As the leaves start to change and the temperature drops, it’s time for many of us to pack up our outdoor gear and turn our attention towards our next big adventure; the great indoors.
Complete with its own peaks and valleys, dramatic flourishes and serene landscapes, there’s nothing worth exploring more this fall than the wonderful world of classical music, which is currently on full display in venues throughout the city. With an amazing lineup of shows to enjoy, from both established artists and up-and-comers hosted by the Vancouver Recital Society (VRS), there is so much to see, do, hear and feel.
So without further ado, here are the classic music events you should go to this fall in Vancouver.
Cheng² Duo
Pianist Silvie Cheng and cellist Bryan Cheng are the multi-talented brother-sister duo behind Cheng². Their performances have captivated audiences worldwide due to their infectious joy, exuberance and harmony that could only come from a duo who have been playing together for the majority of their lives. Although they are incredibly in sync, they are also both brilliant in their own right; Bryan is the prizewinner of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition and Verbier Festival’s Prix Yves Paternot, and Silvie is Cecilia Concerts 2022-23 Musician-in-Residence and a National Arts Club Artist Fellow. Their pieces range from traditional masterworks to forgotten-about classical gems, as well as a repertoire of 15 new works that they have both commissioned and arranged.
Don’t miss this show Sunday, Oct 22, 3 p.m. at the Vancouver Playhouse.
Tony Siqi Yun
Tony is a young Canadian pianist whose star is on the rise. At only 18 years old, he took home the first prize and gold medal at the inaugural China International Music Competition in 2019. Tony was described in Pianist Magazine as “...a true poet of the keyboard. Expressive, and with his own distinct voice, yet elegant and poised.” Some of his most recent concerto performances have included the Cleveland Orchestra (Tchaikovsky), Toronto Symphony and Orchestre Métropolitain in Montreal (Clara Schumann) and the Orchestre de chambre de Paris (Beethoven).
Be sure to catch this meteoric talent on Sunday, Nov 26 at 3 p.m. at the Vancouver Playhouse.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a brilliant cellist who was introduced to the world (2 billion people to be exact) via livestream as he performed at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018. Kanneh-Mason’s albums have been met with critical and public acclaim, with his most recent album Elgar reaching No. 8 in the main UK Official Album Chart, which makes him the first ever cellist to reach the UK Top 10. For his Vancouver concert, he’ll be performing solo works by Bach, Britten and Cassadó, and closing the show with Pablo Casals’ ‘Song of the Birds’ accompanied by a group of young local cellists. His talent is not to be missed.
Experience Kanneh-Mason live in concert on Sunday, Oct 29, 3 p.m. at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.
Timothy Ridout and Jonathan Ware
Timothy Ridout is one of the most sought after violists of his generation. A BBC New Generation Artist and Borletti-Buitoni Trust fellow, Ridout is described by the Guardian as “...that rare kind of musician who could play a cardboard box and make it sing.” Ridout will be making his Canadian debut joined by renowned accompanist/pianist, Jonathan Ware.
Enjoy pieces from Clara Schumann, Franck, Mendelssohn and Brahms Sunday, Nov 5, 3 p.m. at the Vancouver Playhouse.
All of these incredible concerts are presented by the Vancouver Recital Society. Make sure to purchase your tickets now before these shows sell out. Visit the VRS website for more information and to learn more about their multi-concert discount and RU35 youth discount.
