Noteworthy

Over the course of its 129 eventful years, Massey Hall, the concert venue that was the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s home from 1923 to 1982, has built a rich and storied history. Now, as we prepare for our Return to Massey Hall—a special, one-night-only concert, conducted by Music Director Gustavo Gimeno, that pays tribute to the TSO’s very first performance almost exactly a century ago—many of those stories are being told by musicians who joined the Orchestra in the final seasons of our residency at “The Old Lady of Shuter Street”.

As part of the February 12 instalment of Sunday Night at the TSO on The New Classical 96.3 FM, TSO Principal Timpani David Kent and TSO Violin Leslie Dawn Knowles spoke with host Kathleen Kajioka about their Massey Hall experiences, sharing memories and anecdotes that have stayed with them for over four decades.

From the Ping-Pong tournaments, innumerable stairs, and smells of corned beef and oil-based enamel paint, to the late-night recording sessions, Gordon Lightfoot sightings, and all-around sense of reverence—listen in as David and Leslie reminisce and describe what going back to Massey means to them. 

LISTEN HERE