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Founded in 2012 by Daniel Taylor, the University of Toronto Schola Cantorum aims to present the brilliant early choral and instrumental repertoire from across the centuries to a new audience. The group's interpretations strive to recreate the original performances of musical works – interpretations led by the energy and insights of the gifted students themselves - in the belief that historical performance ideals and knowledge of the old world are essential for creating music anew. The Schola Cantorum includes students from all levels of study (Bachelor in Music, Master in Music and Doctoral Candidates), with students representing many voice studios in the Faculty. Canada has many university choral ensembles, however the Schola Cantorum is the only large scale group using period instruments and historically informed performance practices to reveal the beauty of Baroque and early repertoire.
In 2012-2013, the Schola Cantorum made its inaugural performance with the famed The Tallis Scholars. The ensemble also performed and toured central Canada presenting George Frideric Handel's Coronation Anthems and recorded early German works including Dietrich Buxtehude's Jesu, meines Lebens Leben. In 2013-2014, the ensemble appeared in concert touring with the Gabrieli Consort, presented Purcell's Dido and Aeneas on four evenings to sold-out crowds and offered a reenactment of the coronation ceremony of King George II (also sold-out). Most recently, the group presented Heinrich Schütz' Musikalische Exequien in concert, accompanied by the Theatre of Early Music Orchestra, concert which lead to the production of the album "The Valley of Tears - La Vallée des Pleurs" (released 2015).
The University of Toronto Faculty of Music is located in one of the world’s most vibrant, multicultural, arts-oriented cities. Based on publications and citations, the University of Toronto leads Canadian research universities in Fine Arts and Music. |
