NOTE SUMMER 2017 In this issue: 2017 Tour of Israel & Europe Maestro’s Club Spring Dinner TSYO Spring Concert
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Contents 3 A note from Jonathan Crow, TSO Concertmaster 4 TSYO Spring Concert 5 Letters from TSYO musicians 6-9 2017 Tour of Israel & Europe 10 Maestro’s Club Spring Dinner 11 Orchestra news 11 Bravo to our partners
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Photography: (cover, pgs. 2, 11) Christopher Wahl (pgs. 4, 5, 6-9) Jag Gundu (pg. 10) Dale Wilcox
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A NOTE FROM
Jonathan Crow TSO Concertmaster
Dear supporter, This is an exciting year of ground-breaking projects for our Orchestra. In addition to Canada Mosaic—a Signature Project of Canada 150—the Orchestra has just returned from a major tour of Israel and Europe. For the musicians and our supporters, this tour was a big deal. Performing in the capitals of music history—like Vienna, the adopted home of Beethoven and Brahms (two of my personal favourites); and Prague, the home of Dvořák; and in Israel, a country that has
given the world of classical music so many celebrated virtuosos—the TSO has proven that it can share the world stage with the greatest orchestras. Your support of the TSO has helped to earn this orchestra, as well as the city and country it represents, a place at the centre of the international music scene. My fellow musicians of the Orchestra and I are always mindful that without your support, and that of our patrons, Board, and so many others, none of what the TSO has accomplished would be possible.
Whether performing internationally or in Toronto, the ability of an orchestra like the TSO to fill auditoriums with people of all backgrounds is a testament to its continuing importance in our lives, for people both at home and abroad. On behalf of the musicians of the TSO, we offer our thanks for your continued support.
Jonathan Crow
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TSYO SPRING CONCERT The Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) brought the audience to their feet after its Spring Concert—the final performance of the season—on April 27, 2017.
Artistic Director & Conductor of the TSYO and TSO RBC Resident Conductor Earl Lee led the orchestra’s brilliant young musicians through a monumental program that included a selection from Wagner’s lushly romantic opera Tristan und Isolde, and Tchaikovsky’s final masterpiece, the “Pathétique” symphony. The TSYO’s Spring Concert is always full of energy, excitement, and celebration, as it is the culmination of the immense amounts of practice and effort the members have dedicated throughout the season. This year was no exception. The TSYO brought such gusto to the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 that the audience couldn’t contain its excitement and burst into applause mid-concert. After the final movement, Earl Lee took the time to acknowledge each section of the Orchestra to roaring applause. The Koerner Hall lobby was buzzing post-concert with members, parents, family, and friends exchanging flowers, hugs, and well wishes, as the TSYO’s 2016/17 season came to a close. Wtih positive feedback from faculty, members, and patrons alike, it was an incredible way to close the TSYO’s 2016/17 season. The Spring Concert also represents the final TSYO performance for many graduating members, some of whom have been in the Orchestra for more than five seasons. Follow along on the TSYO Facebook page as we share exciting graduation plans over the next several weeks!
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LETTERS FROM TSYO MUSICIANS
Artistic Director & Conductor of the TSYO and TSO RBC Resident Conductor Earl Lee
“ Playing with other young musicians at such a high calibre has provided me with many valuable opportunities to learn and grow, and the guidance I receive from the conductor and TSO Coaches has been and continues to be critical to both my musical and personal development … For me, to take part in a program like TSYO is to participate in a well-rounded experience that goes beyond just rehearsals and concerts. Thanks to ensembles like TSYO, music is something I love, and hope to do for many years. Thank you for your support.”
“ W ith your support, combined with our musical talent and diligence, we can reach an even higher level. We are now planting a tree together, for the future of our musical community. This tree will bloom and give our community more opportunities to enjoy classical music. Thank you once again for supporting the TSYO. It means a lot not only to us but also to the whole community.”
