Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra

The festive Fanfare Overture by Canadian composer Elizabeth Raum sets the tone for this family-friendly matinee celebrating the warmth and joy of the holiday season.

Our own principal trombonist Thomas LaGrange steps into the spotlight to gift us with Ferdinand David’s brilliant Concertino.

Sibelius’ Karelia Suite adds a touch of Nordic storytelling, complementing the narrated classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Add your voice to the rousing singalong finale and you’ll leave with the spirit of the season in your heart.

NOTE:

This is a shorter no-intermission encore of our full Friday evening concert.

Our annual Discovery concert is a special, no-intermission 'listen and learn' matinee where we explore the story behind the music.

This year, we look at the story behind the soloists who choose to step into the spotlight. Why do they do it? What does it take? How do they get started?

We’re delighted to host three dedicated young soloists of the North York Music Festival Concerto Competition 2026, who ignite the stage with their youthful energy and passion. They turn years of artistic development and technical practice into impressive, polished performances.

Ravel’s mesmerizing Boléro offers the same theme to each instrument of the orchestra as a solo, gradually building to a thrilling, full fortissimo finale.

It’s an informative afternoon of inspiration and insight into musicians whose passion draws them to the spotlight to perform for you.

Guest Soloists:
Salma Khakimov, violin
Emma Tian, cello
Titus Lam, piano

Aram Khatchaturian
Violin Concerto in D minor (first movement)

Robert Schumann
Cello Concerto in A minor (first movement)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 3 (third movement : Rondo) 

Maurice Ravel
Boléro

This evening is one of lyricism, brilliance, and symphonic power.

Farrenc’s Overture No. 1 opens with elegance and vitality, followed by Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1 performed by our own principal horn, Samir Abd-Elmessih.

It’s a beloved work the showcases the horn’s noble character and expressive range.

Canadian composer Marjan Mozetich’s Postcards from the Sky is a luminous, cinematic work with soaring melodies that evokes a sense of vast landscapes and expansive skies.

That same imagery come to mind in Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, a monumental work inspired by nature and transformation. From its serene opening to its triumphant, soaring finale, this symphony captures a profound sense of renewal and elevation.

Special guest soprano Natalya Gennadi returns to EPO to close our Friday concert series on a high note with arias that celebrate our urge to move to the music.

Florence Price’s Dances in the Canebrakes draws on early 20th century African American culture. Toe-tapping “Nimble Feet” feet and sultry “Tropical Noon” are followed by a “Silk hat and Walking Cane” cake walk that mocks harsh plantation owners strutting their finery. The dances come from a history shaped by oppression and resilience.

This hardship behind the dance is a timeless theme: 75 years earlier on another continent, Tchaikovsky’s sweeping Symphony No. 4 evokes the darkness of struggling with destiny and escaping the tension with a scherzo. When fate smiles at last, the piece explodes with exuberant Russian dance rhythms.

Florence Price’s Dances in the Canebrakes draws on early 20th century African American culture. Toe-tapping “Nimble Feet” feet and sultry “Tropical Noon” are followed by a “Silk hat and Walking Cane” cake walk that mocks harsh plantation owners strutting their finery. The dances come from a history shaped by oppression and resilience.

This hardship behind the dance is a timeless theme: 75 years earlier on another continent, Tchaikovsky’s sweeping Symphony No. 4 evokes the darkness of struggling with destiny and escaping the tension with a scherzo. When fate smiles at last, the piece explodes with exuberant Russian dance rhythms.