Featuring music composed primarily during the 21st century, audiences have an opportunity to experience new contemporary music that is breaking down barriers, exploring new musical territories, and which crosses boundaries and genres.

The festival opens on May 25 with Kronos Quartet with special guest Tanya Tagaq. They will perform two Canadian premieres, by Nicole Lizée and Mark Applebaum, and two highly-anticipated world premieres, titled Snow Angel and Sivunittinni (the future ones), by the incomparable Tanya Tagaq. American jazz pianist Brad Mehldau returns to Koerner Hall for a solo concert on May 26, presenting his Three Pieces After Bach. Also on May 26, 21C Music Festival partner, Continuum Contemporary Music, presents Japan: NEXT, in which instruments from East and West merge in new ways in extraordinary works by the next generation of internationally acclaimed Japanese composers, including a world premiere piece by Hiroki Tsurumoto.

On May 27, The Conservatory presents two concerts titled Blackout which will be performed in complete and absolute darkness! The afternoon Cinq à Sept concert on May 28 includes one world and two Toronto premieres, by Anna Pidgorna and Rodney Sharman. Ambient orchestral music composer Jherek Bischoff makes his Toronto debut on May 28 as he shares the evening with Brooklyn-based trio Dawn of Midi and Toronto's own The Visit. The Festival closes with Canadian superstar violinist James Ehnes and pianist Andrew Armstrong on May 29, as part of the James Ehnes@40: Canada 2016 recital tour, featuring stops in all of Canada's provinces and territories.

The program includes premieres by Aaron Jay Kernis, Carmen Braden, and Bramwell Tovey. Information is at www.performance.rcmusic.ca/21C and tickets are available online or by calling 416-408-0208.

TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada

Telephone: 416-408-0208