December 21, 2009 – For a composer who is celebrating 254 years, Mozart is as relevant as ever, and his music continues to inspire listeners and musicians to discover more. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra goes beyond the music with programmes that delve into the life and time of Mozart in the annual Mozart@254 Festival, January 13 – 24 at Roy Thomson Hall.
Mozart@254 begins under the direction of TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian with a programme that highlights Mozart the pianist, a talent, amoung his skills as a conductor and composer, for which he was most valued in his time (January 13, 14, and 17). American pianist Jonathan Biss performs Mozart’s symphonic Piano Concerto 21 as well as the Aria Ch’io mi scordi di te…Non temer amato ben, performed here with the TSO by Canadian Soprano Shannon Mercer. TSO Principal Horn Neil Deland is featured as a soloist in Mozart’s beloved Horn Concerto No. 2. Also on the programme is Mozart’s passionate Symphony No.25, his first in a minor key and an influential towards works to come from his contemporaries at the time.
On January 16, the TSO welcomes the National Arts Centre Orchestra, under the direction of NACO Music Director Pinchas Zuckerman, who will also be featured as the violin soloist in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 "Turkish". When the NACO was originally created, the size of the orchestra was taken from the requirements for the works of Mozart and Haydn and they fittingly showcase two of Mozart's greatest concertos. NACO Principal Clarinet Kimball Sykes plays the glorious 2nd movement from the Clarinet Concerto. The opening work Songs for an Acrobat, a set of songs with dancers, by Canadian Linda Bouchard features Canadian baritone Russell Braun and members of the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company.
Conducting the January 20 and 21 concerts is Mozart scholar and author Jane Glover, who begins the programme with Mozart’s beautiful Symphony No.32. In a programme that celebrates women and Mozart, Maestra Glover has assembled some of the finest female musicians, including TSO’s own Principal Viola Teng Li performing Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante for Violin and Viola with Anne Akiko Meyers. British Pianist Imogen Cooper makes her TSO début performing the Piano Concerto No. 25.
Mozart @254 closes with a programme new to the TSO, Mozart: Beyond the Score® narrated by TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian, and featuring actor Paul Gross (January 23 and 24). Appealing to classical music aficionados as well as newcomers to the symphony, Beyond the Score® offers a multimedia exploration of the cultural and historical themes surrounding Mozart’s final Piano Concerto 27, providing an intimate portrait of both the artist and the music.
Chat with Mozart’s Women’s Jane Glover in an intimate setting as Rick Philips hosts TSO Off-Stage on January 19 at the Drake Hotel. tso.ca/offstage
On January 13, 14, 20 and 21 enjoy an engaging discussion about the programme with the TSO intermission lobby chat.
The January 16 performance is part of the TSO Casual Concert Series, which features audience-wide parties in the Roy Thomson Hall lobby following the performance. Stay after the concert to mingle with TSO musicians and enjoy live music by local bands.
Mozart@254 is sponsored by Invesco Trimark.
TSO Light Classics Series (January 23 and 24) is sponsored by Desjardins Group.
For media interviews, contact Toronto Symphony Orchestra Senior Manager of Public Relations Laura Quinn 416.593.7769 x 232 lquinn@tso.ca
To download high-res publicity photos of the TSO and TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian, please visit: http://www.tso.ca/season/press/press02.cfm
Toronto Symphony Orchestra Presents
Mozart@254
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21
Wednesday January 13, Thursday January 14 at 8:00pm at Roy Thomson Hall
Sunday January 17 at 3:00pm at the George Weston Recital Hall
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Jonathan Biss, piano
Shannon Mercer, soprano
Neil Deland, horn
Mozart: Symphony No. 25, K. 183
Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 2, K. 417
Mozart: Ch’io mi scordi di te...Non temer amato bene, K. 505
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21, K.467
Tickets range from $29 to $128
Call TSO’s ticket line at 416.593.4828 or order Online Tickets at tso.ca
January 17 tickets available at tso.ca.
or by calling Ticketmaster at 416.872.1111
National Arts Centre Orchestra
Saturday January 16 at 8:00pm at Roy Thomson Hall
Pinchas Zuckerman, conductor & violin
Russell Braun, baritone
Kimball Sykes, clarinet
Members of the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
National Arts Centre Orchestra
Linda Bouchard: Songs for an Acrobat
Mozart: Concerto for Clarinet, K. 622
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5, K. 219 "Turkish"
Tickets range from $28 to $87
Call TSO’s ticket line at 416.593.4828 or order Online Tickets at tso.ca
Mozart’s Women
Wednesday January 20 & Thursday January 21 at 8:00pm at Roy Thomson Hall
Jane Glover, conductor
Imogen Cooper, piano
Anne Akiko Meyers, violin
Teng Li, viola
Mozart: Symphony No. 32, K. 318
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25, K. 503
Mozart: Sinfonia concertante for Violin & Viola, K. 320d
Tickets range from $29 to $128
Call TSO’s ticket line at 416.593.4828 or order Online Tickets at tso.ca
Beyond the Score®: Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 27
Saturday January 23 at 7:30pm and Sunday January 24 at 3:00pm
Ignat Solzhenitsyn, conductor & piano
Paul Gross, actor
Peter Oundjian, narrator
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27, K.595
Tickets range from $27.50 to $74
Call TSO’s ticket line at 416.593.4828 or order Online Tickets at tso.ca
About the TSO: Founded in 1922, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s major cultural institutions and among the top orchestras in the world. Under the leadership of Music Director Peter Oundjian, the TSO is committed to innovative programming and showcases a roster of distinguished guest artists and conductors. In addition to performances, the TSO serves the community with one of the largest musical outreach programmes in Canada, connecting students throughout Ontario with curriculum based programming. www.tso.ca