Les AMIS Concerts, History in Brief

Les AMIS Concerts has introduced new performers, new repertoire and innovative music-making to the classical music canon since incorporating in 1983. It has presented more than 200 concerts to Toronto audiences, often co-produced with such organizations as Alliance Francaise, Goethe Institute and the Canadian Sinfonietta. More than 400 Canadian and 90 international artists have been featured and some 220 contemporary works, by 100 different composers, have been performed of which over 120 were Canadian. Many of the concerts were world premieres. A good number were recorded for broadcast. Musicians, some young, some new to Canada, were featured in their first professional performance. Artists, now familiar to audiences both nationally and internationally, Scott St. John, Shauna Rolston, Rachel Mercer, Rivka Golani, Julian Milkis, Alexander Tselyakov, Lynn Kuo, Erika Crinó, Angela Park, and many others were first introduced by Les AMIS to Toronto chamber music lovers. Four young string players, Geoff Nuttall, Barry Shifffman, Lesley Robertson and Marina Hoover, gave solo and group performances in Les AMIS Concerts before presenting their inaugural concert as the St. Lawrence String Quartet in 1990.

Les AMIS' primary goal continues to be to nurture talented young musicians at the earliest stages of their professional careers. It is also its policy to introduce them to works by contemporary Canadian composers at every opportunity. Emerging artists are showcased with more established performers who, in many cases, were first presented by Les AMIS at the beginning of their careers. Les AMIS aims to achieve its goals by sponsoring recitals with programs containing works selected by the performers themselves. As well, at least one Canadian composition is recommended or commissioned by Les AMIS especially for them. In this way, the Les AMIS audience is continuously introduced to upcoming artists as well as new Canadian music repertoire.

Archive of Concerts

Click title to get a list of articles in that season.  Then click concert title to get full details.