International Music Village in Bamfield, BC, July 11 - 19

The organizers of the 4thd Annual Music-by-the-Sea are delighted to announce the 2009 Performance Residency taking place in Bamfield, BC, from July 11 to 19, 2009.

Music-by-the-Sea (MBTS), welcomes some of the world's best musicians to Bamfield, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, for a performance-residency and series of public concerts. The 11-day performance residency creates a musical community in which local, national and international artists form new collaborations and share their talents with the public and with each other. Additional activities include workshops and rehearsals free to the public as well as dinners prior to each concert.

The picturesque village of Bamfield is located in a protected inlet on the south shore of Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island. It is surrounded by portions of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and by the traditional territories of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations (formerly known as Nootka) who have flourished for thousands of years on this segment of the Pacific coastline.

The summer festival features a wide range of music genres -performances of classical and contemporary solo and chamber music, through to sophisticated jazz and alternative music. The international line-up of artists includes:

Adrian Anantawan, violin (Toronto, ON)
Aidan Pendleton, viola (Canadian living in Netherlands)
True North Brass Quintet (Ontario):
Joan Watson, horn
Al Kay, trombone
Brendan Cassin, trumpet
Richard Sandals, trumpet
Scott Irvine, tuba
Borealis String Quartet (Vancouver, BC):
Patricia Shih, violin
Yuel Yawney, violin
Nikita Pogrebnoy, viola
Shih-Lin Chen, cello
John Stetch, jazz pianist (Canadian living in Ithaca NY)
Sarah Hagen, piano (Courtenay BC)
Marc Destrubé violin (Vancouver, BC)
Marcus Thompson, viola (Boston)
Hannah Addario-Berry,cello (Canadian in San Francisco)
Cris Dirksen cellist/singer-songwriter (Vancouver, BC)
Keith MacLeod, clarinet (Victoria, BC)
Nan Hughes, soprano (Banff, AB)
Marc Ryser, piano (Boston)
Joe Poole , jazz drums (Vancouver, BC)
Adam Thomas, jazz bass (Vancouver, BC)
Phil Dwyer, saxophones (Quallicum, BC)
Christopher Donison, piano (Victoria, BC)
Keith Allison, piano technician (Victoria)
Lynne Huras, Artist Coordinator (Banff, AB)
Nicholas Jacques, percussion / stage manager', (Vancouver)

Music performend is by Bach, Biber, Beethoven, Grieg, Brahms, Mozart, Schnittke, Schubert, Berio, Bartók, Britten, Falla, Enescu, Fauré, Janacek, Debussy, Gershwin, Venables, Poulenc, Leclair, Schumann, Händel-Halvorsen, Gardel, MacLeod, Dwyer, Derksen, Stetch, Donison, Sir Earnest MacMillan and Scott Irving. Jazz standards fill out the ten concerts, mixing classical and jazz programming together seamlessly. Concerts are variety programming-including as much diversity as possible in every concert. A full program is available on line at www.musicbythesea.ca.

True North Brass is featured in a presentation/workshop for the Community of Bamfield on Wednesday evening, July 15th in the Rix Centre for Ocean Discoveries.

The Opening Day on July 11th features the christening of a new vessel, MBTSS Soundwaves by The Honourable Iona V. Campagnolo. PC, CM, OBC. The rowboat which has been newly restored by Pamela Day of Port Alberni has been donated to MBTS by Ms. Day and her husband, David Whitworth. The christening will be accompanied by a Ceremonial Fanfare performed by True North Brass (new commissioned work) Location: Dock of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. 6:00PM

Though small in size, Bamfield offers a remarkable variety of lodgings, galleries, guided tours and eco-adventures for Festival attendees. Individual concert tickets are priced between $55 and $80. Festival passes and festival packages including air transportation and accommodation are available. Concert dates, package prices, and additional information are available at www.musicbythesea.ca. Concert tickets, festival passes and vacation packages are on sale now at 1-250-888-7772.

Music by the Sea (MBTS) began in 2005 in cooperation with Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC). It is a vision for the creation in BC of a permanent think-tank / retreat / mentoring and performance centre for the arts which will have the capacity to grow into a world-class institution -drawing on the unique and inspiring setting of the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

BC Scene Festival Wraps-up

BC Scene Festival Wraps-up

Next up: Prairie Scene in 2011

OTTAWA (Canada) — BC Scene, the largest gathering of British Columbia artists ever presented outside the province, culminates this weekend with two sold-out shows by Diana Krall, Canada's internationally acclaimed queen of jazz.

BC Scene, the National Arts Centre's dazzling multi-disciplinary arts festival, began April 21 and ends today. The festival featured 600 artists from disciplines as varied as music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, literature and culinary arts, in more than 30 venues around the National Capital Region.

Ms. Krall was not the only B.C. artist to perform to capacity audiences over the last two weeks. Others included dance sensations Crystal Pite and Wen Wei Dance; classical music performers Borealis String Quartet, musica intima, Francois Houle, Hard Rubber Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; rockers Hey Ocean!, Said the Whale and Black Mountain; world beat master Celso Machado, jazz saxophonist Seamus Blake and Celtic-Punjabi electronica band Delhi 2 Dublin. Also playing to full houses were theatre productions such as BIOBOXES, Moms the Word 2: Unhinged and the children's opera Jack Pine. Culinary events were also a big hit, notably the cooking demonstration by renowned B.C. chef Robert Clark and National Arts Centre chef Michael Blackie.

British Columbia artists have been creating a buzz in the Nation's Capital since the festival's opening night event called SWARM, a unique and mind-opening tour of visual and media art installations at 11 local galleries that culminated in a massive party in the National Arts Centre lobby.

It's no wonder Heather Moore, BC Scene's Producer and Executive Director, calls this latest edition of the festival "the best ever".

The National Arts Centre created the Scene concept back in 2003 with Atlantic Scene, followed by Alberta Scene in 2005 and Quebec Scene in 2007. In addition to providing a national showcase for artists from the different regions of Canada, these festivals are designed to help emerging and established artists further their careers thanks to an innovative presenters' program. For example, about 60 presenters – producers, buyers, or talent scouts – from 17 countries (including Canada) were invited to BC Scene. The initial reaction by participating presenters has been very positive. Discussions are underway that will likely soon culminate in invitations to dozens of B.C. artists to perform across Canada and abroad.

Since 2003, hundreds of Canadian artists have benefited from being a part of the Scene festivals. For instance, after Alberta Scene, Alberta artists received 150 new bookings. A survey done six months after the 2007 Quebec Scene found that performing arts groups had already received 51 bookings that represented more than $500,000 in revenue.

Ms. Moore and her team of organizers are already working on the next edition of the festival, the Prairie Scene, which will showcase the artists of Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the Nation's Capital in the spring of 2011.

Partners

BC Scene would like to thank the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous support of this event.

The National Arts Centre and National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of Presenting Partner Plasco Energy Group, Special Partners The Radcliffe Foundation, The Audain Foundation, Martha Lou Henley, Milton and Fei Wong and Dr. Donald B. Rix. Acknowledgment is also extended to Major Partners Enbridge Inc. and Hy's Steakhouse and Cockail Bar, as well as Supporting Partners Anndraya T. Luui, Canwest, HSBC Bank Canada, Holiday Inn and Screen Siren Pictures. BC Scene Media Partners include CBC/Radio-Canada, National Post, Vancouver Magazine and Western Living, Ottawa Citizen, LeDroit, and the Vancouver Sun.

The NAC Foundation also extends a warm thank you to the B.C. Strategy Council and Friends, a committed group of individuals whose leadership, support and guidance have been key to the success of BC Scene. The B.C. Strategy Council and Friends is led by Honorary Chairs Milton and Fei Wong, Chair Donald B. Rix and includes David Aisenstat, Michael Audain Foundation, Shirley Barnett, Peter Bentley, Eric Charman, Robert Fairweather, Moh and Yulanda Faris, Martha Lou Henley, Joanne Louie Mah, Anndraya T. Luui, Radcliffe Foundation, Scott Shepherd, Donald Shumka, Kathleen Speakman.

For more details about BC Scene or to view event photos, visit bcscene.ca.

The VSO Presents the Vancouver Debut of Alexander Gavrylyuk

The VSO Presents the Vancouver Debut of Alexander Gavrylyuk, performing Tchaikovsky’s other Piano Concerto!

Vancouver BC – Celebrated for his outstanding technique and dramatic musicality, Alexander Gavrylyuk is unquestionably one of the top pianists of his generation. Mr. Gavrylyuk plays Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in his Vancouver debut. Maestro Bramwell Tovey wields the baton in a string of other Russian classics performed by the orchestra, including Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture, Shostakovich’s The Age of Gold Suite and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. This extraordinary concert is featured at the Orpheum and the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey in the final concert of the 2008/2009 Surrey Nights series.

“A world class pianist performing at his absolute best…”

- New York Times

“…such blow-your-socks-off virtuosity is complemented with a dark, intense, ferociously-concentrated essence and nature…unlike so many competition winners we shall surely be hearing a lot more of this prodigiously gifted young pianist and life force.”

- The Gramophone

Winner of the 1999 Vladimir Horowitz Competition, the 2000 Hamamatsu Competition and, most notably, the 2005 Arthur Rubinstein Competition, Mr. Gavrylyuk is undeniably a superstar in the making. Currently based in Moscow, Mr. Gavrylyuk had his solo debut recital last year at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatorium at the invitation of Nikolay Petrov and also performed a solo recital at the Kremlin.

Alexander Gavrylyuk’s upcoming engagements include a recital at the hall of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, concerts with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the Netherlands Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic and the Moscow Radio Orchestra. Gavrylyuk has also been invited to record the complete Prokofiev concerti with conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Gavrylyuk performs Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.2, a rarely-performed gem of the repertoire that lives in the shadow of its much more famous big brother, the popular Piano Concerto No.1. Although not blessed with such an intense beginning or as many memorable melodies, many passages of the Second are as dramatic and beautiful as anything ever written for piano and orchestra. Mr. Gavrylyuk’s debut features this extraordinary work that has rarely been heard in Vancouver in an exciting, all-Russian classical celebration.

