SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
NOTEWORTHY WINTER 2015
IN THIS ISSUE: The RBC Piano Extravaganza Excerpts from the Reddit AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with Jeff Melanson and Peter Oundjian Spotlight on the Martin Family Legacy OFFICIAL AIRLINE
PAM AND CHRIS HODGSON SEASON PATRONS
PIANISTS PAVEL KOLESNIKOV AND EMANUEL AX PERFORM WITH THE TSO, CONDUCTED BY PETER OUNDJIAN, AS PART OF THE RBC PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA
CORPORATE CHAMPION
TSOUNDCHECK MEMBERS ENJOY A POST-CONCERT PARTY AT ROY THOMSON HALL
TD Bank Group has been a longstanding supporter of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, with a strong focus on youth engagement with the arts.
A BAND PLAYS FOR TSOUNDCHECK MEMBERS IN THE LOBBY AFTER A TSO PERFORMANCE
For over a decade, TD has been a partner of the Orchestra’s popular TSOUNDCHECK programme, which is geared toward music-lovers between the ages of 15 and 35. The programme makes the TSO accessible to this group by providing tickets at a subsidized cost, thereby bringing in a new and younger demographic to performances that they may not otherwise be able to afford. The TSOUNDCHECK programme is vital to building the Orchestra’s future audience and now comprises over 35,000 members—with membership continuing to climb each season.
Support from TD makes it possible for this programme to continue to grow and enhance the audience base of the TSO, providing young people with the opportunity to enrich their lives through the beauty of orchestral music. “We’re thrilled to support TSOUNDCHECK,” said Alan Convery, Director, Community Relations, TD Bank Group. “One of the best investments we can make is to ensure that young people have access to arts and culture in their communities. This programme gives them the chance to experience the incredible talent of the TSO.”
NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT & C.E.O.
Dear friends and supporters of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra,
It is a pleasure to write this note in the midst of a pivotal year for the TSO. In addition to the incredible artistic successes mounted by your Orchestra week CORPORATE after week, we are also creating a new strategic plan to chart the future of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto CHAMPION Symphony Youth Orchestra, and our education and outreach activities. This is an orchestra that fosters the exceptional on every level, and it is our hope to share our content with as many Torontonians as possible. The future is bright for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In order to ensure that this exciting future is fully realized, we are committed to raising additional funds to achieve a break-even position or better every year, and to eliminate the accumulated deficit forever, preventing it from weighing down the potential of our organization. We thank you for your ongoing support of the TSO. Without support from people like you, we could not continue to dream big and to aim high. We believe music enriches life, and together we must ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the wonder of our live and recorded performances. We also believe every child should have wide access to creative education as part of their upbringing, and we will commit to doing our part and to collaborating with others to see that our children are provided with these life-enriching opportunities. We launched an exciting 2015/2016 season in January, and it was my pleasure to meet many of you at the launch and at various performances in my first few months on the job. We have very bright days and some challenges ahead. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Best wishes, Jeff Melanson TSO PRESIDENT & C.E.O.
JEFF MELANSON WELCOMES ATTENDEES TO THE 2015/2016 SEASON LAUNCH
2015/2016 SEASON LAUNCH
SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
The Symphony of Your City
PHOTO ABOVE: PRINCIPAL TRUMPET ANDREW MCCANDLESS, PRINCIPAL FRENCH HORN NEIL DELAND, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL TROMBONE VANESSA FRALICK, AND TRUMPET JAMES SPRAGG OPEN THE EVENT WITH A PERFORMANCE
SEPTEMBER 2015—JUNE 2016
SAVE BY BECOMING A TSO SUBSCRIBER!
SUBSCRIPTION SERIES
On Thursday, January 29, 2015, Music Director Peter Oundjian announced the TSO’s highly anticipated 2015/2016 season to a crowd of patrons, donors, and media at Roy Thomson Hall. Next season’s performances will bring to life great music from the past, present, and future—and offer a breadth and diversity of live orchestral programming for all ages.
