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When Connie met Steven! (And the VRS played matchmaker). These dynamic artists were first introduced at the VRS’s 1993 Chamber Music Festival, and, as they say, “the rest is history!” How wonderful to have brought about such a rich musical collaboration which has lasted over the years, and which we trust will endure well into the future.
CHOPIN: Introduction et Polonaise brillante in C major, Op. 3
CLARA SCHUMANN: Romances, Op. 22 (arr. Steven Isserlis)
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Violin Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Wo02 (arr. Steven Isserlis)
MENDELSSOHN: Assai tranquillo in B minor, for Cello and Piano
MENDELSSOHN: Lied ohne Worte, Op. 109
BRAHMS: Sonata in F major, Op. 99 for Cello and Piano
“Vancouver has always been a place of magic for me. My late wife Pauline came from there, so I’d been hearing about it for years, when an invitation came (in 1988?) from Leila Getz to take part in her summer chamber music festival. From the day I arrived, I fell in love with the city; and the chamber music festival was very much part of that love affair, a wonderful experience, different from any other. And it was all such fun! I made so many friends there, and had so many memorable musical experiences (one of which was sitting with Joshua Bell, listening to a very young pianist of whom I’d never heard play a trio by Saint-Saens. ‘Wasn’t that rather incredible?’ we asked each other at the end. The pianist was Connie Shih, with whom I now play most of my recitals.) And of course the spirit of the long-gone chamber music festival lives on in its parent organisation, the wonderful Recital Series. The energy and enthusiasm of the organisation and of the audiences; the feeling as one goes onstage that this is a special event, into which one must pour everything one has. I feel so privileged to have played so often for the VRS; those concerts have formed an important part of my musical life. I hope and trust that the organization will continue to flourish for many, many more years, bringing spectacular music to a spectacular city with dedication, élan and imagination. Long live the VRS!” — Steven Isserlis
“My relationship with the VRS and Leila began way back in 1993 when Leila invited me both to her chamber music festival which was terrific and then to perform on her recital series. It was a truly wonderful experience and opportunity for me, she gave great support and valuable career advice on top of that, which I remember and am grateful for. Thank you Leila and VRS!” — Connie Shih
Series Sponsor:
Concert Sponsor: The Estate of the Late Miss Denise Mara
Supported by:
One of the world’s most revered violists, Tabea Zimmermann, whom we are proud to have presented in past seasons, returns with one of our favourite pianists, Javier Perianes, for a wonderful program of Schubert, Brahms, and delightful bonbons from Spain and South America.
SCHUBERT: Arpeggione Sonata D. 821
BRAHMS: Sonata No. 2 in E-flat major for Viola and Piano, Op. 120 No. 2
MANUEL DE FALLA: Seven Popular Songs
ALBÉNIZ: Tango
VILLA-LOBOS: Cantilena (Aria)
PIAZZOLLA: Le Grand Tango
“I am super happy to come back to Vancouver together with my Spanish colleague and friend Javier Perianes, for a two-part recital at the end of an extended recital tour in the States. Looking forward to your wonderful audiences. Great memories…”
— Tabea Zimmermann
“I will always have Vancouver Recital Society close to my heart. Since the first time I played in Vancouver in 2008, I have been coming back through the years and I feel deeply honoured to be part of Van Recital’s family.” — Javier Perianes
Series Sponsor:
Concert Sponsor: Richard & Lynda Spratley
Supported by:
If you were lucky enough to have been in the audience when Isabelle Faust and Alexander Melnikov performed the Beethoven Sonatas for Piano and Violin in our 2011-12 Season, you’ll be first in line for tickets to this performance! This time around, they’ll play a selection of Beethoven Trios with the wonderful French cellist, Jean-Guihen Queyras.
BEETHOVEN: “Kakadu” Variations in G major, Op. 121a
BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 70, No. 2
BEETHOVEN: Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97, “Archduke”
“For us Vancouver will forever be connected with the figure of the incomparable Leila Getz – with her unique mixture of strength, elegance, wit, and profoundness. If our sorry civilization could be ruled by people like Leila, we would all be in a better place.”
