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The Symphony Orchestra of Canada performs at prestigious Toronto venues including Roy Thompson Hall and Ontario Place. In June 2000, the Orchestra performed at the George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts, where the program featured the works of two great Canadian composers, John Weinzweig and Louis Applebaum. In addition, the Orchestra was awarded participation in the Arts & Culture Festival Toronto 2008 Olympic Bid. In partnership with the Friends of Simon Weisenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies, the orchestra performed the music of composers who perished in the Holocaust at CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio, June 4, 2001. The concert was recorded by the CBC for future broadcast. On November 11, 2001, Symphony Orchestra of Canada performed a Remembrance Day Concert at the George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts. The concert honoured our Canadian heroes and sent our prayers to the many directly affected by tragic acts in the United States on Sept. 11. In attendance were the Consul Generals of the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Greece and Cyprus. The Symphony Orchestra of Canada continues its performances of music created by composers from Canada and abroad. TESTIMONIALS
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful evening with your Orchestra. My wife and I enjoyed very much your concert. Although we loved all the pieces performed, the Rhapsody Thessaloniki left us a special impression: it justly deserved a standing ovation. I wish you continued success in your valuable endeavors in the art of classical music.
HARA Satoshi The outstanding performance by eighty top caliber Canadian musicians of the Symphony Orchestra of Canada under your professional and artistic guidance made the event very successful.
E. Orphanides The world premiere of the Rhapsody No.2 was especially interesting and appreciated. What struck me next was the width of the expressive capacity of the orchestra from enormous fortissimo to most delicate and light-hearted tones in Bizet, which seems to me an evidence of a first rate orchestra.
Takashi Koezuka Even as a student of mine at York University, Stefanos’ solid background in music and composition put him into the forefront. Since then I have followed his work as a composer, conductor and entrepreneur. His energy and vision has led to a series of concerts that have appealed widely. He has been able to mobilize support for his efforts in spreading interest in new works by Canadians to a degree that is the envy of many with similar goals. He has established the Karabekos Scholarship Fund at York University to help others achieve their musical goals. As a conductor he has always included in his programmes, compositions by Canadian composers. As well he has devoted much time to working with emerging Canadian young artists and encouraging them, many of whom have gone on to important careers.
Louis Applebaum C.C. I had the pleasure of listening to your CD while driving to New York recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. The combination of the best Toronto Orchestra players succeeded in assuring a performance of top quality. Aside from that, I was most impressed by your two Rhapsodies. I feel that they are important additions to the genre of music that include Enesco’s Roumanian Rhapsody. So congratulations all around for all your efforts and good luck in your future endeavors.
Victor Feldbrill Mr. Stefanos Karabekos is an extremely active participant in the composition and music world and has done extensive work to promote and to present Canadian music performers not only throughout Canada but also abroad. He is an articulate spokesman and a strong voice for our multicultural arts.
John Weinzweig, O.C. I recently heard a performance by your orchestra of a piece called Rhapsody Thessaloniki and was very taken with it. One of the things that attracted me was the use of timpani; my son is a timpanist in Toronto and I know he would be interested in hearing this also. I wondered if there is a CD available of this performance and if so how does one buy it?
Carol-Lynn Reifel What a marvelous experience it was for us, the selections you made were excellent and I was actually brought to tears during more than one of the pieces. I was in awe of the beautiful combination of talented men and women and a well oiled machine, (if I may use the analogy) designed to create sounds that stir the minds and the hearts of mankind and sentimental old men like myself. Thanking you all for your contribution to our social fabric. Stuart and Suzan Craig As a member of the chorus that sang with you, last night, I just wanted to say thank you for the privilege. It was a wonderful experience. It was also wonderful to hear just how beautifully this talented orchestra could perform. I loved the original piece that was dedicated to Thessaloniki. Congratulations to you Maestro, and to all the members of this incredible Symphony. Angela Monette In addition to the familiar music of the first half, I actually liked the second half, especially the Barn Dance by John Weinzweig, the Spanish infused music of Evangelista and your Rhapsody. It was a great performance. Lu Zhang, C.A. May I just say quickly that I really enjoyed your program, combining classical favorites and other less well known classical pieces with Canadian selections after the intermission. I am really proud that you made it the orchestra's mandate to play and promote Canadian music at home and abroad, especially the music of Canadian composers from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. I wish there was more of this kind of promotion of Canadian talent elsewhere. You are really to be commended. Jonathan Mosley The performance was great. We enjoyed it so much we would love to come again and again. You are wonderful. Rick, Diane, Daniel and Matthew Johnson It was a splendid program….. you had the orchestra to its height of virtuosity, well done.
Walter Pitman REVIEWS
“Absolute quality, great sounds and emotions.... all well coordinated under the baton of Stefanos Karabekos.” New Macedonia Newspaper “The Symphony Orchestra of Canada is the music ambassador of Canada abroad.”
TV ET1 “One of the biggest classical orchestras in the world, exceptional and with absolute quality... under the baton of Stefanos Karabekos.”
George Moustakas “Rhapsody Thessaloniki” performed by the Symphony Orchestra of Canada under the direction of composer and Music Director Stefanos Karabekos... a classical work... what a rouser of a piece.”
Shelley Solmes “Karabekos an accomplished musician... conducts an eclectic music ensemble.”
The Province “Images of Greek Islands by Karabekos... one bridge between the old and the new.” The Toronto Star “...like an ocean breeze, conjure images of Greece, echoing with reflections of Greek culture...” Acropolis Newspaper “The Piano Concerto Spartakos by Stefanos Karabekos... a melodic sequence faintly reminiscent of Beethoven or a harmonic excursion into the virile turf of Brahms’ gypsy invocations.”
Words and Music Magazine
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In 1997, The Symphony Orchestra of Canada
(known then as The New World Symphony Orchestra of Toronto), took the
first step towards achieving their mandate by embarking on a historical
tour of Greece. They performed at the prestigious
Cultural Capital of Europe
as official representatives of Canada. The Orchestra shared the stage
with many internationally renowned performers such as cellist
Mistoslav Rostropovich
and Milan’s La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra.
Mr. Karabekos was commissioned to compose an original classical piece
that epitomized the spirit of the cultural celebration. “
Rhapsody, Thessaloniki 1997”
was performed to capacity audiences in both Thessaloniki and two days
later at the Kassandra Festival.
The performances in Greece were met with spirited ovations, extensive
media coverage and critical acclaim.
