SERENATA MUSIC CONCLUDES A SUCCESSFUL 2024-25 SEASON
The final concert with the London Symphonia featuring conductor Tania Miller and violinist Keerson Leong (see review) capped an outstanding season for Serenata Music.
The "New Moon Celebration" featuring conductor Rei Hotoda, the London Symphonia, Scott St. John, violin, Lina Cao, gusheng, narrator Derek Kwan and the rising stars of the London Youth Symphony introduced many works heard for the first time in London.
The Musicians of Marlboro provided us with a splendid array of chamber music in the von Kuster Hall at Western.
We are pleased to continue our collaboration with London Symphonia and the Don Wright Faculty of Music for the 2025-26 season. Watch this site for further information.
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See our concert listings on the right for more good music in the London area.
We encourage you to tell your friends to follow us at serenatamusic.com. They can receive our email notices if they send us a note to serenatamusic@gmail.com or call us at 519-852 8332.
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The Serenata Music schedule for 2025-26 is as follows:
Saturday, October 4, 2025. 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church,
London Symphonia, Mozart, Ravel, and beyond. David Jalbert, piano.
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Saturday, January 17, 2026, 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. London Symphonia, The Ancient Flame. Lara St. John, violin.
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Saturday, April 18, 2026. 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. London Symphonia. The Brahms Effect with Tom Allen, narrator, Graham Lord, clarinet.
*************************************
Please contact us if you are not on our mailing list at serenatamusic@gmail.com or 519-433-8332.
For tickets to all Serenata Music concerts scroll down.
Like us on Facebook: Serenata Music; or Twitter: @serenataconcerts.
Serenata Music concerts are at the von Kuster Hall, Don Wright Faculty of Music, Western.
London Symphonia Concerts are at the Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington St., London.
Other performances are at the Wolf Performance Hall, London Public Library, 251 Dundas St.
The final concert with the London Symphonia featuring conductor Tania Miller and violinist Keerson Leong (see review) capped an outstanding season for Serenata Music.
The "New Moon Celebration" featuring conductor Rei Hotoda, the London Symphonia, Scott St. John, violin, Lina Cao, gusheng, narrator Derek Kwan and the rising stars of the London Youth Symphony introduced many works heard for the first time in London.
The Musicians of Marlboro provided us with a splendid array of chamber music in the von Kuster Hall at Western.
We are pleased to continue our collaboration with London Symphonia and the Don Wright Faculty of Music for the 2025-26 season. Watch this site for further information.
****************
See our concert listings on the right for more good music in the London area.
We encourage you to tell your friends to follow us at serenatamusic.com. They can receive our email notices if they send us a note to serenatamusic@gmail.com or call us at 519-852 8332.
********************
The Serenata Music schedule for 2025-26 is as follows:
Saturday, October 4, 2025. 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church,
London Symphonia, Mozart, Ravel, and beyond. David Jalbert, piano.
******************
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. London Symphonia, The Ancient Flame. Lara St. John, violin.
*******************
Saturday, April 18, 2026. 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. London Symphonia. The Brahms Effect with Tom Allen, narrator, Graham Lord, clarinet.
*************************************
Please contact us if you are not on our mailing list at serenatamusic@gmail.com or 519-433-8332.
For tickets to all Serenata Music concerts scroll down.
Like us on Facebook: Serenata Music; or Twitter: @serenataconcerts.
Serenata Music concerts are at the von Kuster Hall, Don Wright Faculty of Music, Western.
London Symphonia Concerts are at the Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington St., London.
Other performances are at the Wolf Performance Hall, London Public Library, 251 Dundas St.
Tickets Are Available From
Online from www.OnStageDirect.com
Grand Theatre London Box Office
Credit card; Cash, Debit at Box Office.
