VSO heads to Whistler for some mountain air
Orchestral institute is a new initiative to help boost outdoor concert series Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at Whistler July 1 to 4 | Whistler Olympic Plaza Tickets and info: vancouversymphony.ca
Mention music in the mountains and classical music lovers tend to think of Switzerland’s glittering Verbier Festival or, closer to home, Aspen, or even Banff. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra wants Whistler added to that distinguished list, and has committed significant resources to plenty of music early next month.
North America’s big success story in this regard is Colorado’s Aspen Music Festival, which runs annually through July and August. Established in 1949, it has grown into the go-to place in the Rockies for some 300 music events, with at least double that number of international students attending.
Alberta’s Banff Centre has always been a more restrained enterprise — and likely to stay so, now that the hyper-ambitious expansion plans dreamed up during the brief tenure of Jeff Melanson have been put on hold indefinitely.
The VSO/Whistler initiative, on the other hand, has been ramping up in significance for a number of years and, even disregarding local boosterism, it certainly possesses many preconditions for success. Consider the scenery: as good, or better, as any. There’s strong infrastructure, including many places to stay and to nosh; and it’s closer by half to Metro Vancouver than Aspen is to Denver.
The orchestra has a strong track record of attracting summer audiences to outdoor concerts.
The Whistler residency begins with a bang this year: a Canada Day afternoon concert at 3 p.m. in the Whistler Olympic Plaza. Although the finale is predictable (Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture), this first festive event has lots to recommend, including a performance of Lalo’s fiery Symphonie espagnole (really a violin concerto) featuring Colleen Venables and a revival of VSO associate composer in residence Marcus Goddard’s Wind, Sand and Stars, performed earlier this year to great effect in the VSO’s New Music Festival.
The fare for the July 3 concert at 8 p.m. is more substantial: more Tchaikovsky (his Romeo and Juliet Overture), some Elgar and Massenet, with Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony as the concert centrepiece.
July 4, naturally, is a celebration of things American, with an evening program of shorter works including Gershwin’s An American in Paris and some Sousa marches, but there’s also Aaron Copland’s summer piece, Quiet City. Bramwell Tovey conducts all three free concerts.
The VSO also has a new initiative — its first VSO Orchestral Institute at Whistler, which launches Sunday and runs for a week. A school for advanced young players is an important addition for the Whistler grand scheme.
Intensive programs are vital for artistic development: players with potential for continuing on to professional work need networks as much as they need venues and performance opportunities as much as lessons. The contacts made in top locations are invaluable.
Most days at the institute will begin with a morning orchestral rehearsal followed by coaching or repertoire class after lunch, a bit of recreational time or practice, sectional rehearsals and/or master classes after dinner and a chamber music recital to end a very full day.
Several events are planned to give the interested public a look into the hard work. Canada Day evening there’s a faculty chamber concert, at 8 p.m. at Millennium Place. On July 3, there’s a student chamber music concert, also at Millennium Place, starting at 12:30 p.m.
There’s a dress rehearsal starting at 10 a.m. July 5, and, for a grand finale, the inaugural performance by the VSO Orchestra Institute Orchestra, at 2 p.m. in Olympic Plaza.