With this last newsletter for 2018, all of us at The Vancouver Chopin Society would like to wish you all the blessings of the Christmas season, as well as a happy and healthy 2019.

If you are still looking for a seasonal gift for friends and family members, why not consider the gift of music? Give the gift of one, or all, of our concerts in 2019, and introduce your loved ones to the beauty of great music.

We still have four outstanding artists performing for us in 2019 – Lukáš Vondrácek, Tobias Koch (a collaboration with Early Music Vancouver), Nelson Goerner, and Kate Liu.

Lukáš Vondrácek's recital - Farewell to Sikora's

The clear, undisputed and unanimous winner of the 2016 Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition, Lukáš Vondrácek stunned the distinguished judges with his performance of Brahms’ Sonata in F minor. Don’t miss the Vancouver debut of this remarkable young musician, already making musical waves everywhere he plays.  

Vancouver music lovers are no doubt saddened by the news that Sikora’s Classical Records will be closing its doors after 40 years of business. At our February 3rd (Lukáš Vondrácek) concert, we will have a special ceremony to acknowledge and thank our friends at Sikora’s, for their loving service to Vancouver music lovers, and for their support of The Vancouver Chopin Society.

At this event, there will also be a draw for some fabulous CD’s. Come and say goodbye to our friends Ed and Roger, and show them our support and gratitude.

Those interested in this special event can avail themselves of our special offer - a 20% discount off the regular ticket price for friends and supporters of Sikora's. To purchase tickets, simply visit our website and use the special promo code: Sikoras. This can be your Christmas gift for somebody you love.

In order to make this event a true celebration, The Vancouver Chopin Society is sponsoring a special deal on champagne purchased at the bar of the Vancouver Playhouse. Pick up a special voucher from our hospitality desk during intermission, and pay only $3 for a glass of champagne. EACH voucher will be valid for one glass of champagne. Another good reason to come and drink a toast to Sikora's, and to music!

Tobias Koch, Feb 22 and Feb 23, 2019

After our highly successful collaboration with Early Music Vancouver in the 2017-2018 season, we are happy to again work with our friends at EMV to bring you another remarkable artist in a pair of recitals on a period piano.

Tobias Koch is considered the foremost specialist in the field of historically-informed performance practice. Koch has recorded more than 20 CD’s, and is the author of many scholarly publications.

For his Vancouver appearance, Koch will present two different programmes. The first recital will be a recreation of Chopin’s recital in Edinburgh on October 4, 1848. Just as Chopin did in 1848, Tobias Koch will also be performing on a beautifully restored Broadwood grand piano. For his second recital, Koch will present a recital of Polish Romantic music, composers such as Oginski, Kurpinski, Szymanowska, Elsner (Chopin’s teacher), Friedman, Zaluski, and Mikuli (Chopin’s student) and of course Chopin.

Come and experience the unique sonorities of a period piano, under the hands of one of its most eloquent exponents, and enjoy the beautiful ambience of Christ Church Cathedral.

Exciting news

The Vancouver Chopin Society is happy to announce that renowned music historian Alan Walker, a world authority on 19th century music, and author of the monumental new biography of Chopin - Fryderyk Chopin - A Life and Times - has accepted our invitation to give a lecture in association with Kate Liu's recital on May 19th. This book, which took ten years to research and write, has been receiving rave reviews all over the world. After the lecture, Professor Walker will be available for book signing, and a limited number of copies of the book will be available for sale. Stay tuned for more details!