POST-PERFORMANCE TALKBACK
Swiss-born Jean-Sélim Abdelmoula enjoys a busy and varied musical life as a pianist and composer. His teachers have included Ronan O’Hora, Sir András Schiff, Ferenc Rados and Jorg Widmann, and his awards include the Edvard Grieg International Composer Competition, the Guildhall Wigmore Prize, and the Lili Boulanger Memorial Fund Award. He has performed around the world both as a soloist and chamber musician, and we are delighted to present him in his Vancouver debut.
JANÁČEK: In the Mists
ABDELMOULA: Two Interludes (2006)
JANÁČEK: Sonata 1. X. 1905 ‘From the Street’
SCHUBERT: Sonata in B-flat major, D. 960
“An uncommonly poetic musician” — New York Times
Ticket prices: A: $63 B: $48 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Next Generation Artist sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert sponsor: Quesnel Foundation
Additional Support:
PRE-CONCERT TALK AT 2:15PM
Sheku returns to the VRS for the fourth time, but on this occasion he’s performing solo. Hear him in a varied and exhilarating program of music written for solo cello in the fine acoustic setting of the Chan Shun Concert Hall at the Chan Centre. He will be joined by a group of young local cellists in a performance of Pablo Casals’ ‘Song of the Birds’ as a grand finale to the concert.
J.S. BACH: Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
GWILYM SIMCOCK: Prayer for the Senses
BRITTEN: Suite No. 1 for solo cello, Op. 72
LEO BROUWER: Sonata No. 2 for solo cello
EDMUND FINNIS: Five Preludes for solo cello
CASSADÓ: Suite for solo cello
CASALS: Song of the Birds (Arr. Posner)
“Technically superb and eloquent in his expressivity, he held the capacity audience spellbound with an interpretation of exceptional authority.” — The Guardian
Ticket prices: A: $88 B: $74 C: $63 D: $45 E: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Concert sponsor:
Additional Support:
POST-PERFORMANCE TALKBACK
We are delighted to open our 44th Season with this remarkable young pianist who hails from Salmon Arm, BC. A graduate of The Juilliard School and the UBC School of Music, Jaeden recently won both the Santander and Maria Canals International Piano Competitions in Europe, and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition in the United States. He has a burgeoning career in Europe and we are pleased to have secured a date in his increasingly busy schedule!
SCHUBERT: Selected Moments musicaux, D. 780
MEDTNER: Sonata Romantica, Op. 53 No. 1
RAVEL: Miroirs
CHOPIN: Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20
“He projects a distinctive musical personality that imbues even the most routine passagework with character and individuality” — Calgary Herald
Ticket prices: A: $63 B: $48 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Next Generation Artist sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert sponsor: Richard & Lynda Spratley
Additional Support:
PRE-CONCERT TALK AT 2:15PM
Javier Perianes made his Canadian debut on the VRS stage in 2008, with return appearances in 2009 and 2017. Over the years his career has flourished, taking him to the world’s most prestigious venues and making him a national treasure in his native Spain, where he was awarded the National Music Prize by the Ministry of Culture in 2012. He has a deep affinity for the music of Spanish composers; his program includes Goyescas by Enrique Granados, a work inspired by Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Please join us in welcoming this “poet of the piano” back to Vancouver.
CLARA SCHUMANN: Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 20
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 14, III. Quasi variazioni. Andantino de Clara Wieck
JOHANNES BRAHMS: Variations on a Theme of Robert Schumann, Op. 9
ENRIQUE GRANADOS: Goyescas, Op. 11
“Perianes played with such grace that it seemed as if his hands were floating over the keys.” — Opera Wire
Ticket prices: A: $88 B: $63 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Concert sponsor: Anonymous
Additional Support:
PRE-CONCERT TALK AT 2:15PM
ALEXANDER SITKOVETSKY, violin
ISANG ENDERS, cello
WU QIAN, piano
The Sitkovetsky Trio was founded 16 years ago when Alexander Sitkovetsky and Wu Qian were students at the Yehudi Menuhin School in London. Over the years, the trio has established a reputation as an exceptional and dynamic chamber ensemble. Their thoughtful and committed approach has brought both critical acclaim and invitations to renowned concert halls around the world. The Sitkovetsky Trio made its debut on our stage in 2013 and we are delighted to welcome them back!
JULIA ADOLPHE: Etched in Smoke and Light for piano, violin and cello
CÉCILE CHAMINADE: Piano Trio No. 2 in A minor, Op. 34
BEETHOVEN: Allegretto for Piano Trio in B-flat major, WoO 39
MENDELSSOHN: Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66
“Incredibly well matched, this is an established trio and you can tell how much they trust each other.” — BBC Radio 3
Ticket prices: A: $88 B: $63 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Concert sponsor: The Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation
Additional Support:
PRE-CONCERT TALK AT 2:15PM
When Federico Colli came to prominence after winning the Salzburg Mozart Competition in 2011, it was the start of a dynamic streak for the Italian pianist. A year later he swept the board at the 2012 Leeds Piano Competition. Over a decade later, he’s one of the most compelling pianists on the international scene, described by International Piano as “the most scintillating and personal of all young artists.” Fully steeped in the Italian piano tradition, Federico is praised for his highly imaginative and philosophical approaches to interpretations. Don’t miss his return to Vancouver.
