American soprano Julia Bullock has been hailed as an “impressive fast-rising soprano poised for a signicant career” (The New York Times). Equally at home in recital and concert repertoire, she captivates audiences with her versatile artistry and commanding stage presence.
SCHUBERT I BARBER I FAURÉ
A SELECTION OF AMERICAN SONGS
“Julia Bullock combines a rare on stage aura with a style that is exacting but not fussy, with hardly an unturned phrase” — The New Yorker
Series Sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Sir Simon Keenlyside is one of the world’s most sought-after and charismatic singers, noted for his versatility and highly charged performances on stage. In 2006, he was the winner of the Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in opera, the ECHO Klassik Male Singer of the Year Award in 2007, and was honoured as Musical America’s Vocalist of the Year in 2011. Last June he was awarded the title of Österreichischer Kammersänger by the Wiener Staatsoper, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to the world of opera. We eagerly await his return to Vancouver with his wonderful recital partner Malcolm Martineau, who is well known to VRS audiences.
BRAHMS | POULENC | RAVEL | SCHUBERT
“He declaimed Wilhelm Müller’s poetry with the fluidity of speech. His German is excellent, his diction is pristine, his eye for detail acute. Armed with his dark, handsome baritone he unveiled multiple layers of meaning in every song, every stanza and occasionally,in a single line”— The Financial Times
Igor Levit was recently announced as the winner of the prestigious quadrennial Gilmore Artist Award, and snagged Gramophone’s Recording of the Year 2016. He returns to the VRS stage after a sold-out Canadian debut in 2016. His riveting performances leave audiences wanting more and critics scrambling for superlatives.
“He hit the first note and the sheer depth and resonant sovereignty of his tone engulfed a monumental space.” — The LA Times
This program, curated by Igor Levit, explores the interrelationship between composer and arranger.
J.S. BACH: Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1004 arr. Brahms
BUSONI: Fantasia after J.S. Bach KiV 253
SCHUMANN: Ghost Variations WoO 24
WAGNER: Parsifal: Solemn March to the Holy Grail arr. Liszt
LISZT: Fantasy and Fugue on the chorale, “Ad nos ad salutarem undam” arr. Busoni
In Association With:
The Chan Endowment Fund
at the University of British Columbia
Winner of the 2017 Concours Musical International de Montréal piano edition, and a recipient of a Borletti- Buitoni Trust Fellowship, Hungarian pianist Zoltán Fejérvári has appeared in recitals throughout Europe and the US. Zoltán made a big impression when he performed on this series two seasons ago with cellist István Várdai. We’re very excited to welcome him back to Vancouver!
SCHUMANN: Waldszenen, Op. 82
JANÁČEK: In the Mists
BARTÓK: Out of Doors
SCHUMANN: Fantasy in C major, Op. 17
“Fejérvári performed the piece with sweep and discernment and made the concerto’s bird-like song and nocturnal atmosphere tremendously affecting” — International Piano Magazine
Series sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
The Castalian String Quartet is rapidly emerging as an exciting voice on the international chamber music scene. In 2018, the Quartet received the prestigious inaugural Merito String Quartet Award & Valentin Erben Prize, and won a pretigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship Award. Previous awards include 3rd Prize at the 2016 Banff International String Quartet Competition and 1st Prize at the 2015 Lyon Chamber Music Competition. The Quartet was selected for respresentation by YCAT (Young Classical Artists Trust) in 2016.
HAYDN: String Quartet in D, Op. 76, No. 5
FAURÉ: String Quartet in E minor, Op. 121
SCHUMANN: String Quartet No.1 in A minor, Op. 41, No. 1
“The Castalian Quartet makes the simplest things we hear into the most important things we could ever want to hear.” — The Calgary Herald
The Castalian String Quartet replaces the previously scheduled Zorá String Quartet
Series sponsor: The Estate of Edwina and Paul Heller
Concert Sponsor: The Board of Directors of the Vancouver Recital Society
Trained under the guidance of the great Italian pianist Maria Tipo, Andrea Lucchesini garnered international attention at a young age when he won the Dino Ciani International Competition at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Around that time, he made his debut on our series at the Vancouver Playhouse. He enjoyed a close collaboration with renowned Italian composer Luciano Berio and has recorded all his works for piano. Andrea is currently Artistic Director at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole where he teaches when he’s not performing.
“With a refined touch and a beguiling sense of Schubertian style, the Italian pianist Andrea Lucchesini conveys to captivating effect the sublime invention and intimacy of the impromptus.” — The Telegraph
SCARLATTI: 5 Sonatas
BERIO: 6 Encores
SCHUBERT: Sonata in B at major, D. 960
Learn more about the program at our pre-concert talk in the Chan Centre’s Royal Bank Cinema at 2.15pm.
In Association With:
The Chan Endowment Fund
at the University 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.
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
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