(519) 672-8800
Online at:
www.grandtheatre.com/cbo/serenatamusic
(519) 672-8800
Online at:
www.grandtheatre.com/cbo/serenatamusic
London Symphonia-Serenata Music Concerts
London Symphonia box office.
https://londonsymphonia.ticketspice.com/; contact@londonsymphonia.ca or call 226. 270. 0910
https://londonsymphonia.ticketspice.com/; contact@londonsymphonia.ca or call 226. 270. 0910
Mailing list
If you would like to be added to our email list please go to the contact page and send an email with your name and email address.
Group rates for Music Teachers and students are available by contacting Serenata Music by email or telephone (519) 433-8332
Featured
London Symphonia-Serenata Music Final Concert a Hit
DATELINE London, April 5, 2025. London Symphonia presented a blockbuster concert on Saturday evening, featuring Tania Miller, the dynamic, highly regarded guest conductor, violinist Kerson Leong, a prodigiously gifted young Canadian virtuoso, and a pair of magnificent works, the Beethoven Violin Concerto, and the Sibelius Symphony No. 2. The remarkable confluence of talent, energy, excellence on all fronts, lit up the cultural landscape and heartens those of us who value the possibility of nurturing a thriving arts life here in our London.
This concert underscored virtues of enthusiasm, intelligent planning, and access to a collective of excellent musicians, those living in our midst, and those who come to share their artistry with us in this city. London Symphonia played brilliantly, highly responsive to Ms. Miller, who drew upon the hard work and good will of the musicians.
Beethoven wrote his only concerto for violin in a period of high creativity in 1806, a year that saw progress on the opera, Fidelio, the completion of Piano Concerto No. 4, as well as the Fourth Symphony, and the three Razumovsky String Quartets, Op. 59. In an interesting paradox, the intensity of his compositional efforts, the surge of creativity in the development of his radical new musical language, there is also evidence of a broadening, a new filling of musical space with ideas worth exploring in comprehensive ways. Thus, the concerto is replete with an array of devices, ranging from the rhythmic pulse provided by the opening motif of the tympani, to the lyrical melodies woven throughout the first movement. Dramatic pauses establish areas of transition between lyrical themes. And all of this at a leisurely pace, before the soloist enters. Light and shadow color the mood within the movement. The second movement Larghetto presents a pair of themes and variations that are tenderly embellished. A brief cadenza for the soloist links the second and third movements, bringing a folksy pastoral mood to the finale. Kelson Leong has clearly studied the score and penetrated its complexities. His musicianship is impeccable, aligned with his dazzling technique; his performance of this staple of the violin repertoire combined an intellectual understanding of the intent of the composer, while delivering freshness to his reading of the concerto. Leong plays with youthful joy, even as he probes the musical depths. May his career flourish!
Sibelius composed his Second Symphony in 1901, finishing it early the following year. Three performances in March 1902 confirmed the popularity of the composer at home in Finland and abroad. The Symphony was viewed by many as a Symphony of Independence, a patriotic call to nationalist ambitions, a show of opposition to the Russification efforts by Finland, a near neighbour. Sibelius disclaimed such a programatic intention; however, the work encapsulates the spirit of the North, not only with its musical depiction of the triumph of survival in a harsh physical and political environment. Indeed, Maestra Tania Miller spoke from the podium before launching into the music itself, about the heroism intrinsic in loving the homeland and stiffening in the face of aggression. Her invitation to join together through the medium of music in common cause with humanistic ideals fitted well with the nobility of a gift to an enthusiastic audience.
Kudos to Andrew Chung , Artistic Producer of London Symphonia, for his efforts in organizing this memorable concert!
Renee Silberman
CONCERT LISTINGS
TOURISM LONDON https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=tourism+london+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
AEOLIAN HALL https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=aeolian+hall+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
DON WRIGHT FACULTY OF MUSIC https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=don+wright+faculty+of+music+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
WOLF PERFORMANCE HALL https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=wolf+performance+hall+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
2025
MAY
Friday, May 2, 12 Noon. First St. Andrewes United Church. Laudamus Bells, Richard Frank, director.