CONCERT INFO

Musically Speaking & Surrey Nights Series:

Exciting Russian Classics! Gavrylyuk Plays Tchaikovsky

Saturday, May 9, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Monday, May 11, 8pm, Bell Performing Arts Centre

Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Alexander Gavrylyuk, piano*

Rimsky-Korsakov Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major*

James Maxwell Olympic Commission

Shostakovich The Age of Gold Suite

Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

Rubinstein Competition winning piano prodigy Alexander Gavrylyuk is one of the top pianists of his generation, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Lang Lang and Yundi Li. His performance of Tchaikovsky’s other piano concerto will blow you away.

Tickets for May 9 Concert: $20 to $56 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets for May 11 Concert: $37 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Generously Supported By:

May 9 Concert Sponsor: HSBC Canada

Video Screen Sponsor: TELUS

Video screen presentations created and produced by students and staff of digital video productions at Columbia Academy.

Radio Sponsor: 103.5 QM/FM

The Surrey Nights Series has been endowed by a generous gift from Werner and Helga Höing.

BIOGRAPHIES

Bramwell Tovey, conductor

A musician of striking versatility, Bramwell Tovey is acknowledged around the world for his artistic depth and warm, charismatic personality on the podium. Tovey’s career as a conductor is uniquely enhanced by his work as a composer and pianist, lending him a remarkable musical perspective.

Tovey garnered a 2008 Grammy Award and a 2008 Juno Award for his recording with violinist James Ehnes and the Vancouver Symphony. Recently named Principal Guest Conductor for the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, he works frequently with the Toronto Symphony, Montreal Symphony, Royal Philharmonic and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras, among many others. He has presided as host and conductor of the New York Philharmonic’s Summertime Classics series at Avery Fisher Hall since its founding in 2004.

As a composer, he was honored with the Best Canadian Classical Composition Juno Award in 2003 for his Requiem for a Charred Skull. New works include a co-commission for the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics’ 2008 summer seasons as well as a full-length opera for the Calgary Opera, The Inventor, to premiere in January of 2011.

Tovey has been awarded honorary degrees, including a Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Music in London, honorary Doctorates of Law from the universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba, and Kwantlen University College, as well as a Royal Conservatory of Music Fellowship in Toronto. In 1999, he received the M. Joan Chalmers National Award for Artistic Direction, a Canadian prize awarded to artists for outstanding contributions in the performing arts.

Alexander Gavrylyuk, piano

Winner of the 11th Arthur Rubinstein Masters Piano Competition 2005. Winner of the 4th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition Japan 2000. Winner of the 3rd Horowitz International Piano Competition in Ukraine in 1999.

Alexander's upcoming engagements include solo recital at the big hall of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, concerts with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the Netherlands Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, the Moscow Radio Orchestra. Gavrylyuk has been invited to record and perform the complete Prokofiev concerti with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting in 2009.

In January 2007 Alexander had his solo debut recital at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatorium at the invitation of Nikolay Petrov. Gavrylyuk has also performed a solo recital at the Kremlin. 2007 took Alexander to Australia, Canada, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Taipei, and the USA.

Alexander has performed with the Russian National Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Osaka Philharmonic, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israeli Chamber Orchestra, the, Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony, and Western Australia Symphony. Lately Gavrylyuk has performed with conductors Lazarev, Spivakov, Segerstam, Fedoseyev, Gruppman, Ettinger, Tovey and Soudan.

Alexander Gavrylyuk was born in 1984 in the Ukraine and began his piano studies at the age of seven. He gave his first concerto performance when he was nine years old. In 1996 he was a prize winner in Senigalia, Italy and in 1997 was a 2nd prize winner at the Second Horowitz International Piano Competition in Kiev. The next big step for Alexander was going back to compete at the Third Horowitz International Piano Competition and winning the coveted First prize and Gold medal in 1999.

Proclaimed as “the best sixteen year old pianist of the late twentieth century” by critics in Japan in November 2000 after winning First Prize in the prestigious Hamamatsu International piano Competition in Japan. He was 16 years old in a field of competitors ranging in age from 16 to 32. Alexander returns regularly, touring Japan and performing to a full house in Suntory Hall and Tokyo Opera City Hall. He recorded his first two CD’s in Japan.

Alexander lived in Sydney, Australia from 1998-2006. His Australian concert activities in more recent years include recitals at the Sydney Opera House, City Recital Hall in Sydney as well as performances with the Melbourne Symphony and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s in 2006.

In April 2005, Gavrylyuk won the First Prize, Gold Medal as well as the Best Performance of a Classical Concerto in the internationally renowned Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Masters Competition. That year, VAI International recorded his live performance at the Miami Piano Discoveries Festival, USA, for international DVD release which went on to receive four and five star ratings in the international press. In May 2007 he recorded his second DVD with VAI.

Victoria Symphony announces 2009-2010 season

Grammy-award winner James Ehnes headlines Victoria Symphony's 09/10 season!

Victoria, BC – On Friday, March 27, Music Director Tania Miller unveiled the Victoria Symphony’s new season of concerts for 2009/10. Highlights include performances by acclaimed violinist James Ehnes and jazz vocalist Michael Kaeshammer and of masterworks such as Holst’s The Planets, Bach’s Magnificat and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 3.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 500 Victoria Symphony supporters, media and members of the arts community at the Royal Theatre, Maestra Miller, Conductor in Residence Giuseppe Pietraroia, trombonist Marcus Hissen and Concertmaster Terence Tam, presented personal highlights for the season.

The biggest announcement of the evening was that the Grammy-award winning violinist James Ehnes would appear with the Victoria Symphony in December and perform Beethoven’s powerful Violin Concerto.

The return of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the Victoria debut of renowned pops specialists Five By Design in the Beltone Pops series was met with much excitement. In addition, the orchestral debut performance of jazz pianist and vocalist Michael Kaeshammer with the Victoria Symphony is set to be one much anticipated concert in the season, as well as Charlie Chaplin’s silent film City Lights which will be screened with orchestral accompaniment.

Maestra Tania Miller comments, “We are very proud of the series we’ve assembled this year and we will continue to connect and engage our audience. Many of our series show great strength in the music and the special guests we have this season. I’m very excited that artists such as James Ehnes, Five By Design and the students of the CCPA will be joining us, as well as again working with homegrown talent such as the Victoria Choral Society and Nikki Chooi.”

This season launch marks the Victoria Symphony’s 69^th year and Tania Miller’s 7^th year as Music Director. Conductors Alain Trudel, Giuseppe Pietraroia and Brian Jackson join Maestra Miller as the Victoria Symphony’s artistic leaders.

The Victoria Symphony is Vancouver Island’s largest and most active arts organization. It is committed to producing high quality live music, fostering new music and encouraging community involvement through music education. The 2009/10 season offers a diverse and exciting line-up of over 50 concerts led Tania Miller, its vibrant Music Director.

Mikhail Simonyan's VSO Debut

The VSO presents the Vancouver debut of trail-blazing

Russian violinist Mikhail Simonyan

Vancouver BC – The VSO proudly presents Mikhail Simonyan – a violinist hailed as having “a flawless, liquid line and ravishing tone,” by The Washington Post – performing Chausson’s Poème and Ravel’s Tzigane. The program, Fine French Fantasies, will be conducted by VSO Assistant Conductor Evan Mitchell and also features Berlioz’s Le corsaire, Op. 21, Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite and Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The concerts take place on Saturday, March 28 at 8pm and Sunday, March 29 at 2pm at the Orpheum Theatre and will mark Mr. Simonyan’s debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Marking another debut, this concert features Evan Mitchell’s 2008/2009 Musically Speaking concert debut. These two great young artistic talents team up for a beautiful concert of French repertoire.

Mikhail Simonyan, who hails from Novosibirsk (the same city that Vadim Repin and Maxim Vengerov call home), began to study the violin at the age of five. As part of the first generation of artists to forge careers in an era with substantially decreased government support, he has blazed a trail for young musicians in Russia. In 1999, at 13, Mr. Simonyan made his acclaimed New York debut at Lincoln Center with the American Russian Young Artists Orchestra (ARYO) and his debut in St. Petersburg, Russia at the Mariinsky (Kirov) Theatre in ARYO's joint concert with the Mariinsky Youth Orchestra, performing the Szymanowski Violin Concerto No. 1.

Mr. Simonyan has earned first prize awards at the all-Russia Competition in Saint Petersburg, the Siberian Violin Competition, the National Prize Prizvanie in Moscow, and the Salon de Virtuosi in New York. He is a winner of the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation Award, and received the 2000 Virtuoso of the Year award in Saint Petersburg. In 2003, the National Academy of Achievement selected him for an award in the Performing Arts. In 2005, he received the highest level of recognition when President Putin received him at the Kremlin, in acknowledgment of his status as one of Russia’s most promising young musicians.

Now in his early twenties, Mr. Simonyan is recognized as one of the great talents of his generation. Celebrated for his “breadth, lyricism and fleet technique” by The New York Times and compared to master violinist David Oistrakh “on a good day” by The Miami Herald, Mr. Simonyan proves that he has the talent and dedication to be one of the great talents of our time.

CONCERT INFO

Musically Speaking Series & Beltone Symphony Sundays Series:

Fine French Fantasies: Simonyan Plays Ravel and Chausson

Saturday, March 28, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Sunday, March 29, 2pm, Orpheum Theatre

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Mikhail Simonyan, violin

Berlioz Le corsair, Op. 21

Ravel Mother Goose Suite

Chausson Poeme, Op. 25

Ravel Tzigane

Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Tickets $20 to $56 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Generously Supported By:

Musically Speaking Series Video Screen Sponsor: TELUS

Video screen presentations created and produced by students and staff of digital video productions at Columbia Academy.

Symphony Sundays Series Sponsor: Beltone

BIOGRAPHIES

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Conductor Evan Mitchell is proving to be one of Canada’s most promising young conductors. Currently the Assistant Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony, Evan is slated to play a key role in programming, artistic development and of course performance with the VSO, leading the orchestra through a wide assortment of concerts.

