Orchestra Toronto Pardon Our French – Music from Ravel & Gershwin

Orchestra Toronto presents *Pardon Our French*, a program that dives into the early 20th-century exchange between French impressionism and American jazz. It’s a fascinating look at how these two distinct musical worlds influenced and reimagined one another.

What to Expect Under the baton of the orchestra, you'll hear everything from the sparkling energy of Germaine Tailleferre’s *Overture for Orchestra* to the sweeping, iconic grandeur of Ravel’s *Boléro*. A highlight of the afternoon will be pianist Michael Kim performing Ravel’s *Concerto for the Left Hand*, a haunting and technically demanding piece with a powerful backstory. The program concludes with Gershwin’s *An American in Paris*, bringing a bit of brassy, rhythmic swagger to the Meridian Arts Centre.

Practical Info - **Venue:** George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge Street. - **Timing:** 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. - **Getting There:** The Meridian Arts Centre is located right at North York Centre Station, making it incredibly easy to reach via the TTC Line 1. - **Vibe:** The George Weston Recital Hall is known for its incredible acoustics, making it one of the best places in the city to hear orchestral music.