******************
Saturday, May 3, 2025 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. London Symphonia. Genevieve Fisher: Thank You Music!
***************
Saturday, May 3, 3 P.M. Wesley Knox United Church. Karen Schussler Singers. Your Song: Hits of the 70s, 80s, & 80s.
******************
Sunday, May 4, Dundas Street Centre United Church, London Community Orchestra. Katerina Jurskova, Cello.
*******************
Sunday, May 4, 1:30 P.M. Calvary United Church, Amabile Coro d Argento. Beatlemania.
*******************
Monday, May 5, 8 P.M. Brydges St. Church. London Promenade Orchestra.
*******************
Saturday, May 10, 7 P.M. First St. Andrewes United Church. Amabile chorus. Folkalizing.
*******************
Saturday, May 10, 2 P.M. Lakeshore United Church, Goderich. Canadian Celtic Choir. Celtic Memories.
******************
Sunday May 11, 2:30 P.M. Aeolian Hall. Susan Millar Boldissar and Marion Miller. May You Always.
*******************
Wednesday, May 21, 7:30 PM First-St. Andrew's United Church , FSA Strings. Along the 49th Parallel.
******************
Thursday, May 22, 7:00 pm, Museum London,
Magisterra at the Museum, Magisterra Piano Trio. Frank Martin, Beethoven, and Chausson.
*******************
Saturday, May 24, 7:30 P.M. St. James Westminster Anglican Church. Canadian Celtic Choir. Maritime Magic.
******************
Saturday, May 24, 7:30 P.M. Oakridge Presbyterian Church. Kammechor. Bach s Doubles.
******************
Sunday, May 25, AB Lucas SS. London Concert band with AB Lucas senior concert band. Portraits of Courage.
*****************
Saturday, May 31, 7 P.M. First St. Andrewes United Church. Amabile chorus. 40th Anniversary
Concert and Reunion.
*******************
Saturday, May 31 3 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. Chorus London. The Heavens are Telling.
*******************
JUNE
Sunday, June 8, 2 P.M. Colborne St. United Church. Amabile Da Capo Choir and Junior Amabile singers. I Have a Voice
*******************
Sunday, June 8, 2 P.M. Sir Frederick Banting SS, Encore the Concert Band.
*******************
Saturday, June 14, 7:30 P.M. St. James Westminster Anglican Church. London Pro Musica. Handelâs Dixit Dominus.
*******************
SEPTEMBER
Sunday, September 14, 3 P.M. Museum London. Majisterra at the Museum. Musical Jokes.
This concert underscored virtues of enthusiasm, intelligent planning, and access to a collective of excellent musicians, those living in our midst, and those who come to share their artistry with us in this city. London Symphonia played brilliantly, highly responsive to Ms. Miller, who drew upon the hard work and good will of the musicians.
Beethoven wrote his only concerto for violin in a period of high creativity in 1806, a year that saw progress on the opera, Fidelio, the completion of Piano Concerto No. 4, as well as the Fourth Symphony, and the three Razumovsky String Quartets, Op. 59. In an interesting paradox, the intensity of his compositional efforts, the surge of creativity in the development of his radical new musical language, there is also evidence of a broadening, a new filling of musical space with ideas worth exploring in comprehensive ways. Thus, the concerto is replete with an array of devices, ranging from the rhythmic pulse provided by the opening motif of the tympani, to the lyrical melodies woven throughout the first movement. Dramatic pauses establish areas of transition between lyrical themes. And all of this at a leisurely pace, before the soloist enters. Light and shadow color the mood within the movement. The second movement Larghetto presents a pair of themes and variations that are tenderly embellished. A brief cadenza for the soloist links the second and third movements, bringing a folksy pastoral mood to the finale. Kelson Leong has clearly studied the score and penetrated its complexities. His musicianship is impeccable, aligned with his dazzling technique; his performance of this staple of the violin repertoire combined an intellectual understanding of the intent of the composer, while delivering freshness to his reading of the concerto. Leong plays with youthful joy, even as he probes the musical depths. May his career flourish!