“ Thank you for making TSYO a possibility for me. I had never dreamt of being on a tour to Ottawa and Montreal before, as I knew that it would be very financially demanding. But not only did I get to go on a tour, I also got to learn from and play with the TSO! It never could’ve happened without your support.” — Karen, TSYO Violin
— Jessica, TSYO Violin
— Andrew, TSYO Percussion
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2017 TOUR OF ISRAEL & EUROPE ISRAEL: MAY 7–10
TSO patrons and musicians at the Save a Child’s Heart Children’s Home
TSO Violin James Wallenberg
MAY 8—SAVE A CHILD’S HEART, WOLFSON MEDICAL CENTER, HOLON Save a Child’s Heart is an international humanitarian organization based in Israel, whose mission is to improve the quality of pediatric care for children from developing countries. It treats children suffering from heart disease, and provides free, life-saving cardiac surgery and other critical procedures at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon. As part of our cultural activities in Israel, TSO patrons visited the Save a Child’s Heart medical facility in Holon and then travelled to the children’s home where they met up with 18 members of the
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Orchestra as they performed for the young patients and their amazing care workers. The experience was unforgettable for all who attended. On May 9 and 10, TSO patrons joined the Orchestra in visiting historic sites and monuments in Israel. Some of the key stops included the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (the holiest site in Christianity), the Western Wall (Judaism’s holiest place), the Yad Vashem (Israel’s Holocaust Memorial Museum), and the ancient mountaintop of Masada. For the majority of our tour patrons and musicians, this was a once in a lifetime cultural experience.
TSO patrons and musicians at the Masada, Israel
To learn more about Save a Child’s Heart, please visit saveachildsheart.ca.
2017 TOUR OF ISRAEL & EUROPE ISRAEL AND EUROPE: MAY 11–16
MAY 11 — SHEROVER HALL, JERUSALEM THEATRE, JERUSALEM
MAY 13 — CHARLES BRONFMAN AUDITORIUM, TEL AVIV
MAY 16 — WIENER KONZERTHAUS, VIENNA
The TSO performed a sensational concert at Sherover Hall in Jerusalem on May 11. The Orchestra was joined by the internationally celebrated violinist Maxim Vengerov for a performance of Brahms’s Violin Concerto, which was followed by Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7.
At the TSO’s second stop in Israel, the Orchestra ventured into the cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv. Performing at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium—the largest concert hall in Tel Aviv, and the home of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra—the musicians were thrilled by the heartfelt reception from the audience. It was a wonderful way to conclude the first leg of a truly historic tour!
The historic and beautiful Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, was the first stop on the European leg of the tour. The concert featured Canadian soprano Carla Huhtanen and the Wiener Singakademie in a performance of Boulez’s harmonic soundscape Le soleil des eaux. Bartók’s masterpiece, Concerto for Orchestra, ended the Vienna program on a high note.
The concert ended with a rousing ovation from the audience, and the Orchestra was profoundly moved by the warm welcome they received at their first concert in Israel.
“ A fter a 34-year hiatus from the Konzerthaus stage, the Toronto Symphony gave a knockout performance that had everything in spades: guest stars, brilliant solo work and an exciting and varied program featuring Bartok, Brahms, Elgar and more.” — Bachtrack
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2017 TOUR OF ISRAEL & EUROPE EUROPE: MAY 17–22
Jan Lisiecki and TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian
MAY 17 — AUDIMAX DER UNIVERSITÄT REGENSBURG, REGENSBURG “ The fabulous conductor Peter Oundjian, inspired the orchestra to perform with a positive, radiant energy, leading them with precise, exemplary conducting. It’s evident that their long-term collaboration has turned the outstanding musicians into a first class orchestra.” — Onetz
MAY 19 & 20 — SMETANA HALL, PRAGUE “ With the estimable Peter Oundjian on the podium, the Orchestra came to Prague Spring this year to play a two-concert tribute to Czech conductor Karel Ančerl. The first offered a stellar program: two Czech works and Brahms' Concerto for violin in D major featuring one of the finest string players on the planet, Maxim Vengerov. The sense of anticipation entering Smetana Hall was palpable, and the orchestra delivered a performance that would have made Ančerl proud.” — Bachtrack
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MAY 21 — PHILHARMONIE, ESSEN The TSO had their grand tour finale at the Philharmonie in Essen, Germany. Jan Lisiecki’s brilliance was on full display with his lively and interpretive performance of Schumann Piano Concerto. The audience was delighted by the Orchestra’s performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, a repertoire that the musicians have honed to perfection under the guidance and tutelage of Peter Oundjian. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone!