— Isabelle, Jean-Guihen, and Alexander
Series Sponsor:
Concert Sponsor: Joyce and Tony
Supported by:
GOING FOR GOLD
Experience this great pianist’s monumental and mesmerizing interpretation of J.S. Bach’s iconic Goldberg Variations. Originally written for harpsichord, they were first published in 1741 and are named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who may have been the first performer of the work.
Going for Gold is a benefit concert; Sir András’s performance will help the VRS set the stage for its next big milestone… our 50th Anniversary Season in 2030. VRS patrons are individually sponsoring variations and we’re deeply grateful for all the wonderful support. We’ve waited years and years for Sir András to perform ‘the Goldbergs’ on our stage. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
J.S. BACH: Overture in French Style in B minor, BWV 831
J.S. BACH: Italian Concerto in F, BWV 971
J.S. BACH: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Goldberg Sponsors (listed by variation number):
Aria: Leon & Leila Getz; 1. Mary Jane Mitchell 2. David Harvey & Cecilia Bernabe 3. D. Wendy Lee 4. Helga Murray in memory of Doug Murray 5. Ally Hart 6. A. Christine Dryvynsyde 7. Rob Baker & Holly Sykes 8. Nancy Wu 9.Peter Cass 10. Maryke Gilmore 11. David McMurtry 12. Richard & Barbara Bergstrom 13. Mark Allison & Stephanie Holmquist 14. Anthony & Kim George 15. Stephen Gauer 16. Stephen Schachter & Nancy Stern 17. Kim Floeck 18.Linda A. Wong 19. Susan & Robert Lim 20. Anonymous 21. Gloria Wong & Cameron McGill 22. Karen Shuster 23. Wilfrid & Sally Mennell 24. Bill & Risa Levine 25. Myron Story & Larry Clausen 26. Christine L. Shiner 27. Michael & Brenda O’Keefe 28. Christopher Kin Ming Wong & Yee Cheng Leong 29. Richard & Lynda Spratley 30.Tsuyoshi, Tomoko & Toshiko Shibano Aria (return): Martha Lou Henley
Supported by:
The Chan Endowment Fund
at the University of British Columbia
Media sponsor:
Nobody describes the Danish String Quartet better than they do themselves…
“We are three Danes and one Norwegian cellist, making this a truly Scandinavian endeavor. Being relatively bearded, we are often compared to the Vikings… Yes, playing string quartets is our job, and yes it is hard work, but we mostly do it for pleasure, like we always did. Music is a way to hang out with friends, and we hope we can continue to hang out for many, many years.”
J.S. BACH: The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I, Fugue No. 16 in G minor, BWV 861 (arr. Förster)
MENDELSSOHN: Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13
BEETHOVEN: Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132
“When you tour and travel a lot, you realize that there are some places where you feel more at home than others. Maybe because of our Scandinavian background, we feel most comfortable when we are near the ocean. If we can smell the sea, we perform our best. If a city is surrounded by water, we feel we can navigate it – literally and musically. Things tend to get hard for us when we feel the cold wind of an air conditioner. Vancouver smells like home and we always feel comfortable performing and staying there. As a young ensemble, you need to work hard and practice and all, but you also need someone to reach out and give you a chance. You need someone to take a risk and invite you while your resume is still a blank sheet of paper. Leila and the VRS did just that when they invited a very young Danish String Quartet many years ago and we are forever grateful for being able to return to this place far away that feels so much like home.” — Danish String Quartet
Series Sponsor:
Concert sponsor: Robert & Denise
Supported by:
For this all-Beethoven performance, we return to the intimate confines of the Vancouver Playhouse. Sir András turns his talents to Beethoven’s sonatas in this, the 250th Anniversary year of the composer’s birth.
