L-R (clockwise): Conductor Laura Jackson (Photo courtesy of the artist); Composer Steve Reich (Photo: Jeffrey Herman); The Eybler Quartet (Photo courtesy of the artists)
This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between October 5 and 11, 2026 in Toronto.
New Music Concerts/Faculty of Music, U of T: International Contemporary Ensemble: Composing While Black, Toronto Edition
Monday, October 5, pre-concert discussion at 4:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m.
Walter Hall, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto,$10+
The world-renowned ICE is in Walter Hall this Monday, ready to encourage performers, composers, and audiences about the meaning of making and performing music, and the role of arts in connecting different diversities, philosophies, and challenges of current music ecology. Music ecology? Yes — it’s an attempt to consider artistic experience as a living, ever-changing entity, of how the ideas are conceived, pieces created, become present in real time through performances, and then propagating itself outward, competing for viability in this wide world. Just like nature and the urban environment, it is in constant flux. Where do these creators come from? How are they conditioned and molded, and are evolving into the future, with their external and internal experiences? The performers — how do they incorporate arts in real life, in their performances, philosophies, and through their daily interactions with the wider world — even just a small conversation with a stranger about their work, or with a colleague through a discussion about an interpretation? Who funds these activities, and what is the aim of the funders? It is all very fascinating to think of these microcosms once one understands that artworks, just like a living species, never stay the same. ICE’s focus on diversity, inclusion, and cultivating an environment where current and future musicians and creators, and audience, thrive through meaningful music, might seem like another mission statement. However, by bringing works of great living composers — three Canadian premiers, and two world premieres — one by Beth Coleman: Halting State, and Free… from life’s prisons, by Rashaan Allwood, we are gifted with a rare chance to experience these works performed by a seasoned, intelligent ensemble. Come early at 4:30 p.m., if these philosophical thoughts interest you; or come for 7:30 p.m., to enjoy the music. What a rich evening of thoughts and more thoughts! Info here.
Soundstreams/Faculty of Music, University of Toronto: Celebrating Steve Reich at 90
Tuesday, October 6, 7:30 p.m.
Koerner Hall, call Box Office for waitlist
The Steve Reich fever continues from last week’s fantastic concert with Kairos percussion ensemble, this time, at Koerner Hall, featuring the perennial favourites Music for 18 Musicians, and Clapping Music, and the North American Premiere of In All Your Ways (2026). Estimates suggest Reich’s net worth to be around $10 to $20 million; this is quite significant considering it’s rare for music composers to be in that category unless they are heavily crossed into the commercial world (ex. Andrew Lloyd Webber with the Phantom of the Opera, John Williams with his empire of movie soundtracks — same with Hans Zimmer, Alan Menken, and Danny Elfman). To realise Reich’s success comes not only from the dedicated classical audience, but of the general, wider world, his influence illustrated in that multimillion net worth is a big deal. Touted as “our greatest living composer” by the NY Times, his music has a broad appeal, and is a very important part of our current musicscape. This ambitious concert featuring 23 dedicated new music performers, will surely be a treat, so get on your phone and ask to be added to the waitlist. It will be worth the trouble, I promise. Info here.
Music Toronto: String Series: Pablo Ferrández
Thursday, October 8, 7:30 p.m.
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts — Jane Mallett Theatre, $40+
Since his Toronto debut in March TSO, playing Dvořák’s cello concerto, the excitement for Ferrández’s solo cello concert has been building strongly. Named after the Spanish giant, Pau Casals, Ferrández’s program, honouring Casal’s 150th anniversary birth year, features four major works for the solo cello: Bach suite No. 1 and 3, Britten suite No. 1, and Cassadó. There are only a handful of tickets left, so don’t hesitate — come and experience the intimate and rich world of the solo cello repertoire with the fantastic Ferrández through the gorgeous voice of Stradivarious “Archinto” (1689) — easily among the most impressive cellos that Stradivarius ever made, along with the “Medici” (1690). Read our Interview with Pablo Ferrández here. Info here.
The Gallery Players of Niagara Presents: Eybler Quartet: Mozart in the Middle
Friday, October 9, 7:30 p.m.
Heliconian Hall, Pay-what-you-can, suggested: $40
An intimate quartet concert featuring works by Mysliveček, Haydn, and Mozart. “Il Boemo” (the Bohemian), was a Czech composer who was Mozart’s close friend and a mentor ever since they first met in Bologna in 1770. Somehow, unlike Haydn and Mozart, Il Boemo fell into the cracks of history: however, his music is certainly top notch — Mozart, renowned for his quick wit and musical intelligence, did not befriend everyone he met, and it’s lovely to see his music being revived this evening. EQ’s focus on early classical repertoire adds additional richness to our city, and their small scale concert is a great way to enjoy the special intimacy of the string quartet — possibly one of the best configured instrumental ensembles (though it would be lovely to see more string ensemble works that feature the full range of the string instruments by including the bass — alas, this still remains elusive and rare.) Bring a friend, take a seat, and melt into the charming elegance of the early classical period. Info here.
Royal Conservatory of Music: Royal Conservatory Orchestra
Friday, October 9, 8 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $25+
Laura Jackson conducts the Royal Conservatory Orchestra this evening for a program of three Bs: Barber’s The School for Scandal Overture, Bartók’s Viola Concerto featuring Shyler Macaggi, winner of the 2026 Robert W. and G. Ann Corcoran Concerto Competition, and the perennial favourite, Brahms’ second symphony. Bartók worked on the third piano concerto and the viola concerto at the end of his life, and his maturity as a composer, especially as an orchestrator, really shines through. Visceral, quick tempers, and the most gorgeous melodic lines, especially for the second movement, demand a lot from the soloist and the orchestra, and it is a definite canonic favourite for violas, along with the Walton and Hindemith concertos. Come and hear this young soloist speak through this demanding concerto, then ease into the richness of the autumn with brilliant Brahms 2, full of warmth, intimacies and golden glory. Info here.
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music, culture, and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.