Morning with the TSO program
Donor event highlights
The TSO’s 2018/19 season
SPRING 2018
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Etsuko Kimura, TSO Assistant Concertmaster TSO NOTEworthy • Spring 2018 • page 1
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Spring 2018 1
A note from Michael Sweeney, TSO Principal Bassoon
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Your gift at work: Morning with the TSO
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Donor spotlight
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Donor event highlights
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The TSO’s 2018/19 season
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Orchestra news
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At your service: Meet your Development team
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Bravo, Peter! Highlights from the middle years
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Thank you to our partners
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Upcoming events
Design Egg Design
Photography (cover, pg. 1 & pg. 7) Christopher Wahl (pg. 4 & pg. 8) Dale Wilcox (pg. 5) Jag Gundu (pg. 6) Jaime Hogge (pg. 8) Louis Venne, Marc Durocher & Malcolm Cook
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TSO Assistant Concertmaster Etsuko Kimura, featured on this issue’s cover, began playing violin at age 4. Her mother was a violin teacher, and her father was a conductor.
Noteworthy is distributed free of charge to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s donor community. Charitable Reg. No. 10525 5335 RR0001
Michael Sweeney, TSO Principal Bassoon
On a personal note
Dear supporter, As I reflect on the last few months of beautiful music with the TSO, one particular highlight stands out to me. It was such a pleasure to join my colleagues in the woodwinds section and Principal Double Bass Jeff Beecher to perform Mozart’s “Gran Partita” during this year’s Mozart Festival. Mozart is one of my “desert island” composers, and this piece showcased the Orchestra in incredibly fine form. Looking forward, I’m greatly anticipating our performance of Bernstein’s Candide at the end of April. Typically, orchestras only perform the overture, and it’s a rare treat to get a full performance. The TSO will be hosting a donor Open Rehearsal for Bernstein’s Candide on April 25—I hope to see you there! I also look forward to performing our final School Concerts of the season. In many ways, School Concerts are some of our most serious performances. Everyone in the Orchestra is aware that these concerts present a special opportunity to inspire young audience members. It was having the chance to see a live orchestra perform for my school that first piqued my interest in orchestral music as a young boy—it was beyond anything I could imagine! You never know who is listening and having a magical moment at a TSO concert—thank you for helping us make these moments happen. Please know that all of us behind the scenes and on stage are so appreciative of your support. On behalf of the musicians of the TSO,
Michael
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Your gift at work: Morning with the TSO
Retiring teacher leaves legacy of bringing students to the TSO for more than 35 years With the help of our generous donors, our Morning with the TSO program provides the opportunity for almost 1,500 high school students from across the GTA and beyond to attend a morning rehearsal at Roy Thomson Hall each season. Students observe the Orchestra’s final preparations before a concert, enjoy an informative talk by members of the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee, and listen and learn from a TSO musician during a Q & A session. Students are seated in the choir loft directly above the musicians for most of these rehearsals. Prior to their visit, teachers receive free program notes to help them familiarize their students with aspects of the Orchestra, the performance, and the hall itself. Ron Parker, a retiring teacher from Trinity College School in Port Hope, has been bringing his classes to the TSO morning rehearsals since 1982. That’s 36 years of inspiring young minds with the power of live orchestral music! In fact, his relationship with the TSO goes back to his own time in a Scarborough high school where he served as the school representative, helping to sell tickets and encourage fellow students to attend TSO concerts. An accomplished tuba player, Mr. Parker participated in the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and later earned a music degree from the University of Toronto before becoming a teacher.
Ron Parker (centre) with his students, Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee members, and Principal Flute Kelly Zimba (far left)
When asked about his experience over the years, he says, “The response from students has always been overwhelmingly and joyously positive. For many, it has been their first experience hearing a professional symphony orchestra in a live setting. I have the satisfaction of knowing that many former students are now regular concertgoers and lovers of symphonic music and make it a part of their lives in some way.” We are thankful to Mr. Parker for his long-standing support of the TSO and his commitment to cultivating an TSO NOTEworthy • Spring 2018 • page 2
appreciation of orchestral music in his students over the years. We wish him well in his retirement!
Every year, over
38,000 students and educators access our musiceducation programs.
Donor spotlight
Friends of the TSO: Ed & Myrna Levy Ed Levy has a long-standing and close relationship with the TSO. He became a subscriber at the age of 12 in 1946. “I’d be interested in knowing if my 72 years of subscription represents any kind of record!” says Ed.
