Toronto Symphony Orchestra Launches 2024/25 Season with Pictures at an Exhibition on September 25

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is thrilled to officially première its 2024/25 season on Wednesday, September 25 with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a suite that takes listeners on a transcendent journey through ten vivid movements, each evoking a different work of art. Under the baton of TSO Music Director Gustavo Gimeno, the opening concert also features the Canadian Première of Carlos Simon’s Wake Up! Concerto for Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with Canadian pianist and TSO Spotlight Artist Jan Lisiecki. This program sets the tone for a season brimming with artistic milestones and kicks off the TSO’s beloved Masterworks Series. Adding to the excitement, the TSO will host its annual Open House & Free Community Concert on Saturday, September 28, offering an opportunity for all to experience the joy of orchestral music up close. This season promises a wide-ranging and ambitious lineup, fostering both new music and emerging talent through various artistic initiatives and partnerships.

“There’s something truly special about coming together—musicians and audience alike—to share in the joy of music that spans cultures and centuries,” says Beck Family CEO Mark Williams. “It reminds us why we do what we do and how music can help us connect more deeply with one another and understand each other better. Whether you are attending our third annual Open House & Free Community Concert or joining us for a performance in our Masterworks Series, our goal is to create moments of connection through the universal language of music. This season, and every season, is about opening doors and building bridges. We’re excited to welcome everyone to join us on this journey—so please, bring your friends, and Symphony With Us.”

TSO Masterworks—Season Opening & Fall Highlights

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks Series for the 2024/25 season offers a rich tapestry of music, combining timeless masterpieces with innovative contemporary works. Spanning 26 concerts across 70 dates, this series is designed to showcase the full range and versatility of the TSO’s own musicians, with a special focus on concerti for orchestra that highlight the ensemble’s dynamic capabilities. The series features an array of significant symphonic works, from Holst’s sublime suite The Planets and Sibelius’s evocative Symphony No. 1 to Mahler’s introspective Symphony No. 4 and festive selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Alongside these classics, the TSO will present vital contemporary compositions by the leading composers of today. Read more about the TSO’s 2024/25 Masterworks Series, including débuts, commissions, and premières.

Upcoming in the Masterworks Series: 

Throughout the season, TSO audiences will have the opportunity to experience performances by acclaimed soloists, including Yuja Wang, Renaud Capuçon, Víkingur Ólafsson, Behzod Abduraimov, Beatrice Rana, and TSO Spotlight Artists Jan Lisiecki and Anna Prohaska.

Open House & Free Community Concert

Kicking off the season, the TSO invites the community to its Open House & Free Community Concert (Saturday, September 28) offering a unique opportunity to explore the joy of orchestral music up close. This event, held during the opening weekend, is part of the TSO’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and community engagement, providing an inclusive platform for all to enjoy the power of live orchestral performances. Read more about our upcoming annual Open House & Free Community Concert.

New Faces in the Orchestra

This season, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to welcome two talented musicians to its ranks:

Nicolas Richard, Associate Principal Bassoon

Originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Nicolas Richard joins the TSO as Associate Principal Bassoon. Nicolas has previously held positions with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Niagara Symphony Orchestra. He has been a frequent guest performer with renowned ensembles such as Canada’s National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra, The National Ballet of Canada, and the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. He has also been featured as a soloist with the NAC Orchestra, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Ottawa Orchestra, winning accolades such as the first prize in the NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition. Nicolas studied at the University of Ottawa and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music under esteemed mentors, shaping his artistry and musical approach.

Kayla Burggraf, Associate Principal Flute

A graduate of Rice University and the Manhattan School of Music, Kayla Burggraf joins the TSO as Associate Principal Flute after five seasons as the piccoloist with the Kansas City Symphony. Originally from the US, she has served as Principal Flute of the Des Moines and Ann Arbor Symphonies, and performed with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Kayla has been a guest principal flute with major orchestras like the San Francisco Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on their European tours. Her versatility extends to the piccolo, having performed as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic. 

Nicolas Richard, Associate Principal BassoonKayla Burggraf, Associate Principal Flute

2024/25 Artistic Milestones & Development Programs

Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Gustavo Gimeno, the TSO continues to foster musical talent and innovation through a diverse range of development programs and initiatives. These efforts, which span from recording projects to unique mentorship opportunities, highlight the TSO’s dedication to nurturing emerging voices and advancing the future of orchestral music.

Explore the Score: This annual event allows emerging composers to hear their works rehearsed by the TSO and receive feedback from leading composers and conductors, including guest composer John Adams. “Programs like Explore the Score are vital to the orchestra’s mission,” says Gimeno. “They provide a space where established and emerging talents can intersect, fostering a vibrant and forward-thinking musical community.” 

NextGen Composers Program: This initiative continues to provide a platform for emerging composers to work closely with the TSO. This season, three early-career composers will be mentored by RBC Affiliate Composer Liam Ritz, who is newly appointed this year. These creators will have their original works premièred by the TSO, showcasing fresh voices in contemporary music. 

Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO): Following its 50th-anniversary celebration, the TSYO begins a new chapter under the leadership of RBC Resident Conductor and newly appointed TSYO Conductor Trevor Wilson. Open to young musicians aged 22 and under, the tuition-free TSYO continues to cultivate the next generation of talent, offering invaluable experience and growth for youth in music and beyond. “With Trevor Wilson’s fresh leadership, the TSYO is poised to continue inspiring and developing young artists alongside the TSO musicians who also serve as TSYO Coaches,” says Gimeno. 

Women in Musical Leadership: In partnership with Tapestry Opera, this fellowship program supports emerging women and non-binary conductors and music directors, aiming to increase equity and representation in the classical music field. Activities will culminate in a master class at Roy Thomson Hall on April 23, 2025, as part of the TSO’s broader efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the classical music industry. The featured fellows this year include Naomi Woo, Maria Fuller, Monica Chen, and Kelly Lin.

Recording Activities: The TSO continues its storied recording legacy with an upcoming release and a new recording under its partnership with European label Harmonia Mundi. Captured during the 2023/24 season, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella includes the complete ballet, offering listeners the rare opportunity to experience the work in its full form, accompanied by a contemporary piece by Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy. This season, Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin will be recorded alongside his Concerto for Orchestra and the sediments, a contemporary work by TSO Composer Advisor Emilie LeBel.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit TSO.CA.

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 relies on the generosity of thousands of donors and partners who provide a critical base of funding that makes possible all of the TSO’s music-making on stage and in the community. 

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

The TSO’s Education and Community Engagement programs are generously supported by Francine and Bob Barrett.

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

The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.

TSYO Conductor is generously supported by the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee.

RBC Resident Conductor is generously supported by RBC Emerging Artists.

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, and the Government of Canada.