Sibelius composed his Second Symphony in 1901, finishing it early the following year. Three performances in March 1902 confirmed the popularity of the composer at home in Finland and abroad. The Symphony was viewed by many as a Symphony of Independence, a patriotic call to nationalist ambitions, a show of opposition to the Russification efforts by Finland, a near neighbour. Sibelius disclaimed such a programatic intention; however, the work encapsulates the spirit of the North, not only with its musical depiction of the triumph of survival in a harsh physical and political environment. Indeed, Maestra Tania Miller spoke from the podium before launching into the music itself, about the heroism intrinsic in loving the homeland and stiffening in the face of aggression. Her invitation to join together through the medium of music in common cause with humanistic ideals fitted well with the nobility of a gift to an enthusiastic audience.
Kudos to Andrew Chung , Artistic Producer of London Symphonia, for his efforts in organizing this memorable concert!
Renee Silberman
CONCERT LISTINGS
TOURISM LONDON https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=tourism+london+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
AEOLIAN HALL https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=aeolian+hall+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
DON WRIGHT FACULTY OF MUSIC https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=don+wright+faculty+of+music+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
WOLF PERFORMANCE HALL https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=wolf+performance+hall+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
2025
MAY
Friday, May 2, 12 Noon. First St. Andrewes United Church. Laudamus Bells, Richard Frank, director.
******************
Saturday, May 3, 2025 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. London Symphonia. Genevieve Fisher: Thank You Music!
***************
Saturday, May 3, 3 P.M. Wesley Knox United Church. Karen Schussler Singers. Your Song: Hits of the 70s, 80s, & 80s.
******************
Sunday, May 4, Dundas Street Centre United Church, London Community Orchestra. Katerina Jurskova, Cello.
*******************
Sunday, May 4, 1:30 P.M. Calvary United Church, Amabile Coro d Argento. Beatlemania.
*******************
Monday, May 5, 8 P.M. Brydges St. Church. London Promenade Orchestra.
*******************
Saturday, May 10, 7 P.M. First St. Andrewes United Church. Amabile chorus. Folkalizing.
*******************
Saturday, May 10, 2 P.M. Lakeshore United Church, Goderich. Canadian Celtic Choir. Celtic Memories.
******************
Sunday May 11, 2:30 P.M. Aeolian Hall. Susan Millar Boldissar and Marion Miller. May You Always.
*******************
Wednesday, May 21, 7:30 PM First-St. Andrew's United Church , FSA Strings. Along the 49th Parallel.
******************
Thursday, May 22, 7:00 pm, Museum London,
Magisterra at the Museum, Magisterra Piano Trio. Frank Martin, Beethoven, and Chausson.
*******************
Saturday, May 24, 7:30 P.M. St. James Westminster Anglican Church. Canadian Celtic Choir. Maritime Magic.
******************
Saturday, May 24, 7:30 P.M. Oakridge Presbyterian Church. Kammechor. Bach s Doubles.
******************
Sunday, May 25, AB Lucas SS. London Concert band with AB Lucas senior concert band. Portraits of Courage.
*****************
Saturday, May 31, 7 P.M. First St. Andrewes United Church. Amabile chorus. 40th Anniversary
Concert and Reunion.
*******************
Saturday, May 31 3 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. Chorus London. The Heavens are Telling.
*******************
JUNE
Sunday, June 8, 2 P.M. Colborne St. United Church. Amabile Da Capo Choir and Junior Amabile singers. I Have a Voice
*******************
Sunday, June 8, 2 P.M. Sir Frederick Banting SS, Encore the Concert Band.
*******************
Saturday, June 14, 7:30 P.M. St. James Westminster Anglican Church. London Pro Musica. Handelâs Dixit Dominus.
*******************
SEPTEMBER
Sunday, September 14, 3 P.M. Museum London. Majisterra at the Museum. Musical Jokes.