Sergei Babayan concludes the 2016-17 season

We are waiting with great anticipation to hearing the great pianist and pedagogue, Sergei Babayan. Please note that there is a small change in his programme; instead of Chopin's Ballade No. 3, he will instead play three pieces of Rachmaninoff(see our web site for details).

Babayan’s recital will be held on Sunday, May 28th, at 3:00 p.m., at the Vancouver Playhouse. As usual, you will have a chance to meet the artist after his performance.

For tickets please call the VCS at 604.871.4450 or Tickets Tonight: 604.684.2787 or buy them online.

We still have a special offer for those who buy three tickets or more: you will get a free parking pass and 10% off to Chambar or 20% off to Frankie’s Italian restaurants, valid on the day of the concert.

One of the hallmarks of success in the music world is recognition by one's peers. You probably heard about Babayan's collaboration with his friend, the legendary pianist, Martha Argerich. These two great artists will perform together in Cleveland this coming October . He is also a frequent concerto soloist for conductor Valery Gergiev.

Win a trip to Warsaw

To celebrate our 20th anniversary season we have a very special offer for you!
Subscribe to our 2017-2018 season and win a trip to Warsaw for the Finals of the  first ever Chopin Competition on historical instruments, to be held in September 2018 in Warsaw.

The package includes a round trip flight for one person, two tickets for the Finals, three days of accommodation and a tour to Zelazowa Wola, Chopin’s birthplace.
The draw will be held at Rafal Blechacz’s 20th anniversary Gala Performance on April 22, 2018.

Both the new season brochure and ticket order form can be opened and printed directly from our website. Download the 2017-2018 Season brochure. Download order form.

Our box office this season is at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. If you are renewing and want to keep your seats, please call the VCS at 604.871.4450. All new subscribers can either call the Chan Centre box office at 604.822.2697 or the VCS 604.871.4450.

Special Event, October 14, 2017 - some thoughts by Patrick May

As pianists, we have all played Chopin's beautiful music. As teachers, we have probably taught the composer's music to countless students. Indeed, Chopin is arguably one of the most popular composers to have written for the piano. However, even among the greatest pianists, there are relatively few whose playing really touches the essence of Chopin's music.
Why?

Most people who play Chopin are unaware of the inspiration behind the music. Growing up in Poland, young Chopin was exposed to the folk music of the Polish countryside, music that became part of his consciousness, and would serve as the inspiration behind all his compositions. To know how to play Chopin, and to be able to play his music idiomatically, we must have an understanding of his musical inspiration.

You will now have an oppoutunity to do just that.

As part of our 20th Anniversary celebration, the Vancouver Chopin Society has invited Maria Pomianowska and her folk band to perform for us, in an evening entitled "The Source of Chopin's Inspiration" and "Chopin on Five Continents".

Professor Pomianowska and her colleagues will recreate music of the Polish countryside for Vancouver audiences, playing on replicas of instruments from Chopin's era. The evening will also feature Vancouver's own Polonez Dance Group, performing some of the unique Polish dances that inspired Chopin in so many of his works.

This is a completely original and unique presentation, given for the first time in North America. Do come for this once in a lifetime opportunity to deepen your understanding of the music of our beloved Chopin. As teachers, this will be a unique opportunity to give your students renewed inspiration in their musical education.

This is an event not to be missed!

This will be our society's most ambitious undertaking, as there will be close to thirty musicians performing together on the same stage. The budget for this project is equivalent to the total cost of our four concerts next season. By attending this event you will also be lending the Vancouver Chopin Society your invaluable support.

Please note that Maria Pomianowska’s performance is not part of the subscription series.

When Maria Pomianowska first asked us to locate world-class instrumentalists and string players as collaborators for her performance, we worried about whether we would be able to meet her request. Fortunately, we discovered to our delight that Vancouver is blessed with an incredible number of world-class musicians, many of them having moved here within the last few years.

You can find all artist biographies with links to their websites and some of their upcoming events in the section of our website dedicated to Maria Pomianowska's Vancouver appearance.

For those of you with an interest in world music, Amirhossein Eslami, a brilliant Iranian composer and ney flute player, will be performing in June on three different occasions. You can find more details in this newsletter Links section.

We at the Vancouver Chopin Society thank you for your support these many years. We are very proud and excited about the 2017-2018 season, and we hope that we will see you at all the performances of this upcoming season – a season that you will remember for a long time to come.