Thank you to our donors whose incredible support helped to make the 2017 Tour of Israel & Europe a tremendous success. Government support
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country. Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.
The tour was also made possible in part by the generous support* of the following individuals and corporations: The Azrieli Foundation
Fred & Cecile Metrick
Catherine Beck & Laurence Rubin
Florence Minz Bettie Moore
Samuel and Frances Belzberg Foundation
Jacqueline Moss
Donor support
Canderel
Marianne Oundjian
Lead Patrons of the TSO’s 2017 Tour of Israel & Europe:
Robert & Ann Corcoran
Peter Oundjian
The Renette and David Berman Family Foundation Rags & Indra Davloor
Stephen & Karen Diamond
Andrew Phillips
Elliott & Wendy Eisen
Richard & Karen Pilosof
Robert & Ellen Eisenberg
In memory of Solomon & Malvina Pollack
Olga Fershaloff Galin Foundation Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin
Panni Relle Wendy Sanford
Goodmans LLP
The Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman Foundation
Joyce Gutmann
Dorothy Shoichet
H&R REIT
Saul & Thelma Shulman
Kai-Lin Karin Hwang & Judson Lew
Edward & Fran Sonshine
Shannon Hyland & Larry Andrews
Maureen & Wayne Squibb Tricon Capital Group Inc.
The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation
Luc & Pamela Vanneste
Jon Love
Anonymous
Jerry & Joan Lozinski
Harold & Carole Wolfe
*Gifts of $5,000 or more
The Orchestra and tour patrons overlooking the Old City in Jerusalem
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MAESTRO’S CLUB SPRING DINNER APRIL 24, 2017 NOTA BENE RESTAURANT
The TSO’s annual Maestro’s Club Spring Dinner took place on Monday, April 24, 2017, at Nota Bene restaurant. The evening included a lovely performance by TSO Violin Shane Kim and TSO Assistant Principal Second Violin Eri Kosaka, as well as an informative conversation with Interim Chief Executive Officer Gary Hanson, hosted by the Chair of the Maestro’s Club Ambassadors, David G. Hallman. Thanks to all who attended—and to all Maestro’s Club members for your tremendous support.
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1. Earlaine Collins and Interim Chief Executive Officer Gary Hanson 2. John G. & Karin Harrison, and Maestro’s Club Ambassador Bryan Graham 3. Dr. Kenneth F. Read, Maestro’s Club Ambassador Olga Fershaloff, and Alan Silverman 4. Maestro’s Club Ambassador David G. Hallman (Chair), Laurence Rubin, Bob Corcoran, and Interim Chief Executive Officer Gary Hanson 5. Josephine Ho, Lisa Robinson, Rachel Spiar (Impresarios Club Chair), Tricia Black, and Theodora Ferrant
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ORCHESTRA NEWS NORA SHULMAN: SO LONG BUT NOT GOODBYE
TSO Principal Flute Nora Shulman will be retiring at the end of the 2016/17 season. Appointed to her position in 1986 by famed Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis, Nora is one of the longest-serving members of the Orchestra—and the flautist with the longest tenure in the TSO’s history. With a TSO career that spans 43 years, she is considered one of the premier flautists of her generation. In addition to her extraordinary career with the TSO, she is also a recording artist with Naxos and the CBC, has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras across North America, and is a professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music.
BRAVO TO OUR PARTNERS WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA. / NOUS RECONNAISSONS L’APPUI FINANCIER DU GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA .
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Nora’s exceptional talents will be missed by everyone at the TSO. In the words of her colleague: “ Nora Shulman was a trailblazer. Her long career with the TSO will not only be missed for her musicianship, but she began her career at a time when it was rare for a principal chair to be held by a woman. The few women who held jobs in major orchestras had to choose between career and motherhood. Nora’s crowning life achievements include both a brilliant career and two wonderful sons whom she and husband, Felix, raised while maintaining full and challenging careers.”
TS
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CORPORATE SUPPORT The Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thompson Hall Divine Furniture Rental
Grano Quince Flowers The Shore Club
MEDIA & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
— Julie Ranti, TSO Associate Principal Flute
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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.
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