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp major, Op. 78
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 25 in G major, Op. 79
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a “Les Adieux”
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90
BEETHOVEN: SonataNo. 28 in A major, Op. 101
“My very first concert in Canada was almost forty years ago and it was — good guess — for the Vancouver Recital Society. Good guess or Good Getz? Leila has created one of the best recital series in North America. With hard work, discipline, enthusiasm, and love. Thanks to her solid judgment and excellent taste, the VRS has presented some of the world’s brightest musical talents. Needless to say, Leila hasn’t done this alone; she’s had the help of her colleagues and her loving family. Many happy returns and may the VRS live on for many more decades!” — Sir András Schiff
Concert Sponsor: The Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation
Supported by:
Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s star was already rising when he made his sold-out Canadian debut on the VRS stage at the Vancouver Playhouse in 2017. Since then, Sheku’s star has gone into orbit and he’s now one of the hottest properties in the classical music world. In 2018, he performed at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and his debut recording for Decca Classics took the world by storm, reaching No. 1 on the classical chart and No. 18 on the official UK Album charts. We’re thrilled to welcome him back with his gifted sister Isata, who held the prestigious Elton John Scholarship for her undergraduate studies at The Royal Academy of Music, and who’s forging a splendid career of her own.
BEETHOVEN: Variations in F major, Op. 66
LUTOSŁAWSKI: Grave
BARBER: Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 6
RACHMANINOV: Sonata for Piano and Cello, Op. 19
“We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Vancouver last year! The members of the society were so warm and welcoming and the hall was a pleasure to play in. We even had chance to go snowshoeing in the mountains which was a great experience! We can’t wait to come back in the future. Such a lovely series!” — Sheku & Isata Kanneh-Mason
Concert sponsor:
Supported by:
Media sponsor:
Benjamin first performed for the VRS in 2013 and has returned to our stage twice since. He never fails to impress us with the intelligence of his playing and his incredible technical prowess. Anyone who can get a standing ovation from Leila’s dog Georgy (aka VRS Director of Security), is always welcome back!
RAMEAU: Gavotte and Variations in A minor
SCHUMANN: Kreisleriana, Op. 16
LISZT: Berceuse in D-flat major, S.174 (2nd version)
LISZT: Sonata in B minor, S.178
“It is always such a pleasure to return to this fabulous concert series, the richness and long-standing nature of which is a testament to the energy and passion of its founder Leila Getz. It is a fantastic platform for young artists, from which I was able to benefit, and also an inspiring model in commitment to music education and building new audiences. I am so looking forward to returning in this very special anniversary season, to play for the Society’s warm and receptive audience.” — Benjamin Grosvenor
Supported by:
What can we say? These brilliant Brits have become two of our very favourite people! They entered the VRS’s orbit in the years 2000 and 2001; since then, they have returned to our stage many times for both solo and chamber music recitals. To have both of them here performing at the same time (and on the same piano) will be sheer heaven!
FAURÉ: Dolly Suite, Op. 56
POULENC: Sonata for Piano Duet
DEBUSSY: Six Épigraphes antiques, L. 131
DEBUSSY: Petite Suite
STRAVINSKY: Trois pièces faciles
RAVEL: Mother Goose Suite
“Visiting the VRS is always a highlight of the season. There can be few music organisations with a more passionate and personable leader than Leila Getz. It has been one of the real pleasures of my career to get to know her over the years, and to have the chance to repeatedly visit such a wonderful part of the world to play for such an engaged audience has been a privilege.” — Steven Osborne
“Leila Getz was the first presenter in North America to invite me to cross the Atlantic, 20 years ago. Since then, every visit to the VRS has felt like dropping in on close friends, almost like coming home. I feel incredibly fortunate to be associated with the VRS and to have had the chance to get to know Leila over the years. Her knowledge, passion and determination are a huge source of inspiration, and have put the VRS where it stands today.” — Paul Lewis
Concert Sponsor: Elaine Adair
Supported by:
