Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents

Gimeno Conducts Beethoven

In 1802, on the brink of despair and suicide due to ever-increasing hearing loss, Beethoven poured out his feelings in a now-famous unsent letter to his brothers, confessing: “Only my art held me back. It seemed to me impossible to leave the world until I had produced all that I felt was within me.” From one of the darkest times of his life sprung some of his most life-affirming music—the jovial and fun-loving Symphony No. 2. Beethoven’s Second proved a fruitful muse for Odawa First Nation composer Barbara Assiginaak, whose Innenohr meditates on the German master’s storied love of nature. Missy Mazzoli’s evocative Dark with Excessive Bright also draws inspiration from the past, bringing baroque-era techniques into the 21st century through the skillful bow of Principal Double Bass Jeffrey Beecher.

Gustavo Gimeno

With the opening of the 2021/22 season Gustavo Gimeno celebrated with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic: as Music Director with Orchestre Philharmonique de Luxembourg – a title he has held since 2015, and with Toronto Symphony Orchestra where his tenure began in 2020/21. During his first season in Toronto, Gimeno and the TSO have taken the opportunity to record and stream a range of digital performances and in 2021/22 they celebrate doubly, as this also marks the TSO’s centenary season.

International touring has formed a significant part of Gimeno’s commitment with OPL during the last six years, visiting many of Europe’s and South America’s most prestigious concert halls; and soloists with whom Gimeno has shared the stage include Daniel Barenboim, Gautier Capuçon, Anja Harteros, Leonidas Kavakos, Bryn Terfel, Yuja Wang and Frank Peter Zimmermann.  A highlight has been performances of the complete Beethoven Piano Concertos with Krystian Zimerman.

Born in Valencia, Gustavo Gimeno began his international conducting career in 2012 under the mentorship of Mariss Jansons – and benefited too from the support and influence of Bernard Haitink and Claudio Abbado.

Friday, January 28, 2022 at 7:30pm

To purchase your live stream access visit: www.tso.ca/livestreams
After the live concert has concluded, you will have seven days to view it again.