The Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra opens the 2025/26 season with a program titled Demons and Angels. Canadian composer Matthew Donnelly’s witty and darkish ‘Grave Digger’s Waltz’ kicks off the live performance in a nod to the season.
Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G main, Op. 88, B. 163, a cheerful and optimistic work uncommon for the composer, closes this system.
In between, pianist Michael Berkovsky shall be performing Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43.
Michael Berkovsky
Canadian-Israeli pianist, Michael Berkovsky, is on the college of The Glenn Gould Faculty and Taylor Academy on the Royal Conservatory. Michael immigrated to Israel from the Soviet Union in 1990 as a baby. His household made the transfer to Toronto in 2001. He started his music research in Russia at a college for presented college students, and later continued at The Juilliard Faculty within the US, the place he earned his Bachelor’s and Grasp’s Levels. He subsequently accomplished his Doctoral diploma on the Peabody Conservatory of the John Hopkins College.
As a soloist, he’s carried out broadly within the US, Canada, in Europe, Israel, and Japan, and has gained a number of worldwide competitions. In Toronto, alongside together with his personal efficiency profession, his college students have gone on to win competitions and discover placements on the planet’s main ensembles.
Michael is the creative advisor for the Canadian Music Competitors, and sometimes adjudicates competitions throughout Canada.
We spoke to the pianist in regards to the upcoming live performance.
Michael Berkovsky: The Interview
Rachmaninoff accomplished his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, (Рапсодия на тему Паганини, Rapsodiya na temu Paganini) in 1934. He performed on the work’s premiere later that yr in Baltimore with the Philadelphia Orchestra and maestro Leopold Stokowski.
Stokowski and the orchestra would additionally file the work with the composer in December 1934.
Scored for piano and orchestra, it consists of a set of 24 variations on the final of Paganini’s Caprices for solo violin. It resembles a piano concerto, and is commonly divided into three sections in efficiency. It’s a bit of many contrasts in temper and tempo.
“I all the time needed to finish all of the Rachmaninoffs, and this was the final of the concertos,” says Berkovsky. He carried out it a number of years in the past in live performance, however wasn’t solely happy by the end result.
“There are only a few works of Rach’s which might be actually glad,” he laughs.
He references the latter a part of Rachmaninoff’s life, after he’d emigrated to the USA in 1918. The Russian composer spent 25 years within the US touring as a live performance pianist, and establishing a formidable catalogue of recordings. His largest criticism throughout that interval was that he had little time to compose.
“This concerto out of all of the concertos that he wrote, in fact the Second and Third have an epic end — however it is a enjoyable work.”
He notes that there are extra frequent interactions between the pianist and orchestra within the work than is typical of Rachmaninoff’s music.
“It’s compact,” he says. “You get a style of Rachmaninoff in 20 minutes.”
Music Schooling
“I believe Toronto has the most effective [environments] for music schooling.” It’s about greater than formal classes or research. “I believe it’s vital that college students get uncovered to artwork, music.”
He factors out that the various orchestras unfold throughout the GTA, like EPO, additionally supply alternatives for youthful and scholar artists. Programming is commonly adventurous, and options Canadian artists.
“The scholars get to know the artists up shut,” he says of the expertise. He’s made a behavior of extending his community of mates and colleagues all through the area’s musical ensembles and orchestras. It’s a fruitful ecosystem for classical music in any respect ranges, together with the upper echelons.
“A variety of my colleagues who’ve graduated from packages within the US have come right here,” he says. He factors out the rising variety of excessive stage college students who’re coming right here to check. “When it comes to musicians, I believe it’s the golden occasions of Canada.”
He’s seen the appearance of youthful and youthful musicians who play at virtuoso ranges.
“By the point I’m celebrating my sixtieth birthday, there shall be a 5 yr previous premiering a concerto,” he laughs. “I’m positive it’s going to proceed. I don’t know if which means the concertos are getting simpler.”
He factors out that, along with in-person instruction, right now’s college students have entry to a nearly limitless library of masterclasses, concert events, and different academic materials on-line.
Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra
“I’m very excited to return there.” Berkovsky says it’s been about two years since he’s carried out with the orchestra.
After spending the season in China instructing, he started preparation on his return in late summer season. “I’ve began my preparation. I’m cramming my previous couple of weeks,” he laughs. “Possibly it is going to be much more thrilling for me,” he provides.
“I’m trying ahead to it.”
2025/26 Season In Temporary
After the season opener with pianist Michael Berkovsky on October 17, the EPO live performance schedule continues, together with some weekend matinee dates; test the hyperlinks beneath for particulars.
Our Story (November 21, 2025)
This group collaboration live performance celebrates Etobicoke.
On this system: Gary Kulesha, Celebration Overture; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony 31 in D main, Ok. 297/300a “Paris”; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, 1812 Overture, Op. 49
Winter Sweets (December 12 & 14, 2025)
Revel within the music of the season, together with Symphonic Candies, The Snow Maiden, and extra, together with a Christmas singalong.
On this system: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov; Díszkíséret & A Tumblerek tánca from The Snow Maiden; Maxime Goulet, Symphonic Candies; Jean Sibelius, Finlandia; Johann Sebastian Bach, Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, 1st motion; Augusta Holmès, La Nuit et l’Amour; John Finnegan, Christmas Singalong; Leroy Anderson, Sleigh Journey.
Hymns to Freedom (February 1, 2026)
Corey Butler presents his venture Hymns to Freedom with famend Toronto vocalist Jackie Richardson to mark Black Historical past Month.
This system explores the story of racial injustice via historical past in music, contrasting division with unity, and rigidity with hope.
Dramatic Metamorphosis (March 27, 2026)
Joel Quarrington debuts Rococo Variations on double bass in a program of romantic music that additionally showcases the EPO’s Younger Composer Competitors winner.
This system contains: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 & Rococo Variations; Younger Composer Competitors Grand Prize Winner (TBD).
Spring Fling (Might 8 & Might 9, 2026)
Have a good time the brand new season with music impressed by nature and renewal, with soloist Luke Welch performing a newly rediscovered piano concerto by Florence Worth.
On this system: Aaron Copland, Appalachian Spring; Florence Worth, Piano Concerto in a single motion; Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 6 in F main, Op. 68 “Pastoral”
- Discover extra particulars about EPO’s 2025/26 season [HERE].
- Discover tickets and particulars on Etobicoke Philharmonic’s Demons and Angels live performance on October 17 [HERE].
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Anya Wassenberg is the Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. Beforehand, she was a contract author with a specialty in tradition and journey for 3 a long time, and a inventive writing teacher for Ontariolearn.
