When VMO Maestro Ken Hsieh first broached the idea of this momentous evening with this orchestra he was told it was too big, and too expensive, requiring two choirs and numerous soloists.
Hsieh persisted, and what Vancouver audiences thrilled to on February 22nd was a outstanding concert featuring another Vancouver talent, pianist Robert Silverman.
Silverman’s remarkable performance of the Beethoven Choral Fantasy was at times delicate, yet powerful, reminding listeners that Beethoven was a master at creating nuances and textures in all his work. The Choral Fantasy is clearly an early forerunner for his momentous Ninth Symphony, and with the superb backing of the Vancouver Bach Choir, directed by Leslie Dala, the reference was clearly defined.
Maestro Ken Hsieh introduced the its Spring Conceret by explaining that the Beethoven Choral Fantasy was a work he first heard with Martha Argerich on piano, and the Saito Kinen orchestra led by one of Hsieh’s mentors, Maestro Seiji Ozawa. Hsie dedicated this concert to Ozawa and VSO conductor Kazuyoshi Akiyama.
The second half of the evening featured Carl Orff’s cantata “Carmina Burana.” From it’s powerful opening of O Fortuna, imperatrix de mundi (Fortune, Queen of the World) through the other 24 songs in this cantata, the choir and the soloists brought home the enduring power this work possesses. There are many stories here, including a celebration of the coming of Spring, to the devils of drunkenness. It was an evening to remember on many levels, and definitely gave VMO audiences what they came to hear and enjoy. The long standing ovation the audience gave the VMO musicians certainly proved they had delivered the musical goods!
You can hear the VMO in their next Chamber Orchestra Series on April 11, 2025 at the Playhouse Theatre.
More information and tickets at:
https://vmocanada.com/