From legendary masterworks to innovative new commissions to cross-disciplinary partnerships, here are what promise to be some of the highlights of the 2015/2016 season: The Decades Project
In six concert programmes, Peter Oundjian and guest conductors will bring the past to the present with cross-disciplinary programming dedicated to the first two decades of the 20th century. In the fall, concerts will focus on 1900–1909, and, in the spring, 1910–1919. Sir Andrew Davis’s Orchestration of Messiah
When TSO Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis’s re-imagined and grandly scaled orchestration of Handel’s Messiah premièred in 2010, the sold-out production broke attendance records. When it is performed again in December 2015, it will be recorded for release by Chandos Records. Opening Night: Itzhak Perlman
The TSO’s 2015/2016 season opens on Thursday, September 24, 2015, with a performance featuring Peter Oundjian and violinist Itzhak Perlman—who will celebrate his 70th birthday next year. The concert will be followed by a gala dinner marking the beginning of the cultural season in Toronto.
REDDIT AMA WITH PETER OUNDJIAN & JEFF MELANSON
kbang257: Firstly, congrats on your recent surplus year! That’s no small feat for an organization of the TSO’s size in a climate of dwindling audiences and next-to-nothing public funding. I have two questions: 1. How do you approach balancing artistic vision and mass appeal in your programming? 2. What are your guilty pleasures, musically or otherwise? JeffMelansonTSO: Thanks. We have some great momentum and we will prove people wrong who think orchestras are in decline. Artistic vision is everything. If you miss on that, you miss on your mandate. Ticket sales and donations follow compelling vision. I love lattes. I am a big fan of the Arts and Crafts record label artists. My friends founded the label.
Immediately after the TSO’s 2015/2016 season was announced, Music Director Peter Oundjian and President & C.E.O. Jeff Melanson took to social media site Reddit to participate in an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”). TSO fans, the musically curious, and culture vultures in general submitted a number of questions— ranging from the inspired to the bizarre. Here is a sampling.
DeadBothan: Any composers or works that you think are programmed too frequently? PeterOundjianTSO: That’s one of the things I try to avoid. On the other hand we must remember that not everyone has actually heard Beethoven’s 5th live! veronicazupanic: Hello! First of all, congratulations on the JUNO nod for the excellent Sheherazade recording! I was wondering if you had any funny tour stories from the euro tour that you could share? JeffMelansonTSO: Peter was almost deported, but we cannot get into details. miquelon: How can we work on reducing premature applause at the TSO? This year, newcomers started applauding in the middle of the 3rd movement of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd symphony because the music lulled, and that was on top of applause between each movement. PeterOundjianTSO: Interesting issue. Actually, as you probably know, applause between movements was absolutely the norm until about 1900. Hence movements of Beethoven symphonies being encored. There is something strangely formal and uptight about the silence combined with coughing and recrossing of legs! I feel that if a movement ends with great excitement I am fine with applause. If it ends quietly and magically I’m happy with silence. JeffMelansonTSO: We would like to encourage audience members to do “the wave” at our performances as well. :) ELPlywood: How often does the cymbal guy sneak up behind someone and smash his cymbals together? JeffMelansonTSO: Not often enough.
Spotlight
on
THE MARTIN FAMILY LEGACY
For Patricia Martin and her late husband, Bob, leaving a legacy gift to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in their will made perfect sense. They both developed a love for classical music over the years—Bob as an observer and enthusiast, and Pat as a pianist and vocalist, her musical interest beginning in childhood with piano lessons, and school and church choirs. They instilled the same appreciation in their family as they exposed their three children (and many of their 10 grandchildren) to classical music through music lessons. The Martin Family’s connection to the TSO spans several decades and started with a request for Bob to join the Board of Directors. He began his tenure in 1990 and remained on the Board for 12 years in the roles of Director and Chair. A charismatic person and mentor for others, Bob found his service on the Board truly enjoyable. The TSO remained a constant for Pat and Bob as they continued to be involved as patrons and donors, taking part in the TSO’s 2000 European Tour and seeing the TSO perform at Carnegie Hall in New York. Pat fondly remembers when
Bob gave her a musical gift for her birthday in May 2004: the opportunity to play the Tam Tam in Last Night of the Proms, conducted by Michael Lankester. Why did they decide to leave a legacy gift to the TSO?
