2015-2016 SEASON AND THE CHOPIN COMPETITION

Single tickets for Vancouver Chopin Society's 2015/2016 Main Season went on sale on September 8. There is still time until Oct 30 to buy subscriptions either by phone: 604.871.4450 or through Tickets Tonight. Students and Seniors can buy subscriptions for as low as $80 and all subscribers can buy additional single tickets at a reduced price for each concert saving 25%. It is going to be one of our best seasons to date. All performers are artists of captivating maturity and wisdom.

We are looking forward to our opening concert where Cuban pianist Jorge Luis Prats will play Villa-Lobos' Bachiana brasileira no. 4, Albeniz' six pieces from Iberia and Cervantes' Cuban Dances suite in the first half and Chopin and Ravel in the second half. A detailed program is posted on our web site. Prats is a performer born to be on stage and Spanish and Cuban music are so close to his heart. He gives audiences the feeling of being at a historical recital. This should be unforgettable evening that you should not miss.

I'm leaving Vancouver in two weeks for the Chopin Competition in Warsaw. I'm looking forward to an amazing start, with two famous Argentinians, Martha Argerich and Nelson Goerner will play Schumann and Paderewski concertos respectively. The next day will include Garrick Ohlsson. As you know, we always bring the top prize winners of this Competition to Vancouver so hopefully we will see some of them next season. I will have the honour to present an award from the Vancouver Chopin Society for the 1st prize winner at an official ceremony on October 22nd. This year the number of pianists who have a shot at being a prize winner is well above the number of finalists(10). We presented on September 1 a big talent from the United States, 17 year-old pianist Eric Lu. Audiences tremendously enjoyed his passionate playing. We wish him very best.

Every five years at the time of the Chopin Competition, the International Federation of Chopin Societies organizes the AGM in Warsaw and every member Chopin Society in the world is represented by one person. Our Society will officially be represented by our Board member, Vince Cardella. I will be allowed to be present at the AGM as a guest without voting rights.
Many people from other countries that we cooperate with are coming to Warsaw too so there will be a lot of fun and opportunities to exchange ideas.

The 17th Chopin Competition contestants auditions will be available for the whole world to follow with the Chopin Competition mobile application. Live transmission will be also available on Chopin Institute’s YouTube channel. The links are provided below. I personally just downloaded the app on my Android Device. Feel free to email info@chopinsociety.org if you have any questions.

Iko Bylicki