Last month, Lang Ning Liu journeyed with Maestro Stratton to Prague, where they recorded the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no. 1. This will be the next release on ACR. Lang Ning made a very strong impression on the musicians of the Radio Orchestra, while Maestro was able to reconnect with old colleagues of many years.

Toronto Concert Orchestra finished our Tchaikovsky tour on Nov 13, with a well received performance at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Thanks to our tour sponsor Ram Forest. (see more photos…) Photos by Oleg Morgunov and Maria Morgunova.

And on Dec 2, another great TCO performance, accompanying Iranian musical phenomenon Parvaz Homay & Mastan Ensemble. (see more photos…) Photos by Eventgraphers.

Kerry,
Having enjoyed listening to your programs on this radio station [Classical 96.3], often on long drives, I was looking forward to the performance at Roy Thompson Hall last evening. I have also been a fan of Homay’s music for some time and when I saw the event advertised with the contributors listed, I didn’t hesitate. My wife and I had excellent seats (centre third row) and were able to absorb the performance in its full glory. Quite frankly, it blew me away and exceeded our expectations. At the intermission we both agreed that this had been one of the best cultural events we’ve been to in quite some time. And, of course, you had a lot to do with that. Not only was the performance masterfully shepherded home, the obvious enthusiasm we saw in your expressions was ample evidence that you too were enjoying the event. I’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that I particularly enjoyed your reactions to the audience during the last piece and seeing you sing along to the Iran lyrics was the cherry on the cake.

Thanks Maestro,
(signed) M N-S.

The highly acclaimed Iranian musical phenomenon Parvaz Homay & Mastan Ensemble return to Roy Thomson Hall stage on Friday December 2nd , 2011 to perform the latest opera “Love, Wisdom & Humanity”. A mixture of traditional Iranian music, with the Toronto Concert Orchestra conducted by Kerry Stratton. For more information please call 416-500-7577, or get tickets online.

As a lover of the arts and talent in general, there was a specific love I had for the performers in this late afternoon seduction. Performing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the the Toronto Concert Orchestra romanced and invigorated me with Tchaikovsky, Symphony No 4. The playing was eloquent and reserved when necessary, but the pieces required subtlety and thunder in a moments change. I do not have a collection of the Russian romancer, but after this I think I will imbibe in Toronto’s version. The players were flawless and Kerry Stratton was charming – thank you Kerry for teaching us about the various movements in the piece before hand – it lent to a greater appreciation.

(by Christopher Caldwell. Read full article)

Some spectacular Tchaikovsky Saturday night

The overflowing parking lot at Hi-Way Pentecostal Church, and the vehicles lining the side street beyond, were indicators of the marvelous evening awaiting those attending the second performance of the Barrie Concert Series on Saturday night.

The promise of a night filled with the spectacular works of Tchaikovsky brought people out in droves and the anticipation was palpable.

The concert opened, not with a work by Tchaikovsky, but with a lovely symphonic poem titled Sea of Blossoms by Canadian composer, Kevin Lau.

Played by the Toronto Concert Orchestra (TCO), under the baton of the eminent conductor maestro Kerry Stratton, the piece is an exploration of contrasts, from the delicate opening, which featured flute and triangle, to the expansiveness of the full orchestra and the thunder of the bass drum.

[ Note: This programme will be performed again Nov 10 in Markham, and Nov 13 in Toronto - see TCO website for ticket details. ]

The second piece gave the crowd the Tchaikovsky they had been waiting for. Symphony No. 4 in F Minor is a well-known, classical masterpiece.

Stratton delighted the audience by taking time to speak about each of the four movements, even asking the orchestra to introduce the themes of all but the last before launching into the performance proper.

The first movement opened with a loud and ominous declamation by the brass section. This represents fate and is alluded to through every movement of the work. After a musical journey with many twists and turns, tumbling descending passages, dancing melody over rhythmic timpani and quirky glissandos tossed to and fro, the first movement comes to an end with the reiteration of a final chilling statement in the brass.

The second movement introduced a mood of sadness and reminiscence. A beautiful oboe solo floats over pizzicato strings. More glissandos warble. The music flowed so compellingly that Stratton’s hands stilled and he simply let the music happen. The third movement is one of rhythmic energy carried primarily by pizzicato strings whose sounds swell and diminish in wave-like intensity.

