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.
Those who witnessed the astonishing Vancouver debut of (then) 16-year-old pianist George Li in 2011 will know what to expect. This extraordinary young musician has since gone on to win the Silver Medal at the XV International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition and a coveted Avery Fisher Career Development Grant. George possesses brilliant virtuosity and effortless grace far beyond his years. In addition to a busy concert career he is also a student at Harvard University.
HAYDN: Sonata in B minor, Hob. XVI:32, L. 47
CHOPIN: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
RACHMANINOV: Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
LISZT: Consolation No. 3 in D-flat major, S.172
LISZT: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, S.244/2
“Mr. Li’s playing combined youthful abandon with utter command.” — The New York Times
Concert sponsor: The John C. Kerr Family Foundation
In Association With:
On June 10, 2017, Yekwon Sunwoo was announced as the Gold Medalist at the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. In its 55-year history, the quadrennial Cliburn has identified and ushered a host of exceptional artists to international prominence, including Barry Douglas, Olga Kern, Radu Lupu, Jon Nakamatsu, and Cristina Ortiz.
28-year-old Yekwon, from Anyang, South Korea, gave his recital and orchestral debuts in 2004 in Seoul, before moving to the United States to earn his bachelor’s degree at the Curtis Institute of Music and his master’s at The Juilliard School. Career highlights include performances with the Juilliard Orchestra under Itzhak Perlman at Avery Fisher Hall, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop, and the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as recitals at Carnegie Hall, Hamarikyu Asahi Hall in Tokyo, Wigmore Hall in London, and Kumho Art Hall in Seoul. Yekwon has already graced the VRS stage; he performed with violinist Benjamin Beilman at the Vancouver Playhouse in the 2016-17 Season.
SCHUBERT: Sonata in C minor D. 958
GRAINGER: “Ramble on the last Love-duet” from Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier
RACHMANINOV: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor Op. 36 (1931 Edition)
RAVEL: La Valse
“One of the world’s highest-visibility classical music contests” — The Dallas Morning News
“Technical brilliance set off by artistic sensitivity.” — Washington Post
Concert Sponsor: Anonymous
In Association With:
There is a pre-concert talk at 2.15pm
Mark Padmore has established a flourishing career in opera, concert and recital. His performances in Bach’s Passions have garnered particular notice throughout the world. Paul Lewis is one of the VRS’ brightest discoveries and most regular visitors. Mark and Paul have performed and recorded Schubert’s Schwanengesang and Die Schöne Müllerin, as well as the epic Die Winterreise, which won Gramophone Magazine’s Vocal Solo Award in 2010.
“Apart from the sheer intelligence behind the interpretation, Padmore’s voice is lustrous; gleaming but flexible, alive to nuance and color, never overdone.” — International Record Review
SCHUBERT, SCHUMANN, BRAHMS & WOLF
Concert Sponsor: Elaine Adair
In Association With:
There is a pre-concert talk at 2.15pm
Since making his Canadian debut on this series at the age of 22, this celebrated Norwegian pianist has won acclaim worldwide for his stellar performances and award-winning recordings. Over the years, his appearances for the VRS — either solo, or with Ian Bostridge or Christian Tetzlaff — have been amongst the most significant and memorable performances in our history.
“A pianist of magisterial elegance, power and insight.” — New York Times
SIBELIUS: Kyllikki, Three Pieces Op. 41
SIBELIUS: The Birch, Op. 75, No. 4
SIBELIUS: The Spruce, Op. 75, No. 5
SIBELIUS: The Forest Lake, Op. 114, No. 3
SIBELIUS: Song in the Forest, Op. 114, Op. 4
SIBELIUS: Spring Vision, Op. 114, No. 5
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 18 in Eb major, Op. 31, No. 3
DEBUSSY: La soirée dans Grenade from Estampes
DEBUSSY: Étude 7 pour les degrés chromatiques
DEBUSSY: Étude 11 pour les arpèges composés
DEBUSSY: Étude 5 pour les octaves
CHOPIN: Impromptu in A flat Major, Op. 29
CHOPIN: Étude in A flat Major from Trois nouvelles études
CHOPIN: Nocturne in F Major, Op. 15, No. 1
CHOPIN: Ballad No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52
Concert sponsor: The Late Dr. Sherold & Mrs. Shirley Fishman
Supported by:
In association with:
There is a pre-concert talk at 2.15pm
Despite their very busy individual careers, the three musicians who comprise this trio — pianist Lars Vogt, violinist Christian Tetzlaff, and cellist Tanja Tetzlaff — get together whenever time permits to play the Piano Trio repertoire. We are delighted to have secured a date on one of their very rare North American tours.
“Whatever they play, you want to hear it. In terms of technical dazzle and lyrical heart, the performance lived up to high expectations.” — The New York Times
SCHUMANN: Trio No.2 in F major, Op.80
DVORÁK: Trio in E minor, Op. 90 “Dumky”
BRAHMS: Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8
In Association With:
