Harmony in Celebration: A Lunar New Year Evening with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Written by Fête Chinoise Editorial Team (Kayla Lo)
Photos by Jae Yang. Courtesy of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

The sold-out Lunar New Year special concert by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) took place on February 28, 2026, bringing the community together for an evening of music and celebration.

The annual celebration embodied the spirit of renewal and prosperity that defines the Lunar New Year. The evening began with a pre-concert reception and dinner at the Shangri-La Toronto, with proceeds supporting TSO’s music education and outreach initiatives. The reception featured vibrant drum and dance performances, traditional lion dances, and a festive banquet enjoyed among supporters and friends.

A delightful highlight of the evening was the Prosperity Toss, or “Lo Hei,” when guests lifted their chopsticks to toss the salad together. The higher the ingredients were tossed, the greater the wishes for prosperity, good fortune, and success in the year ahead—joyfully reflecting the Chinese communal dining tradition of sharing abundance and celebration.

Opening remarks were delivered by TSO’s Beck Family CEO Mark Williams, followed by the 2026 Lunar New Year Committee Honorary Chair Dr. Jun Deng and Co-Chairs Lance Chung, Madelyn Chung, and Trinh Tham. At the evening’s close, guests received red lanterns and walked together from the hotel to Roy Thomson Hall for the concert.

The Hall’s lobby opened an hour before the concert and quickly came alive with numorous activities happening. Lion dances guided attendees to an artisan market spotlighting local Asian-owned brands and independent creators, including Bowl Cut Paper Goods, COVEN by Sonia Kang, Duludulu Design, Joeydolls, Siān Tê, Meringue Patisserie, Plumleaf Press, Steven Tran Patissier Chocolatier, and House of Tytan.

As a media partner, we were thrilled to connect with concertgoers by sharing our publications and curated art products at the market, including stickers, tea towels, and notecard sets. During intermission, Plumleaf Press hosted an engaging storytelling session in the lobby, where author Catherine Little read from her book Twelve in a Race, adding to the evening’s festivities.

The concert was conducted by Carolyn Kuan and hosted by Dashan. The first half blended music and dance, featuring works by Li Huanzhi, Vivian Fung, Zhao Jiping, and Chen Gexin. Zhao Jiping’s Pipa Concerto No. 2 was performed by the renowned pipa virtuoso Wu Man, adding a captivating showcase of traditional Chinese instrumental artistry. Before the performance of Chen Gexin’s beloved Gōngxǐ Gōngxǐ (恭喜恭喜), Carolyn Kuan and Dashan invited the audience to learn the festive greeting so they could sing along.

Following intermission, the orchestra performed Folk Songs by Huang Ruo and Dance of the Yao People by Liu Tieshan and Mao Yuan. Fifteen-year-old pianist Ryan Huang, a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation who also graced the stage at the Fête Chinoise 2026 Signature Event in February, captivated the audience with the first movement of Piano Concerto in A minor by Grieg.

The evening’s highlight was the world premiere of 蜀道難 Shu Dao Nan (The Way to Shu is Treacherous), a concerto for narrator co-commissioned by the TSO. Inspired by the celebrated Tang dynasty poem by Li Bai, one of China’s most renowned literary figures, the work depicts a perilous journey through the mountains of Shu, unfolding vivid landscapes of awe and wonder through shifting musical textures and contours.

By weaving together Chinese and Western classics with newly commissioned works, the concert continues to celebrate tradition while embracing innovation. Each year, it offers audiences a rich, immersive experience that honours cultural heritage, sparks creativity, and welcomes both returning and new attendees to the auditorium.

---

More from Fête Chiniose