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November 2019
Strange Beasts
Birds, the animals that sing, have throughout history captured the imagination of composers. But what other beasts have inspired composers? This concert, with a blend of the old and new, presents beasts regular and strange in a range of styles. In this bizarre bestiary, no holds are barred. Also included is the premiere of a new arrangement commissioned from American composer Paul John Rudoi. Adriano Banchieri • Contrapunto bestiale alla mente Orlando Gibbons • The Silver Swan Philippe Bodin…
Find out more »December 2019
Christmas Oratorio
Owen McCausland, Evangelist Pacific Baroque Orchestra Three festive cantatas from Bach's Christmas Oratorio (I, III and VI) with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra on period instruments — what could be a better way to open the festive season? With soloists predominantly from within the choir and the softer tone of the period instruments, this aims to be a leaner and lighter reading of this great classic. Johann Sebastian Bach • Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248
Find out more »A Rose in the Middle of Winter
This Christmas journey through time and space incorporates reflections of musical traditions mainly from Northern Europe. It is a mixture of voices, of styles and languages — a polyphony of musical voices. The music ranges from deep calm to joyous dance and from philosophical depth to childlike naiveté, much like the message of this season itself. Otto Olsson • Guds Son är född Leontovych/Wilhousky • Carol of the Bells Ēriks Ešenvalds • Northern Lights Oliver Tarny • The Waiting…
Find out more »January 2020
Byrds and Bees
With Jon Washburn, conductor Our Founder and Conductor Emeritus presents choral favourites, but with a slightly misleading concert title. There is music by Byrd and "three Bs" — Brahms, Britten, Bernstein — but there is nothing naughty going on! There is sacred music, plus delightful music about nature. And we'll present the world premiere of a commission from Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. William Byrd • Ave verum corpus Johannes Brahms • Warum ist das Licht gegeben, Op. 74, No.…
Find out more »February 2020
The Source
With Stephen Smith, piano Kari Turunen & Jon Washburn, conductors Six Symposium Conductors Kari Turunen and Jon Washburn join forces to lead the 40th annual Conductors' Symposium in Vancouver. This concert culminates the week-long event as they and six Symposium conductors from around the world lead the choir in a delicious concoction of famous madrigals and motets, folksongs and spirituals, prayers and partsongs. Pianist Stephen Smith and the choir's many fine soloists get ample opportunity to shine, too! Vaclovas…
Find out more »March 2020
A Wilderness of Sea
With the Elmer Iseler Singers Two of Canada's premier ensembles take the stage together — an event not to be missed! The broad theme is the sea and the Vancouver Chamber Choir will present two new works on that theme, with both choirs joining forces in a magical work that has all too long gone unnoted: Toivo Kuula's Meren virsi (The Hymn of the Sea). Alex Freeman • A Wilderness of Sea Toivo Kuula • Meren virsi Charles van…
Find out more »Stephen Chatman Celebration
Co-presented by the Canadian Music Centre, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and the UBC School of Music Featuring members of the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Vetta Chamber Players Join us for this special concert celebrating the 70th birthday of Stephen Chatman, one of Canada's most frequently performed composers and one with whom the Choir has been closely associated for nearly five decades. Members of the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Vetta Chamber Music will share the stage to present some of Chatman's finest…
Find out more »April 2020
St. John Passion
Zach Finkelstein, Evangelist Pacific Baroque Orchestra The longevity and success of Bach's passions are based on their deep grasp of humanity. The range of emotions and the psychological acuity of Bach make the story arresting time after time. The St. John Passion is the more dramatic and concise of the two Bach passions, which are an important part of the cultural inheritance of mankind. While Bach's works are easy to find in recordings, the intensity of this music needs to…
Find out more »May 2020
This Delicate Universe
With the Vancouver Youth Choir We're pleased to present the Canadian premiere of Seattle-based Eric Banks' This Delicate Universe. The work is akin to a choral symphony in scope. Its five movements for double choir, set to the poems of Constantine Cavafy, feature Arabic and Western scales, full sonorities, intriguing melodies and texts both in Greek and English to create a rich tapestry reflecting Cavafy's world. In the first half of the concert we're joined by our Associate Choir, the…
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