LIGETI: Musica Ricercata
COUPERIN: Selected works
PROKOFIEV: Visions fugitives, Op. 22
RAVEL: Le Tombeau de Couperin
‘His beautifully light touch and lyrical grace make the music shine.” — The Telegraph
Ticket prices: A: $88 B: $63 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Concert sponsor: John C. Kerr Family Foundation
Additional Support:
POST-PERFORMANCE TALKBACK
This remarkable brother and sister duo were raised in Ottawa and have been performing together since their Carnegie Hall debut in 2011. Following recent prize-winning successes at the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the Concours de Genève, Bryan, who is now based in Berlin, has a burgeoning career in Europe and Canada. Silvie, who is based in New York, has a growing solo career which she balances with frequent performances with Bryan.
PAUL WIANCKO: Sonata No. 1 for cello and piano, ‘Shifting Baselines’
SULKHAN TSINTSADZE: Five Pieces on Folk Themes
SIBELIUS: Andante molto in F minor for cello and piano, JS 36
RACHMANINOV: Sonata in G minor for cello and piano, Op. 19
“The New York recital debut of Bryan and Silvie Cheng was infused with a spirit of thoughtfulness and generosity. The obvious affection between the two siblings extends beyond the familial sphere into the audience, and most importantly, into the music itself.” — New York Concert Review
Ticket prices: A: $63 B: $48 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Next Generation Artist sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert sponsor: Anonymous
Additional Support:
POST-PERFORMANCE TALKBACK
This remarkable young British violist won the Lionel Tertis Viola Competition and, most recently, the 2023 Young Artist’s Award of the Royal Philharmonic Society. Timothy was a BBC New Generation Artist in 2019 and was the recipient of a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship in 2020. He played for us in a recorded Virtually VRS concert which we shared during the pandemic, and which can still be viewed on our YouTube channel. We are thrilled to welcome him in person for his Canadian debut. Pianist Jonathan Ware is a renowned accompanist who is no stranger to our series — he was last here in 2022 with soprano Golda Schultz.
BRAHMS: Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120
MENDELSSOHN: Viola Sonata in C minor, MWV Q14
CLARA SCHUMANN: Three Romances, Op. 22
FRANCK: Sonata in A major, adapted for viola and piano
“He’s that rare kind of musician who could play a cardboard box and make it sing.” — The Guardian
Ticket prices: A: $63 B: $48 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Next Generation Artist sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert sponsor: Colleen & Nick Filler
Additional Support:
POST-PERFORMANCE TALKBACK
Tony made his stunning Vancouver debut on our stage at the Playhouse in 2021. Immediately after that performance we re-engaged him. We had to act quickly because this young Canadian pianist’s career is going from strength to strength. If you missed him last time, make sure you don’t do so again. He is a truly remarkable new talent.
BACH: ”Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf”, BWV 617 (Arr. Busoni)
LISZT: Bénédiction de Dieu dans la Solitude, S. 173, No. 3
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”
BERIO: Wasserklavier (from 6 Encores for piano)
BRAHMS: Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5
“Tony is a true poet of the keyboard. Expressive and with his own distinct voice, yet elegant and poised.” — Pianist Magazine
Ticket prices: A: $63 B: $48 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Next Generation Artist sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert sponsor: Victor
Additional Support:
POST-PERFORMANCE TALKBACK
Acclaimed for her expressive abilities and vast repertoire, this Canadian-Macedonian mezzo-soprano is gaining a reputation as “one to watch”. She was a BBC New Generation Artist from 2019-2022 and won first prize at the International Vocal Competition in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Ferrier Loveday Song Prize (Kathleen Ferrier Awards), and was a prize winner at the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) International Auditions. In 2022, she became the recipient of a prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award. A prolific recitalist, Ema has performed at the Pierre Boulez Saal and Konzerthaus Berlin, and at London’s Wigmore Hall. She will be accompanied by Canadian pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin, “a musician-pianist: fluent, multi-faceted and tonally seductive” (BBC Music Magazine).
Franz Schubert
Im Frühling D. 882
Dass sie hier gewesen D. 775
Herbst D. 945
Der Unglückliche D. 713
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Seasons, Op. 37b
VI. June
Margaret Bonds
Songs of the Seasons
Poème d’Automne
Winter Moon
Young Love in Spring
Summer Storm
Claude Debussy
Images oubliées, L.87
I. Lent
Ariettes Oubliées, L. 60
I. C’est l’extase langoureuse
II. Il pleure dans mon coeur
III. L’ombre des arbres
IV. Chevaux de Bois
V. Green (Aquarelle I)
VI. Spleen (Aquarelle II)
Nikolai Medtner
Twilight, Op. 24 No. 4
Sleeplessness, Op. 37 No. 1
Nicolas Slonimsky
Five Advertising Songs
Utica Sheets and Pillowcases
Pillsbury Bran Muffins
Vauv Nose Powder
Children Cry for Castoria
Make This a Day of Pepsodent
“A true rising star.” — Classic FM
Ticket prices: A: $63 B: $48 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
BUY 8 concerts or more and receive a 25% discount
Season sponsor:
Next Generation Artist sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert sponsor: Lynn Kagan
Additional Support:
