The “Decade With No Name” (the “Aughties” never quite caught on) has now ended. And while there was no audible bang or whimper at its close, for classical music fans in Toronto, the decade will be remembered as eventful. Not only was there an abundance of musical performances of all kinds, there were also fundamental shifts in the cultural landscape. Some of these changes were beneficial; others weren’t – but they’ll all have a long-term impact on classical music in this city.
Here’s my own list of the ten most consequential and era-defining events, during the first decade of the 21st century.
1. The opening of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Through a combination of long-term determination and a keen sense of opportunity, the Canadian Opera Company achieved the impossible. At the Four Seasons Centre’s opening, in 2006, it was clear that Toronto finally had a real opera house.
2. The staging of the Ring. The COC’s daring and fascinating production of Wagner’s Ring cycle in 2006 attracted enthusiasts from all over the world, putting Toronto on the operatic map.
3. The death of COC general director Richard Bradshaw. Tragically, just one year after the opening of the Four Seasons Centre, Bradshaw suddenly passed away. He is much missed.
4. The appointment of Peter Oundjian as music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The TSO was in sad shape in 2004, when a relatively unknown conductor rode into town and took over the orchestra. Since then he’s turned things around, presenting lively concerts and forging stronger community ties.
5. The renovation of Roy Thomson Hall. In October 2002, the $20 million overhaul of RTH by Artec Consultants was unveiled. While the hall will never be ranked among the world’s best (its round shape is a fundamental design flaw), Artec’s acousticians did make substantial improvements.
6. The establishment of Toronto Summer Music. For many years, it was a local truism that Toronto didn’t want a classical music festival in the summer months. But since 2006 a group of determined people led by Agnes Grossmann have proven this theory false.
7. The restructuring of CBC Radio 2. The decision by CBC executives in 2007 to pretty much do away with its excellent classical music programming was coupled with the dismantling of the CBC Vancouver Orchestra. (This orchestra is refusing to die, and we may hear more from it yet.)
8. No Tower, No Sam’s. The first to go was Tower Records, in 2001, followed by Sam the Record Man, six years later. Both had excellent classical music sections. While there are still a few good places to get classical CDs and DVDs in Toronto, things aren’t what they used to be.
9. The closing of the recital series at the George Weston Recital Hall. Attempts to maintain the prestigious series established by Livent in the 1990s continued valiantly until 2002, but without success. The collapse of the series left a hole in this city’s musical life that, at the time, seemed beyond repair. However, recent developments offer cause for optimism (see item 10).
10. The opening of Koerner Hall. While it’s too early to say with certainty, the Royal Conservatory, with its splendid new hall, may succeed where Livent failed, and give this city a sustainable first-rate concert series in an acoustically ideal venue.
Did I forget anything?
Colin Eatock,
Managing Editor