Equally at home with chamber music, opera and full symphonic masterpieces, Evan has enjoyed critical acclaim with recent operatic performances including Britten’s Albert Herring, Ward’s The Crucible, Hindemith’s “Hin und Zuruck” and the world premiere of Glenn James’ opera “To Daniel.” Evan also won positions with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada for four consecutive years as both conductor and percussionist and now holds the title of Associate Mentor with the orchestra. Highlights include conducting violin soloist Elizabeth Pitcairn, the concertmaster of the New West Symphony and owner of the Mendelssohn Stradivarius 1720 “Red Violin.”

Evan is an advocate of contemporary music. Recently the resident conductor of NUMUS New Music Ensemble, he has premiered several new works, toured across Canada conducting a festival of contemporary Chinese music and recorded works for the CMC, collaborating with such Canadian artists as the Pentaedre Wind Quintet, Penderecki String Quartet and Dancetheatre David Earle. Evan has also conducted and performed works during the highly acclaimed Open Ears Festival.

As a percussionist Evan has enjoyed equal success. In demand as a recitalist and concert soloist (recent performances of the Rosauro Marimba concerto and the Mayuzumi Xylophone concerto), Evan’s percussive performance has been hailed as “breathtaking in (his) sensitivity” as well as “wizardly” and “awe-inspiring.” Evan has toured Canada, the United States and abroad, including a memorable tour as Canadian ambassador during a concert tour with virtuoso composer/percussionist Nebojsa Zivkovic, during which he performed as concert soloist and along with the composer in a sold out performance of Zivkovic's celebrated “Trio per Uno” at the Stuttgart International Theatre. Evan is a frequent performer with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and has performed with Orchestra London and the Toronto Symphony. Evan has also been a faculty member and guest lecturer with Wilfrid Laurier University, primarily as Music Director of the Flute Ensemble.

Awards include First Prize at the Werlde Musik Kontest in Kerkrade, Netherlands, finalist at the upcoming TD Canada Trust Elora Festival Competition and Winner in Marching category as part of the Kavaliers DCI Drum Corps. Evan is also the winner of the 2006 Pioneer Leading Edge Arts Award.

Evan is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University where he completed a Bachelor of Music degree as a percussion major; he is also a graduate of the University of Toronto, where he studied on a full scholarship sponsored by Elmer Iseler and Victor Feldbrill, earning a Masters degree in conducting. His principal conducting teachers include Raffi Armenian, Doreen Rao, Paul Pulford and Boris Brott. Additionally, he has studied and performed in concert series with Denise Grant, Martin Fischer-Dieskau and most notably, Helmuth Rilling, in the inaugural Toronto Bach festival.

Mikhail Simonyan, violin

At just 22 years of age, Mikhail Simonyan is already recognized as one of the most celebrated talents of his generation. The New York Times has praised his, “breadth, lyricism and fleet technique,” and reported that “Mr. Simonyan play[s] as if every note counted.” The Miami Herald has declared, “Mikhail Simonyan . . . played with the poise, perfection and inner burning fire of a master like David Oistrakh – in his prime on a good night.”

Mr. Simonyan has performed with, among others, the Russian National Orchestra, the Kirov Orchestra, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Kremlin Chamber Orchestra, the Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra, the Novosibirsk Philharmonic, and the Moscow Virtuosi. He has worked with conductors including Valery Gergiev, Mikhail Pletnev, Constantine Orbelian, Vladimir Spivakov, Arnold Katz, Kristjan Järvi, Leon Botstein, and the late Yehudi Menuhin.

Performance highlights for Mr. Simonyan include a solo appearance with Leonard Slatkin at the Kennedy Center's 35th Anniversary Gala in 2001, after which he made his official debut with Maestro Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra in 2002. Later that same year, he performed at the Davos World Economic Summit.

In 2004, Mr. Simonyan made his debut with the Kirov Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre under Maestro Valery Gergiev in Eduoard Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE, and at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Also in 2004, he made his subscription debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Maestro Gergiev. He also soloed with Maestro Constantine Orbelian at the Moscow State Conservatory’s Great Hall, and in Saint Petersburg with the Novosibirsk Philharmonic.

In addition, he was selected to appear at the Horatio Alger Awards Dinner in Washington DC. In spring of 2004, he performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto at SUNY Performing Arts Center and with the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra.

In the autumn of 2004, after studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Mr. Simonyan returned to Russia and was immediately in demand by the leading Orchestra’s of his home country. After his debut with the Russian National Orchestra, the Moscow Times wrote, “… he seems destined to be ranked on the same Superstar level as fellow Novosibirsk natives Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin.” Highlights of the 2004-2005 season included his debut in Vienna’s Musikverein as soloist with Maestro Kristjan Järvi and the Tonkünstler Orchestra, a highly acclaimed solo recital debut in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center, as well as recitals and orchestral performances in New York and other cities across the US.

Other performance highlights of Mr. Simonyan’s past seasons include a tour of the United States with the Kirov Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre under Maestro Valery Gergiev, concerts with Maestro Kristjan Järvi and the Russian National Orchestra, his debut at the Prague Spring Festival under Maestro Pletnev, and recitals in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Highlights of Mr. Simonyan’s current concert season include debuts at the Wigmore Hall in London and at the Berlin Philharmonie; his debut at the Teatro Municipal in Santiago, Chile, performing the Bruch Violin Concerto; a recital during the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Musikfestival in Germany as part of the “Junge Elite” concert series; appearances with the Seoul Philharmonic, the Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra at the Musikverein, and the Vancouver Symphony; and recitals in the United States and Russia. In addition, his much anticipated debut recording of the Prokofiev Sonatas for Violin and Piano, recorded with Grammy Award-winning producer Adam Abeshouse, will be released in 2008.

Mr. Simonyan continues to work with Victor Danchenko in the United States and now lives in Philadelphia. He performs on a Zygmuntowicz violin. He is managed worldwide by Tanja Dorn at IMG Artists.

Pacific Opera Presents The Magic Flute

THE MAGIC FLUTE
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE EVER SUNG
APRIL 16, 18, 21, 23, 25 AND 27, 2009

Pacific Opera Victoria is proud to present its first "Magic Flute", in over twenty years. Mozart's enchanting adventure for all ages, THE MAGIC FLUTE is presented at The Royal Theatre in Victoria, April 16, 18, 21, 23, 25 and 27, 2009.

Mozart's final opera, THE MAGIC FLUTE (Die Zauberflöte) was written in 1791 to a libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder, and it has become one of the most beloved masterpieces in the repertoire. The young lovers, Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina, the imposing Sarastro, the tempestuous Queen of the Night, and the whimsical bird-catcher Papageno have been entertaining audiences for over 200 years in a work that is both playful and profound.

What transforms this sophisticated, joyous adventure into one of the most prodigious masterworks in the repertoire is, of course, Mozart's music. Encompassing infectious folk airs, sonorous majesty, and coloratura pyrotechnics, it is stunning in its variety and beauty. And with a story and characters that inspire and amuse, THE MAGIC FLUTE has something for everyone. Sublime and bewitching, it is an opera to grow up with and to grow old with.

Award-winning Maestro Timothy Vernon and Director Glynis Leyshon team up with designer John Ferguson and local artists Miles Lowry and David Ferguson to present a Magic Flute infused with the graceful spirit and elegance of turn-of-the-century Vienna.

An exceptional ensemble cast includes Shannon Mercer, a Juno-award nominee who makes her company debut as Pamina, Colin Ainsworth as Tamino, and Canadian coloratura Aline Kutan in her signature role of The Queen of the Night. Uwe Dumbrach as Sarastro and Hugh Russell as
Papageno are joined by Marilyn Arsenault (Papagena), Michel Corbeil (Monostatos) and Bruce Kelly (High Priest).

Also featured in this production are members of Pacific Opera Victoria's Resident Artist Program, which offers advanced operatic training to outstanding young professional singers. Making their POV debuts are Resident Artists Lucia Cesaroni, Leticia Brewer, and Erin Lawson as the three ladies, with Joseph Schnurr and Alexandre Sylvestre as the two priests.

Kids love opera and a special 6th performance of THE MAGIC FLUTE is presented with children and their favourite grown-ups in mind. The April 27th performance of THE MAGIC FLUTE begins at 7pm (an hour earlier than other performances), and tickets are offered to children and youth aged 17 and under for half price.

Sung in German with English dialogue and surtitles, Pacific Opera Victoria's production of THE MAGIC FLUTE runs April 16, 18, 21, 23, 25 and 27, 2009 at the Royal Theatre in Victoria. All performances begin at 8pm, except for the April 27 performance which begins at 7pm. Priced between $25 and $110, tickets are available from the Royal and McPherson Box Office at 250-386-6121 or www.rmts.bc.ca.

Student RUSH tickets for those presenting valid student identification are available at the door of the theatre, 45 minutes prior to each performance, subject to availability. RUSH tickets are $15, inclusive of all box office charges.

For more information, please contact Pacific Opera Victoria at (250) 385-0222 or visit www.pov.bc.ca.

Hot Trumpet Nights with Allen Vizzutti!

Vancouver BC – Allen Vizzutti brought the house down in his last visit to the Orpheum, in what many said was one of the best Pops concerts in years. He makes his eagerly-anticipated return on March 6^th and 7^th at 8pm with the VSO and Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik. Vizzutti will perform Big Band classics such as Easy Livin', In a Sentimental Mood, Take the 'A' Train and King Porter Stomp – and a special bonus: the Canadian premiere of his own exciting Concierto Mexicano for Trumpet and Orchestra.

 

Jeff Tyzik and Allen Vizzutti have been long-time friends since working together on a trumpet concerto for Doc Severinsen, the leader of the Tonight Show band, during the early 1980's. This initial partnership would lead to a life-long collaboration on projects such as The Carnival of Venus and High Class Brass recordings. 

 

Last year, Yamaha launched Allen Vizzutti's own trumpet model, the YTR 9335VS. His idea was to design a trumpet that "could sing more openly above high 'C', have some classical weight to the sound, project when you lean on it and have a moderate amount of resistance, not to mention good intonation and never miss a note." Vizzutti jokes, "Well, you can't have everything. I got all except the 'never miss a note' part…"

 

Concierto Mexicano for Trumpet and Orchestra is a five-movement work by Allen Vizzutti which premiered this past season with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra. Vizzutti says about the piece: "I desired in Concierto Mexicano, to capture elements of Mexican folk melody and harmony, as well as present a piece with some exciting 'Vizzutti' flair. Mexican culture is as steeped in tradition and richness as any culture on earth. I found, altered and orchestrated three existing pieces and wrote two original ones to complete a set of five." The piece is sure to be a smashing success and the VSO is proud to present its Canadian premiere.

