Past Performances
AN ODE TO JOY
BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO. 9 (CHORAL)
(with 150 performers on stage)
SEPT 16, 2022 – KOERNER HALL
273 Bloor St. W
SEPT 17, 2022 – MERIDIAN ARTS CENTRE
5040 Yonge Street
Beethoven’s ‘Choral’ is arguably the greatest symphony ever composed: the summit of his achievements, a masterful musical celebration of the human race and a massive work that makes all who hear it feel better about life.
For almost 200 years, the famous hymnal theme to this symphony’s finale – the ‘Ode to Joy’ – has symbolised hope, unity and fellowship – across borders and through conflicts. .
Yet, Beethoven himself never actually heard it The man who had done more than anyone before him to change the way we hear music had become one for whom sounds could no longer exist – and the bitter irony of this was not lost on him.
Despite his deteriorating hearing, though, Beethoven persevered with writing this mammoth symphony. Encouraged, no doubt, by his status as the composer of the moment, he penned a colossal work.
But, when Beethoven conducted its premiere, he was famously unaware of the rapturous response his ninth symphony received. It took one of the musicians to alert him to the cheering audience – and that was only at the end of the second movement.
The program will also feature performances of Alexander Borodin’s Polovetsian Dance, and Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.
Mandle Philharmonic, Canada’s newest orchestra, is the initiative of Mandle Cheung, who took up the baton after a successful career as a tech entrepreneur. The self-taught conductor, leading an orchestra of world-class musicians, has created an upstart ensemble that forges a new space in orchestral music, through which he can express his lifelong enthusiasm, passion and support of music. The orchestra has a mission to support promising early career musicians and bring classical music to a wider audience within the community.
CONCERT OF HOPE
Beethoven & Tchaikovsky
JUNE 28 2022, 7:30 PM
KOERNER HALL
After selling out at our uptown performance in Meridian Hall, Mandle Phil will be performing its Concert of Hope downtown at Koerner Hall. The concert, conducted by Mandle Cheung will feature the works of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven.
The Sixth Symphony is one of only two symphonies Beethoven intentionally named. His full title was “Pastoral Symphony, or Recollections of Country Life.” Beethoven publicly declared the piece’s “extramusical” purpose: an expression of nature. Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony is regarded as one of his best, and one of most frequently performed by orchestras worldwide.
Mandle Phil Pops Concert
Featuring Star Wars Theme
May 28 2022, 7:30 PM
Meridian Ars Centre
At its first Pops Concert, Mandle Phil will perform a selection of popular short pieces.
The concert, conducted by Mandle Cheung will feature the following works:
Georges Bizet, Carmen Suite No. 1 and No. 2
Alexander Borodin, Polovetsian Dances
Antonin Dvorak, Slavonic Dances Op 46 /8
Franz Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Modest Mussorgsky, Night on Bald Mountain
Camille Saint Saens, Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah
Bedrich Smetana, Ma Vlast: Moldau
John Williams, Star Wars Suite (First Movement)
SPRING OF HOPE
Beethoven & Tchaikovsky
APRIL 29 2022, 7:30 PM
MERIDIAN ARTS CENTRE
Mandle Phil’s first Spring concert is dedicated to hope, hope for a better world. The concert, conducted by Mandle Cheung will feature the works of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven.
The Sixth Symphony is one of only two symphonies Beethoven intentionally named. His full title was “Pastoral Symphony, or Recollections of Country Life.” Beethoven publicly declared the piece’s “extramusical” purpose: an expression of nature. Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony is regarded as one of his best, and one of most frequently performed by orchestras worldwide.
A Holiday Triumph
Friday, Dec 3rd, 2021, 7:30 PM @ Meridian Arts Centre
Sunday, Dec 5th, 2021, 2:30 PM @ Koerner Hall
As life slowly returns to normal, Mandle Phil’s “A Holiday Triumph” recognizes the triumph of the human spirit over a nearly two year long pandemic. Come join us in this joyous celebration of a return to normalcy.
The concert, conducted by Mandle Cheung, starts with “Greensleeves”, a Holiday classic. It is December after all! This is followed by Beethoven’s exciting Fifth Symphony, often described as a victory anthem or triumphal march, with its explosive ending in C major.
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 with it’s clear exposition of the idea of “ultimate victory over strife” continues the theme of the evening. Starting on a rather sombre note in the first movement, it culminates in a triumphant finale.
Saturday Night Ravel
Conductor: Mandle Cheung
Pianist: TBD
Saturday, March 28th, 2020
7:00 PM
Meridian Arts Centre (George Weston Recital Hall)
5040 Yonge Street
Mandle Phil presents “Saturday Night Ravel”, featuring some of the best known works of Maurice Ravel, a French composer of the Impressionist era.
Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major was written after he visited jazz clubs in Harlem and New Orleans. It is known for its inclusion of numerous jazz elements.
Mussgorsky composed Pictures at an Exhibition as a tribute to his friend Viktor Hartmann, the artist and architect, after visiting a memorial exhibit of his work. Each movement of the composition is his interpretation of one of Hartmann’s works. While Mussgorsky original work was written for piano, Mandle Phil will be performing Ravel’s orchestral derivation.
Ravel’s most famous composition is his orchestral work Boléro. Originally written as a ballet, it will forever be synonymous with Torvill and Dean, and their gold medal-winning Olympic ice-skating performance.
An Evening of Romantics
Jan 25, 2020
Meridian Arts Centre
In a tribute to Romanticism, Mandle Philharmonic presents “An Evening of Romantics”.
The concert, conducted by Mandle Cheung, will feature Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor Op. 68 – one of his most popular works. Brahms spent at least fourteen years completing this symphony.
2020 is the 250th anniversary of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s birth. Mandle Phil is joining the Beethoven 250 celebrations with it’s presentation of Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 in Eb Major Op. 73, popularly known as the Emperor Concerto. The evening presents a unique opportunity for classical music enthusiasts to enjoy a concert presenting both a Brahms symphony and a Beethoven piano concerto in the same performance.
Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 5 will be performed by young South Korean pianist Sae Yoon Chon, one of the most exciting young pianists to emerge onto the international scene in recent years. First Prize winner at the 2018 Dublin International Piano Competition and at the 2019 Orford Music Festival. He has also been a major prize winner at competitions at the Verbier Festival, and worldwide.
The concert will also celebrate of the Chinese New Year with a performance of the Spring Festival Overture, a Chinese orchestral work composed by Li Huanzhi between 1955 and 1956, depicting the scenes celebrating the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival). The tune is widely heard in China, where it is played on various festive occasions.I
All Awakens with Joy
Mandle Phil Presents “All Awakens with Joy”
Date: November 9th, 8PM, 2018
Venue: Glenn Gould Studio (CBC Building, 250 Front St W, Toronto)
Glenn Gould Studio is easily accessible by public transit. From the TTC and GO transit stops at Union Station, you can walk west 3 blocks to the Canadian Broadcasting Centre on the north side of Front Street. Glenn Gould Studio is connected to the PATH underground walkway via St Andrew Station.
ADMISSION by DONATION
All proceeds will go directly into a career development grant fund. Grants will be awarded to promising early career musicians, to aid in professional development.
Taking the plunge somewhat late in life, Mandle Cheung unleashed a passion within him, a passion rare and infectious. It’s probably true to say that we might expect to look for a degree of relaxation and comfort later in life, but not Mandle. He is throwing himself with audacity into his ambitious dream of becoming an orchestral conductor.
Presenting two major works, Beethoven 5: Schicksals-Sinfonie(“Symphony of Destiny”), and Mahler’s 4th Symphony – the last of the Wunderhorn (Magic Horn) Symphonies, leading into “Das himmlische Leben,” (“The Heavenly Life”), Mandle fulfils his dream, hard-won through tireless rehearsal and meticulous study, of conducting a full symphonic performance.
“It is impressive to see someone showing such a passion and drive for music. It is a huge undertaking, especially for someone who is not formally trained in music.” (Anonymous, from Mandle Phil)
The orchestra members, initially drawn in by curiosity (as such projects are rare anywhere in the world), have quickly grown to appreciate Mandle’s courage, and a great feeling of community and support has blossomed within the group.
Directing an orchestra of nearly 70 musicians is no small feat. But as the rehearsals have progressed, he has demonstrated his deep love for the music with resolute success. It’s made a profound impact, both upon him, and the orchestra’s growth.
This is an example of exceptional growth through collaboration – something which must, inevitably, be inspiring to witness: the flowering of one person’s passion and determination, to realize a dream.
We cordially invite you to join us on November 9th 8PM 2018, Glenn Gould Studio to: “All Awakens with Joy.”
