Dvořák's Eighth Symphony
with the Spanish Brass
Saturday, September 28 | 7 PM & Sunday, September 29 | 3 PM
Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th St, Vancouver, WA 98685
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA returns to Skyview Concert Hall on September 28 at 7 pm and September 29 at 3 pm to kick off the exceptional 2024/25 season. VSO’s Music Director and Conductor, Salvador Brotons will return to the podium for his 34th season and lead the orchestra and the Spanish Brass in his very own work, Brass Quintet Concerto. Additionally, the program will open with Howard’s contemporary Argentum and close with Dvořák’s bright and lyrical Symphony No. 8. Both performances of this concert will also be available as a simultaneous live stream at vancouversymphony.org.
Argentum is described as a “short, fun, and reflective piece” by Howard, who composed the piece in 2017, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the British radio program ClassicFM. This was the first piece she wrote for a full-time professional orchestra. Similarly, Brass Quintet Concerto was composed in 2013, for a commission by the Spanish Brass. Maestro Brotons notes that one of the attractions of writing for the brass quintet is that the sound is so “spectacular and powerful, and this group—the Spanish Brass—is superb.”
In the second half, Maestro Brotons will lead the symphony in one of Dvořák’s most popular masterworks, Symphony No. 8, which is marked as a turning point in his career as a symphonist. Here, he takes a freer approach to form and thematic development, and his native Bohemian musical identity reasserts itself.
The 2024/25 Symphonic Series season is presented by United Grain Corporation.
ABOUT THE SPANISH BRASS
With a 35-year trajectory in the world of chamber music, Spanish Brass is one of the most dynamic and consolidated groups on the international musical stage.
In 1996 the ensemble won First Prize in the Sixth International “Ville de Narbonne” Brass Quintet Competition (France), considered the most prestigious for this formation. In 2017 Spanish Brass received First Prize in the Bankia Awards for Musical Talent of the Comunitat de Valencia, and in 2019 they received the Espai Ter de Música Award. They have also been awarded with four Carles Santos Awards for their CD XXX and Mira si hem corregut terres… (2019), Les Aventures de Monsieur Jules (2020) and Spanish Brass (a) LIVE (2021). In 2020 they received the Spanish National Music Award.
They have participated in some of the most important festivals in the world. They performed at the gala for the Prince of Asturias Awards in 1995 and have recorded music for the play La Fundación by Buero Vallejo, at the Centro Dramático Nacional, as well as the score for the film Descongélate by Félix Sabroso, produced by El Deseo. They have released thirty recordings, including two DVD-CD and three double CD, showing their many facets.
Alongside their activities as performers, Spanish Brass organizes two festivals, international in scope, devoted to brass instruments: the Festival Spanish Brass Alzira (www.sbalz.com) and the Brassurround (www.brassurround.com), where every year some of the most prestigious international brass soloists, groups and teachers gather.
Members
Carlos Benetó Grau (Trumpet), Juanjo Serna Salvador (Trumpet), Manuel Pérez Ortega (Horn), Indalecio Bonet Manrique (Trombone), Sergio Finca Quirós (Tuba)
PROGRAM:
Howard Argentum
Brotons Brass Quintet Concerto*
Dvořák Symphony No. 8
*The Spanish Brass
PRE-CONCERT TALK:
An hour before each performance, 6 PM on Saturday and 2 PM on Sunday, all ticket holders will enjoy an educational pre-concert talk from Music Director and Conductor Salvador Brotons and VSO’s CEO and Principal Clarinetist Dr. Igor Shakhman. Don’t miss this special opportunity to learn all about the history of the music that will follow!
All ticket holders will receive a secure email link in order to access the live stream performances.
Our tech support team will be on standby to assist you if you have any issues logging in during the performances.
Tickets
- Available below or by calling (360) 735-7278
- All current season ticket holders will receive a secure email link in order to access live-stream of the performances
- Single tickets to view the live-stream are on sale now. A secure individualized email link will be emailed to each single ticket buyer.
- Our tech support team will be on standby to assist you if you have any issues logging in during the performances.
How to View the Concert
Viewing the online concert is very easy.
- Purchase tickets to receive link to secure online concert page and password.
- When it is time for the concert login to the live streaming event page and view the concert from anywhere with a computer and an internet connection.
Download Concert Hall Map
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Da Capo
Hosted by Greg Scholl and Ashley Johnson, this exciting pre-show will broadcast on the VSO concert live stream 30 minutes before the concert performance. Full of fascinating information about the repertoire and plenty of laughs, you won’t want to miss it!
Ashley Johnson
Ashley Johnson has been with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra since October of 2019. Since December of 2019 she has been the host and producer of The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Podcast, interviewing prominent VSO figures and guests as well as sharing past VSO performances in the special series VSO Encore. Ashley graduated from Western Washington University in 2013 with a degree in English Literature, and has been active in the Vancouver arts community for over 15 years. She was formerly the music director for the Young Slocum House Players in 2011, and was on the Board of Pacific Stageworks Theater Company from 2019-2023.
Outside of saying flowery things about recordings of classical music Ashley co-hosts a film podcast, produces independent films, and spends time with her daughter Imogen and her husband Will (the superhero who keeps Skyview Concert Hall running).
Greg Scholl
Greg Scholl has played trombone in the VSO since 1993 - he became principal trombone in 1995. He is also principal trombone in the Portland Columbia Symphony and the Newport Symphony. Greg also plays locally in the Portland Brass Quintet and the Portland Festival Symphony. He has performed with the Oregon Ballet Theater, the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Opera, the Salem Chamber Orchestra, the Portland Chamber Orchestra, the Portland Symphonic Choir, the Willamette Master Chorus, and the Portland Gay Men's Chorus. He has performed with the Oregon Repertory Singers and the Portland Symphonic Choir. Greg was formerly second trombone in the Austin Lyric Opera.
Greg is the trombone and low brass instructor at Pacific University. He obtained a trombone performance degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Donald Knaub. Prior to that he studied with Peter Kline and David Brown in San Antonio, TX. Greg plays in the Portland modern jazz duo Dos Hermanos de Hale Bopp. He also plays guitar and trombone in a variety of styles with local bands and performers such as the Rhythm Dogs, Goombahttsi, and Elvis Presley Tribute Artist Justin Shandor.
After rejecting the millions of dollars people offered him to play the trombone, Greg obtained a law degree in 1995 from Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law. During most business days he can be found practicing law as the director of the capital case team at the Metropolitan Public Defender. He enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, reading, camping and hiking, collecting things like Conan the Barbarian comic books, LP records, and concert recordings of the Grateful Dead, and being married to incredible principal bassoonist Margaret McShea. Their son Ben is now in college - he was practically raised at VSO rehearsals back in the day.