Acclaimed Toronto conductor David Fallis has been named as Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Interim Conductor and Artistic Advisor for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. “David brings to the TMC a life-long passion for choral music, incredible conducting experience, and a wide-ranging knowledge of choral repertoire and creative programming," commented TMC Executive Director Cynthia Hawkins. "We are thrilled to work under the leadership of such an accomplished musician over the next two seasons while the TMC carries out an international search for our new artistic director.”
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s 2018/19 season starts with performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in the Fall, including Benjamin Britten’s compelling War Requiem in a concert that commemorates 100 years since the conclusion of the First World War. The TMC’s own concert season begins in early December with Festival of Carols, the Choir’s annual joyous welcome to the season. Then in January, a Free Community Concert will focus on the music of great composers from Canada and the United States. In February the TMC, with orchestra, will perform two great 18th century choral-orchestral masterpieces by Handel and Haydn. The season concludes with Sacred Music for a Sacred Space in April with a program that brings together two rich choral traditions: the French subtlety of Messiaen, Poulenc and Martin, and the mystical traditions of Eastern Europe and Russia.
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An experience of sonic excellence: New Ears respond to The Creation
At one point I began to imagine myself seated in the hull of Noah’s Ark instead of Koerner Hall with its beautiful wood-paneled balconies and ceiling and how I was being prepared for a world of such beauty and diversity, listening to the music. Haydn’s Creation was an experience of sonic excellence combining vocal soloists, choir and orchestra and at the same time a good opportunity to reflect on the natural beauty we’ve been afforded and should not take for granted.
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Choral Splendor Marks TMC’s The Creation at Koerner Hall
Joseph So, Musical Toronto. One of the cornerstones of the oratorio repertoire, Haydn’s The Creation (Die Schöpfung) is a wonderful work that I never get tired of hearing. Together with Die Jahreszeiten, it’s two pieces on my short list of go-to oratorios if I ever want a “spiritual uplift.” So it was great to hear it again the other evening at Koerner Hall.
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Toronto Mendelssohn Choir spectacular in Haydn’s Creation
David Richards, Ontario Arts Review. The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir created an evening of spectacular bliss. Noel Edison successfully highlighted the drama and humour in the work with uplifting results. He created a symphonic sound of magnificent proportions with the 135 voice choir and the Festival Orchestra.
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The Creation Program Notes
The opening orchestral introduction, called “The Representation of Chaos” is famous. Haydn paints the dark, frightening void just prior to creation by using snippets of melody, vague rhythms, strange harmonies, awkward dissonances and sudden outbursts. “There is nothing else quite like it,” claims Noel Edison. “It’s the Big Bang expressed in music, and was way ahead of its time!”
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Toronto Mendelssohn Choir takes on Haydn’s magnificent Creation, April 27th
“Haydn’s music is the sorbet of life. It’s fresh – not over-played, not over-worked” says Artistic Director Noel Edison of his decision to program Franz Joseph Haydn’s The Creation this season. The TMC performs this work, with orchestra and guest soloists, at Koerner Hall on April 27th.
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Toronto Mendelssohn Choir to webcast four concerts in 2015/16 season
The TMC is thrilled to announce that, thanks to the generous support of some long-time TMC donors, the Choir will webcast four concerts in the 2015/16 season (an increase from three during 2014/15):
German Romantics with pianist André Laplante, November 25, 2015 from Koerner Hall; Festival of Carols with the Canadian Staff Band, December 9, 2015 from Yorkminster Park Baptist Church; TMC Choral Conductors’ Symposium concert featuring five conductors, January 30, 2016 from Yorkminster Park Baptist Church; and Haydn’s Creation with orchestra and soloists, April 27, 2016 from Koerner Hall.
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TMC announces 2015/16 season
The TMC’s 2015/16 season will build on the success of the 2014/15 season and create great musical experiences for audiences– from the drama of the story of creation captured in music by Haydn, to the romance of choral lieder by Brahms and Schubert, and the contemplative space created in the works of contemporary composers.
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2014-2015 Season and Media Releases.
Brahms, Corlis, Handel, Hawes, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Morales, Schubert, Schumann, and Whitacre.
Brahms, Corlis, Handel, Hawes, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Morales, Schubert, Schumann, and Whitacre.
The Mighty Rhino Reviews the TMC’s Mozart & Haydn Performance
The first of our New Ears reviews comes from the Noah Goodbaum, aka the Mighty Rhino, a Toront0-based rapper and writer, and was first published in the November issue of the Voice of Mendelssohn.
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Toronto Mendelssohn Choir expands outreach program to include three concert webcasts in 2014/15 season
As part of its mission, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir aspires to make choral masterworks available, accessible, and inspirational to all listeners. In the 2014/15 season the Choir is webcasting three concerts. Webcasts allow people with internet access anywhere in the world to enjoy concerts by one of Canada’s great choirs, whether they are local residents who can’t get out to a concert venue, or are choral music lovers from across Canada and beyond. The three concerts webcasts are: Mozart and Haydn concert in October (still available to view online); Festival of Carols on December 10th; and the Choral Conductors' Symposium concert on January 31st.
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