CANADIAN DEBUT!
Since his debut with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Proms in 2017, Turkish cellist Jamal Aliyev has become one of the most sought-after cellists of his generation. He is championed by one of Turkey’s most outstanding and celebrated musicians, pianist/composer Fazil Say, who is touring with Jamal to shine a spotlight on his young protégé. A debut not to be missed!
SCHUBERT: Sonata in A minor for Arpeggione and Piano arranged for Cello and Piano, D. 821
FAZIL SAY: Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 41
CÉSAR FRANCK: Sonata for Cello and Piano in A major (1886)
“His musicality is a very rare and pure talent from birth.” — Mstislav Rostropovich
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
Series Sponsor:
Next Generation Artist sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert sponsor: Alexandra Volkoff
Additional Support:
Jean Rondeau made a huge impression on the VRS audience in 2018 when he performed at our ‘Surprise Concert’ in the Telus Theatre at the Chan Centre. The 30-year-old Frenchman has gone on to become a veritable superstar and a global ambassador for the harpsichord, described by the Washington Post as “a master of his instrument with the sort of communicative gifts normally encountered in musicians twice his age.”
“An ode to silence” is how Jean has described Bach’s Goldberg Variations. “I feel they were written for silence, in the sense that they take the place of silence,” he says. “All Bach is there in the Goldberg Variations… all music is there… and I will no doubt spend my life working on them.”
J.S. BACH: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
“Rondeau is a wizard. Forget grace, forget melancholy – this is brilliance.” — Gramophone Magazine
Ticket price: $50 General Admission
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
Season Sponsor:
Concert Sponsor:
Stephen Schachter and Nancy Stern
With generous support from:
Additional Support:
GOING FOR GOLD!
Originally slated for our 40th Anniversary Season, we’ve waited years (and then some!) for Sir András to perform ‘the Goldbergs’ on our stage. Originally written for harpsichord, the Goldberg Variations 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 are deeply grateful for all the wonderful support!
J.S. BACH: Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971
J.S. BACH: Overture in French Style in B minor, BWV 831
J.S. BACH: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
“There is nothing more reliable in the world of classical music today than pianist András Schiff playing Bach.” — New York Times
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
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. the late 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. Ric & Lynda Spratley 30.Tsuyoshi, Tomoko & Toshiko Shibano Aria (return): Martha Lou Henley
Supported by:
Sir András Schiff was scheduled to fly to Vancouver in March, 2020 to help us celebrate our 40th Anniversary Season… instead he was detained in Japan as the world went into lockdown due to Covid-19. I can’t say how happy we are to be able to reschedule him!
This performance at the Playhouse will be special; we will not know the program in advance — Sir András will announce and discuss what he is going to play from the stage. Those who know him through his incredible performances and recordings over the years can be assured that Liszt and Rachmaninov will not feature on the program!
Program information (added Oct 19, 2022):
Bach: Aria from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Bach: Ricercar a 3, BWV 1079
Mozart: Fantasia in C minor, K. 475
Bach: French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816
Mozart: Kleine Gigue in G major, K. 574
Bach: Prelude and Fugue in D minor (WTK, Book I, No. 6), BWV 851
Mozart: Adagio in B minor, K. 540
Haydn: Sonata in G minor, Hob. XVI:44
Beethoven: Six Bagatelles, Op. 126
Beethoven: Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109
“He is one of the most penetratingly serious masters of the keyboard before the public today. Full stop.” — Boston Globe
Ticket prices: A: $90 B: $60 C: $28
BUY 3 concerts or more and receive a 15% discount
BUY 5 concerts or more and receive a 20% discount
Season Sponsor:
Concert sponsor: The Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation
Additional Support:
We lost the original date for Steven and Connie’s concert back in our 40th Season due to the pandemic, but we are delighted that we have been able to reschedule it. These are two wonderful performers who have a long and trusted relationship both with each other and with the VRS. We can’t wait for you to hear them!
REYNALDO HAHN: Variations chantantes sur un air ancien
FAURÉ: Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 117
ADÈS: Lieux retrouvés
SCHUMANN: Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
BRAHMS: Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99
“Stylish playing, bursting with character throughout – but then what else would one expect from cellist Steven Isserlis?” — Gramophone Magazine
“Shih proved a terrific, imaginative partner, with enough lightness, speed and power.” — Washington Post
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
Season Sponsor:
Concert Sponsors:
Ric and Lynda Spratley
Additional Support:
The Estate of Miss Denise Mara
Pre-concert presentation at 2pm | Concert at 3pm
Filippo Gorini is a singular young pianist. He made his Canadian debut on our series in 2019 with a fascinating and fulfilling program, and his post-concert chat and Q&A were riveting. Luckily for us, during the Covid-19 lockdown he turned his probing intellect and musical curiosity to uncovering the message in J.S. Bach’s last composition, The Art of Fugue.
