Share the Music is the name of an arts and education outreach program presented by the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall. With a mission statement aimed at sharing music with young people of all backgrounds from ages 8 to 18, the program’s goal is to enhance and broaden musical horizons by exposing students to world-class performers.
Share the Music’s 16th season includes nine wide-ranging concerts from October to May, any of which could proudly serve as a definition for “world-class.” To experience any of the artists in this varied lineup will be a musical life-enhancing opportunity never to be forgotten.
Pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet joins conductor Vadimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic in the lead-off concert of works by two 20th-century icons, Shostakovich and Prokofiev. Divine Brown, Diana Braithwaite, Andria Simone and Shakura S’Aida headline the Toronto Blues Society’s 28th Annual Toronto Women’s Blues Revue November 22, while the incomparable Itzhak Perlman will work his fiddle magic on the audience December 1.
A concert by the iconic Blind Boys of Alabama December 8 is followed by a Classic Albums Live presentation of “The Beatles: Let It Be” January 20. Next up will be the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis February 11.
The Canadian poet and spoken word artist Shane Koyczan became an overnight sensation at the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. His anti-bullying video To This Day has had more than 13 million views on YouTube and led to an appearance at the 2013 TED Conference. He will appear at Harbourfront Centre April 7.
Evgeny Kissin’s remarkable pianism will be on display in his May 1 recital which includes Beethoven’s “Waldstein” sonata, nocturnes and mazurkas by Chopin and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No.15. The no-less-remarkable Bobby McFerrin will showcase his prodigious vocal gifts May 30.
Each event is preceded by a talk or workshop, some of which are of particular interest. Tafelmusik violinist Patricia Ahern will discuss repertoire in advance of the Perlman recital; Toronto Mass Choir director Karen Burke leads a gospel-style workshop the night the Blind Boys of Alabama perform; and the Heavyweights Brass Band takes part in a workshop before the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis concert.
