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
LONDON JAZZ HUB https://www.ldnontjazz.ca

2025

JULY
Juily 11 to 17, The Elora Festival 46th season.
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July 17 to August 10. Stratford Summer Music
https://www.stratfordsummermusic.ca
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SEPTEMBER

Sunday, September 14, 3 P.M. Museum London. Majisterra at the Museum. Musical Jokes.
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Friday, September 19, 7:30 P.M. Wolf Performance Hall, Jeffrey Concerts, Penderecki String Quartet, Arther Rowe, piano.
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OCTOBER
Saturday, October 4, 2025. 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church, Serenata Music and London Symphonia, Mozart, Ravel, and beyond. David Jalbert, piano.
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Sunday, October 19, 3 P.M. Metropolitan United Church, Jeffrey Concerts, Academia de Dissonanti and Elenor Frey, cello.
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NOVEMBER
Sunday, November 23, 3 P.M. St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Jeffrey Concerts, Toronto Symphony Chamber Soloists.
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Saturday, Nov. 29, 7:30 P.M. St. James Westminster, Church, London Pro Musica Choir, Texture, music of Palestrina & Bruckner.
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Sunday, November 30 2:00 P.M. Lambeth United Church, Canadian Celtic Choir
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DECEMBER
Saturday, December 6 3:00 P.M. First-St. Andrews United Church, London Pro Musica Choir & FSA Choir - Sing-Along Messiah .
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Friday, December 12, 7:30 P.M. Holy Angels Church, St. Thomas, Canadian Celtic Choir.
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Monday, December 15 7:00 P.M. St. James Westminster, London Pro Musica Choir, Handel
Messiah.
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2026

JANUARY

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. Serenata Music and London Symphonia, The Ancient Flame. Lara St. John, violin.
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FEBRUARY
Sunday, February 8, 3 P.M. Wolf Performance Hall, Jeffrey Concerts, Jaques Forestier, violin, Arthur Rowe, piano.
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MARCH
Friday, March 13, 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church, Jeffrey Concerts, 2025 Banff International String Quartet Winner.
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Saturday, March 14, 2:00 P.M. Colborne United Church,
Canadian Celtic Choir.

APRIL
Friday, April 3, 7:30 P.M. St. James Westminster, London Pro Music Choir presents Brahms Requiem, A Common Ground Concert.
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Wednesday, April 8, 7:30 P.M. Wolf Performance Hall, Jeffrey Concerts, James Campbell, clarinet, Cameron Crozman, cello, Meagan Milatz, piano.
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Saturday, April 18, 2026. 7:30 P.M. Metropolitan United Church. Serenata Music and London Symphonia. The Brahms Effect with Tom Allen, narrator, Graham Lord, clarinet.
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MAY
Monday, May 4, 7:30 P.M. Wolf Performance Hall, Jeffrey Concerts, James Ehnes, violin, Andrew Armstrong, piano.
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Saturday, May 23, 7:30 P.M. St. James Westminster, London Pro Music Choir Water, An Environmental Oratorio.