Filippo’s 2020 recording for Alpha Classics of Bach’s masterpiece of counterpoint kicked off a multi-year project funded by the Borletti-Buitoni Trust. As part of the project, he is releasing a number of filmed conversations with personalities such as Frank Gehry, Alfred Brendel, Peter Sellars and Sasha Waltz. The VRS audience will have access to some of these films and will hear Filippo introduce the project in a pre-concert presentation, and then, after the performance, he will open up the discussion and take questions from the stage.
J.S. BACH: The Art Of Fugue, BWV 1080
“There is no doubt: a star has risen, perhaps of the brightest kind.” — Diapason D’Or
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
Season Sponsor:
Concert sponsor: Elaine Adair
Additional Support:
South African soprano Golda Schultz is internationally hailed as one of today’s most talented and versatile artists; as at home in leading operatic roles as she is as featured soloist with the world’s foremost orchestras and conductors, she garners consistent praise for a fresh, radiant stage personality and lustrous tone. Golda’s Canadian debut with her collaborative recital partner, pianist Jonathan Ware, will feature a program of songs by female composers; songs written by women, about women, highlighting the female experience.
“Her voice is warm, natural, focused, it glows – a voice whose emotional power and beauty no one can resist. This was world class.” — BR-Klassik
Ticket prices: A: $60 B: $45 C: $25
Series Sponsor:
Next Generation Artist Sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert Sponsor:
Peter & Hilde Colenbrander
Additional Support:
Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński has quickly emerged as one of the most vibrant performers on the international concert scene, triumphing in both concerts and recordings. His first album Anima Sacra on the Warner/Erato label earned him the prestigious Opus Klassik Award for Best Solo Vocal Recording. His sold-out concerts and recitals throughout Europe and the US have attracted new followers to the art form. Don’t miss his Canadian recital debut!
PURCELL, HANDEL, KARŁOWICZ & MORE
“Orliński is akin to a musical Count of Monte Cristo dazzling his listeners with a vocal cornucopia of precious jewels. Of the 23 tracks, no less than 17 are world premiere recordings. Such originality reflects Orliński’s uniqueness as an artist – the handsome young Juilliard alumnus is not just a celebrated singer but also a highly accomplished break-dancer.” — Opera Wire
Ticket prices: A: $60 B: $45 C: $25
Season Sponsor:
Series Sponsor:
The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert Sponsor:
Anonymous
Supported by:
Additional Support:
The Estate of Miss Denise Mara
This gifted 23-year-old American pianist is increasingly recognized for his easy virtuosity and bold musicianship. He captured the bronze medal and prizes for best performance of both the commissioned work and chamber music at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and is also a 2016 Gilmore Young Artist. Daniel is a graduate of The Curtis Institute, where he studied with Gary Graffman, the esteemed teacher who counts Lang Lang and Yuja Wang among his former students. Don’t miss Daniel’s Canadian debut!
SCHUMANN: Kinderszenen, Op. 15
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110
LISZT: Sonata in B minor, S. 178
“Playing that charms, questions, and coaxes.” — The Philadelphia Inquirer
Ticket prices: A: $60 B: $45 C: $25
Season Sponsor:
Series Sponsor:
The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert Sponsor:
Victor
Supported by:
Additional Support:
THIS CONCERT IS SOLD OUT
A long time favourite of the VRS audience, the Jerusalem Quartet made its Vancouver debut in 2001 and has since returned to our stage many times. Over the years, the quartet has justifiably come to be regarded as one of the foremost ensembles in the world today. For this performance, the ‘Jerusalems’ join forces with soprano and fellow Israeli Hila Baggio for ‘The Yiddish Cabaret’, a moving and original tribute to pre-war Jewish life in central Europe.
ERWIN SCHULHOFF: Five Pieces for String Quartet (1924)
LEONID DESYATNIKOV: ‘Yiddish’ 5 songs for soprano and string quartet based on Yiddish cabaret music from Warsaw in the 1920s
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD: String Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 26 (1934)
“Hila Baggio’s voice proves ideal for the cabaret-fusion. Desyatnikov: light yet strong, with good Yiddish diction. Alongside her characterful storytelling, the quartet contrasts the harsh, dug-in sounds of the tango in ‘Varshe’ (Warsaw) with the sweetness of the violin solo over top.” — BBC Music Magazine
Ticket price: $50 (General Admission)
Concert sponsor:
Linda Zysblat and family in memory of Allen Zysblat
Supported by:
David Lyons
