Nothin' But The Blues with Byron Stripling

Jazz and Blues Master Byron Stripling to Perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Vancouver BC – The Orpheum stage comes alive with the Blues on November 21^st & 22^nd at 8pm when the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents trumpet virtuoso/singer and Vancouver favourite, Byron Stripling, in Nothin’ But The Blues. With triumphant technique, charismatic charm, and a larger-than-life stage persona, Stripling has won over audiences world-wide. This is one concert sure to please both Jazz/Blues enthusiasts and casual listeners. This concert takes place as part of the London Drugs VSO Pops series.

“Byron Stripling wailed New Orleans-style but also negotiated bebop runs like Kenny Dorham and had the…audience shouting for joy with his earthy blues singing.”

- Denver Post

“…a towering and powerful trumpet player, who has been compared to a later Louis Armstrong.”

- Los Angeles Times

Byron Stripling has quickly become a favourite of Vancouver audiences, holding them in the palm of his hand with his enthusiasm, sense of tone and timing, and an authenticity rarely found in any but the true Jazz/Blues masters. From his early Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra days to present day, Byron Stripling’s musicianship and timeless appeal keep audiences coming back for more. Check out Mr. Stripling at www.byronstripling.com.

Stripling is joined by dazzling trombonist and longtime collaborator, Wycliffe Gordon, one of the preeminent jazz musicians of our time. Vocalist Dee Daniels is also featured in this concert along with organist Bobby Floyd and drummer Ted Moore.

Jeff Tyzik, the VSO’s Principal Pops Conductor, wields his baton for this celebration of the Blues. Tyzik has earned a reputation as one of America’s foremost pops conductors and is in high demand as a guest conductor across North America. Like Byron Stripling and Wycliffe Gordon, Jeff Tyzik is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in New York. After graduating, he spent the next few years working with jazz legend Chuck Mangione and experienced his big break – the chance to co-compose a trumpet concerto with Allen Vizzutti to be recorded by pops legend Doc Severinsen. A few years later he was hired as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra – a position he has held for 12 years now. A skillful musician and conductor, Tyzik is known for his commitment to music of all genres and his engaging rapport with diverse audiences.

CONCERT INFO

London Drugs VSO Pops Series

Nothin’ But The Blues

Friday & Saturday, November 21^st & 22^nd, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Jeff Tyzik conductor
Byron Stripling trumpet/vocalist
Wycliffe Gordon trombone
Dee Daniels vocalist
Bobby Floyd organ
Ted Moore drums/principal composer

Tickets: $25 to $78.50 (Senior, Student and Subscriber Discounts Available)

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

Series Sponsor:

London Drugs

Radio Sponsor:

103.5QM/FM

BIOGRAPHIES

Jeff Tyzik

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. Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for over a decade, he also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Vancouver and Oregon Symphony Orchestras.

In twelve years with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), 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 artist in the orchestra’s subscription series calendar on a regular basis, where he has performed works by some of the greatest American composers to critical acclaim, and where he led the premiere of his own Trombone Concerto, which was funded by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. Recently, Tyzik recorded a disc of works by Gershwin with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and the RPO on the Harmonia Mundi label, to be released in spring 2007.

“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 appeared with orchestras including the Cincinnati Pops, the New York Pops, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to his commitments in Rochester, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, during the 2006/07 season, he performs with orchestras across North America including Dallas, Detroit, Elgin, Hartford, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Toronto, as well as the Naples Philharmonic and the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa).

A native of Hyde Park, New York, Tyzik began his life in music at nine years old, 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. 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.

Byron Stripling

With a contagious smile and captivating charm, trumpet virtuoso, BYRON STRIPLING, has ignited audiences internationally. As soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Stripling has performed frequently under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being featured soloist on the PBS television special, "Evening at Pops," with conductors John Williams and Mr. Lockhart. Currently, Stripling serves as artistic director and conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, STRIPLING has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Utah Symphony, and The American Jazz Philharmonic, to name a few. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at jazz festivals throughout the world.

An accomplished actor and singer, STRIPLING was chosen, following a world wide search, to star in the lead role of the Broadway bound musical, "Satchmo." Many will remember his featured cameo performance in the television movie, "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," and his critically acclaimed virtuoso trumpet and riotous comedic performance in the 42nd Street production of "From Second Avenue to Broadway."

Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of The Grammy Awards. Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on television commercials, TV theme songs including "20/20," CNN, and soundtracks of favorite movies.

STRIPLING earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, and Buck Clayton in addition to The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and The GRP All Star Big Band.

STRIPLING enjoys conducting Seminars and Master Classes at colleges, universities, conservatories, and high schools. His informative talks, combined with his incomparable wit and charm, make him a favorite guest speaker to groups of all ages.

STRIPLING was educated at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. One of his greatest joys is to return, periodically, to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer.

A resident of Ohio, STRIPLING lives in the country with his wife, former dancer, writer and poet, Alexis and their beautiful daughters.

Wycliffe Gordon

Wycliffe Gordon enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. Gordon tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students. His trombone playing, hailed as "mixing powerful, intricate runs with sweet notes extended over clean melodies," has been universally hailed by jazz critics. Gordon received the Jazz Journalists Association 2002 and 2001 Award for Trombonist of the Year, the Jazz Journalists Association 2000 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Trombone and has been nominated for the Jazzpar Award.

In addition to a thriving solo career, he tours regularly leading the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, headlining at legendary jazz venues throughout the world. Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and The Gully Low Jazz Band, and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at The Kennedy Center" Series. Gordon’s extensive performance experience includes work with many of the most renowned jazz performers of the past and present.

Gordon’s musical prowess has been captured on numerous recordings, including nine solo CDs and three co-leader CDs. His latest solo effort, “Cone's Coup,” is scheduled for release in May 2006. Gordon is featured on numerous recordings with The Wynton Marsalis Septet, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and numerous others as evidenced in his extensive discography. Wycliffe Gordon is also a gifted composer and arranger. He was commissioned to compose a vibrant new score for the 1925 classic silent film "Body and Soul" (notable as the screen debut of Paul Robeson), which was premiered at the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra’s 2000-01 season opening night performance at Avery Fisher Hall. Gordon's "I Saw The Light," a musical tribute to Muhammad Ali, was commissioned and premiered by The Brass Band of Battle Creek in March 2004. Both works are scheduled for release on DVD in summer of 2006.

Gordon’s compositions have been performed by The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Wynton Marsalis Septet, The Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, The Brass Band of Battle Creek and numerous other ensembles, and performed in programs throughout the U.S. and abroad including concert halls in New York, Los Angeles, Aspen, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Germany, London, Finland and Switzerland. His compositions are also featured as a part of the PBS series "Marsalis on Music." Recent concert seasons have included premieres of compositions by Mr. Gordon for a variety of ensembles both in the Unites States and internationally. The first in a series of print editions of his big band, small ensemble and choir compositions will be available in fall of 2006.

Gordon’s television appearances have included the Grammy Awards, the PBS special documentary "Swingin’ with the Duke," and two Live from Lincoln Center broadcasts with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra – "Uptown Blues, Ellington at 100" (a collaboration with the New York Philharmonic) and "Big Train." Gordon also appeared in Ken Burns’ documentary "Jazz." Other television appearances include "A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert" and "Live from Lincoln Center: The Juilliard School at 100 Years." Gordon is featured in BET's 13-part series "Journey with Jazz at Lincoln Center" and was guest artist and commentator in NPR affiliate WVIA's special program on Tommy Dorsey (along with the late Skitch Henderson, just days before Henderson's death). Gordon also appeared with the Wynton Marsalis Septet in the feature film "Tune In Tomorrow" starring Peter Falk, Keanu Reeves and Barbara Hershey.

Gordon is rapidly becoming one of America’s most persuasive and committed music educators. He currently serves on the faculty of the Jazz Studies Program at The Juilliard School, a position he has held since the founding of the program. His work with young musicians and audiences from elementary schools to universities all over the world is extensive, and includes master classes, clinics, workshops, children’s concerts and lectures — powerful evidence of his unique ability to relate musically to people of all ages. Gordon is currently working on a collection of trombone quartets, trios and duos to be entitled "Trombone Majesty," with expected publication in late 2006. In addition, his first method book "Wycliffe Gordon's Suggested Studies for Trombone," a compilation of the materials, exercises and approaches he uses in his teaching and in his own practice regimen, will be released in January 2007. Gordon teamed with trombonist Joseph Alessi of the New York Philharmonic and students in both of their studios at Juilliard in creating and presenting the master class "Two Sides of the Slide" for Jazz at Lincoln Center. The master class is available in its entirety as part of a streaming video series offered by the Education Department of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Gordon is the youngest member of the U.S. Statesmen of Jazz, and in many tour performances has served and continues to serve as a musical ambassador for the U.S.
State Department.

Born in Waynesboro, Georgia, Gordon was first introduced to music by his late father, Lucius Gordon, a classical pianist and teacher. His interest in the trombone was sparked at age twelve by his elder brother who played the instrument in his junior high school band. Egged on by sibling rivalry, Gordon’s relentless pleading of his parents led to his first trombone. A year later, an aunt bequeathed Gordon her jazz record collection, and so began his passion for jazz music.

Mr. Gordon endorses Edwards trombones and Monette mouthpieces.

Dee Daniels

Dee Daniels offers the jazz aficionado an ultimate treat - jazz served up with full-bodied silky tones that soar to the height and captures the depth of her four-octave range. Her warm presence and performance ability is evident, whether fronting combos in intimate Jazz clubs, big bands, or symphony orchestras in concert halls.

Daniels' style was born in her stepfather's church choir in Oakland, California, honed through the R&B era and brought to full fruition during a five-year stay in Europe from 1982 to 1987. During those years, she had many wonderful opportunities to perform with such 'Legends of Jazz' as Toots Theilemans, Johnny Griffin, Ed Thigpen, and Monty Alexander to name but a few.

Two other personal highlights while in Europe include having had the opportunity of singing the Blues with the late, divine Sarah Vaughan in The Netherlands, and singing Gospel with the late great Joe Williams in Germany.

Dee's international career includes performances in eleven African countries, Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong and Japan, as well as in North America and many countries throughout Europe. She has cultivated a diverse career that has seen her on the theatre stage in the musical comedy, Wang Dang Doodle, and the starring role in the 2001 Calgary Stampede.

She has also established herself as a jazz vocalist in demand by the classical music world. She performs her Great Ladies of Swing and The Soul of Ray: The Music of Ray Charles POPS programs with symphony orchestras across Canada and the USA.

A respected vocal clinician and mentor, Dee sincerely believes in sharing her knowledge and experience with young singers/musicians. In 2001, she established the Dee Daniels Jazz Vocal Scholarship at the Capilano College in North Vancouver, BC. Also in 2001, she was the recipient of the FANS Award (a North Vancouver, BC Arts Council presentation); was nominated as Vocalist of the Year, and her Love Story CD was nominated for Best Jazz CD of the Year by West Coast Music Awards. In 2002 she was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and a plaque was installed on Vancouver's Walk of Fame.