 

 

CONCERT INFO

 

London Drugs VSO Pops Series:

 

Allen Vizzutti with the VSO

 

Friday & Saturday, March 6 & 7, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

Allen Vizzutti, trumpet

 

Tickets $25 to $78.50 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

 

Generously Supported By:

 

Series Sponsor: London Drugs

 

Radio Sponsor: CHQM-FM

 

 

BIOGRAPHIES

 

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

 

Jeff Tyzik has earned a reputation as one of America's most innovative pops conductors. Described by the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle as "among the best pops conductors in America," Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. During the 2008/09 season, Tyzik celebrates his 15th season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Also this season, he begins a new role as Principal Pops Conductor of the Oregon Symphony and continues to serve as Principal Pops Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

In his fifteen years with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), where his contract was recently extended to 2011, Tyzik has developed an incredible relationship with devoted Rochester audiences who appreciate his creative pops programming. Over the course of his tenure, he has written over 160 works for the orchestra. A consummate musician, Tyzik is so appreciated in Rochester that the RPO has taken the unusual step of inviting their principal pops conductor to appear as a guest conductor in the orchestra's classical subscription series calendar on a regular basis. On his classical series concerts, Tyzik has performed works by some of the greatest American composers to critical acclaim. He also conducted the premiere of his own Trombone Concerto, which was funded by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and subsequently performed at Carnegie Hall. In May 2007, the Harmonia Mundi label released his recording of works by Gershwin with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and the RPO which by the summer had reached No. 3 on the Billboard classical chart. Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, called it "one of the snappiest Gershwin discs in years".

"His concert is the kind of thing that's likely to give classical music a good name, perhaps even make it seem, dare I say, relevant," writes John Pitcher of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle (February 3, 2006). "What's great about Tyzik is his way of making any concert (classical or pops) seem contemporary and approachable without sugarcoating anything, without dumbing down the musical experience."

Highly sought after as a guest conductor, Tyzik has recently appeared with orchestras such as the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the New York Pops, the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to his commitments in Rochester, Oregon and Vancouver, during the 2008/09 season he continues his annual appearance with the Toronto Symphony and performs with orchestras across North America including Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and New Jersey, as well as The Florida Orchestra and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, among others.

A native of Hyde Park, New York, Tyzik began his life in music at nine years of age, when he first picked up a cornet. He studied both classical and jazz throughout high school, and went on to earn both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied composition/arranging with Radio City Music Hall's Ray Wright and jazz studies with the great band leader Chuck Mangione, both of whom profoundly impacted him as a musician.

Tyzik spent the next few years working with Mangione, soaking in every part of the music business. He became a skilled record producer, while continuing to be active as a performer and arranger (which included composing and arranging music for the Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman Orchestras). These experiences led Tyzik to one of the great early opportunities of his career; the chance to co-compose a trumpet concerto with friend and virtuoso trumpeter Allen Vizzutti to be recorded by pops legend Doc Severinsen.

After that first recording project, Tyzik worked closely with Severinsen on many projects including orchestrating many of the great band leader's symphony orchestra programs, and producing a GRAMMY Award-winning album, The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. 1. To this day, he credits Severinsen as his greatest musical and professional inspiration.

As an accomplished composer and arranger, Tyzik has had his compositions recorded by ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Summit Brass, and his arrangements have been recorded by groups including Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the RPO, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and Doc Severinsen with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He has also produced and composed theme music for many of the major television networks, including ABC, NBC, HBO, and Cinemax, and released six of his own albums on Capitol, Polygram and Amherst Records.

Committed to performing music of all genres, Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Dawn Upshaw, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Mark O'Connor, Doc Severinsen, John Pizzarelli, Billy Taylor and Lou Rawls, and has created original programs that include the greatest music from jazz and classical to Motown and swing.

Actively sharing his passion for music with others, Tyzik has been recognized for his community service and educational work by Rotary International, the Monroe County Music Educators, and the Rochester Philharmonic League. He is also the recipient of the Arts & Cultural Council of Greater Rochester's 2002 Performing Artist award.

Tyzik currently serves on the Board of Managers of the Eastman School of Music, and as a board member of the Hochstein School of Music and Dance. He lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife Jill. For more information about Tyzik, please visit www.jefftyzik.com.

 

Allen Vizzutti, trumpet

 

"Beautiful…lyrical…stunning…stupifying."
"Trumpet player supreme." -- Syracuse Post Standard

"Finely tuned wind, easy control, polyharmonic wit, orchestral penmanship, punctuated spiritual warmth…rarely do so many qualities find themselves in one musician." --Chick Corea

Equally at home in a multitude of musical idioms, Allen Vizzutti has visited 40 countries and every state in the union to perform with a rainbow of artists and ensembles including Chick Corea, 'Doc' Severinsen, the NBC Tonight Show Band, the Airmen Of Note, the Army Blues and Army Symphony Orchestra, Chuck Mangione, Woody Herman, Japan's NHK Orchestra and the New Tokyo Philharmonic, the Budapest Radio Orchestra, , the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Leipzig Wind Symphony and the Kosie Wind Orchestra. Performing as a classical and a jazz artist, often in the same evening, he has appeared as guest soloist with symphony orchestras in Tokyo, Germany, St. Louis, Seattle, Rochester N.Y., Syracuse, Milwaukee, Buffalo, Phoenix, Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg to name a few. Music lovers in Germany, Poland, England, Sweden, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Australia and the United States have heard his brilliant sound over the airwaves of national television. Allen's status as an artist has led to solo performances at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Newport Jazz Festival, Banff Center for the Performing Arts, Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Teton, Vail, Aspen and Brechenridge Music Festivals, the Charles Ives Center and Lincoln Center in New York City.

From his home in Seattle Washington, Allen's current career activities embody an impressive schedule of recitals, concerts, recording and composing. His continued commitment to music education and the value of music in everyday life results in an extensive schedule of guest appearances at universities throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Australia.

Allen's solo jazz recordings include CDs such as "Trumpet Summit" and "Skyrocket" from Summit Records. Classical CDs currently available from DeHaske Music Publishing Recordings are "The Emerald Concerto and Other Gems", with the Budapest Radio Orchestra, "Vizzutti Plays Vizzutti" and "Vizzutti and Soli On Tour". His "High Class Brass", (also DeHaske Recordings), is a wonderfully unique classical and jazz blend co-produced, co-written and performed with fellow trumpet artist, composer and conductor, Jeff Tyzik along with a 90 piece studio orchestra. Also of interest are "Baroque and Beyond", from Sony, "The Carnival of Venus", (Summit Records), and "A Trumpeter's Dream, (Ludwig Music Publishing).

As Artist in Residence, Allen has taught at the Eastman School of Music, the Banff Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas State University, Ohio State University, West Texas State University, the Skidmore Jazz Institute, and the Trompeten Akademie of Bremen Germany. He is currently 'Artist In Residence' at the University of Washington. His extensive treatise, "The Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method" and his "New Concepts for Trumpet", (Alfred Music Publishing), have become standards works for trumpet study world wide. Many more of Allen's jazz and classical books, play along recordings, and student and recital compositions are published by DeHaske/Hal Leonard, Southern Music, and Ars Nova. His writing includes solo pieces for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone, tuba, and harp, chamber groups, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and symphony orchestra.

Allen's love of expression through composition has led to premier performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Budapest Radio Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic of London, the Nuremberg Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, London Symphony, the renowned Summit Brass and others. After the world premier of his "Emerald Concerto" with the Syracuse Symphony Allen's writing was described in review: "The Emerald Concerto sparkles!...a vivacious treatment which speaks well for both his dramatic instinct and technical prowess as a composer."

While growing up in Montana, Allen was taught by his father, a self taught musician and trumpet player, until he left home to attend the Eastman School of Music on full scholarship. There he earned the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, a Performer's Certificate, a chair in the Eastman Brass Quintet faculty ensemble, and the only Artist's Diploma ever awarded a wind player in Eastman's 85 year history.

While living in Los Angeles during the 80's, Allen performed on over 100 motion picture sound tracks, (such as Back To The Future and Star Trek), as well as countless TV shows, commercials and recordings with such artists as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Chick Corea, the Commodores and Prince. His soaring sounds can be heard on projects including the movies "40 Days and 40 Nights", "Unfaithfully Yours", Gridiron Gang", "Scary Movie Four", and the "Medal of Honor" and "Halo II" video games.

ALLEN VIZZUTTI IS A YAMAHA PERFORMING ARTIST

The VSO's March Concert Listings

The VSO’s March Concert Listings

Vancouver BC – March begins with the magnificent violinist Kyoko Takezawa and acclaimed conductor Andrew Litton in an epic concert of Elgar, Rachmaninoff and Walton. This Masterworks Gold concert features a pre-concert talk at 7:05pm with VSO bassoonist Sophie Dansereau.

The month continues with Musical Tales from Vienna, a Pacific Arbour Tea & Trumpets concert led by Assistant Conductor Evan Mitchell, hosted by Christopher Gaze, and featuring eleven year-old pianist Tristan Teo. Much of the world’s most famous and popular classical music came from Vienna, the Musical City – this concert highlights music from the Strauss family, Lehar, Mozart and Von Suppe.

Next up, the VSO’s popular London Drugs Pops Series presents world-renowned trumpeter Allen Vizzutti who brought down the house in his last visit to the Orpheum. He makes his return performing Big Band classics such as In a Sentimental Mood, Take the ‘A’ Train, King Porter Stomp, and the Canadian premiere of his own piece Concierto Mexicano for Trumpet and Orchestra. The VSO’s Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik conducts.

There is also a special concert for toddlers – Tiny Tots: Magical Melody Train Ride featuring the lovely music of Dvorak. Dance and sing with entertainers and professional educators Let Your Music Shine with Lisa and Linda.

Next, famed guest conductor Kenneth Slowik wields his baton for a concert devoted to the magnificent music of Bach and Haydn. These concerts are performed at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts at UBC and Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.

