For Immediate Release
Toronto, January 7, 2009:

The Classical Music Consort Presents
HANOVER SQUARE ROOMS, LONDON (1791-1795): HAYDN BICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
A Series of Eight Concerts Beginning Sunday, January 25

As 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Joseph Haydn’s death, Toronto’s Classical Music Consort presents a truly unique and special series of concerts dedicated to the work of one of the greatest composers to have ever lived. To launch this impressive series of eight events, the Classical Music Consort performs Haydn’s London Symphonies Nos. 93, 95 and 96 on Sunday, January 25 at Trinity College Chapel.  “F. J. Haydn is one of the greatest composers to have ever lived. With this endeavour, the CMC wishes to highlight the diversity of Haydn’s output during one of the most joyous and productive periods of his life”, explains Ashiq Aziz, founder/artistic director of the CMC.

Haydn’s two visits to London between 1791 and 1795 witnessed the composition of some of his finest works for orchestra, chamber ensemble, and solo piano, serving as the culmination of the eighteenth century aesthetic, as well as the foundation upon which the music of later periods rested. This concert series features some of Canada’s finest young and established artists (on period as well as on modern instruments), and brings to light the whole range of Haydn’s output during the exciting and fruitful time of his London period.

Highlights include performances of Haydn’s London Symphonies (all twelve symphonies to be presented in four different concerts); art songs performed by baritone Giles Tomkins; chamber music for strings including the famous Salomon string quartets, delivered by Toronto’s Windermere String Quartet and Cecilia String Quartet; Adam Sherkin playing the London piano sonatas; and the Gypsy Trio played by the Duke Trio. See details & ticket information below.

The Classical Music Consort is an enterprising young company, founded and lead by artistic director Ashiq Aziz (who recently returned to Toronto after studying music in England). Establishing the foundations of an accomplished repertoire while aiming to attract a new generation to the resonance and relevance of classical music, the CMC rose to public attention as it presented Handel’s opera, Acis and Galatea as part of the 2008 Toronto Fringe Festival, also garnering praises from the media: 'Ashiq Aziz gets gorgeous sounds from his original-instrument playing orchestra and fine crop of singers' (NOW Toronto); 'The lively work is beautifully played and sung.'  (Eye Weekly); '…the whole is so sincerely presented that it is pretty much guaranteed to win your heart.'  (Toronto Star).

Media contact:
Francine Labelle/flINK
416 654-4406 
labellefrancine@rogers.com