Violinist Arabella Steinbacher, Luxembourg Philharmonic, and Music Director Gustavo Gimeno present Beethoven’s violin concerto, coupled with Georges Lentz’s Violin Concerto ‘ …to beam in distant heavens…’, written for Steinbacher and inspired by her virtuosity. Lentz’s concerto is equally inspired by William Blake’s poetry, as well as the idea that a future generation will one day look back on us and the way we have destroyed our planet.
The Order of Civil Merit is one of Spain’s highest civilian honors, bestowed by His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain. Established in 1926, the award recognizes exceptional service to Spain across various fields, including culture, science, and diplomacy.
This prestigious recognition underscores Gustavo Gimeno’s extraordinary contributions to music, his role in elevating Spanish culture on the global stage and his remarkable artistic achievements and leadership in the classical music world.
The distinction is formally bestowed upon Gustavo by his Excellency Alfredo Martínez, Ambassador of Spain to Canada, conferring the insignia and certificate on behalf of His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain on March 20 at the Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto before the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony under Gustavo’s baton.
Music Director of the Toronto Symphony since the 2020/21 season, Gustavo Gimeno is in his final season as Music Director of the Luxembourg Philharmonic. He is the Music Director Designate of Teatro Real; he will assume the role in season 2025/26.
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Celebrating Stravinsky’s historic connection with TSO, a new album featuring composer’s two neoclassical masterpieces, Pulcinella (complete ballet) and the Divertimento from Le Baiser de la Fée , alongside Curiosity, Genius, and the Search for Petula Clark, a contemporary TSO-commissioned work by Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy is released on Harmonia Mundi label on 14 February .
Recorded in February 2024 under the baton of Gustavo Gimeno, the album also features celebrated soloists Isabel Leonard (mezzo-soprano), Paul Appleby (tenor), and Derek Welton(bass-baritone).
Stravinsky’s relationship with the TSO is as historic as it is personal. The orchestra first performed his work, Petrushka, in 1934 under Sir Ernest MacMillan. In 1937, Stravinsky himself conducted the TSO in TheFirebird and Petrushka. To date, the TSO has performed over 575 concerts featuring Stravinsky’s works, solidifying his place as a cornerstone of its repertoire.
Reflecting on the recording, Gustavo Gimeno shared: “Pulcinella holds a special place in the TSO’s history: Stravinsky himself conducted the orchestra in a performance of the ballet suite in 1967, marking his final public conducting appearance. It feels extraordinary to return to this work — this time in its full form — while celebrating Stravinsky’s musical ingenuity and the orchestra’s legacy.”
Stravinsky’s Pulcinella is now available worldwide. For more information about the TSO’s recordings, visit TSO.CA/Recordings.
Music Director Designate, Gustavo Gimeno returns to Teatro Real to conduct a new Christof Loy production of Eugene Oneguin. Opening on 22 January. Gimeno’s nine-performance run continues until 14 February. The cast includes Iurii Samoilov in the title role and Katarina Dalayman as Larina.
Gimeno is the Music Director Designate of Teatro Real where he will assume his role in season 2025/26.
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