Again, Stratton, in tune with the music and the musicians, seemed hardly to lift his baton.

The fourth movement came as a surprise. A boom and a crash launched the orchestra into this gloriously noisy finale, filled with as many cymbal crashes as one could hope to find in a piece of music.

After intermission, Canadian pianist Lang Ning Liu, a graduate of Juilliard with a burgeoning international career, joined the orchestra to give a masterful performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor.

From the first crashing chords (juxtaposed with the famous opening theme in the brass) to passages of quiet lyricism and extroverted energy, Liu’s playing was both expressive and fittingly spectacular.

The enthused crowd rose to their feet in appreciation of a truly inspirational evening.
(read review)

Orchestra brings beauty to the stage

WELLAND — Local residents came out in droves Friday evening to revel in the sounds of romance at Welland-Port Colborne Concert Association’s season opening concert.

Performed at Welland Centennial Secondary School’s Dr. J.M. Ennis Auditorium, the concert featured the Toronto Concert Orchestra led by maestro Kerry Stratton who was joined by compelling concert pianist Lang Ning Liu.

The orchestra is touring Ontario with a concert fittingly titled Russian Romance, which features Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and his Symphony No. 4 in F minor.

The night’s program was quite a generous one as it also featured its opening piece by Canadian composer Kevin Lau, titled Sea of Blossoms. Sea of Blossoms was the perfect starting point to the evening and really set the tone of what was to come. As the piece progressed, one could almost visualize the construction of the song from its initial pleasant notes and then finishing with the right amount of drama, it was easy to feel sad when it ended.

Not to be outdone, the second portion of the evening was the Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by soloist Liu, who graced the stage in a glittery illuminated gown. Not only was it beautiful, it also added to the whimsical sounds she was about to play.

What was most interesting about Liu’s performance with the Toronto Concert Orchestra was their ability to alternate between playing uniformly together and then in total contrast with each other.

While demonstrating the orchestra’s soft melodies against Liu’s dramatic like-lightning playing, it made for some very different, unique and definitely enjoyable results.

Finally, before performing the last section of the evening, the Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Stratton told the audience members that what they were about to be presented with was something that was described by Tchaikovsky as a “journey through one aspect of the human condition that we all know: Sorrow.”

He explained the piece spanned between the emotions of not only sorrow, but melancholy and “quite possibly the most number of cymbals played per minute in any symphony” during the final movement, he joked.

It’s hard to describe the atmosphere in the auditorium during Symphony No. 4; it was almost visibly thick with anticipation and anxiety with each crash of the cymbals.

Stratton then proceeded to read a portion of a letter written by Tchaikovsky in which the composer wrote, “Rejoice in the happiness of others, and you can still live.”

And with the last note played on Friday evening, the audience gave out a collective sigh. In a time of disposable music, it’s difficult to find something truly beautiful like Tchaikovsky’s Symphony, but thanks to the Toronto Concert Orchestra we’re reminded it’s not as far out of our reach as we may think.
(read article)

Russian Romance

Somewhere along the line, conductors have to measure up to the example Kerry Stratton sets.

He’s been to Orillia a number of occasions: in 2007 with the Czech Philharmonic, in 2008 with the Orchestra Internationale D’Italia, in 2010 with his own Grand Salon Orchestra, and tomorrow afternoon at the Opera House for an Orillia Concert Association event with his Toronto Concert Orchestra.

He conducts in a manner that a musician cannot mistake a cue or a temperament of playing. And unlike many other conductors, Stratton does it without the musical score in front of him. It’s all from memory.

Sunday’s program is called Russian Romance and no, Stravinsky’s music doesn’t fit that description. He’ll be conducting Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and the Fourth Symphony.

“I think it shows a lot about Tchaikovsky, personally. The two pieces come from different points in his life,”?Stratton said. “The first piano concerto, he was just made to feel that he had done a terrible job of it. The great Anton Rubenstein tore it apart. Later he said he might play it for Tchaikovsky if he agreed to some changes. Tchaikovsky’s answer was: ‘I won’t change a single note.’ That was a good thing to do and, of course, the public has agreed with him ever since,” Stratton said.