“Looking back over a long lifetime of keen interest in great classical music, I can only hope that several more seasons of inspiration lie before us.”
His wife, Myrna, joined him as a TSO subscriber when they married in 1960. “Looking back over a long lifetime of keen interest in great classical music, I can only hope that several more seasons of inspiration lie before us.” Ed also has a strong family connection with the Orchestra. His father, Sidney Levy, was a violist who spent 41 seasons with the Orchestra. One of his uncles, Elie Spivak, was the Concertmaster for several decades under Music Director Sir Ernest MacMillan, and the other, Philip Spivak, was a long-time cellist with the Orchestra during the same period. His mother, Clara Levy, was an active member of the Women’s Committee for many years, and took particular pleasure in her duties at the eagerly anticipated annual Symphony Rummage Sale. Moreover, Ed’s firm, BA Consulting Group, was retained to consult on parking, access, and site design in the late 1970s when work began on Roy Thomson Hall. “This connection was a particular honour for me and my staff,” says Ed. “I regret only that my parents and uncles did not live to see and experience the TSO in the new hall.”
TOP LEFT: Elie & Philip Spivak in the early 1930s RIGHT: Ed & Myrna Levy BOTTOM LEFT: Sidney & Clara Levy (née Spivak) at home prior to leaving for a TSO concert, ca. 1968
As TSO donors for over 35 years, Ed and Myrna feel that it’s important to help their Orchestra succeed and thrive. Like many of our generous donors, the Levys support a number of charitable causes—but, they say, the TSO will always be close to their hearts.
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We are so grateful for Ed and Myrna’s support and are honoured to have played such an important role in their lives. We can only hope that our young audience members are just as inspired to champion classical music in the years to come.
Donor event highlights
A look back at our fall and winter events
LEFT: TSO donors enjoy a Backstage Tour with TSO Assistant Production Manager Alaina Viau TOP RIGHT: TSO Board Chair Cathy Beck (second from right) with TSO supporters Daisy Hort, Margie Kelk, Panni Relle, and Bettie Moore BOTTOM RIGHT: Cello Alastair Eng, Associate Principal Cello Emmanuelle Beaulieu Bergeron, Cello Britton Riley, Salon Co-Chair Adrian Ishak, Salon Co-Chair Yaiza Garcia Sanchez, TSO Senior Manager of Events Karen Rustia, and Principal Cello Joseph Johnson
Backstage Tour
Maestro’s Club Fall Reception
October 24, 2017 Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto
November 13, 2017 The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto
Our fall Backstage Tour took place in late October and included a journey through the nooks and crannies of Roy Thomson Hall, breathtaking views from the stage, and a fascinating glimpse into the TSO library where the sheet music for your most beloved masterworks is safely tucked away.
The TSO’s annual Maestro’s Club fall cocktail reception featured remarks from Interim Chief Executive Officer Gary Hanson and TSO Board Chair Cathy Beck, a toast to Music Director Peter Oundjian, and a lovely performance by Concertmaster Jonathan Crow, Principal Viola Teng Li, and Principal Cello Joseph Johnson.
Impresarios Club Winter Salon February 1, 2018 The Albany Club, Toronto Each year, the Impresarios Club—the TSO’s young-professional donor group— hosts specially curated Salon events. In February, Impresarios Club members and guests gathered at The Albany Club for their Winter Salon. A performance from members of the TSO cello section (Principal Joseph Johnson, Associate Principal Emmanuelle Beaulieu Bergeron, Alastair Eng, and Britton Riley) was the highlight of the evening. TSO NOTEworthy • Spring 2018 • page 4
2017/18 Gala
Photo by Dale Wilcox
March 1, 2018 Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Over 250 distinguished supporters joined us for an exceptional evening at our annual fundraising gala in support of the TSO and its education programs. There was much to celebrate: the 14 years of artistic leadership from our esteemed Music Director, Peter Oundjian; a history of collaboration with worldrenowned pianist Lang Lang; and, finally, the value of mentorship and its importance to the success of orchestras and musicians. The evening’s sold-out concert featured the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra performing side-byside with the TSO. The second half featured the highly anticipated return of Lang Lang, who performed with his protégé, Maxim Lando. Following the performance, guests enjoyed an elegant dinner, proudly sponsored by RBC, in the beautifully transformed South Lobby of Roy Thomson Hall. It was a delightful night full of music and magic that we were thrilled to share with our special guests.
