Year: 2011

  • SERVING UP VIRTUOSITY

    SERVING UP VIRTUOSITY

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    VRS
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    I read with interest a New York Times article (found here) about the plethora of virtuosi currently found on the concert stages. According to the author, Anthony Tommasini, there are perhaps more technically gifted pianists now than at any other time. Compositions that were once the exclusive domain of the rare pianists are now commonplace…

  • FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

    FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

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    VRS
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    Maxim Rysanov describes how he was introduced to the viola. It didn’t take long for this “prince among violists” to achieve success and acclaim. In September 2010 he performed Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations at the Last Night of the Proms with conductor Jiri Belohlavek and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Maxim Rysanov performs at Kay Meek Centre on Sunday, October 16.

  • ALFRED BRENDEL RETURNS TO VANCOUVER

    ALFRED BRENDEL RETURNS TO VANCOUVER

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    VRS
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    I had the privilege of presenting Alfred Brendel three times during the past ten years and each experience was memorable for a myriad of different reasons. The first time he came to Vancouver, I remember distinctly sitting in a state of extreme nerves at YVR waiting for his plane to arrive. I so desperately wanted to…