In 2003 she received the prestigious Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and was inducted into the University of Montana's School of Fine Arts, Hall of Honor. Dee has served on the Advisory Board of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival since 2000

Bobby Floyd

The passion with which Bobby Floyd plays piano, organ and keyboards are the result of his natural ability discovered at the age of two, his love of music, and years of practice. Whether performing jazz or gospel, as a soloist, with a trio or big band, his feel is unique and inspirational leading him to many distinguished appearances around the world.

Bobby has performed extensively in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. Touring events include major jazz festivals, concert halls, and numerous night clubs with Ray Charles, Jeff Tyzik, Chris Howes and Sarah Morrow. The prestige associated with Floyd's international appearances can also be witnessed at home.

In his hometown, Columbus, Ohio, Bobby has been a feature with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, The Columbus Symphony, and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra sharing the stage with Dionne Warwick, Doc Severinson, Artural Sandaval, Faye Robinson and many others. He has also appeared in a variety of performances opening for Spyro Gyra, Smokey Robinson, Stanley Clark and George Duke, as well as accompanying other artists like David "Fathead" Newman, Bobby Watson, Greg Osby and Billy Hart.

Bobby has completed three recordings: Interpretations, Setting the Standards, and Floyd's Finest Gift. His next project, soon to be released, is a live performance recorded in Spain. Other accomplishments include recording and composing on several of Vince Andrews' and Chris Howes' projects. He has also recorded with Gerald Levert ("Groove On") and Faye Robinson ("Remembering Marian Anderson"). Additionally, he is featured on a Rusty Bryant album, Rusty Rides Again, which received five stars in Downbeat magazine. Bobby Floyd currently performs with his band (Derek DiCenzo - Bass/Lead Guitar, Reggie Jackson - Drums). Members of the group add just the right mix of talent and experience to create the elements necessary to produce an appealing sound that goes well beyond live entertainment.

Ted Moore

Since graduating from the famed Eastman School of Music, Ted Moore has pursued a career which has taken him to many parts of the world with many different artists. He is leader and composer for his own Brazilian jazz group, Brasilia, which released its first CD, River Wide, to national critical acclaim. He has performed with Stan Getz, Paul Winter, Marian McPartland, Phil Markowitz, Eric Gale, Jack Wilkins, Gene Bertoncini and Joey DeFrancesco to name a few. On tour, Ted has performed throughout the US and Canada, as well as in Japan, Spain, England and Holland. He also spent two years living in Rio de Janeiro, performing as percussionist with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, and playing with many well-known Brazilian jazz artists. He has played in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Cathedral of St John in New York, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, and in Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Currently, Ted is Director of the Jazz Department at UC Berkeley in Berkeley. CA

The VSO's First Concert Back From Its Asia-Pacific Tour

The VSO’s first classical concert in Vancouver after the Asia-Pacific Tour is this weekend – the concert features brilliant Classical pianist Angela Cheng, and a performance of Dvorak’s New World Symphony No.9

Vancouver BC – Angela Cheng, one of the world’s finest Classical pianists and a favourite of Vancouver audiences, performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor on November 1^st and 3^rd at 8pm at the Orpheum Theatre. Guest conductor Yoav Talmi also leads the orchestra in Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No.3 and Dvorak’s epic Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World.’

Vancouver audiences welcome the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra back from the 2008 Asia-Pacific Tour in these performances, their first classical concert since their return.

“…nothing short of magic…a pianist one could listen to for hours…”

- The Record (Waterloo, Ontario)

Born in Hong Kong to a musical family, Angela Cheng moved to Canada at age 8 and settled in Edmonton. The first concert she attended was Gina Bachauer playing Beethoven’s 3^rd Concerto with the Edmonton Symphony. She knew by then that she wanted to be a first-rate pianist and was well on her way. Cheng studied piano at the Alberta College from age 13 to 17 and the University of Alberta from age 17 to 19. She completed her Bachelors of Music at the Juilliard School in New York and her Masters of Music from Indiana State University.

Angela Cheng is the recipient of numerous awards. The gold medal winner of the 1986 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Masters competition, Ms. Cheng has earned her reputation as one of Canada’s brightest stars. In 1988, Ms. Cheng became the first Canadian to win the Grand Prize at the Montreal International Music Competition and in 1991 she received the Medal of Excellence at the Mozarteum in Salzburg for her interpretations of Mozart.

Ms. Cheng has received international acclaim for her technical skill, tonal beauty, and musicianship. She has performed as a soloist with every major Canadian symphony orchestra as well as several American orchestras and the Israel Philharmonic. Ms. Cheng is busy this season touring across North America. She will be teaching a Masterclass at Florida State University before visiting Vancouver and then she is off to Indiana to perform in recital.

Well known and celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Yoav Talmi is currently the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Quebec Symphony and Principal Guest Conductor of the Israel Chamber Orchestra in Tel Aviv. In the past, he has served as Chief Conductor of the Hamburg Symphony, Principal Guest Conductor of the Munich Philharmonic, Music Director of the San Diego Symphony, Music Director of the Arnhem Philharmonic (Netherlands), and Music Director of both - the Israel Chamber Orchestra and the New Israeli Opera.

Both concerts on November 1^st and 3^rd will feature a pre-concert talk by Assistant Conductor Evan Mitchell, free to ticket holders, at 7:05pm in the auditorium.

CONCERT INFO

Masterworks Gold Series

New World Symphony

Yoav Talmi, conductor

Angela Cheng, piano

Beethoven Leonore Overture No.3

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3

Dvorak Symphony No.9 From the New World

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

BIOGRAPHIES

Yoav Talmi

Maestro Talmi’s long and impressive guest conducting career spans several continents. His European engagements include all the major London orchestras, the Berlin Philharmonic, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, the Symphony Orchestras of Vienna and Prague, the Philharmonic Orchestras of St. Petersburg, Oslo, Stockholm, Warsaw and Israel, the Orchestre National de France, Zurich’s Tonhalle, Rome’s Santa Cecilia, and numerous radio orchestras in Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Finland and Sweden. He has also made several appearances with the NHK Symphony and the New Philharmonic Orchestras in Japan. In North America, he has appeared with the orchestras of Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, Montreal, Vancouver, Rochester and Seattle, as well as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the New York Chamber Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa) and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall.

Yoav Talmi’s summer activities includes the Aspen Music Festival, Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, Bergen Festival in Norway, Chautauqua Festival (NY), Helsinki Festival, Houston’s Mostly Mozart Festival, Jerusalem Festival, Montreal’s Lanaudière Festival and the Waterloo Festival in New Jersey.

Also a seasoned recording artist, Yoav Talmi has collaborated with Chandos, Decca, EMI, Naxos, Teldec. CBC Records (Toronto), Atma and Analekta (Montreal). His recording of Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony with the Oslo Philharmonic won the prestigious “Grand Prix du Disque” in Paris. Mr. Talmi’s recording of Schoenberg and Tchaikovsky with the Israel Chamber Orchestra for Teldec was chosen “Record of the Month” by Germany’s Fono-Forum magazine. The London Penguin Guide gave this same recording its highest rating. His recent recording French Showpieces with the Quebec Symphony and violinist James Ehnes was chosen “Record of the Month” by the French media magazine Repertoire, who gave this recording a perfect rating. Talmi’s Naxos recordings with the San Diego Symphony feature an all-Berlioz cycle that includes the Symphonie fantastique, the complete overtures, Roméo et Juliette, Harold in Italy, Rêverie et Caprice, excerpts from Les Troyens, and more. He has recorded also as pianist, accompanying his wife, flutist Er’ella Talmi.

Born in Israel, Yoav Talmi is a graduate of the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv and The Juilliard School in New York, where he earned degrees in both composition and conducting with grants from the America Israel Cultural Foundation (AICF). He was a recipient of the Koussevitzky Memorial Conducting Prize at the Tanglewood Festival [1969] and the Rupert Conductor’s Competition in London [1973].

Last July 2008, Yoav Talmi was awarded the ‘Frank Pelleg’ prize of the Israeli Cultural Ministry, for his high-level artistic achievements through many years of activity and in August 2008 he received the Quebec-City Medal, honoring his special contribution to the city’s 400 anniversary celebrations. Maestro Talmi holds an Honorary Doctorate from the Laval University in Quebec, Canada.

Angela Cheng

Consistently cited for her brilliant technique, tonal beauty and superb musicianship, Angela Cheng is one of Canada's brightest stars. She has appeared as soloist with virtually every orchestra in Canada, as well as the Birmingham Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Houston Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Saint Louis Symphony, Syracuse Symphony, Utah Symphony and the Israel Philharmonic, among others. The frequency with which she is re-engaged is remarkable.

Angela Cheng's debut recording of two Mozart concerti with Mario Bernardi and the CBC Vancouver Orchestra received glowing reviews. Other CDs include: for Koch International, Clara Schumann's Concerto in A Minor with JoAnn Falletta and the Women's Philharmonic; for CBC Records, selected works of Clara and Robert Schumann, four Spanish concerti with Hans Graf and the Calgary Philharmonic, and both Shostakovich concerti with Mario Bernardi and the CBC Radio Orchestra. In the fall of 2006, an all- Chopin recital CD for Universal will be released.

Ms. Cheng appears regularly on recital series throughout the U.S. and Canada and has collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles including the Takács, Colorado and Vogler quartets. Her many festival appearances include Chautauqua, Colorado, Houston, Vancouver and the Festival International de Lanaudière in Quebec

Angela Cheng was the 1986 Gold Medal winner at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Masters Competition as well as the first Canadian to win the prestigious Montreal International Piano Competition (1988). In the same year, the Canada Council awarded Ms. Cheng its coveted Career Development Grant. For her outstanding interpretations of Mozart, she received the Medal of Excellence at the Mozarteum in Salzburg in 1991.

The VSO's Festival of Remembrance

The VSO’s Festival of Remembrance, featuring cellist Raphael Wallfisch and Britten’s War Requiem

Vancouver BC – The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents a Festival of Remembrance: a series of performances surrounding Remembrance Day that commemorate the 90^th Anniversary of the end of World War I. The concerts take place on November 8^th, 15^th and 17^th at 8pm at the Orpheum Theatre and November 10^th at 8pm at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey.

Outstanding cellist Raphael Wallfisch will be featured in the November 8^th and 10^th concerts that commemorate the 70^th anniversary of Krystallnacht, that horrific night of riots when the extreme racial policies of the Third Reich came harshly and suddenly to the world’s attention. He will perform Bloch’s beautiful, moving Schelomo (Solomon): Hebraic Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra. Maestro Tovey leads the orchestra in a concert featuring repertoire and composers who were banned in Nazi Germany, including the Bloch piece, Meyerbeer’s Le Prophète: Coronation March, Mendelssohn’s Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Mahler’s Symphony No.5: Adagietto, Weill’s Threepenny Opera: Suite and Offenbach’s Gaité Parisienne: Suite.

The epic concerts of November 15^th and 17^th present Benjamin Britten’s extraordinary War Requiem, one of the most important works of the twentieth century. This seminal work was commissioned for the rebuilding of Coventry Cathedral in 1962. Britten took the commission for the War Requiem as a platform for expressing his anti-war sentiments and pacifist views, and did so stridently and profoundly. Shocked by the horrors of war, Britten created the War Requiem, truly one of the most important works of the twentieth century, as something timeless, and as a warning to future generations about the futility and evil of war; the work is as fresh and relevant and important in today’s world as it was in 1962. The orchestration for the War Requiem is unique as well, breaking down the orchestra and vocalists into three distinct groups that interact with each other throughout, though they each carry unique material, and finally all come together at the end. A full orchestra teams up with soprano and choir, handling the Latin Mass and personifying the suffering that war inflicts upon humanity, physically and spiritually; the male soloists pair with the chamber orchestra to provide readings of the Owen poetry; the boys choir and organ provide an eerie element of calm in the dramatic, sometimes raucous and disturbing, proceedings. Unique amongst Requiem masses, the War Requiem blends the traditional Latin Mass with the poetry of Wilfred Owen, foremost amongst Britain’s “war poets.”

These concerts feature the Vancouver Bach Choir, the Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus, Soprano Joni Henson, Tenor James Taylor and Baritone Aaron St. Clair Nicholson. Also on the program are Leonard Bernstein’s Halil for Flute and Orchestra, and Barber’s renowned Adagio for Strings. Bramwell Tovey conducts.

The November 8^th and 10^th concerts also feature a short commissioned piece called Return and Run by Canadian composer Timothy Corlis. In the composer’s own words:

“For this commission, I was asked to write a composition that reflects both an Olympic related

inspiration and the subject matter associated with the horrific event known as Kristallnacht, a riot prior to World War II that brought the racism of the Third Reich into public view. What ties these themes together? I have no clear answer. But, while working on the piece, this phrase came to mind: “and must we not return and run?” It is a quotation from Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra. It expresses the idea of eternal return; what we do in this moment echoes eternally both in our own lives and in the lives of others. Certainly, what happened on “the night of broken glass” left a deep mark on our modern world-view. Perhaps we might also remember the 1936 Olympic performance of Jesse Owens—an American black sprinter who shattered the idea of the “Ubermensch” (interpreted in Owen’s time as the “superior race”) by winning four gold

medals in a single day. This is the starting point for the music in Return and Run — Olympic themes: themes of triumph and awesome human achievement alongside the sobering acknowledgement of a deeply rooted social injustice.”

CONCERT INFO

Musically Speaking Series

Festival of Remembrance

Saturday, November 8, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Raphael Wallfisch, cello

Meyerbeer Le prophete: Coronation March

Mendelssohn Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage

Mahler Symphony No. 5: Adagietto

Bloch Schelomo: Hebraic Rhapsody

Timothy Corlis Return and Run (World Premiere Commission)

Weill Threepenny Opera: Suite

Offenbach Gaite Parisienne: Suite

An inspiring concert that helps to commemorate the 90^th Anniversary of the end of World War I. Superb cellist Raphael Wallfisch performs Bloch’s beautiful, moving Hebraic Rhapsody for cello and orchestra.

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.

Surrey Nights Series

Festival of Remembrance

Monday, November 10, 8pm, Bell Performing Arts Centre

Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Raphael Wallfisch, cello

Meyerbeer Le prophete: Coronation March

Mendelssohn Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage

Mahler Symphony No. 5: Adagietto

Bloch Schelomo: Hebraic Rhapsody

Timothy Corlis Olympic Commission

Weill Threepenny Opera: Suite

Offenbach Gaite Parisienne: Suite

An inspiring concert that helps to commemorate the 90^th Anniversary of the end of World War I. Superb cellist Raphael Wallfisch performs Bloch’s beautiful, moving Hebraic Rhapsody for cello and orchestra.

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

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

Generously Supported By:

Series has been endowed by a generous gift from Werner and Helga Höing

PricewaterhouseCoopers Masterworks Silver Series

Festival of Remembrance: Britten’s War Requiem

Saturday & Monday, November 15 & 17, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Christie Reside, flute*

Joni Henson, soprano**

James Taylor, tenor**

Aaron St. Clair Nicholson, baritone**

Vancouver Bach Choir**

Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus**

Barber Adagio for strings

Bernstein Halil for flute and orchestra*

Britten War Requiem, Op. 66**

Marking the 90^th Anniversary of the end of World War I, this epic concert features Benjamin Britten’s seminal work, War Requiem, a brilliant denunciation of the horrors of war.

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: PricewaterhouseCoopers

Video Screen Sponsor: TELUS

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

Radio Sponsor: CKNW AM980

BIOGRAPHIES

Bramwell Tovey

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.

Raphael Wallfisch

Raphael Wallfisch is one of the most celebrated cellists performing on the international stage. He was born in London into a family of distinguished musicians, his mother the cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch and his father the pianist Peter Wallfisch.

At an early age, Raphael was greatly inspired by hearing Zara Nelsova play, and, guided by a succession of fine teachers including Amaryllis Fleming, Amadeo Baldovino and Derek Simpson, it became apparent that the cello was to be his life's work. While studying with the great Russian cellist Gregor Piatigorsky in California, he was chosen to perform chamber music with Jascha Heifetz in the informal recitals that Piatigorsky held at his home.

At the age of twenty-four he won the Gaspar Cassadó International Cello Competition in Florence. Since then he has enjoyed a world-wide career playing with such orchestras as the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, English Chamber Orchestra, Hallé, City of Birmingham Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Berlin Symphony, Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, Warsaw Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic and many others.

He is regularly invited to play at major festivals such as the BBC Proms, Edinburgh, Aldeburgh, Spoleto, Prades, Oslo and Schleswig Holstein.

Teaching is one of Raphael Wallfisch's passions. He is in demand as a teacher all over the world holding the position of professor of cello in Switzerland at the Zürich Winterthur Konservatorium and at the Royal College of Music in London.

Raphael has recorded nearly every major work for his instrument. His extensive discography on EMI, Chandos, Black Box, ASV, Naxos and Nimbus explores both the mainstream concerto repertoire and countless lesser-known works by Dohnanyi, Respighi, Barber, Hindemith and Martinu, as well as Richard Strauss, Dvorak, Kabalevsky and Khachaturian. He has recorded a wide range of British cello concertos, including works by MacMillan, Finzi, Delius, Bax, Bliss, Britten, Moeran and Kenneth Leighton. For the Chandos Walton Edition he was privileged to record the composer's Cello Concerto, originally written for his master, Piatigorsky.

Britain's leading composers have worked closely with Raphael Wallfisch, many having written works especially for him. These include Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Kenneth Leighton, James MacMillan, John Metcalf, Paul Patterson, Robert Simpson, Robert Saxton, Roger Smalley, Giles Swayne, John Tavener and Adrian Williams.

Raphael lives in London with his wife, the violinist Elizabeth, and has three children, Benjamin, Simon, and Joanna.

Joni Henson

Soprano Joni Henson is quickly becoming one of Canada’s most thrilling young performers. Recent successes on the opera stage include starring as Fiordiligi in Mozart’s COSI FAN TUTTE and Gutrune in Wagner’s GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG for the Canadian Opera Company’s inaugural season at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. For Toronto’s Opera in Concert she was Marietta / Marie in Korngold’s rarely heard DIE TOTE STADT.

Ms. Henson’s 2007-2008 includes Desdemona in Verdi’s OTELLO with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Elisabeth in Verdi’s DON CARLOS with the Canadian Opera Company and concerts with the Aldeburgh Connection and Off Centre Music Salon.

Ms. Henson earned her Bachelor in Vocal Performance from the University of Toronto. She also received her Artist Diploma from the University of Toronto’s Opera Division.

While at the Opera School she performed the roles of Fiordiligi in Mozart’s COSI FAN TUTTE and the title role in Handel’s ALCINA. Further roles include Nedda in Leoncavallo’s PAGLIACCI, Mrs. Ford in Nicolai’s MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR and Female Chorus in Britten’s THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA.

In 2003, Ms. Henson was awarded the Opera Grand Prize at the XVth Concours International de Chant de Verviers Competition in Belgium. She also received the First Place Opera and French Melodie Awards at the Concours International de Chant de Marmande Competition in France. In 2006 Ms. Henson was a semi-finalist in the Metropolitan National Council Auditions.

Ms. Henson attended the esteemed Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California where she studied with Marilyn Horne. In excerpts, she was seen there as Vitellia in Mozart’s LA CLEMENZA DI TITO, Violetta in Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA and Donna Anna in DON GIOVANNI. She was honoured to receive Encouragement Awards in the Marilyn Horne Foundation Vocal Competition.

Ms. Henson is a former member of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio. She debuted with the company as Alisa in Donizetti’s LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR and other roles with the company include Lady Billows in ALBERT HERRING, Inez in IL TROVATORE, First Lady in THE MAGIC FLUTE and Gutrune in Wagner’s GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG. In June of 2007 she starred with other young Canadian opera singers in “Luna”, a gala concert which highlighted the inaugural Luminato Festival in Toronto.

James Taylor

With a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century, tenor James Taylor devotes much of his career to the oratorio and concert literature. One of the most sought after Bach Evangelists, Mr. Taylor has performed the role for his debut with the New York Philharmonic, throughout the United States, in South America, Japan, Israel, and in the great concert halls of Europe including Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Vienna’s Musikverein, and the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Highlights of Mr. Taylor’s 2008/09 season include performances of Haydn’s The Creation at Carnegie Hall with Orchestra of St. Luke’s with Helmuth Rilling, with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra led by Nicolas McGegan, and with the National Symphony, also with Maestro Rilling. He sings the Britten War Requiem with Bramwell Tovey and the Vancouver Symphony, and Haydn’s Stabat Mater with Bernard Labadie and Les Violins du Roy in Quebec and Montreal. International performances include Bach Mass in B Minor in Bamberg with Sir Roger Norrington; Haydn’s Orlando Paladino with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Berlin Philharmonic; Handel’s Messiah with the State Orchestra of Brazil conducted by John Neshling, and with the Israel Philharmonic and Helmuth Rilling, et al.

Mr. Taylor began the 2007/08 season in performances of the Bach Mass in B Minor with the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, and touring the Britten War Requiem with Helmuth Rilling, appearing at the Rheingau Musikfestival, in Stuttgart, Leverkusen, and in Bonn at the Beethovenfest. Other engagements included Handel’s Messiah with the University Musical Society in Ann Arbor, with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Los Angeles Chorale at Walt Disney Hall. Mr. Taylor sang an acclaimed Evangelist in the St. Matthew Passion with Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic, and Elijah with Mo. Rilling and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. He also made a return to the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra for Britten’s Serenade for Tenor and Horn.

Other recent highlights include Mozart’s Betulia liberata with Nikolaus Harnoncourt in Vienna and Dresden; Handel’s Messiah in Vienna with the Arnold Schoenberg Choir and with Helmuth Rilling in Stuttgart; Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in Hamburg; and a tour of Handel’s Solomon and Messiah with the RIAS Kammerchor in France and Portugal; The Creation with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall; Britten’s Horn Serenade in Linz and Ottawa; Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Beethovenhalle Orchestra in Bonn, Madrid and Barcelona; Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Herbert Blomstedt in Leipzig which was recorded for commercial release; Mozart's Requiem with the Detroit Symphony and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Pittsburgh Symphony; a debut in Carnegie Hall in the world premiere of the Levine completion of Mozart’s Mass in C Minor and performances of Franz Schmidt's The Book of the Seven Seals with the Cleveland Orchestra.

A native of Houston, James Taylor attended Texas Christian University as a student of Arden Hopkin. A Fulbright Scholar, he studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich where he graduated in 1993 with a "Meisterklassendiplom." In May of 2005 The Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale School of Music announced the appointment of James Taylor in the Program in Early Music, Song, and Chamber Ensemble, as Associate Professor of Voice.

James Taylor can be heard on over 30 recordings. For Hänssler he has recorded Dvorak's Stabat Mater, and Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Magnificat, St. John Passion and Handel’s Messiah with Helmuth Rilling. On the Harmonia Mundi label he has recorded Bach’s Easter Oratorio, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis and Mendelssohn's Paulus under Philippe Herreweghe. New releases include the Mozart Requiem with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra led by Andreas Delfs on Limestone Records, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the Nashville Symphony on the Naxos label, and the rarely heard Baroque opera Ariadne by Johan Georg Conradi with the Boston Early Music Festival led by Paul O’Dette on ArkivMusik.

Aaron St. Clair Nicholson

Baritone Aaron St. Clair Nicholson has established himself as an artist of the first rank, winning praise for his superb vocal gifts and the dramatic integrity he brings to his performances. Writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, Joshua Kosman singled him out, noting that “…as Ford, baritone Aaron St. Clair Nicholson gave a virtuosic display of vigorous full-throated singing and all out physical comedy.” He made his Metropolitan Opera debut during the 2006-2007 season as Schaunard in LA BOHEME conducted by Domingo and followed those performances with Papageno in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE conducted by Levine. Further Met duties that season included his assignment as cover artist for the role of Clyde Griffeths in the world premiere of Tobias Picker’s AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. He was Figaro in IL BARBIERE DE SIVIGLIA for Florida Grand Opera and starred again as the wily barber in a new production of the Rossini masterpiece for Glimmerglass Opera. His 2006-2007 schedule also included the title role in DON GIOVANNI for L’Opéra de Montréal, Valentin in FAUST for Vancouver Opera, Mercutio in ROMÉO ET JULIETTE for Opera Lyra, Ontario and Fauré’s REQUIEM for the Atlanta Symphony, a work he performed at Festival Lanaudiere in Québec.

Nicholson opens his 2008-2009 season with Athanaël in THAÏS for Pacific Opera Victoria and looks forward to Frederic in LAKMÉ and the Count in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, both for Florida Grand Opera, and ILBARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA for Calgary Opera. On the concert circuit he will be heard in Britten’s WAR REQUIEM for Vancouver Symphony, MESSIAH with the Rochester Philharmonic and a concert performance of DIE LUSTIGE WITWE as Danilo for Kitchener’s Grand Philharmonic Choir.

The dashing baritone’s 2007-2008 season included Mozart’s roguish Don for New York City Opera, and later in the season he repeated the role for Ottawa’s Opera Lyra. He returned to l’Opéra de Montréal for IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Vancouver Opera for Marcello in LA BOHEME and was heard in Rochester in CARMINA BURANA and with the Vancouver Bach Choir in a new work commissioned from John Estacio.

An alumnus of the Glimmerglass and Merola programs for young artists, Nicholson starred in Glimmerglass Opera’s THE GOOD SOLDIER SCHWEIK as Lt. Lukash and was heard as Sonora in their production of LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST. Previous seasons have included Harlekin in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS and Ping in TURANDOT for L’Opéra de Montréal, Papageno in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE for Florida Grand Opera, and Charlie in Estacio’s FILUMENA at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He appeared with both Orchestra London and Brott Summer Music in CARMINA BURANA and with the Vancouver Bach Choir in MESSIAH and has been heard as Figaro in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA for Opera Ontario, Tarquinius in THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA for l’Opéra de Montréal, Mercutio in ROMÉO ET JULIETTE for Florida Grand Opera and the Calgary Opera, and Escamillo in CARMEN for Pacific Opera Victoria.

The Abbotsford, British Columbia native is a graduate of the Resident Artist Training program at Tri-Cities Opera in New York where he appeared in a number of leading roles including Belcore in L’ELISIR D’AMORE, the title role in DON GIOVANNI, Dr. Falke in DIE FLEDERMAUS and Sharpless in MADAMA BUTTERFLY. Western Opera Theater chose him for the role of Guglielmo in Mozart’s COSI FAN TUTTE and he was also a member of Seattle Opera’s young artist program.

Orchestras in the United States and Canada have engaged Mr. Nicholson for major repertoire including ELIJAH, MESSIAH, and CARMINA BURANA as well as works by Fauré and Vaughan Williams. The George London competition finalist has been heard with the Binghamton Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Bellevue Philharmonic, Victoria Capriccio, at the San Francisco Opera Center and with the Tri-Cities Opera Orchestra. Nicholson’s awards include the Richmond F. Gold Career Grant, the Karl Muller Performance Award, a career incentive grant from Seattle Opera and most recently, the Sullivan Foundation Award for role preparation assistance.

Vancouver Bach Choir

The Vancouver Bach Choir gave its first concert at the Orpheum in December 1930. During its long history, the choir has sung with such world-renowned conductors as Bruno Walter, Sir Ernest MacMillan, Zubin Mehta, Sir Arthur Bliss, Meredith Davies, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Simon Streatfeild, Andrew Davis and Simon Preston. Its present Music Director, Bruce Pullan, was appointed in 1983.

