The Symphonic (and other) Sounds of Toronto
By Selena Cai
When the conductor raises their baton, the room is seized in a moment of suspense as silence overtakes the room. The audience seems to hold their breath so as not to break the silence. Then, with either a soft wave or a dramatic drop of the baton, the music rises, the audience exhales, and everyone falls under the spell of the baton. It’s a melange of anticipation yet inspiration which makes the feeling of seeing a classical music performance so special ‒ an experience many have yet to see or enjoy. Sure, classical music isn’t often as convenient or catchy as pop music, but once you sit down and find a piece that you can connect to, it makes a world of a difference. When I was younger, I couldn’t imagine ever liking classical music, but after giving it a chance, I found that the experience changed my entire perspective on how I would approach music and the classics.
As a current classical musician, I’ve spent the last few years finding opportunities to listen to classical music and dragging others into classical music as well. Generally speaking, people seem to enjoy it more at an event. Maybe it’s the excitement. Maybe it’s the fancy venues. But classical music suddenly becomes more than antique boredoms ‒ it becomes a timeless connection. So, without further ado, here are some of my favourite ways to experience classical music in Toronto.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
A night out at the symphony is easier and cheaper than many would think. Using the TSO Soundcheck subscriptions, students can get tickets for as low as $10 to see anything from movie soundtracks to Mendelssohn. There’s an endless variety of classical music with different pieces featured every week. If you’re not set on a purely orchestral experience, try their film with live orchestra shows; they’re usually a big hit. Some classics include Star Wars, Harry Potter, West Side Story, and more. You can find tickets and more information at tso.ca.
Brass Band
Even though it isn’t as popular as the orchestra, brass bands feature the same caliber of music, perhaps only with a more decorated flare. Don’t let the name stop you from going though; brass bands are more than just a collective loud noise. Their music features virtuosic and fast-paced runs but also soft lyrical tunes of a deeper sound. Usually found in church groups, brass bands present a new style and sound which mix to create an experience that transports listeners to Europe, where brass bands originally come from. A few prominent Toronto ensembles include the Hannaford Street Silver Band, Weston Silver Band, and Salvation Army Brass Band — all of which host fantastic musicians to change perspectives on classical music.
Canadian Opera Company
Often times when I tell people I spend time listening to the opera, I’m met with a look of surprise at best and an uninterested yawn at worst. Opera seems to have an older connotation to it and while that is true, I also don’t think it’s what most people make it out to be. Even though it’s often written in other languages like Italian or French, the music created forges a universal connection to all listeners. Plus, there are subtitles at the Canadian Opera Company! Give opera a chance to communicate stories from hundreds of years ago and see the emotional themes drawn out from both the stage settings and the music alike. With the Opera Under 30 subscriptions, you can get tickets for under $30, making it a relatively affordable experience worth giving a try.
Mirvish Theatres
I’ll argue that many musical theatre pieces and shows count as classical music, but there’s a slight difference with the showmanship of it all. Instead of watching orchestra musicians (Let’s face it, besides the percussionists, there isn’t too much to watch for non-classical music geeks), the music might be hidden in a pit orchestra or on stage if you’re lucky. If you’re not a classical musician, I would recommend this above all as it combines many performance aspects for a spectacle. If you’re going in 2020, I suggest seeing Hamilton. You won’t be disappointed. One note: it can be pricey, so you might want to sign up for a Mirvish email subscription for lowered prices.
Canadian Ballet
Go for the dancing, the fancy costumes, the elegant stage setup, and the artistry of it all. Be entranced by their productions reflecting past and present traditions in creating new understandings of artistic development, while simultaneously getting a sense of the music behind it all. Having done a program with the ballet, I know that the dedication behind the coordination between art, acting, music, and dance leads to a show, which is probably why even Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs athletes participate in it. If you’re not convinced to experience it for the music, then perhaps try it on a night when athletes become artists! Every year, the ballet brings in athletes from Toronto teams to join the cast of the Nutcracker to give a performance you’d be sure to remember.
Personally, I’ve got an instrumental bias, but there’s something to be said about choral settings as well. A few examples include the Orpheus Choir and the University of Toronto Choir groups. With all that said, I encourage everyone to give classical music a try through one of these opportunities. Experiencing the symphonic sounds of Toronto is sure to break the classical music stereotype and introduce you to the classics you’ve got to know.
