Bruno Weil, guest director
Sept 22 at 8pm, Sept 23 at 8pm, & Sept 24 at 3pm
at Koerner Hall
“Weil and his players convince us that Beethoven can sound as radical in the 21st century as he must have done in the 19th.”
—Gramophone Magazine
August 23, 2023 … Tafelmusik’s 45th anniversary season kicks off with an all-Beethoven blockbuster on Sept 22 at 8pm, Sept 23 at 8pm, & Sept 24 at 3pm at Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning. Conductor Bruno Weil leads this celebratory program pairing the brilliant Symphony no. 4 with the truly iconic Symphony no. 5. Tickets are available at the Koerner Hall box office, rcmusic.com/tickets.
Tafelmusik is known for incisive, trailblazing period performances of Beethoven’s symphonies—interpretations marked by extraordinary transparency, unearthing new sounds and textures. Gut strings, period winds, and natural brass impart fresh colour and a sense of urgency to this powerful music. These qualities earned Tafelmusik a 2005 JUNO Award for its recording of Symphony No. 5, and a JUNO Award nomination for its 2012 live concert recording of Symphony No. 4.
Under Weil’s direction, Tafelmusik performed and recorded all nine Beethoven symphonies. Their much-admired collaboration was forged over the course of more than 30 years, through annual appearances as orchestra-in-residence (1993 to 2011) at the Klang und Raum Festival in Irsee, Germany, and in sold-out concerts at home in Toronto.
“Tafelmusik’s relationship with Bruno Weil combines trust, musical exploration, and relentless commitment to the music, and has become a benchmark for all of Tafelmusik’s artistic collaborations,” says Cristina Zacharias, Artistic Co-Director of Tafelmusik. “In planning for Tafelmusik’s 45th anniversary season, an invitation to Bruno felt like a natural choice — reminding us of where Tafelmusik came from while propelling us toward our future. None of our passion for this music has faded, and we are so eager to bring it to our home audience for this celebration.”
“Tafelmusik’s exploration of Beethoven’s symphonies with Bruno Weil over the years has been profound and intensely rewarding,” says Glenn Hodgins, Executive Director. “As we count down to the launch of the orchestra’s 45th anniversary season, we look forward to welcoming Maestro Weil back to Toronto for inspiring performances that promise to be unforgettable.”
“It is an honour to return to the stage with Tafelmusik almost 20 years since our first recordings of Beethoven symphonies,” says Bruno Weil. “The musicians of Tafelmusik continue to bring such intensity, honesty, and absolute delight to the music. There are few joys greater than bringing the idealism and passion of Beethoven’s music to life with my dear friends.”
LISTING INFORMATION:
Beethoven 4 & 5
with Bruno Weil, guest director
Sept 22 at 8pm, Sept 23 at 8pm, & Sept 24 at 3pm Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning
273 Bloor Street West
Tickets start at $48 and are available at rcmusic.com/tickets
Website: tafelmusik.org
Social media: Join the conversation on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
Tafelmusik gratefully acknowledges the support of our government partners, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
ABOUT BRUNO WEIL
Bruno Weil is world renowned as one of the leading conductors of Viennese Classicism. He has conducted leading symphony orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Dresden Staatskapelle, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. He has conducted at the German Opera Berlin, Hamburg State Opera, Semper Opera Dresden, Glyndebourne Festival, and most often at the Vienna State Opera.
Since 1991 he has been a regular collaborator with Tafelmusik, with whom he has released numerous recordings, including the complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies. Bruno Weil was Music Director of the Carmel Bach Festival, California from 1992 to 2010, and was Artistic Director of the Klang und Raum Festival in Irsee, Germany, where Tafelmusik was orchestra-in-residence from 1993 to 2011.
In October 2001, Bruno Weil was appointed Professor of Conducting at the State Academy for Music and Theatre in Munich, and from 2015–2019 taught orchestral conducting at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg. He is writing a book on “The lost style of the Viennese classical period.”
ABOUT TAFELMUSIK
Tafelmusik is a world-renowned period orchestra and choir in the heart of Toronto.
Founded 45 years ago on the pillars of passion, learning, and artistic excellence, Tafelmusik brings a fresh perspective to historically informed performance played on period instruments and grounded in scholarship. 17th– to 19th– century instrumental and choral music share the stage with exciting multimedia programs, bold new commissions, and intriguing cross-cultural collaborations. From dynamic live performances at Jeanne Lamon Hall in Toronto’s historic Trinity-St Paul’s Centre and stunning Koerner Hall, to international tours, award-winning recordings, and inspiring education programs, Tafelmusik is a musical powerhouse with a reputation for thrilling and delighting audiences.
Media contact:
Luisa Trisi, Big Picture Communications
luisa@luisatrisi.com | 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1X7