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October 3 & 4, 2008 What if Marco Polo (the famous medieval merchant who travelled across Asia to Cathay, and then back to his native Venice) had owned a tape recorder and kept a musical diary of the musical worlds he encountered? Even more delightful a thought, what if a few of his musical travelling companions had played with the musicians they met en route? Join the Toronto Consort on their most exotic journey yet as they explore new musical worlds with guests Wen Zhao, pipa, YuCheng Zhang, xun and xiao (traditional Chinese flutes), Yongli Xue, zheng (Chinese zither), and Kavkasia, a traditional Georgian vocal trio led by Toronto singer Alan Gasser. An adventure like no other!
Singers, violins, cornetti, sackbuts, theorbos and keyboards arranged around the balconies and stage of Trinity-St. Paul’s Church, recreating the joyful celebration of Christmas Vespers as it might have been heard under the direction of Michael Praetorius in 17th-century Germany - this lavish Toronto Consort Yuletide offering has become a beloved Toronto tradition. In the spirit of celebration, the audience will join with the assembled musical forces in singing favourite Christmas carols. A Christmas concert like no other!
The theory of the four elements, and related principles of alchemy, were powerful influences in Renaissance Europe. Both in the physical sphere, and the spiritual, alchemy was a serious discipline much misunderstood today, yet the ideas and images of alchemy can be seen in many musical works of the period. In this program, we paint a musical portrait of the four elements and related alchemical processes, using music from Renaissance England, Germany and France with works by John Dowland, Thomas Campion, Jacob van Eyck and Henry Lawes.
As our guest ensemble this year, we proudly present the world’s foremost recorder quartet in the only Canadian stop on their North American tour. Their program is a veritable musical banquet, ranging over many centuries of virtuoso recorder music, including works by Johannes Ciconia, J. H. Schein, and J. S. Bach. Don’t miss the chance to hear this ensemble of whom the New York Times wrote, “The players swayed and swooned with the expressive interplay of a fine string quartet”, while Fanfare Magazine raved over their “beguiling lightness of touch and clarity of texture… The performances are brilliant.”
Vespers of 1610 March 20 & 21, 2009 As a finale to our 36th Anniversary Season, the Toronto Consort presents one of the greatest musical masterpieces of all time, the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610! From the splendour of the richly-scored psalms to the intimacy of the sensuous motets, this is a work of infinite variety and profundity. For this special performance we have brought together an international group of singers and players, led by British tenor Charles Daniels whose exquisite singing of this repertoire is legendary. All concerts begin at 8:00 pm at Trinity-St.
Paul's Centre,
© 2008, Toronto Consort |
"This dear band - so expert, so rhythmically alive, so humourous, at times so touching - has such an infectious good time doing what it does well, I just sit and smile. " The Globe and Mail
The Toronto Consort
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