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With Toronto Go Trains running at modest rates for seniors, (from Niagara: $7.90; from Hamilton $5.50), my spouse and I took advantage of this affordable and relaxed mode of travel to take in the TSO playing Mozart at Roy Thompson Hall, located between King and Wellington just off Simcoe St. near the Royal Alex and the St. Andrew subway station. We stayed overnight at the beautiful, brand new Delta hotel, a true gem and a mere 8-minute walk away, conveniently connected by an indoor walkway almost the entire route from Union Station with only the last 50 metres for us to contend with the outside cold. TSO director Peter Oundjian established an annual Mozart event in 2005, and it has become a favourite for ardent music lovers. We earlier in the year had visited Mozart's home in Salzburg, Austria (born there Jan 27, 1756) during a river cruise, so it was appropriate to celebrate his musical genius back in Canada. First, we enjoyed a free pre-concert performance by the Mozart Clarinet Quintet featuring TSO chamber soloists Joaquin Valdepeñas on clarinet, Jonathan Crow, TSO first violin, Mark Skazinetsky, violin, Teng Li, viola and Joseph Johnson on cello. This was a great warm-up and all the more fun because we sat in the choir loft with a unique view, facing the audience, just like the TSO orchestra does itself when performing. This was the first of three concerts featuring Mozart’s incredible Mass in C Minor, K. 427, with fragments of two of his lesser-known operas, Lo sposo deluso and Zaide (K. 430 and 344, respectively). A seemingly relaxed Paul Goodwin in his TSO début, ably conducted the TSO, Amadeus Choir and Elmer Iseler Singers, as well as formidable soloists: French-Canadians - soprano Hélène Guilmette (Montmagny) and mezzo Julie Boulianne (Dolbeau-Mistassini), with Canadian tenors John Tessier (Edmonton) and Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure (Kitchener-Waterloo), and baritone Gordon Bintner (Regina). The good-natured conductor took time to explain many of the pieces to the audience, and all the soloists were terrific.At intermission there was a chat in the lobby with Lydia Adams, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Amadeus Choir and Elmer Iseler Singers, hosted by the Toronto Star's former music critic, William Littler, whom I had befriended on an opera trip in Israel, watching Aida performed in the desert at Masada.In 1782, shortly after his marriage to Constanze Weber in early August, Mozart began work on the Mass in C Minor, his first opportunity to explore musical liturgical work on his own terms. Mozart scholar Alfred Einstein describes it as Mozart’s "entirely personal coming to terms with his God and art,” but Amadeus never did complete the Mass, leaving the majority of the Credo unfinished, and he never composed any part of the Agnus Dei. Remarkably, he was the youngest of seven children, five of whom died in infancy, and at age five, had composed his first Minuette, K.1e, but he did leave much work unfinished, no doubt as a result of genius and impetuousness.This evening, all three pieces were unfinished works, but the Amadeus Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers combined sounded powerful, and the skilled TSO dazzled us with the core of Mozart under Goodwin's energetic baton. We should expose ourselves to great classical music now and then, and the GO Train is a deal for seniors. Upcoming TSO spring performances include: April - Tchaikovsky Symphony 4, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 2, From Swan Lake to Flight of the Bumblebee, Latin Jazz: Hilario Durán Trio, May - Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Verdi Requiem, Schubert and Yo-Yo Ma.Toronto Symphony Orchestra: http://www.tso.ca/ Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. P. 416-593-4828

Our kids graduated from the youth series to the light classic series and they enjoyed it. The guest conductor Matthew Hall turned rather serious classical music to something youth could enjoy. The program was well done.

Fabulous performance! Great place. Not expensive. Fun with friends I liked it. Will visit again. You should also.

This has become part of our Christmas holiday tradition....the TSO and the Messiah. Always very moving and, combined with the choir, uplifting. This is a real treasure.

I would recommend this orchestra to anyone who wants to be carried away for 2 hours. The different movements and change in composers makes sure that anyone is delighted with the programme. It doesn't matter where you sit, you will be able to hear perfectly! I cannot wait for my next visit!

It is by far one of my favourite orchestras! Would fully recommend going with friends, partners, or parents. Put this on your calendar whenever you can get the opportunity to go.

fabulous! a great thing to be a part of and an overall fun thing to be a part of, amazing job TSO! impressed!

The most recent experience was with the TSO's performance of Beethoven 9. It was grandiose and fabulous! Their concerts are very affordable and definitely worth the price! They seem to have a very good programme this year, so would definitely recommend to music fans!

Have been to a few performances and they ranged from above average to good. Fun place to visit and enjoy music. I wish they had a better wine :)

The TSO's performance of Handel's 'Messiah" is a Christmas tradition for me. 2014's performance is MAGNIFICENT. An inspired orchestra and inspiring choir are fronted by four wonderfully talented young Canadian voices. Philippe Sly's bass-baritone sonorous solos were the best I have ever heard performed in this work. Bravos to all.

We probably got the last two available seats. The concert was wonderful. The Barenaked Ladies went out of their way to put on a great show. The Conductor of the TSO was a great sport! The Concert Hall is beautiful!

I generally go to the TSO for their specialty events, like the pop shows and Christmas specials. Each time I'm impressed. The orchestra is precise and beautiful, and they really put on a great show. They offer discounted tickets for regular performances for youth, which all should take advantage of.

The TSO is a world class orchestra in a world class city. We have been happy subscribers for more than 25 years. This week we saw the TSO preform with Leahy on Tuesday and the Bare Naked Ladies on Thursday. We enjoyed them both and would recommend the TSO to any music lover. They play to all tastes.

We have been many times now and our experience is always a wonderful one. We plan to see many more concerts in the new year!

My daughter and I went to see the "Second City Guide to the TSO" on Sunday and it was very witty, and informative. While mocking TSO patrons, ushers, etc., Colin Mochire and the Second City troupe also provided interesting history about different composers and instruments. I highly recommend seeing this performance. I would see it a second time.