Thank you to everyone who has attended our events this year—and to all of our generous donors for your tremendous support! We hope to see you at more events this spring.
TOP: Music Director Peter Oundjian in conversation with Lang Lang SECOND ROW, LEFT: Anil Chawla, Ann Corcoran, John Ciavarella, Maxim Lando, Preet Chawla, and Jill Ciavarella SECOND ROW, RIGHT: TSO Interim Chief Executive Officer Gary Hanson, Barbara Klante, Peter Oundjian, and RBC Resident Conductor and TSYO Artistic Director & Conductor Earl Lee THIRD ROW: Rags & Indra Davloor, Earlaine Collins, and TSO Principal Double Bass Jeffrey Beecher BOTTOM ROW, LEFT: Zach Spence, Erion Karroqe, Ashley Hong, and Ron Lloyd BOTTOM ROW, RIGHT: Special gala dinner performance featuring four TSO musicians (Concertmaster Jonathan Crow, Associate Concertmaster Mark Skazinetsky, Principal Viola Teng Li, and Principal Cello Joseph Johnson) and four members of the TSYO (Cello Jake Lee, Viola Maya Joy Lindstrom-Parkins, Violin Tiffany Yeung, and Violin Duncan McDougall)
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The TSO’s 2018/19 season
A look ahead to next year’s concert programming The Toronto Symphony Orchestra launches its 97th season on September 20 at Roy Thomson Hall. The opening concert, with Interim Artistic Director Sir Andrew Davis on the podium, highlights the Orchestra through the music of Berlioz—Symphonie fantastique and Fantasy on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
“In designing the 2018/19 season, with its expansive and wide-ranging repertoire, we have chosen to direct the spotlight above all on the amazing talents of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra musicians,” comments Maestro Davis. “Our orchestra is a magnificent gem, and here we have a perfect showcase for that gem to sparkle and shine!” We are delighted to welcome back Sir Andrew Davis as the TSO’s Interim Artistic Director for the two seasons following the conclusion of Peter Oundjian’s celebrated 14-year tenure as Music Director. Maestro Davis will provide artistic leadership through to the middle of 2020, when the TSO anticipates that a new permanent Music Director will be in place. Sir Andrew Davis
The season brings glorious orchestral works—the timeless symphonies of Berlioz, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Mahler, Bruckner, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, and more—that exemplify the artistic calibre of the Orchestra.
“Our orchestra is a magnificent gem, and here we have a perfect showcase for that gem to sparkle and shine!”
In addition to these beloved masterpieces and seminal orchestral works, the TSO will continue to offer sparkling Pops concerts, holiday presentations, Young People’s Concerts for children and their families, and films with live orchestra, including Home Alone and the classic Casablanca. All in all, the 2018/19 season promises to bring more superb musical experiences to the community. We hope you enjoy choosing your concerts for the season!
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Orchestra news
TSO Viola Kent Teeple and TSO Violin Hyung-Sun Paik are both retiring this year. Kent joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1977. In addition to his career with the TSO, he has been the Principal Viola with the Canadian Opera Company (COC), the National Ballet Orchestra, and the Mainly Mozart Orchestra, as well as a teacher and an active studio musician. Kent performed in his final TSO concert at the end of January. In the words of Kent’s long-standing colleague, friend, and fellow TSO Viola Gary Labovitz: “Kent was a pillar of the TSO viola section for 41 years. He was a consummate professional, prepared, engaged, and enthusiastic. But what was equally important was his nature as a colleague. When 1
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Photos by Christopher Wahl
Kent Teeple and Hyung-Sun Paik: So long but not goodbye asked to describe Kent, his section members used words like positivity, perseverance, generous, genuine, humour, courageous, boundless, puckish, and vivacious! We were lucky to have him—he will be missed.” Appointed to the TSO’s first-violin section in 1980, Hyung-Sun will be departing the TSO at the end of June. She has appeared as a soloist, orchestra member, and chamber musician with ensembles across Canada, the United States, and South Korea. She’s also a private violin teacher and is incredibly proud of her past and present students, many of whom are prominent violinists. TSO Associate Concertmaster Mark Skazinetsky said of Hyung-Sun: “It’s hard to imagine that she is retiring from the TSO. We’ve known 4
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each other for a long time, and she always impressed me as being such a beautiful human being, not to mention a great musician. She cares about her colleagues and is always willing to go out of her way to help. I wish her a very happy retirement and hope we’ll keep in touch!” Kent’s and Hyung-Sun’s exceptional talents will certainly be missed by everyone at the TSO, and we thank them for many years of memorable performances.