We continue the month with the rebel, a co-presentation with the talented Kokoro Dance. This concert also features Canadian saxophonist Wallace Halladay and takes place in the modern and intimate settings of the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown.

The month wraps up with some Fine French Fantasies. Renowned violinist Mikhail Simonyan is recognized as one of the great talents of his generation. Fairy tales, poems and fantasies come to life when Simonyan plays the legendary pieces by Ravel and Chausson, and Evan Mitchell leads the orchestra in beautiful works by Berlioz and Dukas.

March marks the beginning of spring and another great month of VSO concerts!

CONCERT INFO

Masterworks Gold Series:

Epic Elgar and Rachmaninoff, with Kyoko Takezawa

Saturday & Monday, February 28 & March 2, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Andrew Litton, conductor

Kyoko Takezawa, violin

Walton Crown Imperial

Elgar Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61

Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44

Celebrated conductor Andrew Litton takes the reins in a concert featuring exciting violinist Kyoko Takezawa, and a rarely performed Romantic gem by Rachmaninoff.

Tickets $25 to $78.50 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Generously Supported By:

Radio Sponsor: CKNW AM980

Pacific Arbour Tea & Trumpets Series:

Musical Tales from Vienna

Thursday, March 5, 2pm, Orpheum Theatre

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Tristan Teo, piano*

Mozart The Magic Flute: Overture

Strauss Tales from the Vienna Woods

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466 (first movement)

Lehar Gold and Silver Waltz

Von Suppe Light Cavalry: Overture

Strauss Blue Danube Waltz

Strauss Radetzky March

Much of the world’s most famous and popular music came from the Musical City – you will hear from the Strauss family, Lehar, Mozart and von Suppe in a magical afternoon of waltz and song.

Tickets $36 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Generously Supported By:

Series Sponsor: Pacific Arbour

London Drugs VSO Pops Series:

Allen Vizzutti with the VSO

Friday & Saturday, March 6 & 7, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

Allen Vizzutti, trumpet

Allen Vizzutti brought the house down in his last visit to the Orpheum, in what many said was one of the best Pops concerts in many years. He makes his return with the Canadian premiere of his own exciting Concierto Mexicano for Trumpet and Orchestra.

Tickets $25 to $78.50 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Generously Supported By:

Series Sponsor: London Drugs

Radio Sponsor: CHQM-FM

Tiny Tots Series:

Magical Melody Train Ride

Friday, March 13, 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre

Saturday, March14, 10:00am, 11:30am, Terry Fox Theatre

Let Your Music Shine with Lisa and Linda, entertainers

Featuring the Music of Dvorak. Dance and sing, by land and sea to music from the New World.

Adult Tickets $15, Child Tickets $7

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Premier Education Partner:

TELUS

Bach & Beyond Series:

The Magnificent Music of Bach and Haydn

Friday & Saturday, March 20 & 21, 8pm, Chan Centre

Kenneth Slowik, conductor

JS Bach Suite No.1

CPE Bach Harpsichord Concerto in G Major

JS Bach Harpsichord Concerto No. 7

Haydn Symphony No.96 in D Major, The Miracle

Baroque specialist Kenneth Slowik leads the orchestra in a performance that epitomizes the Bach & Beyond series: both Bachs, and one of Papa Haydn’s most popular symphonies.

Tickets $35 to $59 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available ONLY through Ticketmaster outlets, Charge-by-Phone at 604.280.3311 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca

The VSO’s Bach & Beyond Series Endowed By

The Chan Foundation of Canada

The presentation of this series is made possible in part through the generous assistance of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts of the University of British Columbia.

Radio Sponsor:

CHQM-FM

The Vancouver Sun Symphony at the Roundhouse Series:

the rebel

Co-presentation with Kokoro Dance

Friday, March 20, 8pm

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Wallace Halladay, saxophone

Neil Miskey, viola

Brent Akins, violin

Kokoro Dance, dancers

Gareth Farr the Pagan Prayer

Scott Good Babbitt-Concerto for Saxophone(s)

Arvo Part Tabula Rasa

Tickets $27 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Generously Supported By:

Series Sponsor: The Vancouver Sun

Financial Support By: SOCAN Foundation

North Shore Classics Series:

The Magnificent Music of Bach and Haydn

Monday, March 23, 8pm, Centennial Theatre

Kenneth Slowik, conductor

JS Bach Suite No. 1

CPE Bach Harpsichord Concerto in G Major

JS Bach Harpsichord Concerto No. 7 in G minor

Haydn Symphony No. 96, The Miracle

Baroque specialist Kenneth Slowik leads the orchestra in a performance that epitomizes the Bach & Beyond series: both Bachs, and one of Papa Haydn’s most popular symphonies.

Tickets $37 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available ONLY through Ticketmaster outlets, Charge-by-Phone at 604.280.3311 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca

Musically Speaking Series:

Fine French Fantasies: Simonyan Plays Ravel and Chausson

Saturday, March 28, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Mikhail Simonyan, violin

Berlioz Le corsair, Op. 21

Ravel Mother Goose Suite

Chausson Poeme, Op. 25

Ravel Tzigane

Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Fairy tales, poems and fantasies come to life under the baton of VSO Assistant Conductor Evan Mitchell. At only twenty-two years of age, Russian violinist Mikhail Simonyan is recognized as one of the great talents of his generation.

Tickets $20 to $56 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Generously Supported By:

Video Screen Sponsor: TELUS

Video screen presentations created and produced by students and staff of digital video productions at Columbia Academy.

Beltone Symphony Sundays Series:

Fine French Fantasies: Simonyan Plays Ravel and Chausson

Sunday, March 29, 2pm, Orpheum Theatre

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Mikhail Simonyon, violin

Berlioz Le corsair, Op. 21

Ravel Mother Goose Suite

Chausson Poeme, Op. 25

Ravel Tzigane

Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Fairy tales, poems and fantasies come to life under the baton of VSO Assistant Conductor Evan Mitchell. At only twenty-two years of age, Russian violinist Mikhail Simonyan is recognized as one of the great talents of his generation.

Tickets $20 to $56 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Generously Supported By:

Series Sponsor: Beltone

Diana Krall to close BC Scene May 2 and 3, 2009

Diana Krall to close BC Scene

May 2 and 3, 2009

Tickets on sale November 26

OTTAWA – Diana Krall, Canada’s internationally acclaimed queen of jazz will perform live at the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall on Saturday, May 2, 2009, and Sunday, May 3 at 8 p.m. The performances will close out BC Scene, a dazzling, multi-disciplinary arts festival taking place over two weeks next spring in Ottawa-Gatineau to celebrate the culture of British Columbia.

Tickets for the two shows go on sale on November 26 from Ticketmaster at 613-755-1111 or through the Ticketmaster link on the BC Scene web site at www.bcscene.ca, or in person at the NAC Box Office at 53 Elgin Street. (A surcharge is applicable on all Ticketmaster purchases.)

This Ottawa stop on her national tour gives local audiences a chance to enjoy the spectacular songstress live on stage singing songs from her newest album, to be released early in 2009, along with favourites from her extensive repertoire.

Since her breakout album Stepping Out was released in 1993, Diana Krall’s name has been synonymous with musical excellence. The B.C. native’s sultry, imaginative interpretations of jazz standards have made her one of the world’s most admired and recognized musicians, whose collaborations with jazz superstars such as Ray Charles and Tony Bennett, have bridged the gap to create new generations of jazz lovers around the world. With her smooth, sexy style and lush arrangements, Diana Krall has seduced both audiences devoted to jazz, and those with other musical preferences. Along with her luscious delivery and fresh interpretations of traditional jazz favourites such as George Gershwin’s timeless “They Can’t Take That Away from Me, and Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” Krall brings new life to more contemporary classics, such as Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You.” Whether singing to her own remarkable piano accompaniment, or backed by a full orchestra, Diana Krall’s talent and engaging performance style are undeniable, and audiences lucky enough to spend an evening under her musically hypnotic thrall don’t quickly forget the experience.

Diana Krall at BC Scene is the must-be-there event of the season and the perfect Christmas gift for any music lover. Diana Krall appears at BC Scene thanks in part to the support of The Radcliffe Foundation.

Born into a music-loving family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Diana Krall began her musical journey during early childhood. While her mother sang in church, her father, a stride pianist with an extensive knowledge of jazz and Tin Pan Alley standards, had a massive record collection that introduced her to many of the jazz and pop greats who would inform her own musical development.

"I was immersed in music growing up," Krall recalls. "My father has a vast collection; he collects 78 records, and that's how I first heard Fats Waller, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong. I connected with music on such an emotional level that it wasn't 'This is what I want to do,' it was 'This is what I have to do.'"

Krall’s impressive skills on the piano attracted the attention of bass player Ray Brown (Ex-husband of jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald and longtime member of the Oscar Peterson Trio) and others, including producer Tommy LiPuma, who encouraged the young musician to hone her talents in Los Angeles and then in New York. Her career exploded when When I Look in Your Eyes won a GRAMMY^© for best jazz vocal and became the first jazz disc in twenty-five years to be nominated for Album of the Year. In 2002, The Look of Love was a #1 bestseller in the US and a seven-time platinum album in Canada. 2004’s The Girl in the Other Room, was her first to focus on her own songwriting – featuring six tunes co-written with her husband, celebrated songwriter and singer Elvis Costello. Last year’s Christmas Songs proved one of the season’s best-sellers.

BC Scene

BC Scene will take place from April 21 to May 3, 2009. Part of a series of biennial national festivals exploring Canada’s cultural panorama, BC Scene will celebrate a dynamic culture that is a fusion of traditional and contemporary, East and West, and established and emerging artists.

In what will be the largest gathering of British Columbia artists ever presented outside of the province, BC Scene will feature 600 artists from disciplines as varied as music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, literature and culinary arts in more than 30 venues around the National Capital Region. Among those in attendance for this unique showcase of B.C. artists will be more than 60 Canadian and international presenters – producers, buyers, or talent scouts – to discover B.C. talent and bring it back to their own audiences.

Partners

A multitude of public and private organizations have come together to make BC Scene a reality. BC Scene would like to thank the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and Western Economic Diversification Canada for their generous support of this event.

