The New York based Shen Yun Performing Arts once again brings an entirely new lineup of its world-class classical Chinese dance, numerous ethnic and folk dance styles, songs, and musical scores to Vancouver, in Feb. 2012.

In the two and half hour program, through a collection of short-piece performances, audiences travel from the Himalayas to tropical lake-filled regions; from the legends of the culture's creation over 5,000 years ago through to the story in modern China today; from the highest heavens down to the dusty plateaus of the Middle Kingdom.

Pianist Ratimir Martinovic and bass clarinetist Jeff Reilly will be featured guest artists at Sinfonia Toronto's next Masterpiece Series concert. Music Director Nurhan Aman will conduct a program titled "Gems, Old and New" featuring two premieres by Hatzis and Teehan.

Pianist Ratimir Martinovic will perform Schumann's Piano Quintet while bass clarinetist Jeff Reilly will be featured on the world premiere of the Hatzis Bass-clarinet Concerto. Other works on the program include Beethoven's Quartet in C Minor and the Toronto premiere of Zephyr by Canadian composer Rob Teehan, Sinfonia Toronto's 2011-2012 Composer-in-Residence.

Renowned Canadian pianist, David Jalbert, will kick off Sinfonia Toronto's new concert season. The orchestra's Music Director Nurhan Arman will conduct a program, titled "Diamonds" that will include the famous "diamond music" in Jenkins' Palladio Suite.

Mr. Jalbert will perform Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1. Other works on the program include Palladio, Forsyth's Serenade, and Mendelssohn's beloved Symphony No. 12 in G Minor.

Nowrouz (نوروز meaning 'New Day') is an ancient Iranian festival and the start day of Iranian New Year. Nowrouz marks the first day of spring and rebirth of nature. Sarv Ensemble celebrates the occasion with an exciting mix of original compositions, pieces from old masters, and music from different regions of Iran including Khorasan, Gilan, and Kurdistan.

Drawing inspiration from diverse classical and folk traditions across Iran, it performs and shares this music through concerts, as well as workshops, outreach and community events.

Advance Tickets $20: available at Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham St. (647-726-9500); Shawrak Music Centre, 11 Steeles Ave East. North York; (416-733-7701), Khorak Food Market, 6125 Yonge St. North York (416-221-7558).

An opera in three acts. From Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy. Second opera in the Ring Cycle.  Sung in German with English subtitles.

Total live running time: 310 minutes. 

Advance tickets availble at: http://www.amctheatres.com/YongeDundas/

BBPA National Scholarship Fund Supports An Evening of Music

Please join us for a wonderful evening of beautiful sounds and talented musicians
as they look to entertain us with a collection of classical music and beyond.

Entitled Potpourri, this diverse program will feature local musicians performing in
small ensembles. Showcasing 2 Degrees of Separation (Trio - 2 flutes and piano),
The Devonish Sisters (Trio - violin, cello, piano), The Falgarwood Brass (brass
quintet), Soprano Julie Cabri and Mezzo-Soprano Heidi Cyfko and a flute quintet.

This is a pay what you can event with all of the proceeds going to the BBPA
National Scholarship Fund.

Silverthorn Symphonic Winds Presents 'Invitation to the Dance'

Led by Music Director Andrew Chung, Silverthorn Symphonic Winds will perform works by four Canadian composers: J. Scott Irvine’s “Hannaford Overture,” John Weinzweig’s “Round Dance,” Louis Applebaum’s “Suite of Miniature Dances,” and Louie Calleja’s “Scherzo” (conducted by the composer). Other works on the program are Malcolm Arnold’s “Four Scottish Dances,” Alfred Reed’s, “Armenian Dances,” and Samuel Barber’s deeply moving “Adagio.”

Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for students/seniors, and free for children 12 and under at the door.

Sinfonia Toronto's 2009/2010 Masterpiece Series continues March 12th at 8:00pm, with two young phenoms from Korea, both winners of international competitions. This concert's guest soloists are Hyuk-Joo Kwun, violin and Sangwook Park, piano.

Sinfonia Toronto's 2009/2010 Masterpiece Series continues, highlighting romantic pianism at its best. This concert features Toronto's own piano virtuoso Yuval Fichman.

Yuval Fichman made his debut with the Montreal Symphony and the Toronto Symphony in 1982, and has continued to appear as a guest soloist with orchestras throughout Canada and the US, and performed with the MSO on its 1984 European tour and with the Vancouver Symphony on its 1985 Japanese tour. He has also performed for several film soundtracks including Don McKellar's "Last Night" (music by Oscar winning composer Howard Shore), Francois Girard's 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould and Larry Weinstein's Beethoven's Hair. In addition, Yuval has recorded a CD with cellist Yo-Yo Ma for Kabuki artist Tamasaburo Bando.

Sinfonia Toronto's 2009/2010 Masterpiece Series continues December 11th at 8:00pm, with one of the world's leading percussionists, plus Toronto's own virtuoso. This concert features Italian marimba master Filippo Lattanzi, and superb Toronto violinist Catherine Manoukian.