Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2:15pm in the Chan Centre’s Royal Bank Cinema.
Since his first appearance for the VRS at our summer Chamber Music Festival in 2006, Inon’s career has blossomed and he’s become one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation. With his wide-ranging repertoire and probing intellect he is known for curating fascinating programs, as he did for our 2016 Schubertiade Festival.
HANDEL: Chaconne in G Major
J. S. BACH: Allemande (from Partita No. 4)
RAMEAU: Courante (from Suite in A minor)
COUPERIN: L’Atalante
RAVEL: Rigaudon (from Tombeau de Couperin)
LIGETI: Musica Ricercata Nos. 11 & 10
BARBER: Fugue (from Piano Sonata Op. 26)
ADÉS: Variations for Blanca
BRAHMS: Variations & Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24
“A true poet of the keyboard: refined, searching, unfailingly communicative… this is musicianship of the highest calibre” — Evening Standard
Edgar Moreau, born in 1994 in Paris, began playing the cello at the tender age of four. At 15 he received the prize for the “most promising contestant” at the Rostropovich Cello Competition and two years later he won 2nd Prize and the Silver Medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition. He was also honoured for the “Best performance of a work written specially for the competition” by Krzysztof Penderecki. In 2014 he won First Prize at the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Noted for his intense, dramatic style, Edgar “has already found his place in the great tradition of French cello-playing” (Diapason). This not-to-be-missed performance marks his Canadian recital debut.
POULENC: Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 143
PROKOFIEV: Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 119
FRANCK: Sonata in A Major, Op. 42
“The rising star of the French cello, 22-year-old cellist Edgar Moreau consistently captivates audiences with his effortless virtuosity and dynamic performances.” — Le Figaro Magazine
Series sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Each and every VRS performance given by this great artist has been a musical milestone. His deeply touching and musically illuminating recitals are always revelatory and unforgettable. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear him perform in the intimacy of the Vancouver Playhouse. A prompt reaction will guarantee you a seat!
SCHUMANN: Variations on an Original Theme (“Ghost Variations”) WoO 24
BRAHMS: 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117
MOZART: Rondo in A minor, K.511
BRAHMS: 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118
J. S. BACH: WTC1 Prelude and Fugue No. 24 in B minor, BWV 869
BRAHMS: 4 Klavierstücke, Op. 119
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major, Op. 81a (“Les Adieux”)
“Schiff is a magnificent pianist and these performances were profoundly illuminating”
— LA Times
VRS Subscribers enjoy priority access and save up to 15% on single tickets.
By May 19 – Save up to 15% After May 19 – Save up to 10% A $72 $76 B $51 $54 C $21 $23
Concert sponsor: The Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation
Supported by:
Additional Support:
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province
of British Columbia
Pre-concert talks! Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2:15pm in Salon A.
Nicola Benedetti, violin Leonard Elschenbroich, cello Alexei Grynyuk, piano
Each acclaimed as leading soloists, violinist Nicola Benedetti, cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, and pianist Alexei Grynyuk, have been performing together since they met as young music students in London. They made their debut as a trio in the 2009-10 Season with multiple concerts in the UK. Since then they have maintained their passionate commitment to chamber music with their regular and compelling performances at prestigious concert halls around the world. This performance marks their debut as a trio in Canada.
SCHUBERT: Adagio from Piano Trio in E flat Major, Op. 148, D. 897
BRAHMS: Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87
TURNAGE: Duetti d’Amore
RAVEL: Piano Trio in A minor
Sir András Schiff and Robert Levin brought this exceptionally talented German-born Iranian pianist to our attention. She has earned a formidable reputation for her stellar Bach performances. In the 2015-16 Season she was invited by Sir András Schiff to take part in his “Building Bridges” concert series in Frankfurt, Berlin, Zurich, New York, Brussels and Dusseldorf. We’re thrilled to present Schaghajegh in her Canadian debut.
J.S. BACH: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
“It is very rare that a young musician is dedicated to the music of J. S. Bach as Schaghajegh Nosrati is. She understands and plays this great music with astonishing clarity, purity and maturity.” — Sir András Schiff
Series sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert sponsor: The Board of Directors of the Vancouver Recital Society
Pre-concert talks! Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2:15pm in Salon A.
Nikolaj Znaider performs at the highest level as both conductor and virtuoso violin soloist with the world’s most distinguished orchestras. His Canadian debut on our series in 2006, with pianist Robert Kulek, was so enthusiastically received that we brought them back in 2008. Nikolaj’s burgeoning career as a conductor has kept him away from Vancouver until now.
BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata No. 8, Op. 30 No. 3
PROKOFIEV: Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94a
SHOSTAKOVICH: Four Preludes from Op. 34 (Nos. 10, 15, 16, & 24), transcribed for violin and piano by Dmitri Tsyganov
BRAHMS: Violin Sonata No. 3, Op. 108
“The 32-year-old Danish-Israeli violinist Nikolaj Znaider first appeared for the Vancouver Recital Society two years ago and was such a hit that VRS Artistic Director, Leila Getz vowed to bring him back as often as possible. This was a very smart idea.”
Acclaimed for her rich voice, expansive range and dynamic stage presence, this Irish mezzo-soprano enjoys an ever-growing international career on opera, orchestral and recital stages. With a wide repertoire that includes Bellini, Dvořák, Gounod, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini, Strauss and Verdi, as well as contemporary composers, in recent seasons she has sung two world premieres, made her US opera debut, numerous role debuts, and successfully toured North America three times.Tara made her Canadian debut on our series in April 2013, and we’re delighted to welcome her back to Vancouver with James Baillieu, the leader of the next generation of vocal accompanists.
LISZT: Victor Hugo poems
MAHLER: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
QUILTER: Songs
RICHARD STRAUSS: Songs of Herman von Gilm & other songs
ROSSINI: Cantata from Giovanna d’Arco
“Erraught delivered an ultra-flashy rendition of Dopo notte from Ariodante, then the famous, exquisite Lascia ch’io pianga from Rinaldo. Her lithe virtuosity unleashed, the recital went into overdrive, ending, at least officially, with a hilarious rendering of Una voce poco fa from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. …In all, this was a convincing demonstration that, once again, Vancouver audiences have heard a true rising star…” — The Vancouver Sun (April 25, 2013)
Series sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
What does a 17-year old cellist from Nottingham do when he is named the 2016 BBC Musician of the Year, is signed to an exclusive recording contract with Decca, and is given the use, on permanent loan, of a 400-year old Antonius and Hieronymus Amati cello? He makes his Canadian debut for the Vancouver Recital Society of course! Sheku comes from a family which includes six siblings – all musicians. He will be accompanied by his sister Isata.
CASSADO: Suite for Solo Cello
BEETHOVEN: Sonata in G minor, Op. 5 No. 2
SHOSTAKOVICH: Sonata in D minor, Op. 40
“Sheku is an astonishingly gifted young musician with incredible energy and a burning passion for his music.” — Dr. Alexander Buhr, Managing Director of Decca Classics
Series sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Two performances: Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 3pm & Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 3pm
Take an exciting musical journey into the works of Haydn, Brahms and Beethoven with Paul Lewis at the helm. Paul is known for immersing himself in epic multi-year musical projects, which have included his vast study of Beethoven’s complete sonatas and piano concertos and Schubert’s final piano works. His latest odyssey delves into Haydn’s piano sonatas and the piano compositions of Johannes Brahms, bridged by Beethoven’s three sets of Bagatelles before culminating with the Diabelli Variations, described as Beethoven’s greatest work for the piano. Paul’s project comprises four concerts spread over two seasons; the first two concerts take place in the 2017-18 Season, the final two in our 2018-19 Season.
HAYDN: Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI:50
BEETHOVEN: 6 Bagatelles, Op. 126
BRAHMS: 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118
HAYDN: Sonata in G major, Hob. XVI:40
“His account (of Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1) has clarity, muscle and steely pride, but also intimacy, vulnerability and volatility: the combination is magnetic” — The Guardian
VRS Subscribers enjoy priority access and big savings on tickets. Our 2-concert packages offer the best value, with discounts of up to 25% over single tickets!
2-concert packages:
By May 19 – Save up to 25% After May 19 – Save up to 20%
A $112 $120 B $75 $80 C $38 $40
Subscriber add-on tickets (per concert):
By May 19 – Save 20% After May 19 – Save 15% A $60 $64 B $40 $42 C $20 $21
Concert sponsor: Elaine Adair
Supported by:
Additional Support:
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province
of British Columbia
Pre-concert talks! Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2:15pm in Salon A.
A magical musical collaboration awaits! An incredible concert of solo and duo performances from two of the most accomplished musicians we know.
J. S. BACH: Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109
BEETHOVEN: Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 5 In D Major, Op. 102 No. 2
DEBUSSY: Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor
BRAHMS: Sonata No. 1 for Cello and Piano in E minor, Op. 38
“Cellist Alban Gerhardt and pianist Steven Osborne are both superbly instinctive players, with an almost subliminal sense of what the other is about to do, so that every musical gesture they make seems totally spontaneous, as if they are exploring the music for the first time; it’s all so fresh, never overstudied.” — The Guardian