The National Arts Centre and National Arts Centre Foundation also extend warm thank you to the B.C. Strategy Council, a group of committed individuals whose leadership, support and guidance are key to the success of BC Scene. The B.C. Strategy Council is led by Honorary Chairs Milton and Fei Wong, Chair Donald B. Rix.

The NAC Foundation also gratefully acknowledges the support of Presenting Partner Plasco Energy Group, Special Partners The Audain Foundation for the Visual Arts in British Columbia, Martha Lou Henley, Milton and Fei Wong and Dr. Donald B. Rix. Acknowledgment is also extended to Major Partner Enbridge Inc. and Supporting Partner HSBC Bank Canada, the Holiday Inn and Screen Siren Pictures. For their commitment and support of B.C. arts and artists, we give special thanks to the NAC Friends – B.C. BC Scene Media Partners include CBC/Radio-Canada, The National Post, Vancouver Magazine and Western Living, The Ottawa Citizen, LeDroit, and The Vancouver Sun.

BC Scene would also like to thank the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council for their valuable assistance.

To register to receive programming updates about BC Scene, please subscribe to the BC Scene email list at www.bcscene.ca

Concert November 9: Jin Joo Cho

Jeunesses Musicales Ontario presents

JINJOO CHO, VIOLIN
LOUISE-ANDRÉE BARIL, PIANO

Date: Sunday November 9th Time: 3:00pm
Venue: Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
Tickets: $15 Adults/ $10 Students & Seniors
For on-line ticket orders: http://jinjoo.eventbrite.com/

Jeunesses Musicales Ontario is proud to present violinist Jinjoo Cho and
pianis Louise-Andrée Baril with their concert as part of the Desjardins
Concerts 2008-2009. This tour will bring the two musicians in many cities
throughout Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Colombia.

JINJOO CHO, VIOLIN
Violinist Jinjoo Cho won the First Grand Prize and the People's Choice Award
at the 2006 Montreal International Musical Competition, and the gold medal
at the 2005 Stulberg International String Competition. She has appeared as a
soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the
Quebec Symphony Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kalamazoo
Symphony, CityMusic Cleveland, and the Aspen Concert Orchestra. She has
worked with world renowned artists such as Robert McDuffie, Peter Oundjian,
Muhai Tang, and Kent Nagano. Ms. Cho appeared on a national radio broadcast
of From the Top in a program later designated best of the year. Ms. Cho has
given recitals in Seoul, Cleveland, Montreal, and New York, and she served
as a musician-in-residence at the Kentucky Center for Performing Arts. Ms.
Cho made her European debut in the Herkulessaal in Munich last season.
During the 2007-2008 seasons, Ms. Cho had performed in subscription concerts
with the Quebec Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, I Musici de Montréal, and
CityMusic Cleveland.

Ms. Cho, a dedicated orchestral and chamber musician, was a member of the
Wo¡-Mén String Quartet. The group was coached by Peter Salaff, Donald
Weilerstein, Arnold Steinhardt and the Cavani, Pacifica, and Takács String
Quartets. Her duo with cellist Joshua Roman regularly performs in Cleveland,
Seattle, and Spokane.

Ms. Cho, a native of Seoul, South Korea, attended the Yewon Art School. She
has been attending the Aspen Music Festival and School and was a member of
the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music from 2002
onward, in both venues as a student of Paul Kantor. She attended the Curtis
Institute of Music, studying there with Joseph Silverstein and Pamela Frank,
and is currently enrolled at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she is
working as a student of Paul Kantor.

LOUISE-ANDRÉE BARIL, PIANO
A native of Cornwall, pianist Louise-Andrée Baril is one of Canada's most
accomplished musicians. An arranger, soloist, chamber musician, vocal coach,
and rehearsal pianist, she has collaborated with major ensembles and
conductors in Canada and abroad. She is regularly invited to collaborate in
major international competitions. She appears on over forty recordings and
is regularly heard on Radio-Canada's airwaves. Passionate about opera, her
repertoire includes over one hundred operatic works. She is especially
dedicated to French vocal music.

Louise-Andrée takes a great interest in emerging artists and has established
several opera workshops and projects for young artists, such as the
Université de Montréal's opera workshop and the Orford Arts Centre opera. A
much sought-after teacher, she works with several music institutions in
Quebec, Ontario, and the United States. Since 2007, Louise-Andrée Baril has
been an artistic advisor at Jeunesses Musicales of Canada, for the
movement's opera productions in particular.

Since 1949, Jeunesses Musicales of Canada has had a dual mission: to bring
fine music to audiences of all ages, especially 3 to 12-year-olds, and to
foster the careers of outstanding young professional instrumentalists,
singers and composers in Canada and abroad. Thanks to the support of its
partners and the work of hundreds of volunteers, Jeunesses Musicales of
Canada has become Canada's largest classical music performance network and
produces some 800 concerts a year. In 2000, the organization opened a new
building in Montreal that includes a 100-seat chamber music hall.
JMC is affiliated with Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI), founded in
1945 in Belgium and considered today by UNESCO as the world's leading
cultural organization dedicated to youth and music. Each year, Jeunesses
Musicales International's 41 national chapters organize more than 30,000
musical events, reaching an audience of some six million people.

This tour is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Mouvement
des caisses Desjardins, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, The
Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, the Conseil des arts de
Montréal The Ontario Arts Council, and The Toronto Arts Council.

National Arts Centre Orchestra Western Canada Tour, Oct. 24-Nov. 12

Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman embarks on Western Canada Tour, Oct. 24 to Nov. 12, 2008, including over 130 educational events

OTTAWA, CANADA – Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, with Music Director Pinchas Zukerman as conductor and violin soloist, will head to Western Canada for its 2008 tour from October 24 to November 12. The Western Canada Tour, with pianist Jon Kimura Parker, composer Alexina Louie, and guest conductors James Judd and Boris Brott, will include 13 orchestral concerts in 10 cities – from Victoria to Whitehorse to Winnipeg – spanning four provinces plus the Orchestra’s first-ever visit to the Yukon. In addition, the Orchestra will reach thousands of young people through events ranging from masterclasses with Pinchas Zukerman and Jon Kimura Parker to student concerts with the full Orchestra. In total, there will be more than 130 education activities in 26 cities and communities during the 20-day tour.

The Western Canada Tour 2008 will see the National Arts Centre Orchestra performing concerts led by Pinchas Zukerman in Vancouver (Oct. 25 and 27 at 8 p.m.), Victoria (Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.), Calgary (Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.), Regina (Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.), Saskatoon (Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.) and Winnipeg (Nov. 10 at 8 p.m.). Guest conductor James Judd will lead concerts in Prince George (Oct 28 at 8 p.m.), Whitehorse (Oct. 29 at 8 p.m.) and Kamloops (Nov. 2 at 8 p.m.). There will be student matinees led by the NAC Orchestra’s Principal Youth and Family Conductor Boris Brott in Whitehorse (Oct. 30 at 10 a.m.); at CFB Edmonton (Nov. 4 at 1:15 p.m.) as part of an innovative day in residence both on the military base and at the Kipnes Centre for Veterans; and in Spruce Grove (Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m.). Pinchas Zukerman and members of the NAC Orchestra will perform chamber music at the Banff Centre (Nov. 6 at 8 p.m.).

The NAC is donating the performances of the artists and the NAC Orchestra in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Victoria to help host orchestras in those cities with their fundraising, and in Regina in honour of that orchestra’s 100^th anniversary season.

The National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges support for the Western Canada Tour from Presenting Partner EnCana, Signature Education Partner Agrium, and the NAC Friends and Trailblazers.

A distinguishing feature of any National Arts Centre Orchestra tour is educational outreach to children and youth. These outreach activities are opportunities for Music Director Pinchas Zukerman, guest artists and musicians of the Orchestra to step off the stage and into schools and classrooms to teach, encourage and inspire students, and to leave a real and lasting imprint.

The education events on the Western Canada Tour will include instrumental masterclasses for advanced students led by Pinchas Zukerman, Jon Kimura Parker and musicians of the NAC Orchestra; student open rehearsals with the NAC Orchestra; instrumental clinics in high schools; school concert-demonstrations by NAC Musician in the Schools ensembles in French immersion schools and by teaching musicians with the NAC’s Music Alive Program (formerly Music Ambassador Programme) in Alberta and Saskatchewan; sectional rehearsals with youth and community orchestras; composition lectures/masterclasses and pre- and intermission-concert chats with NAC Award Composer Alexina Louie; and pre-concert lobby performances by local youth choirs and instrumental ensembles. An additional special project is Music Connections - Winnipeg, a 9-week in-school program that integrates Aboriginal and Western cultural traditions and culminates with a live performance by up to 90 participating students with a brass octet from the NAC Orchestra on November 12 at 1 p.m. (location to be determined). Over 50 partners are engaged in helping to present these outreach activities.

In addition, the five participants in the NAC Orchestra’s 2008-09 Institute of Orchestral Studies will join the Orchestra on tour to perform in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. These students, selected by audition, will be rehearsing and performing with the NAC Orchestra during five separate weeks throughout the season.

NAC educational resources to be distributed on the Western Canada Tour consist of the “Vivaldi and the Four Seasons” Teacher Resource Kit, the “Let’s Go Mozart” Teacher Resource Kit, and the “Introducing Beethoven” student newspaper guides. Schools involved in the student matinees on tour, the “Music Connections – Winnipeg” project, and the Music Alive Program will be supplied with the relevant resources.

The Western Canada Tour website to be found at NACOtour.ca will include a tour blog, audio clips, a photo gallery, and more.

Pinchas Zukerman said: “It is wonderful to be traveling again to the West Coast with the NAC Orchestra. As Music Director, one of my favourite aspects of going on tour is the pleasure of performing for other communities and giving them a feel for what we do at home. We also look forward to our many educational activities which not only utilize the excellent players in our orchestra, but also our Artist-in-Residence Jon Kimura Parker, and NAC Award Composer, Alexina Louie. We hope the communities we meet enjoy these concerts and activities, and that we will see them again in Ottawa!”

“The National Arts Centre belongs to all Canadians... and it’s extremely important to us that we make a real contribution to communities across the country,” said Peter Herrndorf, NAC President and CEO. “NAC Orchestra performance and education tours provide opportunities for Canadians to hear our musicians in concert halls and in classrooms, while enriching our collaborations with Canadian artists, educators and partners on a national level.”

Christopher Deacon, Managing Director of the Orchestra added: “We are grateful for the opportunity to assist some of our fellow Canadian orchestras with their fundraising efforts this season by donating the services of Pinchas Zukerman and the NAC Orchestra in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina and Victoria. This, and the on-going education initiatives that begin during the tour and continue into the future, are ways that we are able to leave a lasting imprint after we tour.

CONCERT REPERTOIRE

The National Arts Centre Orchestra will perform Alexina Louie’s Infinite Sky with Birds at every public concert. Vancouver-born Alexina Louie, one of Canada’s most frequently performed composers, has been one of the NAC’s three Award Composers since 2002. Infinite Sky with Birds, which had its world premiere at the NAC in 2006, is one of the NAC Orchestra commissions she has composed during this period. Programmes will alternate between the soaring melodies of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Mozart’s masterful final Symphony (No. 41) known as the “Jupiter”. Some audiences will have the opportunity to hear Pinchas Zukerman, one of the leading string players in the world, as violin soloist in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3. Others will hear the internationally renowned Vancouver-born pianist Jon Kimura Parker performing either Tchaikovsky’s iconic Piano Concerto No. 1 or Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. In Calgary, the NAC Orchestra will combine forces with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

STUDENT MATINEES – “BRAVO BEETHOVEN!”

The NAC Orchestra will again bring its highly successful recipe for interactive Student Matinees on tour to Whitehorse, Edmonton and Spruce Grove led by Principal Youth and Family Conductor Boris Brott. The Orchestra will present Bravo Beethoven! featuring Ottawa-based actor Peter Duschenes, the Artistic Director of Platypus Theatre, as co-host in the role of Beethoven. The matinees will also feature Victoria-born violinist Nikki Chooi, former student at the Victoria and Mount Royal College Conservatories and a participant in the NAC’s Summer Music Institute in 2004 and 2005 performing an excerpt from Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Teachers will be given a teacher guide and class sets of student newspaper guides designed by the Ottawa Citizen to prepare for the matinees. Students will have the opportunity to sing and play along on recorders with the NAC Orchestra to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

MUSIC CONNECTIONS - WINNIPEG

Music Connections is a 9-week project involving up to 90 Grade 3 to 6 students from two inner-city Winnipeg schools – Mulvey and Dufferin Schools – that began on September 11, 2008 and culminates in a final “shared” performance with a brass octet from the NAC Orchestra on November 12 during which the children will perform and sing, and present creative responses to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons through dance, drama, music, visual arts and media. The partners involved are the NAC Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre of the University of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg School Division and Learning Through the Arts of The Royal Conservatory (Toronto).

Teaching artists working with the students include Richard Dubé of Saskatoon who taught them how to assemble, decorate and play the Native American flute; singer/songwriter and storyteller Joseph Naytowhow, of the Woodland Cree Nation from Sturgeon Lake SK, who helped prepare the children to sing his composition “One People” in English and in Cree; and Lacey Eagle, a young opera singer from Flin Flon MB. Beyond the 9-week project, the three local Winnipeg partners will work together to develop a sustainability plan to continue the music programs. In addition, portions will be documented on video and shown at the final performance on November 12th. And from August through December, a research team led by Ann Patteson of Learning Through the Arts will oversee an extensive research component.

MUSIC ALIVE PROGRAM

The NAC will launch the second phase of its highly successful Music Alive Program (formerly titled Music Ambassador Programme) in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Over the next three school years, 6 professional Alberta and Saskatchewan-based teaching musicians with connections to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Edmonton, Red Deer, Regina and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras will work with classroom teachers and students in 100 schools. The program provides opportunities for students and teachers, primarily in rural schools with limited access to live music and music education resources, to interact with orchestral music and musicians. It also assists generalist teachers in fulfilling provincial curricular objectives for the arts by providing accessible lesson plans. The 2008-09 season will be based on the music of Mozart using the NAC’s Let’s Go Mozart! Teacher Resource Kit and student newspaper guides.

RICHARD LI YOUNG ARTIST

Included in the outreach on the Saskatchewan portion of the NACO Western Tour will be up to 10 performance/presentations and teaching sessions by Saskatchewan-born trumpeter Amy Horvey in her capacity as the recipient of the Richard Li Young Artist Chair for the 2008-2009 season. This honour is awarded annually to an exceptional young Canadian musician under the age of 35 who aspires to, or is in the early stages of, an orchestral career. From Nov 9 to 17, Horvey will visit Regina, Waldeck, Cabri, Vanguard, Swift Current and the University of Saskatoon. The Richard Li Young Artist Chair was established thanks to the generosity of Hong Kong-Canadian businessman Richard Li.

CONCERT TOUR SCHEDULE

Oct. 25 and 27 at 8 p.m.: Programme 1 (two nights)

Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre, presented by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Includes a 7:05 p.m. pre-concert talk by NAC Award Composer Alexina Louie

Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.: Programme 2

Prince George, BC – Vanier Hall, presented by the Prince George Symphony Orchestra

Includes a 7:15 p.m. pre-concert lobby performance by District 57 Tapestry Singers and a post-concert Q & A with guest conductor James Judd and soloist Jon Kimura Parker

Oct. 29 at 8 p.m.: Programme 2

Whitehorse, Yukon Territories – Yukon Arts Centre presented by Yukon Arts Centre

Includes a 7:15 p.m. pre-concert lobby performance by the Whitehorse Suzuki Strings.

Oct. 30 at 10 a.m.: Student Matinee

Whitehorse, Yukon Territories – Yukon Arts Centre, presented by Whitehorse Concerts

Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.: Programme 3

Victoria, BC – Royal Theatre, a Gala fundraiser for the Victoria Symphony and the NAC Orchestra presented by Eric Charman

Includes a 7:15 p.m. pre-concert lobby performance by Viva Choirs and an intermission talk by NAC Award Composer Alexina Louie

Nov. 2 at 8 p.m.: Programme 2

Kamloops, BC – Sagebrush Theatre, presented by Kamloops Symphony Orchestra

Includes a 7:15 p.m. pre-concert lobby performance by the Kamloops Thompson Honour Choir.

Nov. 4 at 1:15 p.m.: Student Matinee

Edmonton, AB – Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Field House, presented by CFB Edmonton in collaboration with Guthrie School (located on the Base)

Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m.: Student Matinee

Spruce Grove, AB – Horizon Stage, presented by City of Spruce Grove

Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.: Programme 4 (Finale combined with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra)

Calgary AB – Jack Singer Hall, presented by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Includes a 7:15 p.m. pre-concert lobby performance by the Arioso Choir of the Mount Royal College Conservatory and an intermission talk by NAC Award Composer Alexina Louie

Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.: Programme 4

Regina SK – Conexus Arts Centre, presented by the Regina Symphony Orchestra

Includes a 7:15 p.m. pre-concert lobby performance and an intermission talk by NAC Award Composer Alexina Louie

Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.: Programme 5

Saskatoon SK – TCU Place, presented by the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra

Includes a 6:45 p.m. pre-concert lobby performance by the Saskatoon Strings and an intermission talk by NAC Award Composer Alexina Louie

Nov. 10 at 8 p.m.: Programme 4

Winnipeg MN – Centennial Concert Hall, presented by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Includes a 7:15 p.m. pre-concert lobby performance by St. James-Assiniboia Children’s Choir and an intermission talk by NAC Award Composer Alexina Louie.

REPERTOIRE

Programme 1

LOUIE: Infinite Sky With Birds

MOZART: Concerto for Violin No. 3

TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5

Programme 2

LOUIE: Infinite Sky with Birds

MOZART: Symphony No. 41

BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 4

Programme 3

LOUIE : Infinite Sky with Birds

MOZART: Concerto for Violin No. 3

MOZART: Symphony No. 41

Programme 4

LOUIE: Infinite Sky with Birds

TCHAIKOVSKY: Concerto for Piano No. 1

TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5

Programme 5

LOUIE : Infinite Sky with Birds

BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 4

TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5

Pinchas Zukerman and the National Arts Centre Orchestra

Pinchas Zukerman has for four decades been recognized internationally as one of the world’s greatest string players. His discography contains over 100 titles, and has earned him 21 Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards. Since his appointment as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1998, he has taken an interest in virtually every aspect of Ottawa’s artistic community while continuing his international career. He is the driving force behind the national role the National Arts Centre plays in education and community outreach, and in the use of new technology to reach Canadians from coast to coast. This includes the creation in Ottawa of the NAC Summer Music Institute which over ten years has provided training from an international faculty to 581 instrumentalists, conductors and composers from 34 countries.

Touring is an important part of the mandate of the National Arts Centre Orchestra which has visited, in its 39-year history, 112 cities in Canada, and 122 cities internationally. The Western Canada Tour is Pinchas Zukerman’s ninth tour with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and eighth since being appointed Music Director in 1998. In 1999 he led the coast-to-coast Canada Tour, followed by Tour 2000 to Israel and Europe, the Atlantic Tour 2002, the United States and Mexico Tour 2003, the British Columbia Tour 2004, the Alberta-Saskatchewan Tour in 2005 and the Quebec Tour in 2006. As guest conductor and soloist in 1990, Zukerman led the Orchestra on a European Tour.

Jon Kimura Parker

The extraordinary career of internationally acclaimed concert pianist Jon Kimura Parker has taken him from Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Festival Hall to Baffin Island and Zimbabwe. In recent seasons, he has performed as guest soloist with the New York Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic and the NHK Tokyo Orchestra.

Jon Kimura Parker has a long history with the National Arts Centre Orchestra including a 1998 tour in Canada and a 1996 tour in the Eastern U.S. This season, he is the NAC Orchestra’s first artist-in-residence appearing in concert and in recital, and playing an integral role in education outreach. The Vancouver-born musician is an Officer of The Order of Canada, this country’s highest civilian honour.

Alexina Louie

One of the most frequently performed Canadian classical composers, Vancouver-born Alexina Louie is a two-time Juno Award-winner of international renown. She has been widely commissioned and performed by Canada’s leading orchestras, ensembles and soloists, and has gained both personal acclaim for her compositions and recognition for Canada’s new music abroad.

Alexina Louie is one of three recipients of the National Arts Centre Composers Awards ($75,000 each) through which she has written three compositions for the NACO and collaborated on a number of educational and outreach programs. She was Lead Composer of the NAC Summer Music Institute’s Young Composers Programme in 2005 and accompanied the Orchestra on its BC Tour in 2004.

James Judd

Considered one of the pre-eminent interpreters of English orchestral music, British-born conductor James Judd is Music Director Emeritus of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, former Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestre National de Lille in France and former Music Director of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra where he spent 14 groundbreaking years including its first tour of the major concert halls of Europe. He has amassed an extensive collection of recordings on the Naxos label.

James Judd made his National Arts Centre Orchestra debut in May 2002 and has returned regularly since. He has led major orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic; conducted in the Salzburg Mozarteum and Vienna’s Musikverein, and continues to conduct regularly with all of the major British ensembles.

Boris Brott

Boris Brott is one of the most internationally recognized Canadian conductors. He enjoys an international career as guest conductor, educator, motivational speaker and cultural ambassador. In May 2004, he was named to the newly created position of Principal Youth and Family Conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, where for over 20 years he has regularly been conducting student matinees and concerts for young people. On tour, he has led the Orchestra in student matinees in the U.S. (2003), British Columbia (2004), Alberta-Saskatchewan (2005), and Quebec in 2006.

Mr. Brott is founding Conductor and Music Director of the New West Symphony in Los Angeles California. In addition he serves as Artistic Director of the McGill Chamber Orchestra in Montreal and is Artistic Director of the Brott Music Festival, established in 1988. In Canada, Mr. Brott had developed no fewer than six Canadian Orchestras. Internationally, he has served as Assistant Conductor to the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein, and as Music Director and Conductor for the Royal Ballet. In 1987, Mr. Brott became an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Canada's National Arts Centre celebrates B.C. artists in new ad campaign

Canada’s National Arts Centre celebrates B.C. artists in new ad campaign

Magazine ads part of NAC’s extensive focus on B.C. artists this season

Vancouver, British Columbia – Canada’s National Arts Centre (NAC) has launched a series of ads in Vancouver Magazine and Western Living to celebrate British Columbia’s vibrant art scene and pay tribute to its outstanding artists. The first ad featuring Crystal Pite, one of Canada’s most exciting dancer-choreographers, appears in the October edition of Vancouver Magazine, now on newsstands.

A total of 11 ads, produced for the NAC by acclaimed photographer Shin Sugino and the award-winning design firm of Scott Thornley and Company, will be published between now and October 2009 in Vancouver Magazine. Six of the ads appearing in Vancouver Magazine are also slated to run monthly from October 2008 to April 2009 in the B.C. edition of Western Living.

The campaign was made possible thanks to the generous partnership of Transcontinental Media, publisher of Vancouver Magazine and Western Living.

The first ad in the series shows Crystal Pite in her Vancouver home. The image reflects a certain intimacy and captures the dynamic energy exuded by the dancer when she performs on stage. (Visit http://www.nac-cna.ca/en/allaboutthenac/canada_pite.html to see the ad)

NAC Dance Producer Cathy Levy is quoted in the ad: “(Crystal Pite) burst onto the international scene with kinetic physicality, humour and theatricality – revealing a balance of the intellectual and the sensual. Simply put, Crystal moves audiences.”

Ms. Levy and the National Arts Centre were among the first to recognize the artist’s dazzling talent by co-producing three of her new works. The fourth will have its world premiere in Ottawa as part of the Dance season at the NAC’s BC Scene festival in April 2009.

Last May, Ms. Pite was chosen by legendary prima ballerina Veronica Tennant as the inaugural participant in the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Mentorship Program. Ms. Pite’s electric performance at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala at the NAC was the highlight of the event.

The subjects of the remaining 10 ads – all of them leaders in B.C.’s performing arts community – will be revealed as the campaign continues over the next year.

“The National Arts Centre belongs to all Canadians, including British Columbians,” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. “The Vancouver Magazine and Western Living initiative is one of the many ways the National Arts Centre is bridging the geographic distance between British Columbia and our stages in Ottawa.”

The campaign is part of a series of NAC initiatives this coming season that are putting the spotlight squarely on British Columbia and its outstanding art scene.

Just last month, the NAC announced the preliminary programming details of BC Scene, a dazzling multi-disciplinary arts festival that will take place in Ottawa-Gatineau from April 21 to May 3, 2009. BC Scene will be the largest gathering of British Columbia artists ever presented outside of the province. For more information about BC Scene, please visit www.bcscene.ca.

From October 24 to November 12, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, with Music Director Pinchas Zukerman, will head to British Columbia and other cities in Western Canada for its 2008 tour. The Western Canada Tour will feature pianist Jon Kimura Parker and composer Alexina Louie (both Vancouver-born) and will include 13 orchestral concerts in 10 cities, among them Vancouver, Victoria and Prince George.

The National Arts Centre opened its doors in 1969. Since then it has become a leading showcase for the performing arts, presenting Canada’s and the world’s best in classical music, English theatre, French theatre, dance, variety, and community programming.

Over the years, the NAC has welcomed many of B.C.’s most creative artists, including
Mr. Kimura Parker, Ms. Louie, Ms. Pite and countless others. The NAC has also collaborated with numerous B.C. performing arts organizations, including Ballet British Columbia, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Playhouse Theatre Company, Belfry Theatre, Green Thumb Theatre and many more.

The Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash - August 3

Inspired by BC – Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash

concert program announced!

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Symphony’s Music Director Tania Miller has announced the program for the 2008 Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash on August 3 that features music and performers that pay tribute to British Columbia’s 150^th anniversary.

The music for this year’s event is inspired by the wonderful 150 year history of British Columbia and includes a world premiere by local composer Tobin Stokes, a performance by the South Island Dancers, and pieces which were premiered in 1858, the year of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. Audience members will be treated to a variety of musical styles, including well known tunes, a good old sing-along and of course the grand finale, the 1812 Overture complete with cannons and fireworks. This year the finale is sponsored by WestJet, the official airline and fireworks sponsor of Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash.

The world premiere of Tobin Stokes ‘The Inner Harbour Overture’ written for the 2008 Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash is a unique and topical piece featuring historical and current sounds that can be heard in the harbour. These sounds are woven into the piece from both live and recorded sources. The piece starts with a live interaction from the Coho ferry, and builds to include the train, nearby church bells, the carillon and many other bells. The piece ends with the sound of the final steam whistle from the Princess Marguerite as it left the harbour in the 1980's. The work honours Victoria and British Columbia's past, and plays to the vibrancy that continues today in the capital city's Inner Harbour.

Music Director Tania Miller will be conducting this year’s outdoor performance, “This year’s program features music that connects to the BC 150th anniversary celebrations with music from the New Frontier, to selections that were premiered in the years when BC became a part of Canada, and when Vancouver Island became a part of BC. We are excited about our collaboration with the South Island Dancers, and members from the Esquimalt First Nations, which will be a special aspect of the concert. And of course, our special Splash soloist this year, Hugo Wong who will perform the first movement of Schumann’s beautiful piano concerto. This concert has a wonderful magic to it, a wonderful atmosphere of the community coming together. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there.”

2008 Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash:

Celebration of BC

4:00 South Island Dancers

4:15 Vic High R&B Band

5:15 The CanUS Group, jazz ensemble

7:30 Victoria Symphony

Tania Miller, conductor

Hugo Wong, piano

South Island Dancers

Piano provided by Tom Lee Music

Tobin Stokes Inner Harbour Overture (World Premiere)

Offenbach Orpheus in the Underworld — Can Can

Suppe Light Cavalry Overture

Copland Saturday Night Waltz and Hoedown from “Rodeo”

Colin Doroschuk Celebration of Souls - South Island Dancers

Strauss Champagne Polka (1858 premiere)

Mendelssohn Wedding March (Queen Victoria's daughter 1858)

Intermission Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipe and Drum Band

Sousa The Thunderer March

Schumann Piano Concerto Mvt.1 - 2008 Young soloist, Hugo Wong

Williams Cowboys Overture

Tobin Stokes Settler’s Sing along - 2005 Young Soloist, Heather McLeod

Copland Appalachian Spring

Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture with fireworks and cannons sponsored by WestJet

Traditional Amazing Grace – Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipe and Drum Band

Kids Activities! 2 -5 pm in the Splash Kids Zone and the Island Farms Kids Tent at Belleville and Government and on the Legislature lawn at Menzies and Government: Ice Cream Stand, Face Painting, Daisy the Cow and Farmer Vicky, the largest Victoria Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo ever.

Grandstand Seats – Grandstand seats are available in advance for $75 per person through the Victoria Symphony Box Office 250.385.6515. Located on Government Street in front of the Legislature lawn the Grandstand Seats provide a comfortable and unobstructed view of the stage floating in the Inner Harbour. Seats are reserved from 3:30 onwards with in/out privileges throughout the evening. A Tax receipt of $50 will be issued for each seat purchased.

The Victoria Symphony is Vancouver Island’s largest and most active arts organization offering its audiences 68 years of tradition, a commitment to fostering new music and a dedication to community involvement through music education. Showcasing the outstanding talents of its musicians and guest artists the Victoria Symphony’s 2008-2009 season offers a diverse and exciting line-up of over 50 concerts led by its vibrant Music Director
Tania Miller.

Bayview Residences is part of a 20-acre hilltop community being created on Victoria’s Inner Harbour. When completed, this Urban Resort Community will include residential towers as well as retail and commercial services as part of the revitalized CPR Roundhouse – a designated National Historic Site. Bayview Residences offers spacious one, two and three bedroom residences with exceptional interior design and attention to detail. The community’s Amenity Clubhouse will feature squash and tennis courts, gym facilities, lap pool and cafe. Bayview is a strong supporter of the community, sponsoring numerous national and local events including the Canadian National Junior Squash Championships and the annual Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash. For further details, visit the on-site presentation centre at 80 Saghalie Road or www.bayviewresidences.com.

Each year, the Victoria Symphony performs on Sunday of the BC Day long weekend from a floating stage in Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour. Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash is recognized as one of North America’s most popular and successful outdoor family, cultural and community events, attracting upwards of 40,000 people. Admission is by donation.

For more information, please visit www.victoriasymphony.ca