Though Bob died in 2011, Pat said that they had discussed leaving a legacy gift to the TSO in their estate plans so that others could look forward to the future of the TSO. They wanted to see the next generation of music-lovers fill the seats and were committed to the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and its development. As Pat puts it, “We wanted to see classical music survive.”
Thank you to our TSO Friends Volunteers Gillian Holmeshaw and Sorina Oprea!
TSO FRIENDS VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Gillian and Sorina joined the TSO volunteer team last fall at a Donor Open Rehearsal, and we are looking forward to their help again this spring! Are you interested in becoming a TSO Friends Volunteer? We would love to meet you! This is a pilot project for the TSO, so there is no formal application process. Our hope is to engage some of our long-term Friends supporters and encourage them to be part of the team—greeting, socializing with other donors, and, of course, attending Friends events. We would love to have volunteers at our remaining Friends events this season. If you are available, please let us know so we can begin acquainting you with your role. If you are interested in becoming involved or learning more about this rewarding experience, please contact Niamh (pronounced “Neeve”) Earls Hallworth at nearls@TSO.CA or 416.593.7769 X 272.
ORCH ESTRA NEWS
A warm welcome to our new RBC Resident Conductor Earl Lee. After an open call for Canadian applications, five finalists were chosen to audition by conducting the Orchestra in rehearsal. Following the audition, each member of the Orchestra cast their vote. These ballots, in combination with selection committee interviews, resulted in the appointment of Earl to the position.
Born in Korea, Earl is an accomplished cellist currently pursuing a career as a conductor. He is an alumnus of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, and a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School. He began his conducting studies in 2010.
ONLY THREE WEEKS INTO HIS ROLE AS RBC RESIDENT CONDUCTOR, EARL LEE MAKES HIS TSO DÉBUT LEADING SIX STUDENT CONCERTS AT ROY THOMSON HALL
TSO FLUTE LEONIE WALL’S TWO-YEAR-OLD SON, ZACH, HOLDS HIS NEWBORN SISTER, CHLOE
Another budding musician joins the TSO family! We are happy to announce that TSO Flute Leonie Wall, partner Kai Hynna, and big brother Zach welcomed baby Chloe on November 5, 2014. Weighing 6 lbs, 9 oz, Chloe was born at home and in a hurry to come into the world. We wish them all the very best at this exciting time.
SIR ANDREW DAVIS: 40 YEARS ON THE TSO PODIUM Join us for three spectacular concerts celebrating the anniversary of Sir Andrew’s TSO début!
Verdi Requiem THU, MAY 21 AT 8:00pm FRI, MAY 22 AT 7:30pm SAT, MAY 23 AT 8:00pm Amber Wagner, soprano Jamie Barton, mezzo-soprano Frank Lopardo, tenor Eric Owens, bass Toronto Mendelssohn Choir SIR ANDREW DAVIS
Pictures at an Exhibition WED, MAY 27 AT 8:00pm THU, MAY 28 AT 8:00pm Louis Lortie, piano Sir Andrew Davis: La Serenissima Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 Berlioz: Le corsaire Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition 6:45pm Pre-concert Performance featuring The TSO Chamber Soloists on May 27 May 27 performance is dedicated to the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee for their many years of service to the TSO and the community.
Yo-Yo Ma FRI, MAY 29 AT 8:00pm Yo-Yo Ma, cello Toronto Children’s Chorus
Verdi: Requiem
Ed Frazier Davis: The Stolen Child for Children’s Chorus and Orchestra (WORLD PREMIÈRE/TSO COMMISSION) Elgar: Cello Concerto Holst: The Planets
7:15pm Pre-concert Chat in the Lobby on May 23
7:15pm Pre-concert Chat in the Lobby
The soloists’ May 23 appearance is generously supported by Ethel Harris.
In gratitude for their generous philanthropy, M. George and Leanne Lewis are recognized as Patrons of Yo-Yo Ma’s appearance with the TSO.
OFFICIAL AIRLINE & MAY 23 PERFORMACE SPONSOR
GET GREAT SEATS NOW!
MAY 29 PERFORMANCE SPONSOR
TSO.CA
416.593.4828
YO-YO MA
RBC PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA THE FEATURED PIANISTS, PETER OUNDJIAN, AND THE ORCHESTRA RECEIVE APPLAUSE AFTER THE PIANORAMA CONCERT
PRESENTING SPONSOR
GUEST ARTISTS ORION WEISS AND EMANUEL AX PLAY A DUET FOR THE CROWD AT UNION STATION
FESTIVAL PARTNER
PIANO SPONSOR
From February 4–14, 2015, the TSO’s RBC Piano Extravaganza brought today’s greatest pianists to Toronto for a number of blockbuster concerts and events. Curated by GRAMMY® Award–winning artist and audience favourite Emanuel Ax, the festival featured programmes and activities for all ages and interests— from our Pianos in the City communityoutreach experience to What Makes It Great?® Beethoven Piano Concerto 4 to Pianorama, a Young People’s Concert.
GUEST ARTIST PAVEL KOLESNIKOV PERFORMS AT THE RBC PLAZA BUILDING
HANS AND SUSAN BRENNINKMEYER, PATRONS OF THE TSO’S NEW YORK STEINWAY CONCERT GRAND PIANO, UNVEIL THE NEW INSTRUMENT AT ROY THOMSON HALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ENJOY THE STEINWAY PIANO IN THE PATH UNDER THE RBC PLAZA BUILDING
SickKids kid Sophia plays a beauty version of twinkle twinkle w/ help from her friend Jim @TorontoSymphony #tsopiano
TSO MUSIC DIRECTOR PETER OUNDJIAN ENJOYS A PERFORMANCE AT THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN (SICKKIDS)
JUNO AWARD NOMINATION We’re thrilled to announce that the TSO’s recording of Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade, released through Chandos Records, has been nominated for a 2015 JUNO Award in the category of Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment. The complete list of nominees is available at junoawards.ca/nominees. JUNO week is March 9–15 in Hamilton, Ontario, and the awards will be broadcast live on CTV on March 15.
TSO PRINCIPAL KEYBOARD PATRICIA KRUEGER CHATS WITH THE AUDIENCE AT CITY HALL
CORPORATE CHAMPION
GUEST ARTIST STEWART GOODYEAR PERFORMS IN THE CBC ATRIUM AS PART OF THE “PIANOS IN THE CITY” EVENT
RBC continues to be a vital and committed partner of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in the 2014/2015 season through its tremendous contribution to artistic programming. “It is a pleasure to work alongside the professionals at the TSO in our combined effort to bring best-in-class music to the City of Toronto,” said George Lewis, Group Head, RBC Wealth Management & RBC Insurance. “RBC is proud of our strong commitment to the arts and our long-time partnership with the TSO as we believe the arts play an important role in building vibrant communities and strong economies.”
From February 4–14, RBC Wealth Management presented the RBC Piano Extravaganza. This special two-week festival, curated by GRAMMY® �Award–winner Emanuel Ax, included performances by some of today’s most acclaimed pianists including Stewart Goodyear, Jan Lisiecki, Pavel Kolesnikov, Yefim Bronfman, and piano duo Anagnoson & Kinton. The festival included free public performances and was inaugurated by “Pianos in the City”—which saw beautiful Steinway pianos placed in five locations throughout Toronto where members of the public, TSO guest artists, and Emanuel Ax all performed. In addition to the festival, RBC Wealth Management will also be presenting the Orchestra’s much-anticipated performance on May 29, 2015, featuring renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Through the RBC Foundation, RBC continues to support the TSO’s RBC Emerging Artists Programme this season, with the announcement of the new RBC Resident Conductor Earl Lee, and the première of RBC Affiliate Composer Kevin Lau’s new work, Foothills of Heaven. The Foundation will also support the TSO’s 11th annual New Creations Festival, featuring sensational Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan, from February 28 to March 7, 2015.