“The Fourth Symphony, Tchaikovsky suffered manic depression, but here he is not in his depressive state, but regarding that life has certain things and fate comes along. Fate opens the symphony up and as he goes through the four movements, they get progressively sunnier,” Stratton said.

Experienced classical concertgoers may have observed the program so far is a little light on selections for a typical concert.

“The usual way of doing a concert — I think it’s kind of tyranny really — is an overture, then a concerto, then intermission and then a symphony,”?Stratton explained. “That’s been around for a long time and, of course, it’s worked as a formula, but I thought instead of the curtain raiser kind of overture we’d start out with something kind of contemplative,” Stratton said.

Here, the program departs from Tchaikovsky.

“(It’s) a wonderful piece by a Canadian composer. A young man named Kevin Lau. Kevin’s stuff is just beautiful. He’s written a piece based on a Haiku poem called Sea of Blossoms,”?Stratton said. “I’ve had very strong reaction in favour of this piece from people. This is contemporary music, but this young man understands what makes a piece have immediacy,” he added.

Of course, a piano concerto needs a pianist, and, for this concert, a really good one. Stratton has chosen Lang Ning Liu, who came to Canada to study at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto (someone might tell her she is playing on the same stage on which Gould once gave a concert for one) and she mastered at Julliard.

“She helped organize the first Toronto International Piano Competition. She’s very good at what she does. What a player. The public is going to fall in love, I guarantee it,” Stratton said.

Now, you might ask how you get a ticket to the 2:30 p.m. concert. Good question.

You have to call Donnajean Jefferies (705-325-1757) and get a season ticket ($65), which entitles you to three more concerts (Trio d’Argento in January, La Pieta — an outstanding string ensemble — in March, and the Toronto All-Star Big Band in May).

“The phone calls drive my husband hairy, but I love it. I love the phone calls. I love the contact,” Jefferies said.

She must, because she’s been selling memberships to the Orillia Concert Association for 50 years.

“I have been involved in the organization since ’61. I was teaching at OD, I came in ’54 and resigned in ’60 to raise a family. One of the teachers, Kate Halford, had been a volunteer worker and she said to me: ‘Oh good, Donnajean, you can take my names.’ It just sort of landed in my lap, so I took her names, her contacts for renewal of the memberships, and I worked hard to get new members to join,” Jefferies said.

She did so well, the OCA rewarded her after six years, in true Orillia fashion.

“I was phoned and (was told) you are a director Donnajean. I said, ‘Well no I’m not, I haven’t been asked,’” Jefferies said.

She played along anyway. In 1972, the OCA decided to hire a specialist to help sell memberships.

“We would sit for a week in a store and hope that people would walk in off the street and buy new memberships,” Jefferies recalled.

That didn’t work as well as hoped. Now, she has the help of the 18 directors of OCA and another 18 volunteers. They do well at selling memberships, especially at such a ridiculously low price, but in the last few years they still seem to have about 50 season tickets left at the time of the first concert — as they do this year.

“I think there’s just too much going on now. It surprises me that they say ‘we missed two concerts, we won’t join this year.’ Well, at the price, you can afford to miss two,” Jefferies said.

Or, if a concert has to be missed (let’s face it, sometimes Florida is more important in January), the ticket is transferrable so a season ticket holder can give a particular concert ticket to someone else.

The OCA annually puts together impressive concerts with the top talent in the classical world, so Jefferies will keep plugging away at selling every last membership.

“I’ve just really enjoyed what I’m doing. It’s time I retired, but I’m still hanging on,” Jefferies said.
(read article)

“Without a doubt, this is one of the most exciting programs we have ever taken on tour in Ontario. The combination of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor with its passion and fire on the same bill with the exhilarating piano concerto No. 1 (with soloist Lang Ning Liu) is proving irresistible to our audiences”, said Maestro Kerry Stratton of the Toronto Concert Orchestra autumn tour. The program includes the musically picturesque “Sea of Blossoms” by emerging Canadian composer, Kevin Lau.

Get your tickets now, for our Nov 13 performance at the George Weston Recital Hall (Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street).