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At your service: Meet your Development team 1. Peter Hussell Vice-President, Development 416.595.4320 phussell@TSO.CA
3. Dawn Marie Schlegel Director of Major Gifts 416.593.8832 dmschlegel@TSO.CA
2. Steven Endicott Director of Major Gifts 416.595.4267 sendicott@TSO.CA
4. Deanna Boychuck Director of Corporate & Foundation Partnerships 416.595.4295 dboychuck@TSO.CA
5. Lindsay Becker Manager of Corporate Partnerships 416.595.4259 lbecker@TSO.CA
7. Steve Kwan Development Officer, Maestro’s Club 416.598.5380 maestrosclub@TSO.CA
6. Christine Pellerin Development Officer, Foundations 416.595.4269 cpellerin@TSO.CA
8. Meaghan Duffy Development Officer, Annual Giving 416.598.5311 friends@TSO.CA
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Bravo, Peter!
Highlights from the middle years All season long, we will be taking a look back at key moments from Peter Oundjian’s illustrious career with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In this issue, we reflect on highlights from the middle of his tenure as Music Director.
Photo by Louis Venne
Photo by Marc Durocher
the principal players. These include Concertmaster Jonathan Crow, who joined the Orchestra in 2011. While the TSO has welcomed hundreds of renowned guest artists to the stage throughout Peter’s 14 years on the podium, he has also given many members of the Orchestra the opportunity to showcase their exceptional talents as featured soloists.
Gary Kulesha, James Ehnes, and Peter Oundjian on tour in Florida, January 2011
TSO Violins Amanda Goodburn and Peter Seminovs with Peter Oundjian on a tour stop in Timmins, September 2012
2011 Florida Tour
Peter began personally conducting on tour in 2009. The Orchestra connected with tens of thousands of students as part of these educational tours.
Northern Residency Peter also took the Orchestra on the road closer to home. For eight consecutive years, starting in 2005, the TSO travelled to communities in Northern Ontario, including Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and Sudbury, to perform in local schools.
Photo by Dale Wilcox
Giving musicians the chance to shine
Peter Oundjian and Itzhak Perlman perform Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins with the TSO
Photo by Malcolm Cook
In 2011, Peter and the TSO embarked on a week-long tour of Florida, performing in six cities. It was the Orchestra’s fourth visit to the Sunshine State, and the first since 1999. The tour featured violinist James Ehnes as a soloist in performances of Barber’s Violin Concerto. The repertoire was rounded out with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Torque, a 2009 TSO Commission from Canadian composer Gary Kulesha.
Collaborating with Itzhak Perlman
Peter Oundjian with TSO Concertmaster Jonathan Crow
Over the course of his tenure, Peter has selected 40% of the Orchestra’s current roster of outstanding musicians, including two-thirds of TSO NOTEworthy • Spring 2018 • page 8
Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman performed with the TSO in April 2012 at Peter’s invitation for the Orchestra’s 90th-anniversary celebrations. During their final performance, Peter joined his mentor on stage as a soloist—a rare treat, as he had rarely played the violin for close to 17 years.
Thank you to our partners Upcoming events Open Rehearsals Experience the fascinating steps the Orchestra takes to prepare for a performance.
Bernstein’s Candide Wed, Apr 25, 2018 7:30–10:00pm
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Thu, Jun 7, 2018 10:00am–12:30pm
RSVP We look forward to seeing you. To RSVP for an Open Rehearsal, please contact Patron Services at 416.598.3375 or friends@TSO.CA.
Maestro’s Club Spring Dinner Save the date Nota Bene Restaurant Mon, Jun 11, 2018 6:00–10:00pm
CORPORATE SUPPORT The Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall
Divine Furniture Rental
Quince Flowers
Grano
The Shore Club
MEDIA & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
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On behalf of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the many talented artists, students, and citizens who benefit from your gift,
Thank you for your support.
TS
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
500-145 Wellington St. W. Toronto, ON M5J 1H8
SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
IN HONOUR OF H. THOMAS BECK SEASON PATRON
Thank you
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