One of the most compelling artists on today’s international stage, Pablo Ferrández has quickly established himself as a major voice in classical music. Named after his great Spanish predecessor Pablo Casals and hailed by some as “the next Yo-Yo Ma,” the Tchaikovsky Prize-winning artist opens Music Toronto’s 2026–27 season with his Canadian solo recital debut. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Casals, the program honours the legendary artist whose artistry reshaped the cello’s voice, featuring solo works by J.S. Bach, Benjamin Britten and Gaspar Cassadó.

“A cellist of magnetic presence and extraordinary lyricism.” — Gramophone

Renowned for performances of extraordinary insight and emotional power, the Quatuor Danel returns with a program of striking contrasts and emotional depth. Mozart’s searing and intense Adagio and Fugue opens the evening, followed by the sweeping drama of Beethoven’s Razumovsky Quartet. The program culminates in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved String Quartet No. 1 in D major, featuring the unforgettable Andante cantabile, one of the most moving melodies ever written for the quartet repertoire.

“A remarkable range of colour and expression.” — The Strad

Featuring Jonathan Crow, violin · Annalee Patipatanakoon, violin · Sharon Wei, viola · Roman Borys, cello · Dior String Quartet

In What Makes It Great?®, composer, commentator, and author Rob Kapilow unlocks great music with insight, humour, and live musical examples. Explore the brilliance of Mendelssohn’s Octet as Kapilow reveals the invention and youthful genius behind one of chamber music’s most exhilarating works. His presentation is followed by a complete performance and audience Q&A.

Part of our Sunday afternoon MUSE (Music Unveiled, Stories, Explorations) series.

“Kapilow is the ideal guide—erudite, engaging, and endlessly illuminating.” — The New York Times

In its early years as a Music Toronto ensemble-in-residence, the Gryphon Trio first performed Olivier Messiaen’s visionary Quartet for the End of Time with revered Canadian clarinetist James Campbell. Composed in a prisoner-of-war camp during the Second World War, the work stands as one of the 20th century’s most profound musical testaments of faith, transcendence, and human resilience. Twenty-five years and countless performances later, the Gryphon Trio and Campbell return to this monumental masterpiece that has become a defining thread in their artistic story. The program opens with the stormy passion of Johannes Brahms’ dramatic Piano Trio in C minor and also features the world premiere of a new work for piano trio by Graham Campbell.

Having thrilled Music Toronto audiences in 2022 with their elegance, precision and energy, , the Esmé Quartet returns with a program of drama, rhythm, and sweeping lyricism. Samuel Barber’s Quartet, Op. 11 features the haunting slow movement later arranged as the famous Adagio for Strings. John Adams’s Book of Alleged Dances brims with folk energy and playful rhythm, while Antonín Dvořák’s majestic Quartet in G major, Op. 106 crowns the evening with radiant melody and power.

“Eloquent, spellbinding, monumental, and exquisite.” — MusicalViva

ESCHER STRING QUARTET makes its Music Toronto debut with a program that moves from Classical brilliance to late-Romantic intensity. Joseph Haydn’s sparkling Op. 76 No. 1 opens the evening, followed by the lush cinematic voice of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s rarely heard Third Quartet, before the profound lyricism and drama of Johannes Brahms’s A minor Quartet. Formed in 2005, the Escher is named for the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, inspired by his method of interplay between individual components working together to form a whole.

In partnership with Music Toronto, the quartet will be in residence at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, culminating in a Pre-Concert performance alongside student chamber musicians.

“Elegant, incisive and full of character.” — The New York Times

Well known to Toronto chamber music audiences, the New Orford String Quartet brings its celebrated artistry to Music Toronto in a program of brilliance, energy, and spiritual depth. Joseph Haydn’s sparkling Op. 76 No. 5 opens the evening, followed by Kelly-Marie Murphy’s gripping Dark Energy. The program culminates in the transcendent beauty of Ludwig van Beethoven’s A minor Quartet, Op. 132, part of Music Toronto’s exploration of beloved Beethoven masterpieces during the 2027 anniversary year.

“Spirited and riveting.” — Chicago Classical Review