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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.
Adrian's performance with Orchestra Toronto was incredible, unforgettable. His treatment of the Sibelius Violin Concerto was a love affair, taking every audience member along with its excitement. We reacted with a standing ovation for the remarkable young man, and there were tears in many peoples eyes.
The violinist Grace was more than worth the price of admission. It's been awhile since someone has musically put a tear to my eye.
Polar Express was highly entertaining, not only for the kids, but for all the young at heart in the audience. We laughed and were mesmerized by the clowns, the beautiful voice of the children's choir and the music. It was wonderful to see the 15 year old cellist. The Dvorak concert was exquisite.
I thought that this concert was very well played! Orchestra Toronto is an exceptional orchestra and even though I sat at the very back of the hall, I could still hear them clearly due to their pure sound and precise cut-offs and entrances. Pictures at an Exhibition and the Debussy were exceptionally played, and I really felt the emotion in both pieces. One of the things I did not like about the concert was Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F. Sadly, this was the performance I was looking forward to hearing. Being a clarinetist myself, I found that the concerto could have been fine tuned here and there. Firstly, I felt as though Novak, being an exceptional clarinetist, was not the right fit for a Weber concerto, as he plays with a very jazz-based tone, when it should have been played with a clear, fluid classical tone. Secondly, I felt that the orchestra never rehearsed properly with the soloist before hand and because of that, there were OBVIOUS mistakes in the 3rd mvt, where in some parts the orchestra and the soloist were completely out of sync. Even the end was not clean due to the mis communication if the accelerando. Overall, I loved the concert, but was not to pleased with the concerto. I congratulate the Orchestra on their work and am looking forward to hearing more from them in the upcoming season!
This was my first visit, but won't be my last! Wonderful music, terrific concept and great venue - - the best value for my money in the Arts.
Orchestra Toronto and Danielle Lisboa did it again. Americana was a real treat to us all. The selection of the musics, the performance of the orchestra and soloists were very good and entertaining.
