Toronto Symphony Orchestra Awarded JUNO for Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble)

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), under the artistic leadership of Music Director Gustavo Gimeno, has won the JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble) for its recording of Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie, released by Harmonia Mundi. The award was announced at the 54th Annual JUNO Awards Gala held in Vancouver, BC, on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Captured live at Roy Thomson Hall during a milestone event in the orchestra’s momentous 100th-anniversary season, the recording was Gimeno’s first as Music Director of the TSO, following the commencement of his tenure in 2020. It features multi-award-winning Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin and celebrated French ondes Martenot player Nathalie Forget as soloists, and was produced by Karel Bruggeman. 

Gimeno considers Turangalîla-Symphonie—known for its sweeping scale and intricate demands on both orchestra and soloists—to be a monument of 20th-century classical music, which is one of the reasons why he selected it for this recording marking the TSO’s Centennial. The release also pays tribute to the orchestra’s storied past: The TSO previously captured Messiaen’s masterwork in a GRAMMY^®-nominated 1968 recording on RCA under its legendary former Music Director, the late Seiji Ozawa. It was the first North American recording of the work and is still widely considered to be a definitive interpretation.

“Recording Turangalîla-Symphonie with the TSO was an incredible journey,” said Gustavo Gimeno. “This piece—so full of tenderness, joy, and energy—takes you through the entire spectrum of the human experience. Our musicians approached it with such focus and heart, like climbing a mountain together. Capturing this masterpiece with them was unforgettable, and I hope listeners can feel the wonder and intensity that we felt while recording it.”

Mark Williams, the TSO’s Beck Family Chief Executive Officer, added, “This award is a tremendous recognition of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s artistic excellence and the extraordinary leadership of Music Director Gustavo Gimeno. It reflects the dedication, musicianship, and passion of our orchestra, and we are deeply honoured to be acknowledged among such exceptional artists. Our collaboration with Harmonia Mundi marks an exciting new chapter in our recording legacy, and we look forward to sharing many more remarkable performances with audiences worldwide.”

This JUNO win is the latest accolade for the TSO’s expanding discography, which includes numerous award-winning and critically acclaimed recordings. The partnership with Harmonia Mundi, announced in the fall of 2023, marks a new chapter in the orchestra’s recording legacy. Turangalîla-Symphonie was the inaugural release, and it was recently followed by Stravinsky’s Pulcinella, which also features a piece by Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy. Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin and a work by Canadian composer and TSO Composer Advisor Emilie LeBel were also recorded earlier this season for future release. These recordings continue to showcase the orchestra’s dynamic programming and commitment to both classic and contemporary works under Gimeno’s leadership.

For more information about the TSO’s Turangalîla-Symphonie recording and other releases, please visit TSO.CA/Turangalila.

For more than a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has played a fundamental role in shaping and celebrating Canadian culture. The TSO’s commitment to musical excellence and ability to spark connection remain as strong as ever. With a storied history of acclaimed concerts and recordings, Canadian and international tours, and impactful community partnerships, we are dedicated to engaging and enriching local and national communities through vibrant musical experiences. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician orchestra that serves Toronto—one of the world’s most diverse cities. As a group of artists, teachers, and advocates who share the belief that music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life, we engage audiences young and old through an array of community-access, health-and-wellness, and education initiatives including the TSO-affiliated Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra—a tuition-free training program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists. Join us for a concert at Roy Thomson Hall, or experience the TSO in your neighbourhood. Visit TSO.CA or Newsroom.TSO.CA.

The TSO acknowledges Mary Beck as the Musicians’ Patron in perpetuity for her generous and longstanding support.

The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO.

Gustavo Gimeno’s appearances are generously supported in memory of Hans and Susan Brenninkmeyer.

The TSO is grateful for the support of the Toronto Symphony Foundation and all levels of government, including the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Ontario.