took over in the 2002-03 season after conducting orchestras in New York, Texas, and North Carolina; he also had been the conductor and chorus master of the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto. Gay retired in 2010. A number of conductors followed, with Michael Newnham stepping up in the 2017-18 season, beginning with a concert of light classics called America the Beautiful.
Not very much into classical music but this concert especially the first part was an absolute cacophony… On the other hand the orchestra and the conductor were okay No wonder there was a 50% discount on the tickets Not sure if I will ever attend another concert after this experience Lastly, the venue is excellent but pity the water fountain was shut off and forcing people to buy drinks…
Firstly, regarding the acoustics of George Weston Recital Hall, at the very middle of row D, my main dissatisfactions from this seat were the first violins sounding too bright and thin compared to what I've heard at Roy Thomson Hall at a similar distance (they should sound more balanced with more body; the second violins section further back sounded nicer, so sitting a few rows further back in this hall may render a nicer orchestral violin tone). There was also some acoustic bloom detracting from clarity. This is in great contrast to when I was sitting at the middle right of row C for the smaller Sinfonia Toronto ensemble's concert on October 21 where the tonality, clarity, and volume were almost perfect, especially with the soloist's violin, though such a small ensemble's dynamic cap was inherently limited. With its being a volunteer orchestra for which our greatest gratitude should be extended for their performance and to the organizers, I should not put too much blame on the violin sections encountering some synchronization and intonation issues for faster violin passages among other audible mistakes within the orchestra, but if one is seeking perfection, a professional orchestra such as the TSO would likely bring you closer to such. Otherwise, this orchestra has achieved its aim of making symphonic music accessible.
This was the first concert of Orchestra Toronto I attended. It was as advertised and it was very good.
Superb direction and execution! I enjoyed the concert from start to finish! The director is so engaging that you are fully immersed in the performance. You can close your eyes and be transported to the beach place or scene they are playing. The musician are amazing too. Congratulations!
As always, Orchestra Toronto gives professional performances with unique and entertaining programs. Dances of the Americas typified that. The guest performer, Denis Plante, played the Bandeneon. They finished with music from West Side Story. We regularly attend TSO as well but I like these performances better.
The orchestra director was amazing not only from the musical standpoint but providing the audience with background information on the selection of the songs. He interacted with the public to the point that at the end everyone was singing along with the choir. Fantastic orchestra and choir! It was delightful to attend.
Great to hear Christmas music. Conductor was animated and brought music to life by explaining movements. Musicians were flawless despite being a volunteer orchestra. Well done!
This show was entertaining, beautiful, interactive. The music was incredible and I can’t wait to do it again. I would definitely sit up higher next time instead of the second row so I could see all the the instruments but it did not take away the perfect sounds that filled the room. The conductor did such an amazing job and was so incredibly gracious. Great job to everyone ❤️
As usual the orchestra was great and the program was unique and entertaining. This concert took on music that has appeared in Christmas movies with the Amadeus Choir as guests. The pieces were varied, fun and expertly performed. We love going to these concerts at the Meridian Centre which is an excellent concert venue. Looking forward to the next one.
Very entertaining. Orchestra accompanied by Amadeus Choir, provided a really enjoyable afternoon. Conductor's discussion of each selection played, enhanced the afternoon. We liked having the musicians intermingle with attendees.
Very beautiful rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony, unfortunately the horns had some pitch problems.
I have been loving The Planet for a long time. I have only listened to this on Apple Music before. This was my first time ever listening it in person. The experience was stunning, fantastic, and absolutely unforgettable. I would even love to buy ticket and listen to it again!!!
It was an extraordinary performance! Enjoyed the entire show, loved Fantasia, specifically. This was the first post-pandemic performance that I got to attend and it made an unforgettable experience for me! very well done!
Great venue except for the renovations in the works. Amazing program, well executed and enjoyable. Dress circle seats allowed full sight lines of the entire stage. Bravo, brava!
Absolutely wonderful. Hope they come to North York more often
Excellent performance. Very enjoyable concert experience.
From arrival to the end we were treated like royalty by the staff. We were directed to our seats and had a good view of the orchestra. The music was excellent and we will be back for more.
Liked the originality but the acoustics were awful... Drummer was too loud, could hardly hear the orchestra and the microphones on the soloists were very tinny and made the lyrics hard to hear.
First half was incredible especially the 2 guest musicians.
The program was full of incredibly difficult Tchaikovsky repertoire, which the orchestra played beautifully under the direction of Kevin Mallon. But the premiere of Mathieu Lussier's Double Concerto for Bassoon and trumpet was spectacular and entrancing. Soloists Nadina Mackie Jackson and Guy few were mesmerizing.
