The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is ready to welcome guests to its new home. As a result of Covid-19 restrictions the VSO has teamed with TELUS to bring patrons TheConcertHall.ca, a new streaming concert service, lets audiences listen at home and around the world.
With up to 40 concert performances streaming during the season, subscriptions are just $12.99/month at TheConcertHall.ca
Opening Night is next Friday October 16, 2020 with Maestro Otto Tausk and special guest James Ehnes in a performance of Bach & Beethoven, debuting at 7:30pm.
The VSO Fall 2020 Concert Release Schedule on TheConcertHall.ca includes the following performances:
October 16 – Assante Vancouver Centre Stars Series
Bach and Beethoven with Tausk & Ehnes
Bach: Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
James Ehnes, Violin & leader
Otto Tausk, conductor
James Ehnes performs Bach’s gorgeous First Violin Concerto in A minor while Maestro Tausk picks up where we left off in March. We closed the COVID-abbreviated 2019-20 season with Beethoven’s 5th and 6th in the triumphant close to our BeethovenFest. It’s only fitting we open our new season with the great master’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major to continue the celebration of his 250 anniversary.
October 23 – Newmont Maestro Series
Pictures at an Exhibition
Bartók: Divertimento for Strings
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Howarth)
Otto Tausk, conductor
The VSO Brass are featured in Elgar Howarth’s magnificent arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky’s beloved Pictures at an Exhibition. Plus, Maestro Tausk leads the VSO strings in Bartók’s Divertimento for Strings, a lively collection of tunes from Transylvania with contrasting moods and styles.
October 25 – OriginO Kids
Will’s Jams with the VSO
Will Stroet, singer-songwriter
Andrew Crust, conductor
Juno-nominated Will Stroet of CBC Kids fame joins the VSO for a fun-filled symphony jam session that your kids will love.
November 1 – RGF Integrated Wealth Management Spotlight Series
Beethoven & Sibelius
Beethoven: Septet
Sibelius: Suite for Violin & Strings
James Ehnes, violin & leader
Ehnes returns to perform light music from serious composers. Written in the serenade and divertimento style, Beethoven’s Septet was one of his most popular works in its day (almost to his chagrin!). The three pastoral sketches in Sibelius’s Suite for Violin & Strings lay hidden for many years. Not often performed, they are a delight to discover.
November 7
London Drugs Pops
Andrew Crust, conductor
Program TBA
November 13 – Newmont Maestro Series
Sturm und Drang: Haydn & Butler
Haydn: Symphony No. 49
Jennifer Butler: And Birds Do Sing
Otto Tausk, conductor
Maestro Tausk pairs Haydn’s dramatic and romantic Symphony No. 49 in F minor with a contemporary answer, BC composer Jennifer Butler’s And Birds Do Sing. Butler set out to create a dark and desolate response to the challenges of the 21st century. However, following the birth of her daughter, Butler found herself drawn to the sounds of hope.
November 20 – Assante Vancouver Centre Stars Series
Americana: Walker & Copland
George Walker: Lyric for StringsA
Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring
Andrew Crust, conductor
Measha Brueggergosman, host
The first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for music, George Walker was a musician of tremendous energy both as a concert pianist and composer. His lovely and introspective Lyric for Strings is one of his most popular works. Copland’s Appalachian Spring is presented in its original chamber form for 13 musicians. The great Canadian soprano and media personality Measha Brueggergosman hosts.