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In this concert we’ll celebrate J.S. Bach’s 336^th birthday with a selection of his works arranged by this wonderful group of musicians. The Dover Quartet catapulted to international fame following a stunning sweep of the 2013 Banff Competition, at which they won every prize. In 2017, they appeared on our Next Generation Series with mandolinist Avi Avital.

Bridget Kibbey has gained a reputation for her diverse, energetic programming that spans the baroque, French masterworks, and rhythmic South American music. The award-winning harpist appears frequently as soloist and chamber musician at festivals and on series across the globe.

“It is my great pleasure to join the formidable Dover Quartet in sharing this experience with you live, via some of our best-beloved works of J.S. Bach, adapted for harp and string quartet. In this context, the harp becomes a mighty organ, an intimate lute, a clavecin supporting vocal lines executed by the bow. The quartet becomes a harpsichord with lines drawn out in various colours, an individual violin becomes a vocalist; and together, the ensemble becomes an orchestra exalting in the complexity of woven counterpoint. We hope you enjoy our celebration of J.S. Bach, re-imagined for harp and strings.”
— Bridget Kibbey

J.S. BACH: Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (harp) (trans. Kibbey)
J.S. BACH: Sonata in E flat major, BWV 1031 (violin & harp)
J.S. BACH: Aria and 4 Variations from the Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (violin, viola & cello) (trans. Daniel Lee)
J.S. BACH: Harpsichord Concerto in F minor, BWV 1056 (string quartet & harp)
J.S. BACH: Sonata in G minor for Violin & Clavier, BWV 1020 (violin & harp)
J.S. BACH: Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080: Contrapuncti 1 – IV (string quartet)
J.S. BACH: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048 (string quartet & harp)

“A sound so distinctive as to be identified within mere minutes” — Philadelphia Enquirer

“Kibbey made it seem as though her instrument had been waiting all its life to explode with the gorgeous colours and energetic figures she was getting from it” — New York Times

Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2.15pm in Salon A

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So captivated were we — and our audience — with the Chiaroscuro’s performance in the 2018-19 Season that we re-booked them immediately! Hear this brilliant ensemble in a program of string quartet gems. Everything they play sounds fresh and original.

PURCELL: Fantasias (selection TBD)
MOZART: Quartet No. 21 in D major, K. 575
SCHUBERT: Quartettsatz in C minor, D. 703
MENDELSSOHN: String Quartet in F minor, Op. 80

“The playing is intense and refined, exploratory and poised. The sound is featherweight, but there is grit and substance when needed” — The Guardian

Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2.15pm in Salon A

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Concert Sponsor: Robert and Denise

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Those who heard Behzod on his previous visits to the VRS know that his electrifying performances combine an immense depth of musicality with phenomenal technique and breathtaking delicacy.

Buckle up for this one!

BACH or SCARLATTI (TBD)
SCHUMANN:  Kreisleriana Op. 16
LISZT: Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude
RACHMANINOV: Corelli Variations, Op. 42

“With prodigious technique and rhapsodic flair, Mr. Abduraimov dispatched the work’s challenges, including bursts of arm-blurring octaves, with eerie command” — New York Times

Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2.15pm in Salon A

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Concert Sponsor: Ann Harding

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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

Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2.15pm in Salon A.

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Concert Sponsor:  Joyce and Tony

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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

Learn more about each afternoon’s recital program at our pre-concert talks. Each talk takes place at 2.15pm in Salon A.

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Concert sponsor: Robert & Denise

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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.

“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.”

— Lloyd Dykk, The Vancouver Sun (March 2008)

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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

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Concert Sponsor: Richard & Lynda Spratley

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