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Byron Stripling with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Photo: Madeline Boldt

Review | Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Rhythms of Harlem

By Madeline Boldt on 17 March 2025 Concert Reviews, Dance, Jazz, Orchestral, Vancouver, Vocal Jazz

With Uptown Nights (seen March 8), the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra paid tribute to the world of jazz as it was founded on the talents of Harlem era musicians. The rise of jazz coincided with the emergence of incredible musicians like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. As it became increasingly popular throughout the Roaring Twenties, jazz served as an outlet for expression and freedom, with its unpredictability and syncopation resonating with audiences for generations to come. Beyond all else, jazz is a living, breathing thing, and trumpeter Byron Stripling embodies this. Stripling has a presence like no other, with…

Laura Grizzlypaws and her daughter. Photo: Chris Randle

Report | Coastal Dance Festival: Rhythms of Connection

By Madeline Boldt on 17 March 2025 Dance, Indigenous, Vancouver

From March 4-9, Vancouver hosted the 18th annual Coastal Dance Festival, bringing together Indigenous artists to share and support one another in a celebration of lived artistic practices. It was a celebration of community, culture, and spiritual connection with the lands upon which we stand. Upon entering UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, one could tell that this festival extended far beyond entertainment. The performance space was surrounded by towering totem poles, strikingly lit to emphasize every little carving in the cedar. At the two evening performances on Mar. 4 and 5, three separate dance groups took the stage. Each one was…

New Release: Triptych – A compelling bridge between jazz and classical music

By Newswire on 7 March 2025 Arts Industry, Classical Music, Jazz, Newswire, Piano, Vancouver

Duo Fedorova & Takser, piano duo The work was composed by Nikolai Kapustin in 2012 and published by Schott this year (2024). This recording is the first official release. Kapustin was a well-known insider tip as a composer of notated jazz music that sounds improvised when performed correctly. 2025 marks the fifth anniversary of Kapustin’s death, who would have turned 88. Even five years after the death of the ingenious composer Nikolai Kapustin, his music, as an artist who bridged musical worlds, is unfortunately still an insider tip. How fortunate that musicians like the renowned Vancouver based piano duo Fedorova…

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and conductor Daniel Raiskin.

Review | Alexei Volodin’s Astonishing Rachmaninoff with the VSO

By Madeline Boldt on 25 February 2025 Classical Music, Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Piano, Vancouver

Astonished. That is the word that comes to mind when watching pianist Alexei Volodin work his magic. I could go on and on about the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra—they never fail to leave me breathless—but Volodin added a level of majesty that elevated the performance from breathtaking to exquisite. The Russian pianist joined the VSO for a series of concerts (heard Feb. 22) that included Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Volodin is described as “acclaimed for his highly sensitive touch and technical brilliance”. His repertoire is almost as extensive as his resume, having performed with countless orchestras internationally, from the Hiroshima…

Vancouver Opera’s 2025 production of Flight. Photo: David Cooper Photography

Review | Vancouver Opera’s Flight: Laugh Until You Cry

By Kaitlyn Chan on 12 February 2025 Concert Reviews, Opera, Vancouver, Vocal

On Feb. 8, Vancouver Opera presented the local premiere of Jonathan Dove’s 1998 opera, Flight. This opera—inspired by the true story of an Iranian refugee stranded in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years—is an emotional rollercoaster ride from the comedic to the heart-wrenching. The production originated at Pacific Opera Victoria in early 2020, just before the pandemic shut down. Stage direction was entrusted there to veteran Canadian theatre legend Morris Panych who has revived his retro-1960s vision for Vancouver Opera. At the start of the opera, Ken MacDonald’s set design looked quite simple with a tall control tower…

Vancouver Opera Announces 2025-2026 Season

By Newswire on 4 February 2025 Canadian Music, Classical Music, Newswire, Opera, Orchestral, Vancouver, Vocal

FEBRUARY 4, 2025, VANCOUVER, B.C. / Traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations – Vancouver Opera announces an exciting and audience-inspired 2025–2026 season with three classic opera productions. The 2025-2026 season begins in October with Verdi’s eternally thrilling Rigoletto, followed by Mozart’s light-hearted Così fan tutte in February 2026. La Bohème, Puccini’s enduring love story, closes the season in blockbuster style with a five-show run in April/May 2026. “For our 66th season, we’re bringing operas by the art form’s greatest composers to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage,” said Tom Wright, Vancouver Opera General Director. “These…

Gwen Hoebig: Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster extraordinaire

By Holly Harris on 31 January 2025 Canadian Music, Classical, Classical Music, Orchestral, Vancouver

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra wraps up its 2024-25 season on a poignant note this spring as its revered concertmaster, Gwen Hoebig, steps down from the position she’s held for an astonishing 37 years. The Vancouver-born musician lauded for her impeccable artistry currently holds the mantle as Canada’s longest-serving concertmaster, following the retirement of L’orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s Richard Roberts in September 2022 after his own 40 seasons. When asked what she’s most proud of from her decades-long tenure, Hoebig replies succinctly: “My playing, and also my relationship with my colleagues. … My overriding goal as concertmaster has always been to…

Credit: Vancouver Sun

Remembering Kazuyoshi Akiyama (1941-2025)

By Madeline Boldt on 29 January 2025 Arts Industry, Canadian Music, Classical, Classical Music, Obituaries, Orchestral, Toronto, Vancouver

Legendary Japanese conductor Kazuyoshi Akiyama has passed away at the age of 84. A cornerstone of Vancouver’s classical music scene, Akiyama led the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for over 13 years. Under his leadership from 1972 to 1985, the VSO transitioned from the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to the Orpheum, marking a new era of growth, increased ticket sales, and a revitalized sound. Early Life and Career Born in Japan in 1941, he launched into the world of classical music in 1964 when he made his debut with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. His immediate success earned him the roles of both Music…

Review | It’s the Band that Shines in Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Hollywood Rocks

By Madeline Boldt on 28 January 2025 Movie soundtrack music, Musical Theatre, Orchestral, Popular Music, Vancouver, Vocal

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra brought Tinseltown glitz and glamour to the Orpheum stage this weekend with Hollywood Rocks, a carefully curated collection of iconic songs from your favourite movies and TV shows. The orchestra was led by Maestro Stuart Chafetz, with Broadway stars Julie Reiber and Bryce Ryness lending their incredible voices. From the moment Chafetz set foot on stage, the tone for the evening was set: lighthearted, energetic, and, above all else, fun. “Tonight’s show is guaranteed to bring back memories, put a smile on your face, and, hopefully, create some new memories” he prefaced, encouraging the audience to…

Chor Leoni. Photo: Emily Cooper

Review | Christmas with Chor Leoni Brings Holiday Magic to the Heart of Vancouver

By Kaitlyn Chan on 20 December 2024 Choral, Classical Music, Concert Reviews, Piano, Strings, Vancouver, Violin, Vocal

Amidst the bustle of the holiday season, Chor Leoni ushered audience members into the serene atmosphere of St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church for their annual Christmas concert on Dec 19. The space was lit with reds, blues, and purples while golden lanterns hung from the ceiling. The beauty of the church was highlighted under this unique lighting, creating an almost fantasy effect within the large arches. Lighting designer Keagan Elrick had set the stage for the magical evening welcoming Chor Leoni’s largest-ever opening night audience. The first song of the evening was “The Long Night” arranged by founding member, Artistic Director,…

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