Since 1930, the Vancouver Bach Choir’s Canadian reputation has grown through numerous broadcasts by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, an Eastern Canadian tour in 1974 and the cross-Canada viewing of a television film of the Easter music from Handel’s Messiah.

During the seventies the Vancouver Bach Choir undertook two international tours, one to Holland and one to Poland and France. On both occasions the choir was awarded first place at international music festivals and gave numerous concerts including appearances at the Hague, Warsaw and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. In 1978 the choir came first in the prestigious choral competition, Let the Peoples Sing, and was heard by a radio audience of 15 million people throughout the world.

In 1983 the choir took part in the Canadian Premiere of Mahler’s 8th Symphony with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and conductor Andrew Davis. Subsequently the choir sang “Mahler’s 8th” again with the TSO and gave the Western Canadian Premiere of the same piece with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Mario Bernardi. In 1986 the VBC’s Expo concert was made into a film “Whalesong,” for television, which has been shown all over the world and won a Gemini award.

In 1987 the choir toured England and Wales giving concerts in such prestigious venues as St. Martin in the Fields, St. Paul’s, Canterbury and Lincoln Cathedrals and the Llangollen International Festival where the concert with the BBC Welsh Orchestra was broadcast by the BBC.

In the Summer of 1989 the choir sang in the International Opera Festival’s production of Aida in both Vancouver and Tokyo and in the Summer of 1993 the Choir sang in both the 1993 International Choral Festival in Toronto and the World Symposium on Choral Music in Vancouver. In July 1997 the choir traveled to the UK for concerts in London and Oxford conducted by Bruce Pullan and a performance of Berlioz’ Damnation of Faust with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

In May 1997 the choir gave the world premiere of the oratorio Job by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies at the opening of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC. The concert was recorded live and recently issued on CD by Collins Classics.

In Vancouver the Vancouver Bach Choir presents a series of concerts each Season and has been responsible for the British Columbia premiere of a number of major works including Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, Lloyd Webber’s Requiem, Mahler’s 8th Syrnphony, Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, Berlioz’ Messe Solennelle and Penderecki’s Polish Requiem.

Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus

The Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus has been making beautiful music since 1984 under Music Director Bruce Pullan. As their program gradually expanded, Marisa Gaetanne joined the team and now conducts their youngest choirs. The VBCC encourages children to develop artistically and reap the many benefits of creative expression – from stronger academic performance to improved health and posture. The VBCC believes that encouraging children to sing in a choir teaches them how to demonstrate excellence as a group and provides them with the gift of music as a lifelong joy.

November Concert Listings

The VSO’s November Concert Listings

Vancouver BC – November brings cold weather and miserable rainy grey days to Vancouver – but the VSO brings hot concerts and lots of joy and cheer to audiences around the Lower Mainland! There are several great concerts, beginning with Vancouver favourite Angela Cheng, who graces the Orpheum stage to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3; a concert that also includes Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Another season highlight is The Festival of Remembrance – an inspiring series of concerts that commemorate the 90^th Anniversary of the end of WWI. Cellist Raphael Wallfisch will be featured in the first two Festival of Remembrance concerts performing Bloch’s moving Hebraic Rhapsody at the Orpheum and in Surrey’s Bell Centre for the Performing Arts. The Festival concludes with one of the most important works of the twentieth century, Benjamin Britten’s epic War Requiem – featuring the Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus, and three outstanding vocal soloists.

The world of Ballet comes alive with dancers from Goh Ballet in the second Pacific Arbour Tea & Trumpets concert of the season. Byron Stripling, a true Jazz and Blues master, will bring his immense talent to Vancouver again in the London Drugs VSO Pops concert Nothin’ But The Blues. Concerts for kids include Teddy Bears Music Picnic with entertainers Let Your Music Shine with Lisa and Linda and Al Simmons bringing his one-man, multi-prop performance to children in Something’s Fishy…with Al Simmons. The month comes to a close with violin genius Corey Cerovsek, who returns home to perform the stunning Sibelius Violin Concerto.

CONCERT INFO

Tiny Tots Series:

Teddy Bears Music Picnic

Saturday, November 1, 10:00am, 11:30am, Terry Fox Theatre

Let Your Music Shine with Lisa and Linda, entertainers

Bring your teddy bear for this show filled with playful songs, games and musical stories. A family favourite!

Adult Tickets $15, Child Tickets $7

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

Premier Education Partner:

TELUS

Masterworks Gold Series:

New World Symphony

Saturday & Monday, November 1 & 3, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Yoav Talmi, conductor

Angela Cheng, piano

Beethoven Loenore Overture, No.3

Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op. 37

Dvorak Symphony No.9 in E minor, New World

One of the top Classical pianists anywhere, Vancouver favourite Angela Cheng graces the Orpheum stage to perform Beethoven. And the orchestra performs Dvorak’s blockbuster New World Symphony, one of the most popular symphonies ever written.

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

Musically Speaking Series:

Festival of Remembrance

Saturday, November 8, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Raphael Wallfisch, cello

Meyerbeer Le prophete: Coronation March

Mendelssohn Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage

Mahler Symphony No. 5: Adagietto

Bloch Schelomo: Hebraic Rhapsody

Timothy Corlis Olympic Commission

Weill Threepenny Opera: Suite

Offenbach Gaite Parisienne: Suite

An inspiring concert that helps to commemorate the 90^th Anniversary of the end of World War I. Superb cellist Raphael Wallfisch performs Bloch’s beautiful, moving Hebraic Rhapsody for cello and orchestra.

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