GUEST ARTIST ORION WEISS AND FESTIVAL CURATOR EMANUEL AX PERFORM TOGETHER AT UNION STATION
UPCOMING
OPEN REHEARSALS
Experience the fascinating steps the Orchestra takes to prepare for a performance. Watch as worldclass conductors, guest artists, and the TSO’s own talented musicians work together to develop stunning interpretations of the symphonic works you love. ARARAT: MUSIC OF ARMENIA Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:00am–1:00pm VERDI REQUIEM Wednesday, May 20, 2015 7:30–10:00pm with Audio Commentary by TSO Composer Advisor Gary Kulesha
EVENTS
BACKSTAGE EXPERIENCES
Enter through the artists’ doors (Wellington St. & Simcoe St.) at Roy Thomson Hall and allow TSO Production Manager Chris Walroth and Principal Librarian Gary Corrin to guide you on an exclusive Backstage Tour. Stops include the stage, the dressing rooms, and the music library. BACKSTAGE EXPERIENCE #2 Tuesday, March 31, 2015 7:00–9:00pm
RSVP
We look forward to seeing you. To RSVP for a Donor Open Rehearsal or Backstage Experience, please call Donor Services at 416.598.3375 or email friends@TSO.CA.
STEINWAY PIANO SALE
The TSO is once again partnering with Steinway & Sons to provide patrons with the opportunity to acquire a Steinway piano at a substantially reduced price and, at the same time, support the TSO. Access to this private sale—which will take place at Roy Thomson Hall—will be by appointment on Feb. 26 & 27 from 10:00am– 8:00pm, and Feb. 28 from 10:00am–6:00pm. For more information, or to register for an appointment, please call 1.855.383.6810 or visit steinwaypianosale.ca. NOTEWORTHY Design: Chris Armstrong, Wesstrong Group Inc. | Photography: Dale Wilcox, Malcolm Cook, Racheal McCaig, Michael Morreale, and Josh Clavir Noteworthy is distributed free of charge to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s donor community. Charitable Reg. No. 10525 5335 RR0001
THANK YOU TO OUR WILLIAM TELL RECEPTION SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
SUZANNE CESARONI, ADRIANA FRISENNA, GIANANDREA NOSEDA, ROSARIO GIORGI, HAMID JAHANZAD, NINALEE CRAIG, AND TONY CESARONI
LUCIA NOSEDA, ROBERTO MARTELLA, AND GIANANDREA NOSEDA
On December 5, 2014—thanks to the support of generous donors, sponsors, and community partners—the TSO was able to connect more deeply and meaningfully with Toronto’s Italian community by celebrating Gianandrea Noseda, and the orchestra and chorus of Teatro Regio Torino as they toured North America together for the very first time to present Rossini’s inspiring final opera, William Tell.
Grazie mille!
Consulate General of Italy Toronto
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
BRAVO TO OUR SPONSORS SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
MAJOR SPONSORS
OFFICIAL AIRLINE RBC PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA, YO-YO MA PRESENTING SPONSOR, NEW CREATIONS FESTIVAL SUPPORTER, AND 2014 EUROPEAN TOUR PLATINUM SPONSOR
OPENING NIGHT PRESENTING SPONSOR, POPS SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR, CHINESE NEW YEAR PRESENTING SPONSOR, AND 2014 EUROPEAN TOUR GOLD SPONSOR
PERFORMANCE AND TOUR CARTAGE SPONSOR
SERIES AND SPECIAL PROJECTS SPONSORS
PERFORMANCE SPONSORS
TORONTO SYMPHONY VOLUNTEER COMMITTTEE
MEDIA AND CORPORATE SUPPORTERS Active Green + Ross Blakes Canadian Tire CBC Radio 2 Charton-Hobbs CIBC CI Financial
Deloitte Ernst & Young LLP Goldman Sachs Goodmans LLP Henry’s IC Savings
Merrill Corporation Metropia PwC Quinn’s Steakhouse & Irish Bar RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust
The Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall The New AM 740 The New Classical 96.3 FM The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto
The Toronto Star Tidy’s Flowers Toron AMI Torys LLP Trish & Kevin Reed Worldwide Quest
* List reflects sponsors as of Jan 31, 2015.
NOTEWORTHY WINTER 2015
212 King Street West | 1st Floor Toronto, ON M5H 1K5